How to upgrade my existing Stereo System

[kingfisher]

I have mission QX2 MK2 powered by Marantz 6004 amp. Also use Modi 2 Uber DAC. Now willing to upgrade the setup to improve the sound quality. Now I am planning to buy Marantz 6007 which has built in DAC so that I can eliminate DAC from the chain. My doubt is whether this will significantly improve the sound quality? I have Wiim mini streamer too.

 

[fLUX]

I have mission QX2 MK2 powered by Marantz 6004 amp. Also use Modi 2 Uber DAC. Now willing to upgrade the setup to improve the sound quality. Now I am planning to buy Marantz 6007 which has built in DAC so that I can eliminate DAC from the chain. My doubt is whether this will significantly improve the sound quality? I have Wiim mini streamer too.

I don't think you will gian any significant benefits moving from PM6004 to 6007 either in the dac or amplification wise.

Its best to move significantly up the chain to say an Audiolab 6000a or the likes to get a significant upgrade in the amplification quality.

 

[kingfisher]

I don't think you will gian any significant benefits moving from PM6004 to 6007 either in the dac or amplification wise.

Its best to move significantly up the chain to say an Audiolab 6000a or the likes to get a significant upgrade in the amplification quality.

Thanks. But Audiolab 6000a is out of my budget. will consider if used one is available.

 

[kingfisher]

I don't think you will gian any significant benefits moving from PM6004 to 6007 either in the dac or amplification wise.

Its best to move significantly up the chain to say an Audiolab 6000a or the likes to get a significant upgrade in the amplification quality.

What about Audiolab 6000A Play ? reviews says the DTS play fi app is crappy. Sound quality is similar to Audiolab 6000A?

 

[COOLDUDE7808]

Moving from one budget amp Marantz to another Marantz or Audiolab will not give you too much change in SQ . Every Amp has a character and that will come out . Would suggest - don't upgrade if your PM6004 is working . Save more money , increase your budget and try out something in midrange like Rega MK4 or MK5 or Marantz Model 30 etc after audition only .

From my experience of moving from Marantz PM7001 to Marantz PM11S2 and now Advance Paris A12 , I can tell you that whether upgrade works or not also depends on your musical taste . Sometimes these amps have a warm sound signature and hence the lively sound that budget amps produce will be missing .

 

[morerajendra5678]

I have mission QX2 MK2 powered by Marantz 6004 amp. Also use Modi 2 Uber DAC. Now willing to upgrade the setup to improve the sound quality. Now I am planning to buy Marantz 6007 which has built in DAC so that I can eliminate DAC from the chain. My doubt is whether this will significantly improve the sound quality? I have Wiim mini streamer too.

If you want a true upgrade, go in for higher speakers. It is the speakers which bring about a big change in any chain. If you want to have different flavour in your system, my advice would be to go in for tube amplifiers. El34 based push-pull amplifiers would give you a different perspective of sound. Don't worry about the power game. A 40 watt push-pull amplifier would drive the speakers to more than decent level for home listening.
The higher you go into amplifier chain you will get amplifiers which are neutral sounding and will expose the other parts of the chain like Dac (source).

 

[Yogesh]

I have mission QX2 MK2 powered by Marantz 6004 amp. Also use Modi 2 Uber DAC. Now willing to upgrade the setup to improve the sound quality. Now I am planning to buy Marantz 6007 which has built in DAC so that I can eliminate DAC from the chain. My doubt is whether this will significantly improve the sound quality? I have Wiim mini streamer too.

No improvement be there with 6007. Though internal DAC of 6007 might even prove to be a downgrade.

Try upgrading your speakers first than DAC.

 

[fLUX]

What about Audiolab 6000A Play ? reviews says the DTS play fi app is crappy. Sound quality is similar to Audiolab 6000A?

No idea as I never tried the 6000 play . The DTS fi app was indeed crappy before , I heard a few people say its quiet usable now.

 

[gurujee]

I had marantz pm6007 before getting the audiolab 6000a. Not a night and day difference between them. Marantz had little more bass. I upgraded because of HT Bypass feature Audiolab has.

What kind of improvements you are after ? What sound signature you like? Budget?

There is a used Marantz PM8006 in the classified. You can try that, which will open up the speakers you are having.

 

[kingfisher]

Moving from one budget amp Marantz to another Marantz or Audiolab will not give you too much change in SQ . Every Amp has a character and that will come out . Would suggest - don't upgrade if your PM6004 is working . Save more money , increase your budget and try out something in midrange like Rega MK4 or MK5 or Marantz Model 30 etc after audition only .

From my experience of moving from Marantz PM7001 to Marantz PM11S2 and now Advance Paris A12 , I can tell you that whether upgrade works or not also depends on your musical taste . Sometimes these amps have a warm sound signature and hence the lively sound that budget amps produce will be missing .

Thanks. Is Audiolab 6000a is budget amp? I thought it is midrange as its price is about 90K. Rega MK4 , Marantz Model 30 are clearly out of my budget. Will consider in future.

 

[premoddev]

There is a discrete dynamics pre-power combo listed in the classified well within your budget.. The amp is quite known in the forum, you can find threads describing its capabilities.. just a suggestion in case you haven't seen it.

 

[COOLDUDE7808]

Thanks. Is Audiolab 6000a is budget amp? I thought it is midrange as its price is about 90K. Rega MK4 , Marantz Model 30 are clearly out of my budget. Will consider in future.

yes . there are various parameters you should look at -

always look at the international prices , especially home country . In this case its UK and the price is 549 pounds as of now . In India there is always a mark up for various reasons and also rupee is getting devalued constantly . So if you compare Indian prices it may look like its mid range . What is budget in UK will become mid range or sometimes even beyond that in India . Best Example of loot in India is NAIM .

One more parameter is the line up of amps that particular brand has got . Audiolab has 6000 , 7000 and 9000 . So this is very much budget .

Compare with other amps in prices , specifications etc and you can figure out . Don't pay more because of mark up by dealers or currency exchange rate . These amps are made in China and they come to India from there . You will end up paying expecting some upgrade or some major change in SQ and that will never happen .

Since you are on budget . Do a audition of Audiolab 6000 and if you like the sound and feel its better than Marantz , go for it . Like I said every amp will have a character and that sometimes will sound like upgrade . If you like the SQ buy it . If its a blind buy - then you know that its not an upgrade and then decide accordingly

 

[kingfisher]

There is a discrete dynamics pre-power combo listed in the classified well within your budget.. The amp is quite known in the forum, you can find threads describing its capabilities.. just a suggestion in case you haven't seen it.

Thanks. Will have a look at it.

 

[kingfisher]

yes . there are various parameters you should look at -

always look at the international prices , especially home country . In this case its UK and the price is 549 pounds as of now . In India there is always a mark up for various reasons and also rupee is getting devalued constantly . So if you compare Indian prices it may look like its mid range . What is budget in UK will become mid range or sometimes even beyond that in India . Best Example of loot in India is NAIM .

One more parameter is the line up of amps that particular brand has got . Audiolab has 6000 , 7000 and 9000 . So this is very much budget .

Compare with other amps in prices , specifications etc and you can figure out . Don't pay more because of mark up by dealers or currency exchange rate . These amps are made in China and they come to India from there . You will end up paying expecting some upgrade or some major change in SQ and that will never happen .

Since you are on budget . Do a audition of Audiolab 6000 and if you like the sound and feel its better than Marantz , go for it . Like I said every amp will have a character and that sometimes will sound like upgrade . If you like the SQ buy it . If its a blind buy - then you know that its not an upgrade and then decide accordingly

Problem is in Tirupati there is no place for audition. So I have to rely on reviews and forums which worked reasonably well so far. regarding money devalue, it is not only the INR but almost all currencies against the dollar weakened due to ongoing geopolitical tensions like Russia-Ukraine war.

 

[DilipPune]

I upgraded from Marantz PM6007 to Denon PMA900hne. Happy with the decision. Connected to Dali Oberon 5 floor standing speakers. Movies music both sound better.

 

[sandeepmohan]

My doubt is whether this will significantly improve the sound quality?

No.
To significantly improve the sound quality, you'll want to start with your loudspeaker first. Touch the electronics later
That said, what exactly do you want to hear more of? What aspect of the current system are you not satisfied?

 

[oldmonk]

Exactly..

You need to identify what you think you are missing

That will lead you to what you are after / which mountain do you want to climb next?

Then come the resources like budget and time and priorities

Any suggestion without hearing your system will be likely flawed and a shot in the dark

Set your goals
Be your own sherpa
Enjoy the journey !

 

[shibashis]

Almost everyone has suggested to look at better speakers, that makes a lot of sense. Pool whatever money you can and spend on better speakers.
Something to note is good speakers do require some care and affection in terms of positioning and the environment they are used in. Some amount of acoustic work maybe needed, that does not necessarily mean full room treatment or such, a bookshelf or some plants to diffuse sounds a little bit goes a long way to improve your listening experience.

If you specify a budget and the kind of music you listen to, members can come up with a few suggestions.