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This US$180 asking price is fair for a used Denon PMA-500V, sitting just above the median of US$165 from nine recent comparable listings while remaining comfortably below the 75th percentile of US$187. It is not a bargain, but it reflects a solid market value for this late-1980s integrated amplifier, which was Denon’s answer to the growing AV market with video inputs and 80W per channel into 8 ohms.
The PMA-500V remains well-regarded for its clean, balanced sound and robust build, making it a reliable choice for vinyl or digital sources without modern digital processing clutter. At this price, it’s a worthwhile buy if the unit is in good working condition and includes original accessories like the remote; there’s no need to push back unless power issues or missing components are confirmed, as this generation holds up well when maintained.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Denon traces its origins to 1910, when American entrepreneur Frederick Whitney Horn founded Japan's first audio equipment company, Nipponophone, initially focused on gramophones and records. The Denon brand emerged in 1939 from the merger of Japan Denki Onkyo—combining "den" for electricity and "on" for sound—with other entities, marking a shift toward professional audio development. This heritage includes pioneering Japan's first professional disc recorder in 1945, used to capture Emperor Hirohito's voice, and launching the nation's first long-playing records in 1951.
The brand excels across a broad spectrum of hi-fi categories, from amplifiers, turntables, and tuners to loudspeakers, cassette decks, and phono cartridges. Denon's innovations extend to digital frontiers, such as the world's first practical PCM recorder in the early 1970s, the inaugural CD player in 1981, and early home theater systems with Dolby Digital in 1995. Today, its lineup encompasses AV receivers, headphones, wireless streaming solutions like HEOS, and high-channel processors, blending professional-grade components with consumer accessibility.
Denon holds a commanding position as a mid-to-high-end mainstay in the hi-fi market, revered for its blend of technological firsts, robust build quality, and balanced sound signatures that appeal to discerning enthusiasts. No longer a vintage collector's niche, it competes confidently against premium rivals, backed by over a century of audio leadership and strategic partnerships like its merger with Marantz.
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