Densen B-200 PLUS
The result of over three years of intensive research and development, the Densen B-200 PLUS preamplifier is intended to form the basis for all future Densen products. Not only is it musically perfect, it's also full of technical innovation and can be controlled entirely with the Gizmo 2 remote.
From the moment the signal enters the B-200 PLUS, there are no compromises along the way. The selection of inputs is carried out using a special version of the CP Claire relay. Monaural relay CP Claire PRME 25005 is used for left and right channels; In total, the B-200 PLUS has 18 such relays, and the signal path is built in such a way that the signal passes through a minimum number of relays. From the input relays, the signal is sent to the first pre-amplifier stage. Traditionally it is routed to a potentiometer, but thanks to this design, the amplifier stage can not only perform its normal function, but also interact perfectly with the volume potentiometer located after it in the signal path. Thanks to this, signal sources with low-quality output stages can work perfectly together with the B-200 PLUS - they are “easier” to work with the input stage than with a potentiometer that changes the electrical characteristics of the signal.
After the potentiometer, the signal goes to the output stages of the B-200 PLUS. The output stages allow for the use of long cable lengths, making it possible to use several power amplifiers at once without worrying about their distance from the B-200 PLUS. The output stage is essentially a 6W Class A amplifier with no feedback, mounted separately and equipped with ultra-fast transistors and massive power supplies.
All circuits use only select components, such as laser-cut 1% metal film resistors and an Alps RK27 motor potentiometer. All input connectors are gold plated. The power supply is made on the basis of shielded transformers; 5 specially designed capacitors provide an electrolyte bank capacity of 50,000 uF. Various transformers are used for audio signals and the processor. The design has been brought to complete perfection, it uses a minimum number of lead wires, and the bulk of the high-quality parts are installed using the surface mount method with a tolerance of 0.05 mm! The B-200 PLUS uses a special Teflon double-sided printed circuit board - this is quite unusual, but significantly improves signal quality.
The B-200 PLUS can not only operate in bi-amping mode, but is also prepared for quad-amping mode - it can load up to 4 stereo power amplifiers or 8 monoblocks! By connecting the Densen BEAT 300 power amplifier, you can build an active system using the crossovers built into the B-300.
Preamplifier Densen B-200
In the Scandinavian country of Denmark, Densen is known as a reliable manufacturer of High-End devices that are beautiful not only in body, but also in sound. The company was founded 20 years ago and almost immediately appeared on the American market, but since the brand was unknown and competition was high, the company could not find a reliable distributor. However, everyone who heard Densen at least once came away shocked and happy. Now the Danish manufacturer's line includes preamplifiers, amplifiers, CD players and other sources.
Despite all the difficulties, Densen still managed to find an American distributor in the person of TrueHarmonix, in Redmond, Washington. This news cannot but rejoice, since Densen is very popular in the Old World, now it’s the New World’s turn to fully reveal all the capabilities of the devices of this Danish company. Adrian Woon of TrueHarmonix, Densen's new distributor, sent in a review of the B-200 entry-level preamplifier, the "B" being short for "BEAT." The device is made of the highest quality components with a minimum signal path length for more accurate sound transmission.
Densen itself says the following about its preamplifier: “The entire power circuit is assembled with high quality components, all connectors are gold plated, and resistors are made with 1% laser trimming of the value, capacitors are carefully selected, and the volume is adjusted using a 4th generation Alps RK27 motorized mechanism . The power supply is built according to the same circuit as in our top-end preamplifier DM-20. We use at least 5 capacitors with a total capacity of 50,000 µF."
I was very impressed with the build quality of a device at this price level. The device looks just great. The milled aluminum is pleasant to the touch, and combined with the color (I got the albino unit) it just looks great. The device is also available in a black finish, which is also striking in its beauty: especially the contrast between the black device and the silver volume knob. The quality of assembly and finishing is not inferior to devices that are much more expensive than this preamplifier. Believe me, I have seen many different devices. I may be saying a hackneyed phrase, but the Danes know a lot about design.
Unfortunately, all Densen devices come without a remote control, but you can purchase separately the multi-functional and also excellent Densen Gizmo remote control. This remote controls all Densen devices. The kit includes a power supply for charging the remote control. The remote control is simply unique, you can be in another room and press a button on the remote control and the device will “catch” the signal. The design of the remote control is also beautiful - metal body. The remote control is quite weighty and feels good in your hands. You definitely won’t lose such a handsome man.
I used Symposium Rollerblock Jr. damping stands. I chose Acoustic Zen Tsunami II as my networker. I connected the B-200 to an Audio Research VS55 tube amplifier; to connect the components, I chose Transparent MM2 Super interconnect cables. This is the set I use when writing my reviews. I use reference Thiel CS2.4 floorstanding speakers as speakers. I also connected this wonderful preamp to my vintage Revox A722 amp. As speakers I used compact Harbeth Compact 7ES3. As a source, I used a Squeezebox Touch network player connected via an optical cable to a Bryston BDA-1 DAC. After a couple of hours, I began to get a picture of how the B-200 builds a soundstage and what it is like. I compared my feelings from the first audition and the one that happened a few weeks later. In both systems, the B-200 performed excellently - an open, wide soundstage and, most importantly, incredible fidelity. The operative word for this beautiful preamplifier is “elegance.” I compared it to my reference Audio Research SP16, the Densen B-200 gives accurate bass, wider stage and more detail. The SP16 sounded a little richer, bringing me one row closer to the visual stage. The mids, however, stuck out a little.
When listening to Igor Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (88.2kHz 24-bit FLAC) performed by Eiji Oue and the Minnesota Orchestra (Reference Recordings, HDTracks.com), the B-200 produced dynamic crescendos and incredible soundstage depth. The drum beats sound like explosions, I even felt as if someone had pushed me. The sound is very clear, and the sound stage is transparent and quite tangible.
During my audition, I received the CD For the Good Times, the second album of The Little Willies, Norah Jones' group, which includes a couple of talented people from the New York City songwriting scene. In this album they added a bit of country-pop to their classic renditions of the songs. Norah Jones's voice in my favorite song “Jolene” sounds velvety and soft, the emotional message of the song has not changed.
Fleet Foxes are one of my favorite bands. Their second album Helplessness Blues is simply perfection, no matter how you look at it. Luckily for me, it's also superbly recorded. Their “trick” is the refined lyricism of poetry and the harmony of musical solutions. The music sounds as if the sounds are surrounding you. The B-200 preamplifier did its job with an “A plus” - the depth of the sound stage is simply amazing. I listened to this disc on different systems and I have something to compare with.
I won’t ignore the flexibility of the B-200. He calmly copes with any changes in the system. I decided to experiment with speaker cables, network connectors, and even power filters. And I’ll tell you that all the changes and differences in sound were audible. The B-200 is a real pleasure to fly. The only negative is that you need to get used to working with the Densen Gizmo remote control. It took me a few minutes. After that I just sat and enjoyed the music. The preamp is wonderful. I'll even miss the volume control knob since my SP16 only has buttons. The volume control knob on the B-200 works accurately and neatly, I will miss it.
Conclusion:
The Danes are known for their high quality design and superior audio components. Densen offers a complete line of premium devices while maintaining attention to the smallest details. The Densen B-200 is an entry-level machine that made me wonder, “What's out there? In top models?
I honestly can't imagine getting myself a preamp in this price range or just a notch above. I don't have to think about phono stages, tone control or home theater connectivity. I am a fan of listening to music in a stereo system, and I believe that the preamplifier is the “heart” of such a system. The elegance of the Densen B-200 is something I can't ignore. The very fact of owning such a device plays a huge role, because, basically, for this price range, style and ergonomics fade into the background. This makes a huge difference to me because an audio device is something you see every day, so you have to like what you're looking at.
The B-200 sounds good and accurate. It can easily work in tandem with both tube and transistor power amplifiers. I would say that the B-200 combines everything you need - beauty, precision and elegance. The B-200 will be first on the list of nominees for the Positive Feedback award.
Densen Beat-200 PLUS
The base model Beat-200 PLUS preamp from Densen laid the foundation for a whole series of exciting innovations in the world of high-end audio equipment. The unique technical solutions used in the B-200 were truly revolutionary and prepared the beginning of a new stage in the development of high-end technology.
Technical excellence for new sound quality
Beat-200 is a universal, incredibly flexible in control, amazingly musical device, which provides many opportunities for modernization and upgrade, incl. in a home theater system, multiroom system. The equipment is made of high-quality components; it is not only beautiful in appearance, but also perfect in sound.
This preamplifier has four amplifier outputs! The processor input makes it possible to use it in a home theater. The preamplifier can be supplemented with a phono stage or crossover module and integrated into various multi-channel systems.
The short path of the signal path is designed to transmit sound as accurately as possible. The selection of inputs is carried out by a proprietary monophonic relay. The signal then goes to the pre-amplifier stage. The amplifier's unique design allows the stage to interact seamlessly with the subsequent potentiometer. After this, the signal moves to the output stages, where the option of connecting long cables and simultaneous operation of several power amplifiers is implemented.
Thus, the output stage is, in fact, an independent six-watt class A amplifier with no feedback, which operates on ultra-high-speed transistors with large power supplies.
The technical design of the Beat-200 is perfect: gold-plated input connectors, proprietary metal-film resistors, a power supply with special shielded transformers, improved capacitors, a double-sided printed circuit board made of Teflon, and, of course, high-precision surface mounting of parts. The V-200 has no feedback. All innovations of Densen engineers effectively solve the main task - to provide maximum sound quality.
Key Features:
- Versatile, high-quality preamplifier for integration into multi-channel systems and home theater
- Unique technical solutions for high-quality sound
- Wide range of communication and upgrade options
- Flexible control system
The result of over three years of intensive research and development, the Densen Beat-200
Plus preamplifier Not only is it musically perfect, but it's also full of technical innovation and can be controlled entirely using the Gizmo remote.
A number of unique solutions applied to the B-200 mark the beginning of a new phase for Densen. As with all Densen products, the B-200's main goal was the highest sound quality.
From the moment the signal enters the B-200, there are no compromises along the way. The selection of inputs is carried out using a special version of the CP Claire relay. Monaural relay CP Claire PRME 25005 is used for left and right channels; In total, the B-200 has 18 such relays, and the signal path is built in such a way that the signal passes through a minimum number of relays. From the input relays, the signal is sent to the first pre-amplifier stage. Traditionally it is routed to a potentiometer, but thanks to this design, the amplifier stage can not only perform its normal function, but also interact perfectly with the volume potentiometer located after it in the signal path. Thanks to this, signal sources with low-quality output stages can work perfectly together with the B-200 - they are “easier” to work with the input stage than with a potentiometer that changes the electrical characteristics of the signal.
After the potentiometer, the signal goes to the output stages of the B-200. The output stages provide the ability to use long cable lengths, making it possible to use several power amplifiers at once without worrying about their distance from the B-200. The output stage is essentially a 6W Class A amplifier with no feedback, mounted separately and equipped with ultra-fast transistors and massive power supplies.
All circuits use only select components, such as laser-cut 1% metal film resistors and an Alps RK27 motor potentiometer. All input connectors are gold plated. The power supply is made on the basis of shielded transformers; 5 specially designed capacitors provide an electrolyte bank capacity of 50,000 uF. Various transformers are used for audio signals and the processor. The design has been brought to complete perfection, it uses a minimum number of lead wires, and the bulk of the high-quality parts are installed using the surface mount method with a tolerance of 0.05 mm! The B-200 uses a special Teflon double-sided printed circuit board - this is quite unusual, but significantly improves signal quality.
The B-200 can not only operate in bi-amping mode, but is also prepared for quad-amping mode - it can load up to 4 stereo power amplifiers or 8 monoblocks! By connecting the Densen BEAT 300 power amplifier, you can build an active system using the crossovers built into the B-300.
If you are a vinyl connoisseur, the B-200 can easily install a DP-01 phono preamplifier board. Like all Densen products, the B-200 is built without feedback, resulting in Densen's signature open, transparent and dynamic sound.
The B-200 communication system provides two-way exchange of information in multi-room installations. It uses a standard RS-232 connector for connection. Robust reception and trouble-free control are achieved because IR signals received by the B-200 or any other Densen device are transmitted to the device for which they are intended, and each device is “aware” of the other Densen devices in the system.
The DenLink system allows, for example, to place a slave amplifier in the kitchen (or in the bedroom or in another room) and control the main system in the living room from the kitchen, playing music and having complete information about the status of all other devices in the other room. You can take the remote control into another room and control the slave amplifier from there, or use the remote control in the main system in the traditional way.
Front panel functions have also been improved. One of the innovations is the ability to put not only the B-200 preamplifier itself into standby mode, but also all other connected Densen devices. In addition, the preamplifier is now equipped with an output for connecting a surround sound processor.
To ensure the highest sound quality in multi-room installations, the B-200 is equipped with a separate preamp stage for the communication system, which does not “interfere” with the main preamp output stage.
Overall, the B-200 is an extremely flexible and versatile device that is designed to become the “backbone” of future Densen products. There is even the possibility of upgrading the “heart” of the B-200 - the control central processor.
All of these features found in the BEAT-200 serve a single purpose: musicality.
Specifications
- Number of linear inputs: 6
- Recording outputs: 2
- Pre-amp outputs: 4
- Frequency response (+0 -3 dB): 2 Hz - 500 kHz
- Harmonic distortion: <0.005%
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 440 x 310 x 64 mm
- Weight: 8 kg
