Need help to upgrade amplifier from Marantz PM8005

[pindranil]

Hi,

After more than 10 years of living with my Marantz 8005, I am exploring upgrade options. I have a small listening room (about 12 feet X 12 feet). And listen almost exclusively to Western Classical and Opera. My budget is up to 6L. Open to pre+power but mostly looking at integrated. Was looking at the Denon PMA3000NE or the older PMA A110 (found some NOS online)…Was also looking at the Luxman 505Z…also need recommendations on matching speakers for the new amp. I listen mostly to CDs (have a large collection of 15000+ CDs and 2 Denon 1700 SACD players) and records (a modest collection of 2500+ records and a Technics SL1200 Mk4 and a Reloop Turn 5, both with VM95ML / Shibata cartridge / styluses).

 

[ajuvignesh]

What are your speakers?
I would suggest you to look at sugden class A, Pass labs Class A, Tube amps if it can drive your speakers well.

 

[pindranil]

What are your speakers?
I would suggest you to look at sugden class A, Pass labs Class A, Tube amps if it can drive your speakers well.

Hi I have concept 20 bookshelf speakers but need to change them too…not into Tube amps yet never having heard any…why do you suggest Class A? Any thoughts on any standard class AB amplifiers?

 

[ajuvignesh]

Hi I have concept 20 bookshelf speakers but need to change them too…not into Tube amps yet never having heard any…why do you suggest Class A? Any thoughts on any standard class AB amplifiers?

class A generally has a soothing sound which works well for music like Jazz, classical, opera etc. Class AB is also good. Any Class AB amp up to a certain wattage is class A. But pure class A has more usable watts. Don't get discouraged by their low wattage like 10 W, 20 W. A 20 W class A can be equivalent to a 100 W class AB amp.

 

[Beast_of_burden]

Given the budget of 6L, the Denon A110 is definitely a contender. I have lived with lower end Denon PMA1500 for years, but it’s on a par with the Marantz. It’s a terrific amp but if you are looking for even greater refinement then it has to be either Luxman or Accuphase, IMO. Lately I have been researching Accuphase and it’s tops on my list of contenders along with Sugden A21SE(affordability). There is that heirloom quality about the Accuphase.

For Class A, field narrows a lot but has its charms. Like SET amps, class A SS is a slippery slope I suspect although I don’t have much experience with SS class A. Sugden A21SE, but speaker selection is important. Pass INT25 by all accounts has no faults. Luxman 550 and 590 now no longer available. Accuphase E700, much higher priced. Pricey, but can’t go wrong with any of these.

 

[bhooshaniyer]

300b tube amplifiers. parallel set design

 

[morerajendra5678]

Hi,

After more than 10 years of living with my Marantz 8005, I am exploring upgrade options. I have a small listening room (about 12 feet X 12 feet). And listen almost exclusively to Western Classical and Opera. My budget is up to 6L.

You may like to have a look into Line Magnetic amplifier available with Sound Foundation or EAR amplifiers from Vivid HiFi. 845 tube will give you a better resolution for Western Classical music and orchestra kind of music.

 

[Bunn999]

Tell us a bit more about your preference, would you want a bookshelf only or your open to a larger enclosure speaker. ?
would you mind adding a subwoofer in the mix or you like to go the purist way?
your choice in music " Western Classical and Opera " require Massive Dynamic Range cuz of the extreme contrasts, with compositions frequently transitioning from near-silence to explosive peaks, i would look at a new set of spkrs + amp (you may require significant headroom too) very carefully before making a decision.

 

[arunkvivek]

There is a Rethm setup available on classified from an FM from Kolkata. The combo almost fits in your budget. Rethm definitely caters to classical music very well. It also allows you to control bass as your room is slightly small.

You should consider auditioning his setup before you decide on anything else IMHO.

 

[mbhangui]

There is a Rethm setup available on classified from an FM from Kolkata. The combo almost fits in your budget. Rethm definitely caters to classical music very well. It also allows you to control bass as your room is slightly small.

You should consider auditioning his setup before you decide on anything else IMHO.

+1 to the suggestion of checking out out the Rethm setup. The FM also has a tube class A amp for sale if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Bunn999]

i would get something smaller, a KEF R3 meta which is great for classical & opera music with the hegel 390 (currently on sale with warranty on classified)

 

[oldmonk]

Hi,

After more than 10 years of living with my Marantz 8005, I am exploring upgrade options. I have a small listening room (about 12 feet X 12 feet). And listen almost exclusively to Western Classical and Opera. My budget is up to 6L. Open to pre+power but mostly looking at integrated. Was looking at the Denon PMA3000NE or the older PMA A110 (found some NOS online)…Was also looking at the Luxman 505Z…also need recommendations on matching speakers for the new amp. I listen mostly to CDs (have a large collection of 15000+ CDs and 2 Denon 1700 SACD players) and records (a modest collection of 2500+ records and a Technics SL1200 Mk4 and a Reloop Turn 5, both with VM95ML / Shibata cartridge / styluses).

Have you considered setting aside a budget for room treatment?

 

[pindranil]

Have you considered setting aside a budget for room treatment?

Hi yes…the room is treated with sound insulated ceiling and has end to end record shelves on all 4 walls…so not too bad but yes it is 12X12 so nothing beyond bookshelf speakers for now…too many books, records and CDs…not much room for audio gear

 

[Beast_of_burden]

With vast record collection such as yours, an integrated with a superlative Phono stage represents a lot of value. Luxman ships with standard phono stage which is added value over the near equivalent Accuphase. Both brands have the reviewers swooning over them. I am a big fan of these all in one integrated amps, they aren’t fussy about the speakers or the cabling and just let you get into exploring music.

 

[oldmonk]

Hi yes…the room is treated with sound insulated ceiling and has end to end record shelves on all 4 walls…so not too bad but yes it is 12X12 so nothing beyond bookshelf speakers for now…too many books, records and CDs…not much room for audio gear

A room of your size will imply your seating position is close to the speakers.

A good integrated with built in phono can be had for that kind of money.

If you feel lack of depth and lower notes with classical music perhaps a bigger standmount could be useful without losing dynamics.

 

[arunkvivek]

Hi yes…the room is treated with sound insulated ceiling and has end to end record shelves on all 4 walls…so not too bad but yes it is 12X12 so nothing beyond bookshelf speakers for now…too many books, records and CDs…not much room for audio gear

Rethm Aarka is something that you should consider, if you are sticking to bookshelves.

 

[oldmonk]

I was sketching out something I would look for

A. 2 way standmount with high quality ribbon tweeter and a 6 inch woofer

B. 3 way stand mount

Monitor audio platinum comes to mind

So does proac

So does a Amphion

A home audition remains your best bet however

 

[Beast_of_burden]

The Marantz model 50 /40N integrateds are an upgrade over the 8005 and 8006 as per a few reviewers. The phono stage is also evidently very good. Atoll IN200 Evolution is apparently class A for the first 20 watts.

The Denon and Marantz amps have been carefully voiced to sound nice or sweet with most speakers. In my experience, I have tried Nad, 300b SeT, auditioned a Naim Nait 5si but keep returning to the Denon PMA 1500. It’s a solidly mid-fi all-in-one without the hassle of endlessly tweaking Hifi components. You could consider staying within the Marantz family if you like your current amplifier.

 

[DS123]

Marantz model 50

 

[pindranil]

Hi all,
Thanking for weighing in. I have finally pulled the trigger on the new Denon PMA-3000NE paired with the 3-way KEF Q Concerto Meta speakers (I was initially looking at the KEF R3 Meta but they were a little too big for my space)…planning to add a streamer transport …either the WiiM Pro Plus or the Eversolo T8…