Denon PMA-50 Quick Start Guide

Read Me First

Please do not return this unit to the store – call for assistance.

If you need additional help in solving problems, contact Denon customer service in your area.

Call for Assistance: 1-855-MY.Denon (1-855-693-3666)

Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00AM to 10:00PM E.S.T, Saturday 12:00PM to 8:00PM E.S.T

For frequently asked questions, visit www.usa.denon.com/FAQ (For US and Canada only).

Welcome

Thank you for choosing a Denon amplifier. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up your amplifier.

Before You Begin: What's In the Box

• Quick Start Guide
• Owner's Manual
• Safety Instructions
• Notes on radio
• Warranty (for North America model only)
• Integrated Amplifier
• Power cord
• Remote control unit
• Caps (silver)
• USB cable

Connections

Required for Basic Connections

• Speaker systems
• Speaker cables

Optional

• Computer
• Bluetooth device

Note: These drawings are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual product(s).

Setup Process Overview

There are seven steps to the setup process:

1. Before using the remote control unit
2. Placing this unit
3. Installing the driver software onto your PC (Windows OS only)
4. Connecting the speakers to the amplifier
5. Plug the power cord into a power outlet
6. Enjoying music using PC or Mac
7. Enjoying music using Bluetooth

Step 1: Before Using the Remote Control Unit

(Diagram description: Illustrates inserting batteries into the remote control.)

Step 2: Placing This Unit

Horizontal Placement

The feet are initially attached to the unit for horizontal installation.

(Diagram description: Shows the Denon PMA-50 unit with its feet attached, indicating horizontal placement.)

Vertical Placement

Follow these steps for vertical placement:

1. Remove the feet: Rotate each of the 4 feet counter-clockwise to remove.
2. Insert the supplied caps (silver) into the holes from which the feet were removed.
3. Remove the cap (black) from the unit.
4. Rotate the removed feet clockwise to attach them to the designated positions for vertical orientation.

NOTE: Be careful not to damage your nails when removing the caps. If necessary, use a thin-tipped tool to remove the caps. However, be careful not to damage the unit when using tools.

(Diagram description: Shows the unit being placed vertically. Steps detail removing feet, inserting silver caps, removing a black cap, and reattaching feet.)

Step 3: Installing the Driver Software onto Your PC (Windows OS only)

1. Download the dedicated driver from the "Download" section of the PMA-50 page on the Denon website: http://www.denon.com/pages/home.aspx
2. Unzip the downloaded file.
3. Select the 32-bit or 64-bit .exe file that matches your Windows operating system and double-click it to start the installation.

Install the Driver Wizard

1. Select the language for the installation and click "OK". (Diagram description: Shows the InstallShield Wizard language selection dialog.)
2. The wizard menu is displayed. Click "Next" to proceed. (Diagram description: Shows the Welcome screen of the InstallShield Wizard.)
3. Read the Software Licensing Agreement carefully. Click "I accept the terms in the license agreement" and then click "Next". (Diagram description: Shows the Software Licensing Agreement dialog.)
4. Click "Install" on the installation start dialog. The installation process will begin. Do not perform any operations on the PC until the installation is completed. (Diagram description: Shows the Ready to Install dialog.)
5. In the Windows security dialog, select "Always trust software from DandM Holdings Inc." and click "Install". (Diagram description: Shows the Windows Security dialog prompting for driver installation.)
6. When the installation is completed, click "Finish" to exit the wizard. (Diagram description: Shows the InstallShield Wizard Completed dialog.)

Step 4: Connecting the Speakers to the Amplifier

(Diagram description: Depicts the rear panel of the PMA-50 with speaker terminals labeled 'SPEAKERS' and 'IMPEDANCE: 4~16Ω'. Two speaker systems are shown connected to the 'R' and 'L' terminals respectively.)

Connecting the Speaker Cables

1. Prepare the speaker cable ends: Peel off approximately 3/8 inch (10 mm) of sheathing from the tip of each speaker cable. Twist the exposed core wire tightly or apply solder to prevent fraying. (Diagram description: Shows preparing the speaker cable end.)
2. Loosen the speaker terminal: Turn the speaker terminal counter-clockwise to loosen it. (Diagram description: Shows loosening a speaker terminal.)
3. Insert the cable: Insert the prepared speaker cable's core wire all the way into the speaker terminal. (Diagram description: Shows inserting the cable into the terminal.)
4. Tighten the terminal: Turn the speaker terminal clockwise to tighten it securely. (Diagram description: Shows tightening the speaker terminal.)

Step 5: Plug the Power Cord into a Power Outlet

(Diagram description: Illustrates the power cord being plugged into the 'AC IN' port on the rear of the PMA-50 and then into a household power outlet.)

Connect to a household power outlet (AC 120 V, 60 Hz).

Step 6: Enjoying Music Using PC or Mac

Connect to PC or Mac

1. Connect your computer to the PMA-50 using the supplied USB 2.0 cable (Type A to Type B). (Diagram description: Shows a USB cable connecting a computer to the PMA-50.)
2. Press the power button [?] on the unit. When the unit power is turned on, the computer will automatically detect and connect to the unit.

Listen to PC or Mac Audio

1. Set Input Source: Press the input selector button [▶️] on the unit to change the input source to "USB-DAC".

2. Set Audio Signal Destination on Computer:

[Windows OS]

1. Click the "Start" button and then select "Control Panel" on your PC. The control panel setting list will be displayed.
2. Click the "Sound" icon. The sound menu window will be displayed.
3. In the "Playback" tab, verify that "Digital Audio Interface" is set as the "Default Device" (indicated by a checkmark). If a different device is checked, click "Denon USB Audio" and then "Set Default". (Diagram description: Shows the Windows Sound control panel with the Playback tab selected, highlighting the Digital Audio Interface as the default device.)
4. Select "Digital Audio Interface" and click "Properties". The Digital Audio Interface Properties window will appear. (Diagram description: Shows the Digital Audio Interface Properties window.)
5. Navigate to the "Advanced" tab.
6. Select the desired sampling rate and bit rate for the D/A converter. It is recommended to select "2 channel, 24 bit, 192000 Hz (Studio Quality)". (Diagram description: Shows the Advanced tab with format options, including the recommended setting.)
7. Click "Apply" to save the settings.
8. Click "Test" to confirm that audio is outputting correctly from the unit via the PC.

[Mac OS X]

1. On your computer, move the cursor to "Go" in the menu bar, then click "Utilities". The utility list will be displayed.
2. Double-click "Audio MIDI Setup". The "Audio Devices" window will be displayed.
3. Check that "Use this device for sound output" is selected for "PMA-50". If a different device is checked, right-click (or Control-click) on "PMA-50" and select "Use this device for sound output". (Diagram description: Shows the Mac OS X Audio MIDI Setup window with device selection options.)
4. Select the "PMA-50" format. It is normally recommended to set the format to "192000.0 Hz" and "2ch-24 bit Integer". (Diagram description: Shows format settings in Audio MIDI Setup, highlighting the recommended sample rate and bit depth.)
5. Quit Audio MIDI Setup.

Playback and Volume Adjustment

1. Play back a music file using your preferred music playback software (e.g., Windows Media Player, iTunes, foobar2000, Audirvana Plus, JRiver Media Center). The type of music file and sampling frequency (e.g., PCM, 192kHz, USB-DAC) will be displayed. (Diagram description: Shows playback software displaying file information.)
2. Adjust the volume using the volume control knob on the front of the unit. The current volume level will appear on the unit's display. (Diagram description: Shows the volume control knob on the front of the PMA-50.)

NOTE: Adjust the volume to an appropriate level on the computer. Further settings might be required in your dedicated media player software (such as JRiver) to enable high-resolution audio playback. Please refer to the owner's manual of the software.

Please refer to the owner's manual for the required specifications of suitable computers.

Step 7: Enjoying Music Using Bluetooth

1. Press the Bluetooth button [?] on the unit for 3 seconds or longer. The word "Pairing" will appear on the unit's display. (Diagram description: Shows pressing the Bluetooth button on the unit.)
2. On your device (e.g., smartphone, tablet), activate the Bluetooth settings and enable search mode. (Diagram description: Shows a smartphone with Bluetooth settings open and scanning for devices.)
3. Select "Denon PMA-50" from the list of available Bluetooth devices on your device. Once pairing is complete, the device name will appear on the unit's display. (Diagram description: Shows the device list with Denon PMA-50 selected.)
4. Play music using any app on your device.

Pairing and Connecting via NFC: For NFC-capable devices, pair and connect by gently touching the device to the NFC logo [NFC] on the unit. If prompted, enter "0000" as the password on the Bluetooth device's screen.

Owner's Manual

Please reference the Owner's Manual for more details about the setup and operation of the amplifier and its features.

Online Version

Enter the following URL into your web browser: http://manuals.denon.com/PMA50/NA/EN/

(Diagram description: Shows a screenshot of the Denon online manual interface for the PMA-50.)

Printable Version

Access the print version of the owner's manual from the included CD-ROM or select the "PDF Download" link from the Online Version.

1. Insert the disc into your PC.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions or double-click on the PDF file to open the manual.