Denon DRA-100 Review

Denon DRA-100 Review

Full Digital Network Stereo Receiver with appealing design and unlimited music streaming options

70 watts per channel (4 ohms) Full Digital Processing Amplifier
Advanced AL32 Processing and Master Clock Design
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with dual antenna
High Resolution Audio streaming via DLNA 1.5 and Front-USB
Built-in AirPlay, Internet Radio and Spotify Connect (where available)
Bluetooth® wireless streaming with NFC pairing
Digital optical/coaxial and analogue inputs
Dedicated headphone amplifier circuit
Subwoofer pre-output for system expansion
Clear view OLED
Easy-to-use remote control
Auto Standby and low power consumption

Real Hi-Fi for today’s lifestyles. Say hello to the newest entry in the Denon’s Design Series: The elegant DRA-100 Network Amplifier. Sporting a sleek aluminium body and two-tone design, it boasts a 2x 70W digital amplifier with Advanced AL32 Processing, network streaming capabilities, gapless playback and, of course high-resolution audio. For the most convenient music streaming from Apple iDevices, the DRA-100 comes with built-in AirPlay technology. Also, an OLED, a USB-A connection, two optical and one coaxial input and Spotify Connect are present and correct.

Bespoke Hi-Fi components taken from Denon’s high-end “NE series”

We have employed a number of audio electrolytic capacitors, resistors, film capacitors that are also used in the “NE series”, a new generation of Denon’s renowned Hi-Fi components. These optimum parts were selected by our lead sound engineer only after repeated auditions. To further refine sound quality, we introduced custom parts developed in collaboration with electrolytic capacitors parts manufacturers.

Full digital power amplifier for powerful and detailed sound

The amplifier section incorporates DDFA® technology. The output stage circuit has a discrete construction, which realizes higher Signal-to-Noise-ratio and lower distortion compared to conventional class D amplifiers. This advanced amplifier system delivers superior audio fidelity along with high amplifier efficiency at 70W into 4 ohms. The premium grade multi-way speaker connectors let you connect speaker cables via bare wire, pin connectors as well as banana plug connectors.

New generation class D amplifier – DDFA

The DRA-100 uses new generation “DDFA® (Direct Digital Feedback Amplifier)” class D amplifier technology. This achieves dramatic sound quality improvement by utilizing a high-speed and extremely accurate digital feedback loop. Processing is performed completely digitally from input to final stage PWM modulation, with no sound quality degradation. The 70 watt output (4 Ω) is 40% higher than on the PMA-50. This is achieved by the addition of a gate driver that improves instantaneous current supply capability. Furthermore, in order to deliver Denon’s delicate yet powerful sonic the company carried out rigourous sound tuning using a discrete circuit for the output stage and the power supply circuit. The result is a high fidelity sound with rich expressive power and excellent audio characteristics, such as high S/N and low distortion when compared to most conventional class D amps.

High resolution Audio including DSD via network or USB

Thanks to the DLNA 1.5 compatibility, you can enjoy music file streaming from your computer or NAS drive most conveniently. The DRA-100 supports MP3, AAC, WMA, and even high-resolution audio tracks of up to 192-kHz/24-bits (WAV, FLAC, AIFF) along with DSD 2.8 MHz and 5.6 MHz files (DSD is the advanced digital audio coding system of SACD). The same file support is given through the front USB port, which in addition can directly play back music from your iDevice using the DRA-100’s high performance audio circuit.

Multiple Digital Audio Inputs; Analogue Stereo Input

In addition to the USB-A input, the DRA-100 features 2 optical digital audio inputs and 1 coaxial digital audio input. There are also two stereo analogue inputs for connection to legacy analogue sources.

Fully digital processing

Since DDFA is a digital input type Class D amplifier, when playing back a digital source, interpolation processing by “Advanced AL32 PP” technology, volume adjustment, amplification, and feedback management is all undertaken in the digital domain. This makes it possible to eliminate the influence of external noise which can become a problem with analogue amplifiers. The end result is a broad soundstage with excellent transparency and resolution.
* Advanced AL32 Processing Plus is compatible with PCM signals only.

Advanced AL32 Digital Audio Processing

For the ultimate fidelity with 16-bit, 20-bit and 24-bit digital audio tracks, the DRA-100 features Denon’s Advanced AL32 digital audio processing system. Featured on Denon’s premium audiophile disc players and digital audio components, Advanced AL32 processing upconverts, digitally filters and noise-shapes lower bit data to full 32-bits, delivering remarkable dynamic range and noticeably better low level resolution. Your favorite digital audio tracks have never sounded better.

Master clock design

Advanced AL32 Adopt master clock design that operates FPGA and USB digital audio interface with master clock supplied from ultra-low jitter clock placed close to FPGA that performs processing such as Processing Plus. By precisely synchronizing each digital circuit with high quality master clock, high quality reproduction with reduced jitter is realized. In addition, it switches the two systems of clocks of the 44.1 kHz system and the 48 kHz system according to the sampling rate of the input signal, and supplies the clock of the optimum frequency. By eliminating jitter due to non-integral multiplication, we suppress waveform fluctuation in the time axis direction and perform ideal signal processing.

Bluetooth Wireless Connectivity with NFC

Stream your favourite audio tracks from your portable devices via the DRA-100’s Bluetooth connectivity, which features quick and easy pairing. For even faster pairing, the DRA-100 features NFC (Near Field Communication). Simply activate your NFC-enabled Bluetooth device and place it next to the N mark on the DRA-100 (located on the front panel), and it’s instantly paired with no need for manual passcode entry.

Built-in Bluetooth and WiFi

The DRA-100 features Bluetooth & Wi-Fi wireless streaming connectivity out-of-the-box. Connect to the internet through your home Wi-Fi network (or with a hard-wired connection via the RJ-45 Ethernet LAN port) and enjoy your favourite tracks from streaming music services such as Spotify Connect. You can also choose from thousands of internet radio stations around the world, and enjoy music from virtually every genre. With AirPlay, you can enjoy listing to your favourite tracks wirelessly from your iOS device, including the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad, and the DRA-100 is also DLNA 1.5 certified for compatibility with your home PC or Mac. The Denon Hi-Fi Remote App lets you easily control the DRA-100 with your favourite portable device and it’s available for both Apple and Android devices.

Compact Chassis with clear OLED

The stylish and elegant compact chassis features deluxe finishes including soft aluminum matte with bright silver tone accents and glossy and matte black surfaces. The OLED shows the source selected via graphical icons and text as well as the sampling frequency and data format of digital sources.

High quality headphone output

For top audio fidelity the DRA-100 is equipped with a dedicated headphone amplifier circuit that features a high speed ultra low distortion wideband op amp that’s paired with a fully discrete final output stage. In order to accommodate the widest range of headphone types, the DRA-100 features an adjustable headphone impedance control, with 3 settings for low, medium and high impedance headphones which provide proper matching of headphone impedance and amplifier gain. The headphone jack features a 6.3mm connector for compatibility with premium home and professional studio headphone models.

Channels 2

Digital in: USB-B / optical / coaxial / USB-A – / 2 / o / o

Sample Rate digital In 192 kHz / 24-bit

USB-A: DSD / WAV / FLAC / AIFF / ALAC <=5.6 / 192 / 192 / 192 / 96 Bluetooth / aptX / NFC o / - / o Streaming audio from PC o Wi-Fi / Wired LAN o / o Internet radio o AirPlay audio streaming o Windows Play to o vTuner / Spotify* o / Connect DLNA certified o (v1.5) DSD-Audio network streaming o Lossy Formats: MP3 / WMA / AAC o / o / o Lossless Formats: DSD / FLAC HD 192/24 / ALAC 96/24 / WAV 192/24 / AIFF o / o / o / o / o Gapless Playback o Remote APP: iDevice / Android o / o Balance / Bass / Treble / Loudness o / o / o / -