I used to sell the Marantz line and I've owned my share of their product. Although certainly not a bad choice, you can do MUCH better for a little bit more $$$. Check out the integrated amps from Creek. Unbelievable sound for the money. I have owned a slew of integrated amps including Denon, Jolida, Levinson, Plinius, etc. Even though I own the Moon equipment from Sim Audio presently, ( I love it ) the Creek stuff is just such a great sound for the money. Also look at the JM Lab speakers, they will quickly show the weaknesses of the B&W line which I have also owned. Check out everything for yourself and get what YOU like because everyone has their own opinions of what is good or not.
Choosing Components for a Hi Fi System
I am trying to assemble a system for my large great room to be used for two channel music only. The room is quite large (24'x34'x9') and my wife won't go for a pair of full range tower speakers so I'm leaning toward a monitor/subwoofer combination. I'm considering a Marantz PM7200 integrated amp to power a pair of Monitor Audio Silver S1 stand mounted speakers. I don't want to shake the foundation but I do want to extend the bass and free up the monitors to do what they do best (mids and highs). I currently have a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 60 towers and she says absolutely not to placing them in the great room....they are banished to the dedicated home theater down stairs (great news for the Home Theater). I currently have a pair of Paradigm Studio 20s on stands up stairs and she is fine with their size on stands (she just doesn't like the �tower of power� look of traditional full range speakers). I�ll be using the Studio 20s as rear surrounds in a 7.1 HT system downstairs. I have a Paradigm PW2200 in the HT downstairs now and a sub of similar size would work upstairs, I have room to hide it, and she is OK with a single subwoofer. For a sub, I�ve considered the Monitor Audio FB210 or FB212, although I might be looking at a 15" Paradigm servo or 15" to 18" Velodyne to move enough air to make a presence in this room. I'm switching speakers upstairs to some more precise, quick monitors with better extended mids and highs and want a sub to match them musically. I'm seriously considering the Monitor Audio Silver S1 monitors and would need a very tight Sub to blend with their metal cone quickness. I'm much more concerned with a subwoofers ability to produce musically clean and articulate sound over the rumbling impact needed for movies.
I�m looking for any suggestions on components including: an Integrated Amp(<$1000.00), CD changer [(not DVD or SACD)<$500.00], a pair of stand mounted monitors(<$1200.00) and a musical subwoofer (<$1500.00). Your help and advice is greatly appreciated.
I�m looking for any suggestions on components including: an Integrated Amp(<$1000.00), CD changer [(not DVD or SACD)<$500.00], a pair of stand mounted monitors(<$1200.00) and a musical subwoofer (<$1500.00). Your help and advice is greatly appreciated.