Source for my vintage amplifier Marantz PM 7001

[sand64]

Hi friends,

Started my audiophilic journey in 2006 and had been an active member of this forum till 2010. Learned a lot from this forum. Purchased Yamaha V863 receiver and thereafter Marantz PM7001 amplifier. Was planning to add a CD player to Marantz, but my journey stopped due to family compulsions, job transfers, children's studies etc. and all my gears remained packed except occasional listening through headphones/laptop.

I have now retired from service and want to enjoy my music...mostly bollywood and rock/metal of 1970-2000 which I have collected in mp3 and flac files. I am also planning to rip my cds.

Have unpacked marantz. It has only RCA inputs...no optical or coaxial...no dac. Connected it through my laptop and a Ugreen Bluetooth receiver purchased from Amazon...but no, the sound was not impressive. In my opinion, Marantz 7001 should be a capable amplifier at 70 watt rms, but I am not happy. I need to improve the source..a DAC? Lot of digital transformations have taken place during this period so I need to upgrade myself on these aspects. Spent time on internet resources and ordered topping E30 II lite from Amazon on returnable basis, it has AKM dac chip. Set it to DAC mode but NO, only marginal improvement in SQ. Volume of amplifier increased and so the distortions at higher volume. So returned it.

Now here I require help of learned members of this forum. There are streamers and Bluetooth receivers with inbuilt DAC chips and there are desktop DACs. There are many options but audition is next to impossible here in Lucknow. Planning to first enjoy my library by adding a desktop DAC and then, later on, may add a streamer like Wiim mini. Or add wiim pro plus and use it as desktop DAC. Another option is Auris Blume pro as Bluetooth receiver with LDAC and APTx HD codecs & ESS chip, and it can also be used both ways as desktop DAC and bluetooth streamer.

Budget is always a constraint and I don't want to blind purchase. There is Ifi Zen V2 dac (Burr Brown chip) having good reviews and VFM, but with no other digital input except USB. Then there is SMSL SU-1 @ Rs.7k, but some say it is too bright sounding (shrilly). I prefer open soundstage with good transient/attack and tight bass. I also know that implementation of DAC chip is more important than DAC chip. My budget is 20K extendable to 30k (lower the better).

Looking forward for suggestions from learned members of this forum.

Thanks

 

[CKumar]

Hi friends,

Started my audiophilic journey in 2006 and had been an active member of this forum till 2010. Learned a lot from this forum. Purchased Yamaha V863 receiver and thereafter Marantz PM7001 amplifier. Was planning to add a CD player to Marantz, but my journey stopped due to family compulsions, job transfers, children's studies etc. and all my gears remained packed except occasional listening through headphones/laptop.

I have now retired from service and want to enjoy my music...mostly bollywood and rock/metal of 1970-2000 which I have collected in mp3 and flac files. I am also planning to rip my cds.

Have unpacked marantz. It has only RCA inputs...no optical or coaxial...no dac. Connected it through my laptop and a Ugreen Bluetooth receiver purchased from Amazon...but no, the sound was not impressive. In my opinion, Marantz 7001 should be a capable amplifier at 70 watt rms, but I am not happy. I need to improve the source..a DAC? Lot of digital transformations have taken place during this period so I need to upgrade myself on these aspects. Spent time on internet resources and ordered topping E30 II lite from Amazon on returnable basis, it has AKM dac chip. Set it to DAC mode but NO, only marginal improvement in SQ. Volume of amplifier increased and so the distortions at higher volume. So returned it.

Now here I require help of learned members of this forum. There are streamers and Bluetooth receivers with inbuilt DAC chips and there are desktop DACs. There are many options but audition is next to impossible here in Lucknow. Planning to first enjoy my library by adding a desktop DAC and then, later on, may add a streamer like Wiim mini. Or add wiim pro plus and use it as desktop DAC. Another option is Auris Blume pro as Bluetooth receiver with LDAC and APTx HD codecs & ESS chip, and it can also be used both ways as desktop DAC and bluetooth streamer.

Budget is always a constraint and I don't want to blind purchase. There is Ifi Zen V2 dac (Burr Brown chip) having good reviews and VFM, but with no other digital input except USB. Then there is SMSL SU-1 @ Rs.7k, but some say it is too bright sounding (shrilly). I prefer open soundstage with good transient/attack and tight bass. I also know that implementation of DAC chip is more important than DAC chip. My budget is 20K extendable to 30k (lower the better).

Looking forward for suggestions from learned members of this forum.

Thanks

Check If you can get hold of Chord Mojo or v2, capable DAC and can be used for Desktop too. later add Wiim mini/pro based on your budget.

 

[Sandyk]

Check If you can get hold of Chord Mojo or v2, capable DAC and can be used for Desktop too. later add Wiim mini/pro based on your budget.

Thanks Ckumar

I am confused on chord mojo as it has all digital outputs, while my marantz 7001 has only rca inputs.
Similarly ifi v2 has only usb input, so in case I wish to add wiim mini in future, it will be problem. Streamers with usb output are very costly.
Can you share views on auris blume pro? If it sound good and I am able to get cd quality, then it may work for the time being..

Thanks again
Sandeep

 

[CKumar]

I am confused on chord mojo as it has all digital outputs, while my marantz 7001 has only rca inputs

Chrod Mojo has all digital inputs(USB, optical, Coaxial) and there are 2 headphone out , which works as RCA output as well.
So connection would be
Laptop usb ->chord usb->chord 3.5mm or RCA output -> Marantz 7001 RCA Input.
Wiim mini optical -> chord optical -> chord 3.5mm or RCA output -> Marantz 7001 RCA Input.

 

[sand64]

Chrod Mojo has all digital inputs(USB, optical, Coaxial) and there are 2 headphone out , which works as RCA output as well.
So connection would be
Laptop usb ->chord usb->chord 3.5mm or RCA output -> Marantz 7001 RCA Input.
Wiim mini optical -> chord optical -> chord 3.5mm or RCA output -> Marantz 7001 RCA Input.

Thank Ckumar
Do you mean to say that I need to connect both rca leads (red & white) into two 3.5 mm headphone out and other end to amplifier? Will it fit in? I tried connecting rca pin into my mobile's 3.5 mm headphone socket, and it didn't fit, very loose. Yes, one can use 3.5mm to rca splitter.
What about ifi zen v2? It can be used as seperate desktop dac. What are the sound signature of mojo & v2, if you can elaborate...
Please suggest some more vfm options to improve the SQ.

Cheers
Sandeep

 

[Bhaskar Jyoti Talapatra]

Hi friends,

Started my audiophilic journey in 2006 and had been an active member of this forum till 2010. Learned a lot from this forum. Purchased Yamaha V863 receiver and thereafter Marantz PM7001 amplifier. Was planning to add a CD player to Marantz, but my journey stopped due to family compulsions, job transfers, children's studies etc. and all my gears remained packed except occasional listening through headphones/laptop.

I have now retired from service and want to enjoy my music...mostly bollywood and rock/metal of 1970-2000 which I have collected in mp3 and flac files. I am also planning to rip my cds.

Have unpacked marantz. It has only RCA inputs...no optical or coaxial...no dac. Connected it through my laptop and a Ugreen Bluetooth receiver purchased from Amazon...but no, the sound was not impressive. In my opinion, Marantz 7001 should be a capable amplifier at 70 watt rms, but I am not happy. I need to improve the source..a DAC? Lot of digital transformations have taken place during this period so I need to upgrade myself on these aspects. Spent time on internet resources and ordered topping E30 II lite from Amazon on returnable basis, it has AKM dac chip. Set it to DAC mode but NO, only marginal improvement in SQ. Volume of amplifier increased and so the distortions at higher volume. So returned it.

Now here I require help of learned members of this forum. There are streamers and Bluetooth receivers with inbuilt DAC chips and there are desktop DACs. There are many options but audition is next to impossible here in Lucknow. Planning to first enjoy my library by adding a desktop DAC and then, later on, may add a streamer like Wiim mini. Or add wiim pro plus and use it as desktop DAC. Another option is Auris Blume pro as Bluetooth receiver with LDAC and APTx HD codecs & ESS chip, and it can also be used both ways as desktop DAC and bluetooth streamer.

Budget is always a constraint and I don't want to blind purchase. There is Ifi Zen V2 dac (Burr Brown chip) having good reviews and VFM, but with no other digital input except USB. Then there is SMSL SU-1 @ Rs.7k, but some say it is too bright sounding (shrilly). I prefer open soundstage with good transient/attack and tight bass. I also know that implementation of DAC chip is more important than DAC chip. My budget is 20K extendable to 30k (lower the better).

Looking forward for suggestions from learned members of this forum.

Thanks

Get wiim pro , connect it to your marantz amp and use your android phone as source cum remote. You can play local files (your mp3 or other audio files) , spotify (provided that you have subscribed spotify) else you can play spotify , youtube using bluetooth option in wiim home app. I have been using it and I am happy. Wiim pro will come in your budget. Later if you so like , you can add a decent DAC .

 

[sand64]

Get wiim pro , connect it to your marantz amp and use your android phone as source cum remote. You can play local files (your mp3 or other audio files) , spotify (provided that you have subscribed spotify) else you can play spotify , youtube using bluetooth option in wiim home app. I have been using it and I am happy. Wiim pro will come in your budget. Later if you so like , you can add a decent DAC .

Thanks Bhaskar, I had this thought earlier, to add either of wiim pro or pro plus. Then thought of adding a dac first, a plug n play for my library and then add streamer. But I am still open to all the possibilities..as long as I get the desired sound.

Since audition of DACs is not possible, I am looking to you guys on this forum. Want to know vfm DAC suitable for my marantz amp, and give open soundstage with good transient/attack and tight bass.
It may be a stand alone DAC or inbuilt in a streamer or bluetooth receiver, which will be a added advantage.

Wiim pro has got good reviews and so the pro plus. I can extend my budget to pro plus if it sounds better..

Cheers
Sandeep

 

[RohanBhatia]

Hi friends,

Started my audiophilic journey in 2006 and had been an active member of this forum till 2010. Learned a lot from this forum. Purchased Yamaha V863 receiver and thereafter Marantz PM7001 amplifier. Was planning to add a CD player to Marantz, but my journey stopped due to family compulsions, job transfers, children's studies etc. and all my gears remained packed except occasional listening through headphones/laptop.

I have now retired from service and want to enjoy my music...mostly bollywood and rock/metal of 1970-2000 which I have collected in mp3 and flac files. I am also planning to rip my cds.

Have unpacked marantz. It has only RCA inputs...no optical or coaxial...no dac. Connected it through my laptop and a Ugreen Bluetooth receiver purchased from Amazon...but no, the sound was not impressive. In my opinion, Marantz 7001 should be a capable amplifier at 70 watt rms, but I am not happy. I need to improve the source..a DAC? Lot of digital transformations have taken place during this period so I need to upgrade myself on these aspects. Spent time on internet resources and ordered topping E30 II lite from Amazon on returnable basis, it has AKM dac chip. Set it to DAC mode but NO, only marginal improvement in SQ. Volume of amplifier increased and so the distortions at higher volume. So returned it.

Now here I require help of learned members of this forum. There are streamers and Bluetooth receivers with inbuilt DAC chips and there are desktop DACs. There are many options but audition is next to impossible here in Lucknow. Planning to first enjoy my library by adding a desktop DAC and then, later on, may add a streamer like Wiim mini. Or add wiim pro plus and use it as desktop DAC. Another option is Auris Blume pro as Bluetooth receiver with LDAC and APTx HD codecs & ESS chip, and it can also be used both ways as desktop DAC and bluetooth streamer.

Budget is always a constraint and I don't want to blind purchase. There is Ifi Zen V2 dac (Burr Brown chip) having good reviews and VFM, but with no other digital input except USB. Then there is SMSL SU-1 @ Rs.7k, but some say it is too bright sounding (shrilly). I prefer open soundstage with good transient/attack and tight bass. I also know that implementation of DAC chip is more important than DAC chip. My budget is 20K extendable to 30k (lower the better).

Looking forward for suggestions from learned members of this forum.

Thanks

Hi Friend
First of all irrespective of anything please just strike off the Bluetooth from your audio chain if you want a good audio output and don't want to compromise with the Sound staging and the dynamic range. Having said that, As a owner of WiiM Pro Plus, Ill suggest to dont rely on the inbuilt DAC of the WiiM pro Plus. Yes its one amazingly good as a streamer buy the inbuilt DAC is questionable to my ears. Its a wise idea to buy a good stand alone DAC before and then look for a streamer. Just don't consider any Bluetooth DACs, they are just money down the drain.

I kind of lean more toward AKM chips for the audio signature I Like. Since you want a desktop DAC which can be used in your HIFI setup FiiO - K7 is a good choice according to your audio signature needs. ( I Myself is using FiiO K9 AKM and I am really impressed by the performance).

In the end I would just like to add one thing that I am not very sure of the amount improvement you are looking in your setup. NO DAC or streamer no matter how much expensive can make a difference of night and day in the system as you know that. Additionally Keep your Source clean and high quality, MP3 won't make the cut As you Know the famous saying in HiFi- Garbage In, Garbage Out

 

[souravin]

Hi,

My opinion would be add a Topping E50 (around 18K) or E70 (around 32K) to Marantz. Its should suit your genre- bollywood. I have used Topping E30 earlier and was happy with that- now upgraded to Denafrips. If you have any old laptop, use that a source to play media files / ripped FLAC or mp3. Use Audio quest USB cable (around 5K) to add the DAC with laptop- optional to add Audioquest Jitterbug (around 7K) at laptop end. If you have an old laptop, remove all software and keep antivirus and Foobar 2000 (open source freeware) - use at WASAPI shared mode. Connect HDD, Life would be simpler with good quality sound output.

There will always be way to upgrade later.