Amp/Preamp Asylum

Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here.

Return to Amp/Preamp Asylum


Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Integrated Amp upgrade

216.164.216.106

Posted on March 9, 2017 at 06:06:18
BMWDoctor
Audiophile

Posts: 18
Location: PA
Joined: September 23, 2016
Hey, everyone. I've been doing a lot of upgrades to my set up recently and now its time to get to my amp. My current set up consists of a Pro Ject Debut III with 2M Blue Cartridge>U turn Pluto Phono Preamp>Yamaha RXV-465>Dali Zensor 3 loud speakers. I also use an old Marantz CD Player as well.

So my initial plan was to get a Marantz PM6005 as an upgrade, I know this works well with the speakers I have and I wouldn't mind having an integrated phono stage as well. After looking around a bit I am wondering if I am selling myself short by going for this level of amp. I do intend to further upgrade my set up (looking at a Rega Planar 3 eventually) and was thinking about a Marantz PM8005. My budget is topped at about $1000 and I'm open to other ideas.

Integrated phono and a decently built headphone amp to drive my HD650's is a plus

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: Integrated Amp upgrade, posted on March 9, 2017 at 08:03:42
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46200
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since:
February 2, 2002

I have the Marantz PM8003 which is like the integrated amp you are considering just a couple generations earlier. It served me well in the family room TV setup for a number of years but I always thought it was a little dark and veiled sounding.

After adding a couple more 'devices' to the TV setup I decided I needed another amp with HDMI switching to handle video routing to the TV. The Marantz doesn't do HDMI as it is a basic 2-ch stereo amp. I confirmed what I was hearing in the Marantz (soft, dark, veiled) when I replaced it with a cheap [< $200] Sony AV receiver from Amazon. It's a 5.2 ch receiver but we use it only in 2-channel stereo mode. It sounds so much better than the Marantz.

I can't comment on higher-end Marantz amps but their $1000 class PM8003 wasn't very good. If you read the thread I linked to below you will also see comments by inmate airtime regarding his newer PM8004. Good luck!



 

RE: Integrated Amp upgrade, posted on March 9, 2017 at 08:41:38
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
Cambridge Audio has a $1k integrated, I forget the exact model, CX80, or something like that. My friend has one driving Dynaudio Audience 82's. To me the Cambridge has a neutral sound, definitely when compared to the Marantz. I believe the unit also has a built in DAC.

I haven't heard the 8005 but I found my Marantz A/V receiver to sound much better than the Onkyo it replaced. It does lean warm but not valed.

NAD is a possibility but they can sometimes lean to a darker sound character.

 

RE: Integrated Amp upgrade, posted on March 9, 2017 at 11:51:45
BMWDoctor
Audiophile

Posts: 18
Location: PA
Joined: September 23, 2016
I'm pretty impressed by the write up on the Marantz vs. the Sony. I am kind of in the same boat and don't want to spend $1000 for minor improvements, if any over my Yamaha A/V receiver.

 

If used is OK, posted on March 9, 2017 at 13:44:35
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8435
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since:
May 23, 2023
This would likely be a sonic upgrade.
Gsquared

 

Its horses for courses..., posted on March 9, 2017 at 18:19:27
and much revolves around personal taste. I am no fan of the Marantz or MF amps finding them too smooth for my taste. I would buy the Rega Brio R.

 

RE: Its horses for courses..., posted on March 9, 2017 at 18:24:33
BMWDoctor
Audiophile

Posts: 18
Location: PA
Joined: September 23, 2016
I have heard a lot of recommendations towards the brio R, care to expound on your recommendation?

 

I find the Rega to be very nicely balanced with excellent..., posted on March 9, 2017 at 18:38:15
rhythmic surety and nice pace. I find it engaging where the other amps mentioned cause my mind to wander. The phono stage is no afterthought either. It is very accomplished. What's not to like? YMMV

 

Listen to this guy, posted on March 9, 2017 at 18:45:54
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
It's a great amp for a workshop or other low level listening. But what the blank was Marantz thinking when it decided to clip off the treble.

 

RE: Listen to this guy, posted on March 9, 2017 at 19:36:12
Had you considered the PrimaLuna or Sugden integrated units?
Had a Prologue 2 that was very rewarding.

 

Page processed in 0.029 seconds.