Densen B-150. Hi-Fi Choice review 2006

Review of the B-150

Hi-Fi Choice March 2006

 

 The analytical nature of some electronics is not always, to all people, deserving of unequivocal praise. Can Hi-Fi equipment sound both analytical and musical? Densen makes a good case for the answer being "yes". Too often in the past, there was an uncomfortable tradeoff where analyses came to mean dry, soulless separation of music into its constituent parts. That tendency has become rare with the passing of time and in this case is simple not applicable. What the B-150 achieves instead is a full scale representation of the sound where the details are perfectly apparent if you choose to listen out for them, but where they are still very much part of the overall picture.

All the same, this is very capable amplifier that does things integrated models very seldom do. An excellent combination of analysis and musical integrity coupled with infectious rhythmic properties. Particularly wonderful at dealing with deep bass sounds in a rich, yet tuneful manner.

Conclusion: Truly gorgeous sounds in the lower octaves are a joy; very light treble dryness detracts only a little. Good sense of scale and rock-steady rhythms appeal too! This is one of the few integrated amps that can show up pre/power combos.