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Marantz PM Ki Ruby vs Musical Fidelity M6si

I have narrowed down the options to drive my Dali Rubicon 5s. 
I’ve heard that unlike most marantz reference series gear, the ruby is not as warm. Also, uses a Class D instead of the usual Class A or A/B.

interestingly enough, I tried the musical fidelity m5si and it sounded quite good with my speakers.  It wasn’t as bright as I expected. It was lively yet warm. My budget allows me to go for the next level, so I’m wondering if I should go for the warmer Marantz Ruby or the MF m6si instead. 
If you own either of these amps, plz could you share your thoughts? There aren’t many reviews and really need your help. thanks!

prashanth13485

Showing 3 responses by p3ga

p3ga
21 posts
 
Ruby owner here (integrated first, followed by SACD player): I’ve been extremely pleased with both pieces, but especially the amp, as I’ve shared in other posts here & on Hoffman’s board.

I did not audition the MF; I’m sure it’s a fine unit.

To summarize, I find the Marantz open, fast, non-fatiguing, with a very good phono section & headphone amp. A little while back I switched in an old iron lung power cord (and a new Amazon sourced hospital grade $15 power cord); I continue to shake my head as to just how good this thing sounds. Believe I’m in for the long-haul with this one, I can squander my $$ on other things now...

Looking at both Rubies together as a system, the convenience of a common remote to control the amp & silver disc spinner has grown on me and girlfriend; she’s comfortable using and enjoys listening to the system. (Think long-term, big picture here..) I can use the DAC in the SACD with a streamer. Food for thought, esp with the prices on the amp coming down.

Hope this helps, feel free to pm me with any questions.
p3ga
21 posts
 
I did not try the PM-10; at the time I was looking, I could not justify it at full tariff, so it never entered the thought process. I'm confident that it offers some advantages over the Ruby integrated, especially at the price delta between the two. I might, however, need to spend a retirement-postponing amount on speakers & peripherals to appreciate the difference between the two.

I hope you have the opportunity to try both and would be interested in your findings. 




p3ga
21 posts
 
Well congratulations on the new addition to the family!

There was some break-in time, I recall more extension in bass & highs after a few weeks. 
In one of the posts above, nonoise mentions power conditioning: I can attest to the fact that the Marantz likes & appreciates clean power.The amp is revealing enough that you should be able to hear a difference in ac cables: A Pangea will make the amp sound dull and lifeless; the Amazon iron lung jellyfish  (<$20) really opened up my system:
https://www.amazon.com/CableWholesale-10W2-51506-Green-6-Feet-Hospital/dp/B0069FLXLU
There's hundreds of others, I stopped there as I'm satisfied. For now :)

FWIW, I am using the Canare 4s11 speaker wire & Audio Envy interconnects from the Ruby SACD. An Audioquest Powerquest 3 protects all from voltage irregularities. Happy camper here.

Hope you enjoy the amplfier as much as I have mine.
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