Plz advise on Denon PRA 1500/POA 2400


Hi guys, I am new to stereo hifi. I was using quite a vintage solid state integrated Marantz PM 550 DC. And recently bought a used and well taken care Denon pre & power amp. I read that they are quite some guys here using the pra 1500 or poa 2400. I hope you guys could help me with some newbie questions.

For the Denon PRA 1500

- It seems like the volume pot has got to turn to 9'o clock at least before I could start hearing some music from the speaker is this normal? Below 9'o clock there is almost no sound.

- what is the variable loudness actually for?

- Subsonic?

-I have a yamaha EQ-70 any idea how I can loop EQ in to the PRA? ( There are quite afew PB & REC RCAs )
flyinmozart
The extent to which you turn up the volume pot depends on the gain in your power amp and the sensitivity of your speakers. 9 o'clock is not all that unusual for most set ups and listeners. I wouldn't sweat it.
The loudness control is a bass boost "compensation" for low volume listening. Evidently lower bass signals require more power to the speaker and thus aren't easily heard as easily as the mids and treble at low levels. The variable pot usually changes the amount of db boost not the crossover frequency.
I have no experience with the PRA 1500 and POA 2400 but if they sound anything like my PRA 1000 and POA 1500 from many years ago, you should have quite sweet sound. The only limitation that I ran into with the amp was it was not a high current design and needed to be paired with reasonably efficient speakers.
I had a Denon PRA-1500 paired with a Denon POA-1500 and it was a wonderful match musically but had to get the amp gain and the preamp gain set just right. I did experience the same with the gain on the PRA-1500 but once the volume came on, it came on. Slow at first but rapid volume change after 9:00. I had the combo paired with a pair of vintage Klipsch Fortes and once the volume heated up with the Fortes high efficiency(98dB), you couldn't turn it down fast enough. Overall a very musical combination with very fast transients and very thumpy down low.

Does the POA-2400 have gain controls? If so, play with it a while until you get it right.

Bill
Wow thanks for all the replies, actually I typed in more questions but seems cut off. Anyway thanks Mechans for the details, at least now I understand their functions.

To;Hifiman5- As a newbie comparing my old integrated amp vs the denon is a world of difference in sound quality. Low,mid,highs & bass has so much clarity. And there is no audible back ground noise/distortion no matter at what levels.For the price I paid, it's performance certainly is well over my expectations. Btw what's a high current design, I only know that this poa2400 is 500 watt. And I am just using a pair of Wharfedale diamond 10.1 speakers is it suitable?

Willland: Yes for the volume I have the same oncethe volume pass after 9'o clock the power just rocks all the way! The previous owner was using a pair of vintage Klipsch floorstanders not sure of the model but he told me was 98db as well, should be the best combo as yours.

As for the poa 2400,
-do I have to set the gain at max or if I set both channels at half when listening at low volume any difference?

-At low levels this amp is actually hotter then when listening loud ?

-Is there any servicing for this 20+ yr old amp to keep it
in tip top condition. Or only fix when spoiled?

Thanks guys