Description
High-end preamplifier Densen B-200+. Designed and manufactured in Denmark, and introduced for the first time in year 2001.
- 230V / 115V – changing the input voltage is very easy (2 switches inside the machine);
- 2 finishes available, black and albino;
- weighs 8kg;
- standby function;
- remote control capable (with a Gizmo remote – see my other listings);
- hard on/off switch on the back;
- thick, brushed aluminium enclosure, typically by Densen the face and upper plates are one part, therefore the amp looks like a single block of aluminium, gorgeous in my opinion;
- Class A 6W output stage;
- Quad – amping capable – 4 preouts;
- gold-plated RCAs;
- Frequency response up to 500kHz;
- two separate power transformers brought by Danish Dantrafo;
- 5 custom made, power capacitors 5 x 100000F;
- fully motorized, extremely precise volume potentiometer brought by Japanese Alps;
- 18 top quality, mono, air-sealed Remtech PRME 25005 relays.
Retail price in the Euro zone in 2011: 2200€
Retail price in New Zealand in 2011: 5399NZD
Manufacturer's description
The Densen BEAT-200 is the result of over 3 years intensive research and development, providing the focal point for all future Densen products. As you would expect, it bears the Densen trademark of engaging musicality, but the BEAT-200 is also technically sophisticated and is fully engineered for the Gizmo system remote.
The B-200 marks the beginning of a new phase for Densen, as it contains several unique, exciting solutions.
Sound-wise the B-200 is – as with all other Densen products – designed with the absolute highest sound-quality as its goal. From the second the signal enters the B-200 there is no compromise. The input selection is done with a special version of CP Claire’s best relay. The CP Claire PRME 25005 is a mono relay, providing the B-200 with relays for both left and right signal – and a total of no less than 18 CP Claire relays, though the layout of the signal path means that the signal will travel through an absolute minimum of relays. From the input relays the signal is sent to the first stage of the preamp. Normally the signal would be sent directly to the potentiometer, but by starting with the first amplifier stage, the amplifier stage can be designed not only to take care of its normal function, but also to interact perfectly with the volume potentiometer that follows it. This ensures that signal sources with inferior output-stages will still work perfectly with the B-200, because it is easier for them to work with the input stage rather then with a potentiometer that changes electrical characteristics with the volume setting. From the volume potentiometer the signal is sent to the final stages of the B-200. The last stages are designed to be able to drive long cable runs, enabling it to work perfectly with several power amplifiers at once, even if they are placed a long way away from the B-200. This is done by making the output-stage a 6W Class-A power amplifier with no feedback… Naturally the amplifier stages are totally discrete designs, using ultra fast transistors and massive power supplies.
The whole of the circuitry is designed with the best components, and as such all inputs are gold-plated, all resistors are 1% laser-trimmed metal film or better, all capacitors are selected for their sonic quality, and a Alps RK27 motor-driven potentiometer is used in a 4 times version. The power supply is built with the same encapsulated transformers as in Densen’s top of the line preamp, the DM-20. We use no less than 5 custom-made capacitors, with a total capacity of 50.000 µF. There are separate transformers for audio and for the CPU/Link system. The design is optimised to perfection, with only a minimum of leaded components, the rest being high quality SMD components, mounted with a precision of 0.05 mm! There is used a special teflon double-sided PCB, which is highly unusual, but has dramatic effects on the signal quality.
As always, the B-200 is prepared for bi-amping, but this time it is also prepared for quad-amping, allowing it to drive up to 4 stereo power amplifiers, or 8 monoblocks! If the connected power amplifier is Densen’s BEAT 300, it will be possible to make the system active by using electronic crossovers mounted internally in the BEAT B-300. This provides a clear upgrade path, from one B-200/B-300 to one B-200 and up to four B-300’s using electronic crossovers, in an state-of-the-art active system.
It is naturally possible to mount a DP-01 phono-stage internally in the B-200.
As always with a Densen product, the circuit itself is built using no feedback, which results in an open, transparent and dynamic sound with the Densen trademark musical involvement in the foreground.
The B-200 is not only optimised sound-wise; the remote and link system are also state-of-the-art, the result of 2 software programmers work since February 1996.
The B-200 link system allows two-way communication in multi-room installations. It is made to be an intelligent system, where every product helps the others, so that IR signals received by the B-200 or another product are transferred to the product for which they are intended, securing a perfect reception of IR information. Each product will be aware of which other Densen products are in the system, allowing for problem free use of the remote etc.
On the B-200, the link system will allow the user to power-up a link amplifier in the kitchen, or in another room and then control the main system in the living room, sending the signals to and from the kitchen, for playback in the kitchen only (or in the bedroom, or somewhere else). It will be possible to have full display information on the status of all units in another room.
It will also be possible to take the remote to another room and control the link from there, or to use the remote in the main system like a normal remote.
The whole link system interacts with a type D-Subconnector, and as such uses a computer standard, allowing for easy updating.
The front panel functions are also improved, without sacrificing the Densen trademark of no-nonsense. One of the new features is stand-by, allowing not only the B-200 to be put in stand-by, but also all other connected Densen products. Another feature is the processor loop, allowing for the use of the forthcoming surround processor.
To secure high quality sound in this multi-room system, the B-200 has also a separate preamp stage for the link system, securing perfect quality, without interfering with the B-200’s main preamp. The link preamp is designed with a 833 IC which is run in balanced mode to secure no hum, even in link installations with long cable runs. Even though the 833 is of high quality, used in many of our competitors preamps, we feel it works best as a balanced amplifier in the link system, and that our discrete single-ended circuit is much better for real high-end use.
All in all, this system is extremely versatile and will form the backbone of Densen products for many years to come. It is even prepared for extensions, meaning that the CPU, which is the heart of the system, can be updated.
To avoid making the CPU in the B-200 too costly, we have been able to optimize the Link/remote system considerably. Between the initial prototype and the final product, we have We have actually been able to remove 250 components, while improving the performance of the CPU.
All these features are built into the BEAT-200 in a discrete way that never detracts from the true goal: musicality.
Pictures
Technical specification
Line / Tape inputs – 4 /2
Preouts – 4
Power supply size – 2 x 20VA
Storage capacity – 50000µF
THD + Noise @ rated output – Less than 0.05%
Frequency response (+0 -3db) – 2-500.000Hz
Case size (H x W x D) – 64 x 440 x 310mm
Weight – 8kg
Reviews
“The Danes are known for design of the highest order, practicality, and great audio components, with several brands that compete with the best in the world. Densen offers a complete line of world class products with attention to detail that is impressive by any standard. The Densen B-200 at $2200, is their entry level preamplifier which leaves me wondering just how good their top of the line unit is. It is that good.
I honestly can’t think of any other solid-state preamps in this price range, and even going up to three grand I would rather own. I do not need or care about a phono stage, tone controls, or a home theatre by pass. I am strictly a two channel music listener, and I consider the preamplifier the heart of the system; and simplicity tends to work better for me.”
Andre Marc, positive-feedback.com, January / February 2012
“There’s an unusually prolific array of phono sockets, though, not least because there are no less than four preamp outputs. There are also two record outputs and a processor in/out loop. Vinyl lovers can add an internal phono stage, converting one line input to phono. Pre-amplifying circuitry uses surface-mounted discrete transistors, arranged as neatly as soldiers on parade, with good-quality passive components and twin power transformers.”
Richard Black, techradar.com, 13th July 2011
“The new pricing puts the B-200 into fairly lofty territory, but I’m convinced that it can hold its own at this level in terms of build quality, sonics and pride of ownership. Densen products come with a lifetime warranty to the original owner, which is quite something in these throwaway times, and a real bonus to any buyer.
I’ve got a lot of time for this preamp; in fact it’s the only one to make the shortlist as a potential replacement for the Yamaha in my system. If you’re able to get your hands on any of the current stock and can get a sharp price, you may well be looking at a conspicuous bargain.”Ashley Kramer, witchdoctor.co.nz, 14th December 2010
“It’s so clear and dynamic it should be bottled and sold in health shops. I absolutely loved the Densen. I can confidently state that the B-200 gave me more of everything that I treasure, not in the sense that it emphasized any aspect of the music but rather that it brought me closer (as far as I could tell) to it. I bought the review unit, and it is now part of my reference system. One of the finest pre-amps available on the market, and at this price it is a best buy”
What HiFi?, 2006
