I have been trying to do some study on these three amps and trying to figure out what Marantz has really changed in them... one thing is the sound signature to some extent to make it 'different' somehow, but always for the better? It may not or may not be, subjective to what a listener likes. So here is an interesting detail on the test bench facts of these wonderful gears. And also the reasoning why they sound 'lively/musical' etc as compared to clinical/neutral amps.
First the old PM6002 -
Power rating (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) [W]?? 1 Pair 2 Pair
8 ? 55 50
4 ? 90 73
Sensitivity (for maximum power) [V] 0.21
Signal / noise ratio [dB] 90
Growth [dB] 106
THD + N (1 W, 8 ??? 1 kHz) [%] 0.061
Attenuation coefficient (for the 4 ?) 59
Marantz factory specification, speaking about 45 watts into 8 ohms and 60 watts for 4 ohms, the amplifier provides 55 watts into 8 ohms (2x50 loaded in the two channels), and a big jump takes place at 4 ohms -90 watts and 2x73 in one of two channels. Very little is divided PM6002 from the standard 0.2 V sensitivity, noise level of 90 dB is good, and the dynamics of 106 dB. Declines on the edge of the band are moderate-at 10 Hz only about 0.2 dB at 100 kHz approximately -2 dB.
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Now PM6003 -
Power rating (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) 1 Pair 2 Pair
8 ? 52 47
4 ? 81 70
Sensitivity (for maximum power) [V] 0.22
Signal / noise ratio [dB] 92
Growth [dB] 108
THD + N (1 W, 8 ??? 1 kHz) [%] 0.01
Attenuation coefficient (for the 4 ?? 56
52 W into 8 ohms and 81 W at 4 ohms load one channel translates into close company specification 2 x 47 W (8 ohms) and 2 x 70 W (4 ohm) in dual channel. All you need is the standard voltage 0.22 V.
The device is doing excellently in terms of the noise level, the result is worth -92 dB even with good power amplifier and integrated amplifier category is something special. So there was no problem of obtaining good growth, despite low power, it reached 108 dB.
Regardless of the Direct activation, the frequency response for the two impedances are slightly undulating, but in the range of 10 Hz to 100 kHz are located in the border easily -1 dB.
The measurement of distortion for all the harmonics are well below -90 dB. The amplifier can cope very well with distortion throughout the useful power output THD + N is less than 0.1% to the lowest levels already in the area prior to clipping distortion even reach values lower than 0.01%.
Finally the new PM6004 -
Power rating (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) 1 Pair 2 Pair
8 ? 61 60
4 ? 92 84
Sensitivity (for maximum power) [V] 0.22
Signal / noise ratio [dB] 84
Growth [dB] 102
THD + N (1 W, 8 ??? 1 kHz) [%] 0.01
Attenuation coefficient (for the 4 ??) 52
Power reaching 2 x 60 watts into 8 ohms, which does not grow as yeast at 4-ohm load, but with the efficiency of standard columns will not be drastically limited.
Sensitivity is almost standard 0.22 V. The noise level is reduced very low (-84 dB), which at moderate power can not fly very high growth rate, but still managed to cross the line of decency for which can be 100 dB . Strand transfer is on the edge of only -0.2 dB drop. Interestingly, at the same time gently undulates, although the measurement done Direct-enabled system, fluctuations do not exceed + / - 0.1 dB, the whole thing is treated more as a curiosity, not a problem. Marantz has passed with flying colors on the spectrum distortion test although you can see some lower order harmonics, but all below or close to the -90 dB.
Despite the relatively high noise, mileage THD + N is positive, and the level of less than 0.1% manage to get even at less than 1 watt power into 8 ohms, and slightly exceeds this value for 4 ohms.
Now a completely different Beast, Roksan Kandy 2 look at similar figures
Power rating (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) [W] 1 Pair 2 Pair
8 ? 132 129
4 ? 225 200
Sensitivity (for maximum power) [V] 0.45
Signal / noise ratio [dB] 82
Growth [dB] 103
THD + N (1 W, 8 ??? 1 kHz) [%] 0.01
Attenuation coefficient (for the 4 ?? 71
Amp input sensitivity is slightly lower than the typical, but 0.45 V makes at most the volume knob a bit further. The amplifier has a powerful output power into 8 ohms, which dates back to 132 W, and at 4 ohms at 225 W. The classic analog terminals performing well - as well as power supply that can provide sufficient amounts of power to produce 2 x 129 and 2 x 200 W, exceeding even immodest, it would seem, manufacturer's declarations (2 x125 W and 2 x 190 W). Delight over the level of noise is gone (-82 dB), and the dynamics of why, despite the high power, it is not thrilling (-103 dB)
Enough of data, now the analysis on my part - For those who do not understand this term - "attenuation coefficient" measures the total loss of narrow-beam intensity, including scattering as well. For a stereo amp, this will mean signal strength in a way or the tendency to get scattered in the medium, the lower is the value the better it is.
Marantz has made these amplifiers highly efficient in terms of signal to noise ratio, given the 0.21 volts, and above 90 db till PM6003. You can see a drop of sensitivity in 6004 (may be price cut) but a higher output watt but I would rather like the amps with high growth (means dynamic headroom) and good clean watts. The supposedly higher power does not result in good sound always, Roksan is a classic example of that. SNR of 82 db and dynamic peak of 103 will mean it is bound to sound laid back, and you will have to crank up the knob to get what it has.
Marantz, with their Sanken power transistors fitted on the big heat sink and over sized (10000 microfarad, 63 volts and rated at 85 degree centigrade ELNA capacitors) will perform much better in real life, and it does as I have heard both with same set of speakers.
Refinement of sound (smoothness) is more of a pre amp story (hence higher end amps like 7004 onwards) depending on the overall sound signature, emphasis on frequency bands, signal strength for all frequencies and it is where bit cost cutting happens I guess. However that said, Harmonics and dynamics is where Marantz shows its power. The ability to stay on a note till completely decays and still do judgement to other instruments with great speed is a unique capability of their amps. Some others like Cambridge Audio tend to sound neutral/dry because they take those subtle overtones out of equations. Hence people would enjoy Jazz kind of usic on those amps as they do not have speedy harmonics and the music is laid back itself. Tubes are even better there due to their smoothness, but they do so with a rounded off treble IMHO. What would be your take guys on this analysis?
First the old PM6002 -
Power rating (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) [W]?? 1 Pair 2 Pair
8 ? 55 50
4 ? 90 73
Sensitivity (for maximum power) [V] 0.21
Signal / noise ratio [dB] 90
Growth [dB] 106
THD + N (1 W, 8 ??? 1 kHz) [%] 0.061
Attenuation coefficient (for the 4 ?) 59
Marantz factory specification, speaking about 45 watts into 8 ohms and 60 watts for 4 ohms, the amplifier provides 55 watts into 8 ohms (2x50 loaded in the two channels), and a big jump takes place at 4 ohms -90 watts and 2x73 in one of two channels. Very little is divided PM6002 from the standard 0.2 V sensitivity, noise level of 90 dB is good, and the dynamics of 106 dB. Declines on the edge of the band are moderate-at 10 Hz only about 0.2 dB at 100 kHz approximately -2 dB.
------------------------------------------------
Now PM6003 -
Power rating (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) 1 Pair 2 Pair
8 ? 52 47
4 ? 81 70
Sensitivity (for maximum power) [V] 0.22
Signal / noise ratio [dB] 92
Growth [dB] 108
THD + N (1 W, 8 ??? 1 kHz) [%] 0.01
Attenuation coefficient (for the 4 ?? 56
52 W into 8 ohms and 81 W at 4 ohms load one channel translates into close company specification 2 x 47 W (8 ohms) and 2 x 70 W (4 ohm) in dual channel. All you need is the standard voltage 0.22 V.
The device is doing excellently in terms of the noise level, the result is worth -92 dB even with good power amplifier and integrated amplifier category is something special. So there was no problem of obtaining good growth, despite low power, it reached 108 dB.
Regardless of the Direct activation, the frequency response for the two impedances are slightly undulating, but in the range of 10 Hz to 100 kHz are located in the border easily -1 dB.
The measurement of distortion for all the harmonics are well below -90 dB. The amplifier can cope very well with distortion throughout the useful power output THD + N is less than 0.1% to the lowest levels already in the area prior to clipping distortion even reach values lower than 0.01%.
Finally the new PM6004 -
Power rating (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) 1 Pair 2 Pair
8 ? 61 60
4 ? 92 84
Sensitivity (for maximum power) [V] 0.22
Signal / noise ratio [dB] 84
Growth [dB] 102
THD + N (1 W, 8 ??? 1 kHz) [%] 0.01
Attenuation coefficient (for the 4 ??) 52
Power reaching 2 x 60 watts into 8 ohms, which does not grow as yeast at 4-ohm load, but with the efficiency of standard columns will not be drastically limited.
Sensitivity is almost standard 0.22 V. The noise level is reduced very low (-84 dB), which at moderate power can not fly very high growth rate, but still managed to cross the line of decency for which can be 100 dB . Strand transfer is on the edge of only -0.2 dB drop. Interestingly, at the same time gently undulates, although the measurement done Direct-enabled system, fluctuations do not exceed + / - 0.1 dB, the whole thing is treated more as a curiosity, not a problem. Marantz has passed with flying colors on the spectrum distortion test although you can see some lower order harmonics, but all below or close to the -90 dB.
Despite the relatively high noise, mileage THD + N is positive, and the level of less than 0.1% manage to get even at less than 1 watt power into 8 ohms, and slightly exceeds this value for 4 ohms.
Now a completely different Beast, Roksan Kandy 2 look at similar figures
Power rating (1% THD + N, 1 kHz) [W] 1 Pair 2 Pair
8 ? 132 129
4 ? 225 200
Sensitivity (for maximum power) [V] 0.45
Signal / noise ratio [dB] 82
Growth [dB] 103
THD + N (1 W, 8 ??? 1 kHz) [%] 0.01
Attenuation coefficient (for the 4 ?? 71
Amp input sensitivity is slightly lower than the typical, but 0.45 V makes at most the volume knob a bit further. The amplifier has a powerful output power into 8 ohms, which dates back to 132 W, and at 4 ohms at 225 W. The classic analog terminals performing well - as well as power supply that can provide sufficient amounts of power to produce 2 x 129 and 2 x 200 W, exceeding even immodest, it would seem, manufacturer's declarations (2 x125 W and 2 x 190 W). Delight over the level of noise is gone (-82 dB), and the dynamics of why, despite the high power, it is not thrilling (-103 dB)
Enough of data, now the analysis on my part - For those who do not understand this term - "attenuation coefficient" measures the total loss of narrow-beam intensity, including scattering as well. For a stereo amp, this will mean signal strength in a way or the tendency to get scattered in the medium, the lower is the value the better it is.
Marantz has made these amplifiers highly efficient in terms of signal to noise ratio, given the 0.21 volts, and above 90 db till PM6003. You can see a drop of sensitivity in 6004 (may be price cut) but a higher output watt but I would rather like the amps with high growth (means dynamic headroom) and good clean watts. The supposedly higher power does not result in good sound always, Roksan is a classic example of that. SNR of 82 db and dynamic peak of 103 will mean it is bound to sound laid back, and you will have to crank up the knob to get what it has.
Marantz, with their Sanken power transistors fitted on the big heat sink and over sized (10000 microfarad, 63 volts and rated at 85 degree centigrade ELNA capacitors) will perform much better in real life, and it does as I have heard both with same set of speakers.
Refinement of sound (smoothness) is more of a pre amp story (hence higher end amps like 7004 onwards) depending on the overall sound signature, emphasis on frequency bands, signal strength for all frequencies and it is where bit cost cutting happens I guess. However that said, Harmonics and dynamics is where Marantz shows its power. The ability to stay on a note till completely decays and still do judgement to other instruments with great speed is a unique capability of their amps. Some others like Cambridge Audio tend to sound neutral/dry because they take those subtle overtones out of equations. Hence people would enjoy Jazz kind of usic on those amps as they do not have speedy harmonics and the music is laid back itself. Tubes are even better there due to their smoothness, but they do so with a rounded off treble IMHO. What would be your take guys on this analysis?
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but now I have ordered some nos tubes from russia!tube rolling-that's the best thing about tube amps!flip tubes and sound signature changes!they are anyway neat enough with my b&w's
, I have not had the pleasure of auditioning them ever, so it is not fair to comment on how they will perform to be honest. As far as sound signature is concerned, harmonics are a major strength of Marantz, because the instruments that are present in Jap music (e.g. Kill Bill part 1 scene where the lady is killed), that kind of music has lot of characters hidden in the instrument itself, and they do not play too many things together, so the inherent feel has to be felt by the listener. Similar thing applies to Jazz music as well, but Jap music is not so bass heavy, so you will find some marantz amps seemed to have less bass, but the main focus is on mid range and sweetened high.
