Marantz Integrated Amplifier - Does it Colorize !?

[vijwilso]

Maratnz Amplifier

After reading the rave reviews and product of the year award from WHF, I recently purchased PM6003 ( It is cheaper than PM6004 and PM6004 was not available ) . Initially I thought it would a neutral sounding amplifier , but after few days of listening I see this amplifier
? Trying to overdo on every single detail and it becomes tiresome with the prolonged listing
? Feeling it is coloring to some extent ( though the Source direct is turned on )
? Very week mid range , All I could hear is good sweet sounding bass and articulately high

Later I played the same tracks on Rotel Amplifier and I feel it has got more clear vocals and not over doing any specific spectrum.

Does anyone find the same with the Marantz receiver , Is it a general trait of the Marantz Receiver or Is it specific to PM6003 ?

 

[rohitmusic]

In short, IMHO - YES.
I found similar sound with PM5004.

Your observation of ear fatigue is a pointer towards bright sound. I found NAD to be very warm.

I have found each amp to color the sound.

The sounds which I have heard and found closer to uncolored are the Pass B1, Genelec's speakers and Fostex headphones. These are the ones I have heard. BTW uncolored sound is something that I find flat (in a good way).

 

[john_k_antony]

May I know what speakers were used with the amp? And I assume that the source was a CDP. May I know the CDP used?

I am also planning to get the PM6004 amp and CD5004 cdp from Marantz. I am planning to connect the amp to Kef iQ7 FS and a Velodyne EQMax 10" Sub.

I also don't like the "colored" sound that is bright and causing listening fatigue.

Please let me know if this coloration happens with only certain tracks/CDs or its happening to everything.

Thanks,
John.

 

[vijwilso]

I tried it with Monitor Audio BX5 and Jamo Floor Stand,

Sources from PC Audio , Cheap DAC , Marantz CD Player , Cambridge CD player.

In any combination i could see the problem

 

[reignofchaos]

All entry level amps are colored in some way or the other. They have a house sound. Its not until you hit the high end, cost no object designs that you'll get truly neutral amps. However there are flavors in those too.

Just pick an amp that matches and complements your speaker. Finally it is just your audio enjoyment that matters.

 

[AmitKumar]

Maratnz Amplifier

After reading the rave reviews and product of the year award from WHF, I recently purchased PM6003 ( It is cheaper than PM6004 and PM6004 was not available ) . Initially I thought it would a neutral sounding amplifier , but after few days of listening I see this amplifier
? Trying to overdo on every single detail and it becomes tiresome with the prolonged listing
? Feeling it is coloring to some extent ( though the Source direct is turned on )
? Very week mid range , All I could hear is good sweet sounding bass and articulately high

Later I played the same tracks on Rotel Amplifier and I feel it has got more clear vocals and not over doing any specific spectrum.

Does anyone find the same with the Marantz receiver , Is it a general trait of the Marantz Receiver or Is it specific to PM6003 ?

Hi Killerbrain

May i know from where you bought Marantz PM6003 in Bangalore, how much you paid. or you may send pm.

Regards, Amit

 

[john_k_antony]

Hi Amit,

I am planning to get PM6004 and CD5004 from India's audio video home theatre and hi-fi shopping mart. They have a good offer going on for PM6004.

Marantz PM6004 Integrated Amplifier

John.

 

[AmitKumar]

Hi Amit,

I am planning to get PM6004 and CD5004 from India's audio video home theatre and hi-fi shopping mart. They have a good offer going on for PM6004.

Marantz PM6004 Integrated Amplifier

John.

Hi John

Thanks a lot for this link. actually i also bought marantz pm6003 second hand, that why i was checking it.

Regards, Amit

 

[john_k_antony]

Oh cool. What is your experience with PM6003? Which speakers are you using? Do you find it bright and colorized?

Thanks,
John.

 

[AmitKumar]

Oh cool. What is your experience with PM6003? Which speakers are you using? Do you find it bright and colorized?

Thanks,
John.

Hi John

I am yet to buy speakers, Infact i have not decided on speakers. i bought the amp on saturday only, so i cannot comment.

Regards, Amit

 

[john_k_antony]

Sure Amit. Pleas let us know your experience after you have setup the full system.

Thanks,
John.

 

[Jams4znik03]

Maratnz Amplifier

After reading the rave reviews and product of the year award from WHF, I recently purchased PM6003 ( It is cheaper than PM6004 and PM6004 was not available ) . Initially I thought it would a neutral sounding amplifier , but after few days of listening I see this amplifier
? Trying to overdo on every single detail and it becomes tiresome with the prolonged listing
? Feeling it is coloring to some extent ( though the Source direct is turned on )
? Very week mid range , All I could hear is good sweet sounding bass and articulately high

Later I played the same tracks on Rotel Amplifier and I feel it has got more clear vocals and not over doing any specific spectrum.

Does anyone find the same with the Marantz receiver , Is it a general trait of the Marantz Receiver or Is it specific to PM6003 ?

Surprising..I use PM6004-ParidgmMon79v6) thru a Maverick DAC D2.. Sound is pretty transparent pretty 'life like..' The DAC did a good job too at it. Listen to the Diana Krell's temptation or Sarah jones..numbers and the experience is great..no trace of fatigue

 

[S.P.KRISHNA]

Killerbrain,

You say the amp lacks Midrange. Try on a speaker of 2.5 way and verify.

 

[Dr.Bass]

If you want something warmer and more inviting, try a NAD CD player and a Norge 1000 amplifier. You can also look at Sonodyne amps.

 

[Jams4znik03]

Killerbrain,

You say the amp lacks Midrange. Try on a speaker of 2.5 way and verify.

+1 to that .. Mine is a 2.5 way on the Mon 7 and the mid range is outstanding..

 

[Jams4znik03]

May I know what speakers were used with the amp? And I assume that the source was a CDP. May I know the CDP used?

I am also planning to get the PM6004 amp and CD5004 cdp from Marantz. I am planning to connect the amp to Kef iQ7 FS and a Velodyne EQMax 10" Sub.

I also don't like the "colored" sound that is bright and causing listening fatigue.

Please let me know if this coloration happens with only certain tracks/CDs or its happening to everything.

Thanks,
John.

Try the KEF 500s .. there were very good reviews with this combination

 

[reubensm]

It depends on your listening style and the genre of music that you listen to. If you are into classical music (both western and indian), Hindi OSTs, blues, jazz, pop, soul or orchestra based instrumental music, then colour can be an absolute head ache. However if you listen to music like trance and rock, colour can add flavour to the overall appeal. Recently I got to hear a Denon entry level integrated amp which had a coloured sound profile, but sounded impressive for the metal genre (due to its focus on the lows and highs and roll off to some extent, in the mid ranges). Just my 2 cents.