help marantz pm6004 onkyo a9050 yamaha s700/500

Check online for authorized dealers and you just might luck out on the Marantz or another brand with an "open box". Some offer a 30 day return policy if you don't like it. I just got a Marantz SA-15S2b SACD player for about 20% off under the same conditions. With free shipping and no tax (yet!) that's quite a savings.

Good luck,
Nonoise

Steuspeed, Paraneer,

thank you guys for the suggestion. hopefully i can get some decent amp with my budget.

I agree with the above poster who said its a probably a toss up between the models you are considering.

If I may make a suggestion. Consider, for not too much more, the Marantz PM8004. In fact, some smart shopping may get you one at or less than the the list price of a PM6004. Now here is an amp that is definitely a cut above all the ones you are considering.

It is built in Marantz' reference factory in Japan and is not afraid to posts its true specs - 70 wpc into 8 Ohms, 100 wpc into 4, > 100 damping factor and 25 amps of peak current capacity. These are specs that will rival integrateds costing a whole lot more. I heard this amp driving a pair of Sonus Faber Cremona M's, a 4 Ohm 10K pair of speakers and the sound was truly impressive. Good luck.

Probably a toss up between those three. A quick scan of the integrateds for sale. There is a classic NAD 304 for $130. That's good sound on the cheap. $375 gets you a Vincent SV-400, and there is a Peachtree with a tube for $400. Probably all good choices for under $500.