Hi Folks,
Moving to a new place in the US, I now want to significantly increase my budget (in US dollars) to be sure that I will have the best system and I will be happy with it for a while as my main system (at least 3-4 years if not longer).
So, I am planning/willing to skip couple of logical upgrade steps / slabs and stretch my budget a bit to get the best possible.
My current setup:
Marantz PM6005 (Amp), Cambridge Audio Azur 851N (Music Streamer/DAC), Dali Zensor 5 speakers, Pro-ject Debut carbon turntable (Red)
While this is a decent setup, I am planning/hoping to do the following upgrades:
1. Wharfedale Linton speakers (almost 100% final)
2. Marantz Model 30 amplifier (while convinced about it; there is FOMO / confusion here)
The new place will be open concept space so living room + dining area + kitchen meaning much bigger room than current.
My thoughts:
1. Want to get analog integrated amp (no DAC) so as to get better bang for the buck (& because I do have a very good DAC already)
2. I like (slightly) warm sound but without missing out on details. So not necessarily pure/as is sound without coloration is necessarily an advantage for me (it will be great because Wharfedale speakers tend to be warm but i won't select amp just because it delivers 'audiophile' purity).
3. I listen to decent variety of music (old/new recordings): Hindi film music of 70s/80s (Ardent fan of R.D. Burman), English pop/rock, English oldies, world music, instrumental music, title & theme music etc.
4. Somehow, I feel am playing very safe with Model 30 since I am comfortable with Marantz sound but I need to make an informed decision. I need to not buy something else i.e. other higher end models may be the price is too much OR incompatibility of sound to my taste; NOT because it's not in my comfort zone.
Could you please share your thoughts regarding:
* If Marantz Model 30 (priced at 3K) is a very good match for Wharfedale Lintons?
* I have been reading reviews & watching YouTube videos of the channels like 'Zero Fidelity', 'Andrew Robinson', 'CheapAudioMan' etc. and 2 brand/models seem to exciting:
Luxman (L-505uXII) - 5K
Musical Fidelity (M6si) - 3K
How do they compare with Marantz Model 30? Any other under 5k brand/model I should consider?
* It is a big jump already from Marantz PM6005 to Marantz Model 30 so are exploring amps 3 to 5K worth it? (I understand the quality increase isn't proportional to price increase but will the difference be worth it?)
Thanks
p.s. I will need an amp with phono input/pre-amp as I am not planning to use external/separate phono pre-amp (have tried 3 under $300 and I found Marantz preamp to be superior somehow)
Moving to a new place in the US, I now want to significantly increase my budget (in US dollars) to be sure that I will have the best system and I will be happy with it for a while as my main system (at least 3-4 years if not longer).
So, I am planning/willing to skip couple of logical upgrade steps / slabs and stretch my budget a bit to get the best possible.
My current setup:
Marantz PM6005 (Amp), Cambridge Audio Azur 851N (Music Streamer/DAC), Dali Zensor 5 speakers, Pro-ject Debut carbon turntable (Red)
While this is a decent setup, I am planning/hoping to do the following upgrades:
1. Wharfedale Linton speakers (almost 100% final)
2. Marantz Model 30 amplifier (while convinced about it; there is FOMO / confusion here)
The new place will be open concept space so living room + dining area + kitchen meaning much bigger room than current.
My thoughts:
1. Want to get analog integrated amp (no DAC) so as to get better bang for the buck (& because I do have a very good DAC already)
2. I like (slightly) warm sound but without missing out on details. So not necessarily pure/as is sound without coloration is necessarily an advantage for me (it will be great because Wharfedale speakers tend to be warm but i won't select amp just because it delivers 'audiophile' purity).
3. I listen to decent variety of music (old/new recordings): Hindi film music of 70s/80s (Ardent fan of R.D. Burman), English pop/rock, English oldies, world music, instrumental music, title & theme music etc.
4. Somehow, I feel am playing very safe with Model 30 since I am comfortable with Marantz sound but I need to make an informed decision. I need to not buy something else i.e. other higher end models may be the price is too much OR incompatibility of sound to my taste; NOT because it's not in my comfort zone.
Could you please share your thoughts regarding:
* If Marantz Model 30 (priced at 3K) is a very good match for Wharfedale Lintons?
* I have been reading reviews & watching YouTube videos of the channels like 'Zero Fidelity', 'Andrew Robinson', 'CheapAudioMan' etc. and 2 brand/models seem to exciting:
Luxman (L-505uXII) - 5K
Musical Fidelity (M6si) - 3K
How do they compare with Marantz Model 30? Any other under 5k brand/model I should consider?
* It is a big jump already from Marantz PM6005 to Marantz Model 30 so are exploring amps 3 to 5K worth it? (I understand the quality increase isn't proportional to price increase but will the difference be worth it?)
Thanks
p.s. I will need an amp with phono input/pre-amp as I am not planning to use external/separate phono pre-amp (have tried 3 under $300 and I found Marantz preamp to be superior somehow)
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