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In Reply to: RE: Integrated amp suggestion posted by airtime on June 11, 2012 at 16:34:32
Wow. Hard to beat the two integrateds you have.I find the NAD 326BEE to be notably rich sounding. I've been thinking of getting the PM8004, but was holding back because my impression of the reviews was that it would likely sound "thinner" than the NAD I'm enjoying so much. Seems your experience has been the opposite.
Could the real source of the "thinness" you hear be your CD player or Turntable, which your amps are faithfully reproducing?
I'm using a Marantz SA8001 SACD/CD player and Klipsch Heresy III speakers, with Blue Jeans cables.
Edits: 06/12/12Follow Ups:
The post was the opposite. The Marantnz was full sounding and the NAD had the thinner or cleaner sounding.
When ever some one posts about a stereo it always sounds like there is a major flaw or problem. In reality I really enjoy my Marantz PM8004 VERY much. My particular problem basically is I'm bored!!!!!! Gee - that isn't a common audio complaint.
I've owned the PM8004 for about 14 months and I feel it is an excellent integrated amp. It's qualities are that it is a very full lush sounding stereo. Side by side with a vintage Marantz 2330 (150wpc circa 1976), they almost sound the same. With the exception of the PM8004 being a lot cleaner sounding. The sound is very full with a tremendouns midrange. Not in your face midrange, but "full". It can handle very complex and difficult music cleanly. It also plays just as well at low levels as it does at high levels. Also it can be played very loud with NO problem.
the Cons of this unit are: it is a tad bit laid back. So if you have speakers with a polite top end this amp may be a problem. you need speakers with a good top end. The imaging is good, not the best I've ever heard but not bad. Dynamics are good, about the same as the NAD.
I would recommend it. Very good all around amp with NO glaring flaws.
If you need any additional info just email
charles
I find the NAD to be a very clean sounding stereo. Excellent dynamics and imaging second to none! I think when one says "thin" you always imaging no bass or lack of upper bass. With the NAD clearly that is not the case.
The great division between the Marantz PM8004 and the NAD 326BEE is the full lush richness of the 8004 midrange and upper bass. It really is somthing special. Something I've found over the years to be on the better vintage stereos.
Where as the NAD has a quality of keeping those frequencies on the leaner side to accentuate the bass and treble. I also thing that helps to give the effect of improving imaging and dynamics.
At least this is what I am hearing when switching them side by side.
So getting back to my original post, I feel guilty. The 8004 is one damn fine amp! I think I am trying to get the best of the two stereos under on system.
If you are on the fence about getting a PM8004 I would HIGHLY recommend it. But again it does have a laid back top end. But that does add to comfortable LONG listening sessions, that I do enjoy.
I use as a source the Marantz NA7004 network player. Also something I am VERY happy with!!!!!!!!!
charles
I am surprised you find the NAD 326BEE thin. But you found it to be cleaner.
I compared the NAD with a Marantz 7004 thru MA RS6 and M2 speakers and a Marantz CD player. The Marantz sounded very full and bassy but I liked the NAD better for its musicality and as you said the cleanliness. Another friend of mine had a Marantz 5004 but couldnt get it to us for a comparison.
How about using the Marantz Pre and the NAD power sections?
If you are going for a 1k integrated amp, check out Rega Brio, Audio Analogue Crescendo, Creek Evolution, Exposure 2010S, Peachtree Audio et al. A great time can be had auditioning these gems.
Cheers
Bill
I did understand your post - I was noting that my experience with the NAD was the opposite of yours. I noted that you found the NAD thin, but my experience was that it was rich sounding.
Perhaps the NAD sounds thin compared to the Marantz, but my impression from the Absolute Sound review was that I might find the opposite; namely, that the PM8004 might sound thin compared to the NAD. Here's a link to the Absolute Sound review:
http://www.avguide.com/review/marantz-pm8004-integrated-amplifier-tas-220
So, my experience is different from yours. As I said, I understand that you find the NAD thin, but I do not find the NAD 326BEE to sound thin.
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