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High End Intergraded comparisons, Marantz, McIntosh, Levinson, Luxman....

Ive been trying to listen to higher end integrated amps but its not easy. 

Im looking for owners comparisons. 

 

I had a Marantz PM-KI Ruby that replaced lots of low powered SET gear with high efficient speakers im no longer using. 

I settled on a nice old pair of KEF Reference Model Fours from about 1999-2000. They are very hungry speakers. Very revealing. 

The Marantz Ruby was rather nice in all ways. 

Im trying a marantz PM-10s1 and although i was expecting a Bigger Better Ruby it turned out to be much more than that. I also got it for about 35% off list so it dramatically lowered the price point compared to competitive brands and products. 

I dont really want any DAC in the box. I actually wanted a good phono stage. Id buy a unit with a DAC but I wont be using it and I Do need a phono stage for a Rega with a AT OC9 MC cart. Limits choices based on additional costs. 

The PM-10 has a Much larger soundstage. Larger and tighter focused images. Wide, Tall and Deep. Much more detail and inner detail. Crystal clear presentation. Very tight and deep bass. Punch and slam. Very life-like presentation of instruments and vocals. Not necessarily bright but extended. Im rather happy but also very surprised. 

I feel maybe I should be exploring some other Integrated amps before settling in on this PM-10. Not easy. They cost allot to ship, return. 

The McIntosh MA7900 is an option but its more money than I spent and im not sure how it compares to the Marantz PM-10. Many say they are very similar in sound character. 

The Mark Levinson 5805 is also a bit more money and is said to be more so detailed and brighter. Is that true? Ive read the PM-10 is smoother and richer. I dont want any more detail or brightness. 

The Hegel 390 and MF MX8 lack phono which drives up the cost for me. Im not sure of their character in comparison to a McIntosh or Marantz. 

The Luxman seems to be one to try, the 507uxii but it has much lower power and some say its rather bright with a bass boom. 

 

Appreciate peoples comments based on what you've heard. 

 

steviet

Showing 1 response by rbstehno

rbstehno
1,509 posts
 

Have you ever heard a dealer recommend a product they didn’t carry?

The marantz sound is nothing like the McIntosh sound. The marantz can’t compare to the better McIntosh integrateds, from today or from 20 years ago, nor can the marantz compare to the hegel’s, rogue, and I’m sure others. 
If you like the marantz then keep it, but there are much better amps but you will have to pay a little more for used amps.

The marantz is low powered and any of the amps i mentioned above will have more real power/reserved power to drive your speakers. I had the flagship Hegel at the time, the H300 and it had 250 watts, the H360/390 have even more power. Besides the power, Hegel is a more neutral sounding amp. The dacs in any of these integrateds are a compromise compared to the vendors stand-alone dacs.

The rogue Cronus magnum is a powerful integrated amp with the kt120 tubes and it has a decent phono stage in it. Much warmer sound and more power than the marantz.

The McIntosh amps are warm sounding but have much more power and much better sound than your marantz. The new integrateds are 350 watts with many features inside, but is much more expensive. Look at a older MA6500 or MA6900

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