Marantz Ruby PM KI amp vs Accuphase e-480 or e-380


So... does the Marantz "economies of scale" trump here? Can they make just as good of luxury product for cheaper than the more "boutique" brand? Sound quality -wise, is the Ruby PM KI amp just as good or better (though without the features) as the Accuphase e380 or e480...?

My preference is detailed but perhaps on the warm side of neutral...

Could run either of ’em w a bluesound node going through the Ruby SACD player dac, so consider that the source(s).  Just consider that to be my inputs, into the Ruby and/or Accuphase amps, to control that point.  So the question is about the amps. 

And btw... I know there are plenty of other choices... but let's keep this discussion focused to my question at hand; I've heard all the arguments for all the other possible amps in this world, and I'm down to these two for the purposes of my question; I'm not interested in hearing about a bunch of other brands.

Another related thought, although it would likely void the warranty, if I bought an Accuphase, say the 480, in Japan ... could it be easily "rewired" to be American power (110/120) ? A high end repair shop ought be able to do that for a couple hundred bucks I’d think, or am I mistaken.

curtdr

Showing 4 responses by jjss49

@jbhiller

good to see you post again... hope you are well this holiday season and enjoying the music 🎄

We do not recommend connecting a speaker level sub to this unit as it may cause damage to the amp channels. Unfortunately, the PM-KI Ruby is not designed to handle a sub. It's designed to be used with 2 speakers connected only.

patently ridiculous

a few comments

- a number truly top tier class d amps are now, finally, really the equal to some of the best class a or ab out there... witness agd audions

- that said, while i am sure the marantz unit sounds quite nice in absolute terms, i doubt it would perform at the level mentioned in the point above... i don’t really know for sure, but i suspect this to be the case, furthermore, i personally am not really that motivated to find out

 

So... does the Marantz "economies of scale" trump here? Can they make just as good of luxury product for cheaper than the more "boutique" brand? Sound quality -wise, is the Ruby PM KI amp just as good or better (though without the features) as the Accuphase e380 or e480...?

imo - no, no and no