<$800 new Integrated Amps. Marantz PM7004 vs. NAD 356BEE vs. anything else???

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by kurtphyre, Oct 25, 2011.

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  1. kurtphyre

    kurtphyre Senior Member<br>Formerly fogged.zep Thread Starter

    Location:
    Germany
    I need an integrated amp. I listen to rock n' roll music mostly at semi-loud levels. My speakers are Athena AS-F2 towers. Might hook up a sub, but right now don't have one that will work here in Germany with 220V. The audio source will mostly be a Squeezebox.

    I had the chance to listen to both of these amps last night at a local hi-fi shop. I brought in my own speakers and left favoring the Marantz. To me it sounded less surgical than the NAD with a little more bass. Maybe not as tight as the NAD but better sounding to my ears at least. I'd say the NAD was more neutral and the Marantz was warmer. The Marantz has a phono stage and the NAD does not. I'm asking if there are any other integrated amps in this price range that would be a noticeable upgrade? The Marantz will cost me 530 Euro out-the-door. The NAD would be 580 Euro. Are both of these cheap made in China equipment or no?

    In the States I had an Outlaw Audio RR2150. I don't really know how that would compare to these. Anyone know? The reason I ask is because Outlaw Audio makes a 220V RR2150 for around the same price.

    Link to Marantz --> http://www.marantz.eu/en/products/283/pm7004/

    Link to NAD --> http://nadelectronics.com/products/hifi-amplifiers/C-356BEE-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier
     
  2. Baron Von Talbot

    Baron Von Talbot Well-Known Member

    Hi, these two amps are pretty much at the top of the competetion, as much as I like NAD in your case I'd go with the Marantz. Phono stage and better looks, good build quality and 50 Euro less - don't hesitate and get a nice power cord for the 50 Euro you saved.

    It is not that there are no alternatives.

    I show you some of the stuff on sale here, you may not know from the US.
    go to www.loftsound.de and check I Verstärker 'Volllcerstärker'
    Got it ?
    So what do we have here ?
    Basically 3 more brands besides NAD (no Marantz) : Cambridge Audio, AMC and Exposure - all 3 british.
    I think the only real alternative here would be the AMC - this brand is known to use tubes in their electronics . The model here costs 449 and comes with a very good MM/MC Phono Stage. The sound is said to be way above the price limit.
    Looks good, too - a Loftsound Highlight !
    Home of British Hifi another good store sells AMC, too and claims these really rock.
    I doubt you find a shop near by where you can listen to it.
    If willing to take a chance - you can always return the amp if you don't like it and get the NAD instead.
    http://www.loftsound.de/shop/Verstaerker/Vollverstaerker/AMC-XIA-Vollverstaerker::4713.html

    Notice that you can get the amp with a USB DAC for another 150. Very cool feature Phono and Computer ready ! The more I look at it the more I like it !

    The amp looks extremely nice imo this review has great quality pictures
    http://www.amchome.com/sites/amchom...161-2010-10(Oct)-Best of the Year of 2010.pdf
     
  3. bresna

    bresna Senior Member

    Location:
    York, Maine
    Is the Rotel RA-1520 much more money in Germany? That would be another to check out.
     
  4. TimM

    TimM Senior Member

    I have a friend who recently bought a Yamaha A-S700 for $700. I got a chance to listen to it for an extended period a few weeks ago, and I thought it sounded very nice. I'm sure this would be considered strictly mid-fi, but that is the universe I live in and I could be comfortable with this amp. The amp was hooked up to Paradigm Monitor 7 speakers and I found it a nice combination.
     
  5. curbach

    curbach Some guy on the internet

    Location:
    The ATX
    Those Athenas are extremely effiicent IIRC, so you might want to consider a Rega Brio. . .
     
  6. Glen B

    Glen B New Member

    Location:
    USA
  7. GoldprintAudio

    GoldprintAudio Forum Resident

    Location:
    Lexington, NC
    You are close to the price of a Rega BrioR. You may want to take a listen to that if you have the chance.
     
  8. Baron Von Talbot

    Baron Von Talbot Well-Known Member

    Yeah that REGA BRIO-R would be a step above. It all comes down if you want the Phono Pre. TBH iif you are happy with the Marantz gt that one. If you want a little more audiophile performance that AMC seems to be the better NAD 326 BEE.
    If you are willing to spend 50% more and can use the PHONO MM of the REGA. (Maybe you find a vintage DUAL in germany) or get a REGA RP 1 or 3 later on then the 695 for the BRIO-R make sense.
    OTH the AMC offers a top MM/MC input, a good headphone amp and a Main and Pre section. None of that to be found on the BRIO-R !
    AMC even uses the NAD impedance matching i.e. adjusting to 4 and 8 OHM speakers automatically.
    A 50 ampere Trafo means it is stable and will drive most speakers with ease..
    The better NAD.

    The Marantz looks better...a mass product easy to resell when upgrade bug bites !
    Their new entry line is really good esp. the CD Players.
    check www.whathifi.com for reviews

    The choice is hard I know - If you want the best sound, no matter the costs BRIO-R.
    AMC vs Marantz is the choice between a specialist vs a proven trusted mass product. The AMC is more audiophile HiFi while the Marantz is more sounded to please within the HiFi range..
    Good news is :
    In the end none of these 3 will disappoint you !
     
  9. johnscousin

    johnscousin Forum Resident

    +1

    Do yourself a favor and have a listen to a BrioR.

    jc
     
  10. tomman888

    tomman888 New Member

    Location:
    Queens, NY
    Not sure if the 650A Cambridge is similar, but I bought a new 640A v.2 and while it sounded great(transparent and detailed), the CAP5 protector system was way too aggressive . As you may know, it detects overload, clip, and over temperature and nudges down the volume pot's motor accordingly. for 75wpc 20-20khz, 8 ohm it did not seem as robust as its rating. Got rid of it.

    The Marantz looks promising; I'm tempted to audition one.
     
  11. kurtphyre

    kurtphyre Senior Member<br>Formerly fogged.zep Thread Starter

    Location:
    Germany
    Thanks for all the information and advice guys? How much does the Brio-R cost? I doubt there's any local dealers of Rega here in Germany. So I'd be buying completely on reviews alone. I wasn't WOWED by the Marantz or the NAD so maybe I'll take a gamble on the Brio-R. Dependent on price though.
     
  12. bresna

    bresna Senior Member

    Location:
    York, Maine
    In looking around, I see that the Rotel RA-1520 integrated amp is usually cheaper than the Marantz PM7004. If you can find a dealer, check it out. I like mine. I don't hear a weakness. Some say Rotel amps are warmer but after listening to a Marantz PM-5004 for several months before switching, I think they are very similar.
     
  13. Baron Von Talbot

    Baron Von Talbot Well-Known Member

    Plenty of REGA dealers in germany - the BRIO-R costs 699 Euro. But, keep in mind it offers a PHONO MM, that is the good news. No Pre-Ourt or a Sub-Woofer output, no headphone plus half size which looks odd unless you also buy a REGA DAC for the same price - Both will have the same size as one amp.

    I don't know if you visit Munich once in a while, Regensburg will have a REGA dealer, too.but I think you will find REGA dealers in other bavarian cities, too. HiFi Auf dem Bauernhof is pretty good.
    Just check the web for distributors or call REGA.

    If you want to buy online the shop I linked in my initial post www.loftsound.de offers AMC and REGA - I'd try the AMC , you save 50% and get the better product in basically all aspects, but 'maybe' sound.
     
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