Marantz 6003 and speakers

[argho]

Hi All.

I already have a home theatre system (Denon 1910 + Polk RTi speakers).
Have been thinking about getting a separate setup for music (been influenced by what I have been reading on this forum).

Based on reviews etc, have come around to looking at the Marantz PM6003 amp and CD6003 CD player.

Made some phone calls today (am based in Chennai). Received a decent response only from GrandCinema.
They quoted :
a. Marantz PM6003 amp ~ Rs 26K
b. Marantz CD6003 cdp ~ Rs 26K
c. Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 ~ Rs 18k (+Rs 12k for stands)
d. Wharfedale Diamond 10.5 ~ Rs 33k
e. Paradigm Monitor 7 ~ Rs 45k

Questions :
-------------
1. Are the prices quoted for the Marntz amp + cdp decent ? I did not bargain. What price should I target ?

2. Have not heard of Paradigm before. Has anyone any experience of the Paradigm Monitor 7 ? Worth listening to ?

3. For the amp+cd that I am looking at, what makes more sense - bookshelves or floor standers ?

4. What do people think about the Diamond 10.2 and 10.5 ? The What-HiFi review of the Diamond 10.5 is very poor. Wharfedale Diamond 10.5 Hi-fi speaker review - from the experts at whathifi.com Do people on this board share this opinion ?

5. What other speakers should I be trying out - price range 20k to 50k ? Was thinking of the KEF IQ30 & IQ50 and Polk RTi A3 & A5. Not planning to buy a sub, so the speakers need to manage bass decently (do not need loud or booming bass).

Type of music I listen to :
- Blues and Classic Rock
- Hindustani light classical (thumris etc)

I prefer slightly "warm" sound to "cold and clinical" - that's the best that I can describe it.

Not giving any room dimensions, as I get transferred every 2-3 years. Have got used to living in different houses.


Any thoughts and comments most welcome.


Tks........Argho.

 

[alcy]

Regarding the speakers, I found Wharfedale 10.5 rather bright & loud compared to a pair of Quads (11L2), here in Delhi at Bass 'n' Treble.

Since you are looking for warm-er sounding speakers, and not needing a sub, I suggest you also audition the Quads (11L2/12L2/22L2). They would easily fit your budget and provide you the sound you need, especially when coupled with Marantz !

 

[sachin_k5]

Marantz CD6003 goes for 21K post bargaining in Mumbai with bill

 

[spirovious]

MA BR2 is good choice for Marantz.

 

[argho]

Marantz CD6003 goes for 21K post bargaining in Mumbai with bill

Thanks. Will use that as a target price.

 

[argho]

Regarding the speakers, I found Wharfedale 10.5 rather bright & loud compared to a pair of Quads (11L2), here in Delhi at Bass 'n' Treble.

Since you are looking for warm-er sounding speakers, and not needing a sub, I suggest you also audition the Quads (11L2/12L2/22L2). They would easily fit your budget and provide you the sound you need, especially when coupled with Marantz !

Thanks Alcy.
Looked up the Quads. How much does the 11L2/12L2/22L2 cost ?

Anyone knows which dealer in Chennai carries Quads ?

 

[argho]

MA BR2 is good choice for Marantz.

Spiro,
How much does the MA BR2 cost ?

What about the MA Silver RX1 - is it available in India,, and any idea how much it costs ?

 

[srikarkav]

Hi,
The Marantz goes well with the Wharfies. But the 10 series are said to be bright. Haven't heard them yet.You should buy the Marantz amp and the CDP first and have a demo of two or three brands of speakers like the Wharf 9.2 or 9.5, MA, Quads and PSB. Ushers too get rave reviews here.Go with the one that you like the most.

cheers,
sri

 

[spirovious]

Spiro,
How much does the MA BR2 cost ?

What about the MA Silver RX1 - is it available in India,, and any idea how much it costs ?

It was around 26k.

 

[vinod_david]

Are the prices quoted for the Marntz amp + cdp decent ? I did not bargain. What price should I target ?

As said above, prices are quoted high, but GrandCinema always does that, need to bargain hard, and one more thing, avoid the owner, communicate only with Razak, young and sensible chap - I did that.

Have not heard of Paradigm before. Has anyone any experience of the Paradigm Monitor 7 ? Worth listening to ?

If you've decided Marantz is THE amp+cdp, then avoid Paradigm - guess GS deals with Paradim and there are chances of pushing them.

For the amp+cd that I am looking at, what makes more sense - bookshelves or floor standers ?

For 6003 a BS would get more juice out of it, but 6003 can easily drive a FS.

What do people think about the Diamond 10.2 and 10.5 ? The What-HiFi review of the Diamond 10.5 is very poor. Wharfedale Diamond 10.5 Hi-fi speaker review - from the experts at whathifi.com Do people on this board share this opinion ?

Take WHFSV review as a 'pinch of salt' - only a demo of 10.2 and 10.5 will tell everything. But, I would lean more on 10.2.

What other speakers should I be trying out - price range 20k to 50k ? Was thinking of the KEF IQ30 & IQ50 and Polk RTi A3 & A5. Not planning to buy a sub, so the speakers need to manage bass decently (do not need loud or booming bass).

Yeah, KEF, very good match for Marantz, those KEF's are warm and laidback, so a bit excitement in Marantz can lead to wonderful synergy. Please walk away from Polk for Marantz setup. IMO.

 

[gobble]

They quoted :
a. Marantz PM6003 amp ~ Rs 26K
b. Marantz CD6003 cdp ~ Rs 26K
c. Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 ~ Rs 18k (+Rs 12k for stands)
d. Wharfedale Diamond 10.5 ~ Rs 33k
e. Paradigm Monitor 7 ~ Rs 45k

Questions :
-------------
1. Are the prices quoted for the Marntz amp + cdp decent ? I did not bargain. What price should I target ?
.

Save yourself from being ripped off!! The CD6003 can be picked up for 12K in Singapore. Better you spend the extra 16K in plane tickets and enjoy Singapore experience!!

And if the dealer is charging more than 2X the price for 6003 do you think you will be getting a fair price for the other stuff?

Its your money, you make the call.

Cheers

 

[alcy]

@argho: Quad 11L2 has MRP 31k...12L2 is 10k higher. Not sure about 22L2 though.

 

[nirrej]

I prefer slightly "warm" sound to "cold and clinical" - that's the best that I can describe it.

if i had your taste i would remove Marantz from the list.
I'm saying this eventhough i'm a marantz user.

Do audition the CA+MS combo or NAD+PSB.
Guess that will suit your taste better.

 

[jls001]

Thanks. Will use that as a target price.

And the Mumbai dealers get it from the Chennai wholesaler!
Bargain hard.
Joshua

 

[argho]

if i had your taste i would remove Marantz from the list.
I'm saying this eventhough i'm a marantz user.

Do audition the CA+MS combo or NAD+PSB.
Guess that will suit your taste better.

Nirrej,
Can you explain a bit more.
Haven't actually audiotioned the Marantz yet. Was going by the reviews I found.
Was going to focus my efforts on auditioning speakers.

Is Marantz cold and climical ?
What is yr opinion of Denon ?
The Denon PMA 710 / DCD 710 are in the same price range, and I can audition them together with KEF at ProFX.

 

[sachin_k5]

And the Mumbai dealers get it from the Chennai wholesaler!
Bargain hard.
Joshua

Aren't taxes a little higher too in Mumbai ? For e.g. Octroi is only applicable in Mumbai.

 

[sand64]

You already have denon 1910 with polk RTI, which can also be used for 2-channel music. Is is really worth to add another budget amp & speakers? I request gurus of this forum to chip-in here and advice....

I have not judged the music capabilities of 1910, but I am not sure if there will be any large scale improvement in SQ by adding marantz 6003.....may be, one needs to go a bit higher???

cheers

 

[argho]

You already have denon 1910 with polk RTI, which can also be used for 2-channel music. Is is really worth to add another budget amp & speakers? I request gurus of this forum to chip-in here and advice....

I have not judged the music capabilities of 1910, but I am not sure if there will be any large scale improvement in SQ by adding marantz 6003.....may be, one needs to go a bit higher???

cheers

That was precisely my thinking, and I started a deiscussion around it : http://www.hifivision.com/cd-players/7702-question-stereo-setup-avr-i-o-amp.html

Members on the board seemed to unequivocally feel that a stereo amp will sound far better than any AVR.

 

[sand64]

I am also facing the same dilemma as I'm getting a deal on PM6003 but not sure if there will be any improvement in SQ in comparison to my Yamaha AVR V-863.
So am not able to decide....

 

[mpw]

Sand,

the call to take is not the Yamaha and the addition of PM 6003.

Are you Ok with the sound you are getting ? Would it make that big a difference if you go in for a stereo amp ? Would it bring you any more joy ?

I agonised with this too and i decided my HK AVR 255 is god enough for me.. and that my listening hours are limited and irregular.

Hope you make the choice that satisfies you.

mpw