confused over amp?

[djanky]

hi guys,
over few weeks searching for an amplifiers.
confused between Marantz PM 7004 or NAD C356BEE?

Cost for MArantz 7004 is RS 40000/-
NAD C356BEE is RS 49000/-
guys help me to choose right amp for me. i mostly listen to trance, soft rock.
my room size is 26 x 11 ft.

please help me choosing right pair of speakers to match either of them.

regards

 

[corElement]

Whats your total budget? and are you open to preowned stuff?

 

[aashish351]

my advice - select speakers which has the sound you like... then match an amp. however, both your choices are fine amps. for nad, go for psb, polk, paradigm, focal, tannoy. for marantz - jamo, wharfedale, quad, dali

 

[marsilians]

buy the one that sounds good to you. at this time you will only get personal opinions and that may not necessarily be the same as your listening experiences.

 

[Moviela]

I have a few thoughts about your choice of amplifier. The first thought is why anyone would use an amp separate from preamp except in a multi-amp commercial installation like a cinema, church, music hall, or cricket pitch. There is value in economies of scale when selecting an amp or audio/video receiver. HT has allowed production of AVR's in tens of thousands, whereas a company like NAD opens a shop order for 50 pieces. Now comparing NAD to Marantz I feel they are both good manufacturers, and as far as the amplifier section of the equipment, it would be hard to tell the difference in a blind listening test. NAD enjoys a reputation of being better quality, but that is really nonsense because they purchase their components in small volumes and need to use the parts distributors keep in stock. Marantz on the other hand has staggering volumes and can get capacitor manufacturers to make a special run of tightly specified parts for them. When you want 50,000 pieces a manufacturer is willing to make non-stocked parts for you. An order for 50 pieces generates no excitement at the manufacturer. In your situation I would chose the Marantz and throw the savings at your speakers. The Marantz is also easier to get service because there will be more parts available and technicians who have experience with them. You probably will never need service for either, but it give peace of mind.

I think the speaker brands Aashish mentions are worthy of your audition. I don't agree that any speaker "matches" one brand or another. Most mass market speakers have nominal impedance of 4 or 8 ohms, and the amplifiers are designed to work with this just fine.

Jamo was mentioned above. They want you to believe they are made in a small Danish workshop by careful craftsmen that look like Santa Claus. In fact Jamo, Klipsch, Mirage and Energy are all made by the US group Klipsch. Klipsch has been mixing parts from one brand and putting the label from another. Energy brand has always been a medium priced moderate to loud music speaker. One advantage to Energy was a clever driver design with a ribbed outer gasket that resulted in reduced distortion and resonance. A clear audible improvement. They are now marketing Jamo product with their name on it. The Jamo drivers are rather clunky old school electrically, but look very nice.

What ever you do, always let your ear guide you in the selection of speakers.

As for design, you might need to ask the women folk. I use JBL professional monitors at home because I like the sound, but they have all the style of an autorickshaw.

 

[corElement]

Jamo was mentioned above. They want you to believe they are made in a small Danish workshop by careful craftsmen that look like Santa Claus. In fact Jamo, Klipsch, Mirage and Energy are all made by the US group Klipsch. Klipsch has been mixing parts from one brand and putting the label from another. Energy brand has always been a medium priced moderate to loud music speaker. One advantage to Energy was a clever driver design with a ribbed outer gasket that resulted in reduced distortion and resonance. A clear audible improvement. They are now marketing Jamo product with their name on it. The Jamo drivers are rather clunky old school electrically, but look very nice.

I honestly don't know how to respond to this other than this..

1. Jamo was bought over by Klipsch only a few years ago. They WERE made by a Danish factory for almost 30 years till 2006.
2. There's no "mixing" of parts anywhere. Refer to pre Klipsch models to see where their present designs come from.
3. Which Jamo model has this mystical energy driver design that you talk about? I'm most curious to know.
4. What Jamo product is being marketed with their name on it? Fascinating!
5. Which Jamo driver do you find old school and clunky electrically?

As for design, you might need to ask the women folk. I use JBL professional monitors at home because I like the sound, but they have all the style of an autorickshaw.

Do you ask the girl next door to pick out your underwear for you? Maybe she likes pink!

I dont think so lol.....Style is an expression of the self. I'd rather not own something that does not match my style.
As I consider functionality as an expression of my self, if it does not match my style, it means it's not functional.

 

[square_wave]

@Moviela,

There is much more to amplifier design than cost of mass market parts and cheap circuit boards. Some folks out here can write essays on it.


Pass Labs - diyAudio

or this one:

Solid State - diyAudio


Musically competent amplifiers go much beyond the mass produced circuit boards and the parts that they are populated with. This is very inconsistent with what the mass market manufacturers want you to believe.

Truth to be told, you get much better fidelity the moment you move to niche and small manufacturers who are passionate about what they do. I can cite many instances. There are of course very large and competent companies who also make extremely high fidelity gear but they usually cost a bomb and some. But please be assured that they do not fall into the mass market category.

The worst thing for high fidelity is a low/mid budget integrated or av receiver from a mass market manufacturer who does large numbers. It will sound like something designed by a stuffed shirt in the marketing department.

 

[djanky]

@CORELEMENT, my budget is 100k for both amp and speaker. well iam open for preowned stuff but only for amplifiers
thanks

 

[square_wave]

The problem in India is the lack of choice or availability in the used market.

Try for some integrated amps from Roksan, Creek, Nad from the used market.

 

[corElement]

@CORELEMENT, my budget is 100k for both amp and speaker. well iam open for preowned stuff but only for amplifiers
thanks

My recommendation is the following:

Dali ikon 2 Bookshelves (Best midrange for price): INR 48000-52000
OR
Jamo c607 floorstanders (85% as good midrange but more body to the sound than the ikon 2): INR 57000
OR
Monitor Audio RS/RX Bookshelf (I am not familiar with their pricing)

Cambridge Audio Azur 650A Amplifier: INR 27000

Interconnects: INR 2000

 

[musicbee]

I would state the obvious here... you need to pick the speakers first and then the matching amp.

Also, be sure to audition the speakers. Most of the recommendations here will not suit your kind of music i.e. "trance". For instance I've heard Dali... excellent midrange but no bass whatsoever and definitely not recommended for trance unless you are going to add a sub.

 

[djanky]

hi guys,
auditioned NAD c356bee with t5 and t6. with t6 my reactions where instant and go for a kill. but the combo is way over my budget.
so i thought to look for same sound signature in lower budget.
then i auditioned marantz pm 7004 with monitor audio rx6, dali ikon 6, tannoy dc6 and quad 22l2. over rx6, ikon6 and tannoy i really like quad and 7004 combo.
quad is offered with 20% DISCOUNT as this series is discontinued and selling a pair used for demo.
also like arcam a 17 with dali ikon 6.

my questions are
1). should i buy pm7004 and quad pair? or

2). should i buy NAd c356bee now and psb image t6 speakers later. as i have marantz ls 340 oldies i can used them for a while.

which is better amp. in terms specs, design, servicing compatibility with other speakers, technology, sound signature, funtions and long lasting?

i have two technics turntables which i would like to use
thanks and regards
djanky

 

[Moviela]

2. There's no "mixing" of parts anywhere. :lol: Refer to pre Klipsch models to see where their present designs come from.

3. Which Jamo model has this mystical energy driver design that you talk about? I'm most curious to know.

Looking at the Jamo S426 and/or Energy EF500, they are the same Jamo product.

4. What Jamo product is being marketed with their name on it? Fascinating!

Audiovox is clearing the table of built up stock of Jamo, just like they did at Energy last year.

5. Which Jamo driver do you find old school and clunky electrically?

All of them. It was like a trip down memory lane...




Do you ask the girl next door to pick out your underwear for you? Maybe she likes pink!

She actually prefers a tiger pattern....but perhaps I have revealed too much!

I dont think so lol.....Style is an expression of the self. I'd rather not own something that does not match my style.
As I consider functionality as an expression of my self, if it does not match my style, it means it's not functional.

Style is only one expression of self (Maslow I think.) It is better to give selection of interior furnishing to the girls, and enjoy another well known platitude, "Happy wife, Happy life."

 

[corElement]

Style is only one expression of self (Maslow I think.) It is better to give selection of interior furnishing to the girls, and enjoy another well known platitude, "Happy wife, Happy life."

Good thing I don't have one and most likely wont

 

[beekay]

hi djanky
I am looking for the following combination
1) PSB T5/6 WITH NAD 356
2) MA RX6 WITH MARANTZ 7004

LAKOZY quote 87 K for T6 and 52K for 356
where did you get your quote
Will let you guys know about the audition which i am planning by next week.

 

[Vishal]

I am in the market for Amps (NAD326BEE) and speakers. You can check out a couple of threads - "FS vs BS" etc.

The PSB's (B6 and T5) and KEF (Q300) did sound really nice.. I have yet to audition Paradigm with NAD's.

I am strongly leaning towards an Amp (most prolly a NAD) rather than an AVR.

 

[Vishal]

hi djanky
I am looking for the following combination
1) PSB T5/6 WITH NAD 356
2) MA RX6 WITH MARANTZ 7004

LAKOZY quote 87 K for T6 and 52K for 356
where did you get your quote
Will let you guys know about the audition which i am planning by next week.

BeeKay, DJAnky:

I am seriously looking at NAD + PSB too (most likely 326 and T5). Can we guys try to get a group buy and ask for heavy discounts?
What do you say??

The NAD did sound terrific with the PSB's.

 

[varma_vikas]

@Moviela,

There is much more to amplifier design than cost of mass market parts and cheap circuit boards. Some folks out here can write essays on it.


Pass Labs - diyAudio

or this one:

Solid State - diyAudio


Musically competent amplifiers go much beyond the mass produced circuit boards and the parts that they are populated with. This is very inconsistent with what the mass market manufacturers want you to believe.

Truth to be told, you get much better fidelity the moment you move to niche and small manufacturers who are passionate about what they do. I can cite many instances. There are of course very large and competent companies who also make extremely high fidelity gear but they usually cost a bomb and some. But please be assured that they do not fall into the mass market category.

The worst thing for high fidelity is a low/mid budget integrated or av receiver from a mass market manufacturer who does large numbers. It will sound like something designed by a stuffed shirt in the marketing department.

Could you please name some manufactures, I have been looking for an amp which should have high grade components inside and is not meant specially for mass market.mass market products are all worst. my budget is approx 1 lakh.

Till the time I have selected the brands like Rotel, Naim, Belles

I had woodstock amplifier aw 602 , now not in working condition.

Currently have woodstock speakers (300 watt peak power, i think 80 watt rms).

i am looking for some outstanding amp.

 

[utkarsh]

BeeKay, DJAnky:

I am seriously looking at NAD + PSB too (most likely 326 and T5). Can we guys try to get a group buy and ask for heavy discounts?
What do you say??

The NAD did sound terrific with the PSB's.

I got similar quote for NAD356 52k + PSB 87k from Lakozy (Delhi) which i think is should be approx 12% less. I was almost going to buy NAD+T6 but quoted price was not justified i would never buy speakers and amp on MRP even if i like it. Recently one of the FM had purchased NAD 356 in 44k and T6 in 78k.

However I'll be going down to Mumbai next week at Lakozy for final bargain.

 

[beekay]

VISHAL,

We could get a group buy discount.
But let me audition both the combos first.
I tried to book a slot for audition(psb + nad) at Lakozy, Mumbai for today, but unavailable.
Personally i feel the price they are quoting is obscene.

UTKARSH
Let us know when you have closed the deal with Lakozy
And where did you get those prices