Ditch the hi-quality micro for Marantz 6002 or NAD C325?

[admin_exported]

My recently purchased Onkyo 725 is not reading CDs properly so its going back to the retailer (which was very friendly and professional). As frustrating as it is, this is an opportunity to possibly skip the micro system and upgrade to something better.

I read one non-prof. review that claimed Marantz PM6002 matched MA BR2s very well, better than CA540A. Price almost the same so I can just do the swap.

How much of an upgrade would Marantz be to Onyko 725DAB in terms of sound quality?

I’d be giving up the tuner, CD player and internal DAC on the 725 - thus will need to eventually buy separate components - but a dramatic improvement in sound quality would be worth it. I would need a DAC unit only initially.

Also available are the NAD 325, the Arcam FM A18 and a few others. Unfortunately the retailer doesn't carry CA or Rotel...

 

[d_a_n1979]

HiFi separates, IMO, will always out class even the best of mini-systems; so if you can do it, i'd go for it!

What would be handy to know it what music do you listen to?

Personally; if i had the M/A BR2 speakers i'd be more temopted to go with the NAD or Arcam amp over the Marantz; IMO, Marantz and M/A dont overly gel well; slightly forward sounding and can lack bass power with some speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

What are you going to be using for your source, If you need a dac then I would presume you are going to use your computer. If you are rip your cd's in lossless format. As far as Dac's go, do you have one in mind.

 

[Anonymous]

I mostly listen to rock and occasionally to drum&bass/electronica.

Have you actually tried the Marantz 6002 + MA BR2 combo or are you basing it on general experience?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I use a computer - currently mostly mp3s but will be ripping my CDs into lossless soon (at least starting the process...).

For DACs I have preliminarily thought about Beresford TC-7520 or CA DacMagic, but open to suggestions.

 

[d_a_n1979]

chainrock:
I mostly listen to rock and occasionally to drum&bass/electronica.

Have you actually tried the Marantz 6002 + MA BR2 combo or are you basing it on general experience?

Yes; as well as various NAD amps and NAD/Marantz CDP's and didnt gel well at all with Marantz and M/A speakers.

Surprisingly the Dali Lektor 1 speakers sounded well with the Maranzt gear so they could be worth considering if you fancy changing your speakers.

They dont have the same depth as the M/A BR2's though but they do sound precise!

 

[Anonymous]

So would an NAD C325 (at £210) be a better choice than the Marantz 6002 (at £230), or are you referring to C352, which seem to be no longer available.

The NAD C325 surely is an ugly beast...

It looks like I am limited to these two and possibly Pioneer AA6J. Arcam is a bit out of my budget at the moment....

EDIT: Marantz is also rated 5 stars while NAD C325 is at 4

 

[drummerman]

I found Nad's 'baby' entry components to be very musical and I believe the intention of the company was to create an amp that was comparable soundwise with the next model up with just a few less frills. I can only assume you bought your micro for either reasons of limited space or money. In either case the small Nads would probably fit as long as you like the sound, which will be leagues ahead of a micro. As a matter of fact and i have'nt said this for a long time, the little NAD system was playing next to a multi thousand pound MF/ProAc system and ... sounded more musical and detailed within its power envelope. Others would disagree but worth trying and the two look great in the new darker grey/near black. I would imagine they would particularely suit something like KefiQ's if you plan to upgrade speakers in the future.

 

[d_a_n1979]

This is an ad for the NAD C352:

http://www.classic-hi-fi.co.uk/acatalog/Nad_C352_Stereo_Integrated_Amplifier.html

If you google for 'NAD C352' you'll come up with a few places selling the amp!

 

[Anonymous]

d_a_n1979:This is an ad for the NAD C352: http://www.classic-hi-fi.co.uk/acatalog/Nad_C352_Stereo_Integrated_Amplifier.html If you google for 'NAD C352' you'll come up with a few places selling the amp!

I know, but the retailer that I got my micro from doesn't have it - and I have to go back to them since they will give me store credit. I will try to get cash from them - in which case I will consider Rotel as well but as of now it's between PM6002 and C325...

 

[d_a_n1979]

Well for my money and bang for your buck; i'd be going with the NAD.

But thats for my taste in music etc...