I am now more inclined toward upgrading to the M1. After your suggestion, I went through many user reviews, and it seems to be a small powerhouse capable of driving several high-end floorstanders—speakers I can’t consider right now due to budget constraints. But being optimistic, I may eventually buy the speakers I’m currently unable to consider (and you’re unable to suggest because of my budget) and pair them with the M1—hopefully creating a “match made in heaven.”
Your current budget will be fully absorbed by the Marantz M1, which means there won’t be much left to allocate toward new speakers right now. That said, if you do decide to go for the M1, it pairs beautifully with Bowers & Wilkins speakers—particularly the newer 600 and 700 series. I once heard the M1 driving a B&W 705 S3 Signature, and the synergy was so captivating that I was completely taken in. The tonality was seductive, refined, and immersive. On my own wish list now are the 705 S2/S3, provided I can find them at a sensible price.
One thing to keep in mind: as you move up the amplifier spectrum, you begin to uncover subtleties and nuances in your music that lower-tier amps simply don’t reveal. For context, my daily driver from 2021 until earlier this year was the Cambridge Audio CXA81. It’s a solid performer—capable of driving most loudspeakers with ease and delivering a sound that’s consistently good, though not always spectacular. It’s versatile, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of more refined amps.
Along the way, I experimented with tube amplifiers like the Willsenton R8 and R800i. They sounded gorgeous, but they weren’t practical for daily use, especially with the kind of listening I do. Ultimately, convenience won out, and I upgraded from the CXA81 to the Kinki Studio EX-M1+. That transition was eye-opening. The CXA81 has a muscular, engaging presentation, but the Kinki Studio elevated the experience with far greater refinement: improved layer separation, holographic soundstage, vivid imaging, and a sense of detail that remained compelling even at low volumes. That last quality is rare—many amps lose their magic when played quietly, but the Kinki, Willsenton R800i, and Marantz M1 all manage to stay engaging across the volume range.
Of course, no upgrade is without trade-offs. The Kinki sacrificed a bit of the CXA81’s muscular midrange punch, which I sometimes miss. But overall, it unlocked a higher level of performance from my speakers than I had ever experienced before. That’s the kind of leap you can expect when moving from the PM5005 to the M1.
For comparison, I also used the Marantz PM6006 in my living room setup, and upgrading to the M1 felt very similar to the jump from the CXA81 to the Kinki Studio. In both cases, the upgrade revealed a new level of refinement and control that transformed the listening experience.
P.S. The M1 and CXA81 sit at a comparable level of performance, but each has its own strengths. The CXA81 delivers a larger, more muscular midrange and midbass, while the M1 digs deeper into the bass octaves while also offering noticeably superior grip, offers more neutral mids, and adds sparkle and refinement to the treble. These qualities also make the M1 particularly engaging at low listening levels—a trait that sets it apart.
