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Which Integrated amp for Mission QX-5?

Dear forum members, I’m new here and would like some help. So i have a Mission QX-5 tower speaker currently connected by a Marantz PM8006 and A Topping D30 Pro DAC. I don’t completely dislike this combos sound but i can feel there is less grip of the amp on the speakers and it sounds a touch too bright so i want to get a new more powerful sweet sounding amp.

The Missions are slightly on the bright side so i would prefer a neutral/warm amp.
Music I listen to are EDM, Pop, Rock and Hip Hop.

I’m thinking of going for Musical Fidelity M3Si or the Parasound New Classic 200 integrated amp.

Budget is up to INR 1.30 lacs which is around $1800 USD.

Looking forward to your suggestions..
theawesomeone91
13 responses Add your response
theawesomeone91 OP
2 posts
 
You guys who are saying my Marantz is superior might be right but it really has a hard time driving inefficient speakers like my Missions.

Anyway, Thanks everyone for their inputs so far. I'm gonna check the price of Vincent amp in my country and I'm also thinking of buying Hegel 160 as suggested by @jjss49

But both of these options are expensive so i might sell my Missions and get the JBL as recommended by @jasonbourne52 .
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,183 posts
 
The Marantz is superior here even though it has less watts at 8 ohms. The difference between 70 and 110 watts is just a few decibels - not enough to be of concern!
Yes, I agree the Marantz is superior to the MF and Parasound.
Current delivery and build quality is more important than output watts into 8 ohms specs, only the Vincent SV-227MK can deliver close to double watts from 4 ohms to 8 ohms!
By the way, speaker is a very personal thing, Mission QX-5 is quite efficient @90 dB, the important factor is its 4 ohms nominal impedance which need a good 4 ohms rated amplifier.

jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649754716-hegel-h160/

woofer grip, clean sound, power in spades, fits your budget
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
I will say it again: the Marantz PM8006 is a well-engineered amp of sufficient power, capable of driving low impedances - and sounding excellent! Why not sell the Missions and get higher efficiency speakers that can handle the type of music you like? I can recommend the new JBL Stage A170's at $600/pair. These are 2.5 way floor standers, dual woofers, two rear ports, horn-loaded tweeter. $600/pair. Capable of handling all the loud rock and EDM you can throw at them!
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jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
The same criticism applies to the Musical Fidelity amp. Wonder why no specification for power into 4 ohms is shown? Because the MF amp can't deliver enough current into a low impedance to increase its wattage/power! Bad engineering again!
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
The fact that the Parasound can't deliver more watts/current into 4 ohms is an indication that it is current deficient! Again, a symptom of poor engineering design! How much is this piece of junk selling for? $1000+?
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
That Parasound is lacking enough heat sinks to avoid over-heating its output stage transistors by driving loads below 8 ohms! This is poor engineering! The Marantz is superior here even though it  has less watts at 8 ohms. The difference between 70 and 110 watts is just a few decibels - not enough to be of concern!
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,183 posts
 
I want to get a new more powerful sweet sounding amp.
I doubt it the Musical Fidelity M3Si or the Parasound New Classic 200 integrated amp are more powerful sounding!

Look at the specs:

Marantz PM8006
70 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms, 100 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
Musical Fidelity M3Si
85 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms, no rating into 4 Ohms
Parasound New Classic 200
110 Watts per channels into 4 or 8 Ohms

Some internal photos:

Marantz PM8006
https://www.marantz.com/-/media/images/marantzna/pm8006/mz_pm8006_n-u_k_bk_product_gallery_4.png?cx=...
Musical Fidelity M3Si
http://bilder.hifi-forum.de/max/654068/musical-fidelity-m3i_389756.jpg
Parasound New Classic 200
https://www.hifitest.de/images/testbilder/big/parasound-newclassic-200-integrated-vollverstaerker-58...
Vincent SV-227MK
https://andermi.ee/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/43_37202.jpg
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
Most solid state amps and preamps made over the past few decades are sonically transparent and add or subtract nothing from a music signal. Contrary to what the obsessed "golden ear" crowd claims!
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
The fault is in the type of music you like! Not the amp or speakers! Most of that electronically processed music has a tipped-up top end! Get an equalizer and turn down the treble and boost the bass! Don't waste money on a different amp! There is nothing wrong with the PM8006!
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,506 posts
 
The M3si is great and may do the job but if you could step up one notch, you would be very happy for a long time. 
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,183 posts
 
I suggest add the Vincent SV-227MK to your list, 100watt 8ohm / 196watt 4ohm, Hybrid design give you tube warm and transistor output power for bass control.

https://www.vincent-tac.de/en/product-types/integrated-amplifiers/sv-227mk.html


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