Replacing a Marantz pm7000 amplifier

GopErthike

Hi, I'm just looking for a bit of advice.
I'm thinking of replacing my Marantz pm7000 amplifier, (having a few problems with it).

I bought it about 10 years ago in richersounds and have been really happy with it. But because it's been 10 yrs since I did a bit of research into it, I'm a bit out of touch as to what would be a worthy replacement.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Google is a barrage of suggestions.

Thanks

Richersounds.ie: John

GopErthike wrote: »

Hi, I'm just looking for a bit of advice.
I'm thinking of replacing my Marantz pm7000 amplifier, (having a few problems with it).

I bought it about 10 years ago in richersounds and have been really happy with it. But because it's been 10 yrs since I did a bit of research into it, I'm a bit out of touch as to what would be a worthy replacement.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Google is a barrage of suggestions.

Thanks

GopErthike,

PM7000 - honestly it was a cracking amp and I really love the tonal balance - I used one with a pair of Elac Jets for a good while and they sounded great together ( I still have and love the Elac jets!).

The obvious suggestion is of course another Marantz - the PM6004 is just a cracker and amazing value at £299.95 - have a look here: http://www.whathifi.com/review/marantz-pm6004

Depending on what speakers you are using (drop us the info in a post if you like) and of course budget I'd also recommend the Cambridge Audio 651 - tonally its probably closer to your PM7000 and it's also more of a powerhouse than the PM6004, again similar to the PM7000 - however it is more expensive at £449.95

and if you did want to step up again (you only do it once a decade after all..) the Roksan K1 looks and sounds amazing at £794.95 http://www.whathifi.com/review/kandy-k2-amp

Thanks again and keep me posted,

ATVB,

John Mc & Crew

GopErthike

Great, I'll check those out.

I'm using two sets of monitor audios, 'bronze B6' floorstanding in one room and 'bronze 2' bookshelf in another.

I found them to work great together, but I'm no expert on this.

Budget probably max €700.

Richersounds.ie: John

GopErthike wrote: »

Great, I'll check those out.

I'm using two sets of monitor audios, 'bronze B6' floorstanding in one room and 'bronze 2' bookshelf in another.

I found them to work great together, but I'm no expert on this.

Budget probably max €700.

The Roksan would sound amazing with the B6's but will blow the budget at €949 - the Cambridge 651a at €559 however opens up a few options - 1. its way within your budget and 2. It allow you to upgrade if you want to - either by adding a matching power amplifier at a later date or if you wanted to the 651A has a dedicated subwoofer output so you could add to your Monitor Audio collection and add the MSW10 Subwoofer which is on special at £149.95 / €184.99 and that will really 'kick ass' and keep you within budget at just €699 after a bit of sharp pencil tweaking!

Thanks again and keep me posted,

ATVB,

John Mc & Crew

GopErthike

Richersounds.ie: John wrote: »

The Roksan would sound amazing with the B6's but will blow the budget at €949 - the Cambridge 651a at €559 however opens up a few options - 1. its way within your budget and 2. It allow you to upgrade if you want to - either by adding a matching power amplifier at a later date or if you wanted to the 651A has a dedicated subwoofer output so you could add to your Monitor Audio collection and add the MSW10 Subwoofer which is on special at £149.95 / €184.99 and that will really 'kick ass' and keep you within budget at just €699 after a bit of sharp pencil tweaking!

Thanks again and keep me posted,

ATVB,

John Mc & Crew

Yeah, that sounds pretty good. But maybe you could explain a bit more.

You mention about matching a power amplifier, so I assume the 651A is not integrated? What would be the downside to using it without a power amp?

I also found a small bit of info on the Marantz pm7004. Do you have any experience with this unit? Any opinion? I assume it's a new and improved version of what I have?

Thanks again for sharing your expertise.

Richersounds.ie: John

GopErthike wrote: »

Yeah, that sounds pretty good. But maybe you could explain a bit more.

You mention about matching a power amplifier, so I assume the 651A is not integrated? What would be the downside to using it without a power amp?

I also found a small bit of info on the Marantz pm7004. Do you have any experience with this unit? Any opinion? I assume it's a new and improved version of what I have?

Thanks again for sharing your expertise.

The 651 is a full integrated am no problem - but its designed with pre outs which allows you to match it to a power amp and really significantly step up the performance levels as and when finances allow.

The PM7004 is a fine amp but for the additional expense over the 6004 - given the relative performances of the two I just don't think it represents great value , which to be honest is no bad reflection on the 7004 - but just shows what an outstanding amp the 6004 is!

Keep me posted

J