Well I could have started a new topic "From Marantz to Arcam in 14 days"
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I explained above, that I preferred a one brand solution for the electronics for my new first "real" HiFi system. At that moment I never realised it would be that difficult. In the past few years I have been reconstructing my house, so I didn't have the time to look for a new HiFi system. After the reconstruction, I didn't even put my old Technics electronics with Magnat speakers back in the living room, I didn't like the sound at all. But now it was time for something decent.
Marantz/Sonos Streaming
The WHF review from the NA7004 did not convince me completely. I think the sound department is ok, but the flexibility is limited. I asked Marantz (USA, Benelux didn't respond) if the NA7004 would support Spotify. The answered that there are no plans, to implement Spotify in the NA7004 player. I think that going digital/streaming/internet streaming, asks for a brand that is willing to support new trends like Spotify. Until now, Sonos proved to be flexible, without additional cost. So I decided to go the Sonos route (ZP90 controlled by iPad).
Amplifier
Based on reviews and other reading, I thought Marantz would be my favourite choice, but I still wanted to test other amplifiers, before making a decision. I made an appointment with a local dealer and he prepared a Marantz CD6003 (used for all testing) a PM7004, a Denon PMA1500 and a NAD C356BEE, connected to the RX6 (I decided on that one). For music I used Katie Melua (Closest thing to Crazy,Piece by Piece), Cold Play (Politik, Clocks), Gary Moore (Still got the Blues, Story of the Blues) and U2 (Where the streets have no name, etc).
I started with the Marantz PM7004, which sounded good basically, but then we started comparing.... Continuing with the Denon, I noticed a few things. The Denon was considerably more dynamic and detailed. However for my taste, the mid-upper end was a bid to pronounced (fresh/bright). The RX6 is not a particularly warm (compared to B&W) or bright (focal) speaker, but the Denon coloured the RX6 to the brighter side, which I don't like. Then I continued with the NAD and that was revealing. It didn't colourize the speaker in a negative sense and it was very dynamic and detailed. I spend the most time with the NAD actually, but after some time I started to notice that this amp wants to play loud. With the volume control at let's say eight o clock (and that's just the beginning), it produced a room filling sound. The amp didn't like lower volumes at conversation or background level. I really wanted to like this amp, it has a high value for the money, but I am not the person who plays the music loud, maybe occasionally, but normally not. I am using the system in a 25sqm living room, in a semi detached house. Now I think I understand what the WHF editor meant with "congested sound stage" in his review from this NAD. So I went back to the Marantz and that was a disappointment. It lacked the dynamics and detail from both amplifiers, for some reason it sounded dull. At some point when Gary Moore was playing his guitar, or Cold Play while playing Clocks, I felt that it couldn't always handle 'transients'. I couldn't reproduce this with the other amps. The NAD has the habit to sound 'louder' at any volume, so comparing with the Marantz is maybe not such a good idea
(I started to turn up the volume from the Marantz to get the NAD feeling, but that didn't work
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The Denon and NAD made me unsure, both proved that the RX6 could do better with a better amp. So I discussed this with the dealer and he suggested to try an Arcam A28, because it's a bit like the Marantz sound, but then at a higher level. As soon the Arcam started playing, I got the feeling that the A28 was made for the RX6, for my situation. It sounded so clean, Katie Melua's voice, was spot on and Gary Moore could do anything with his guitar whatever he wanted, but the Arcam stayed perfectly in control, with a very natural 'sound colour'. What I also liked is the fact that it played excellent at any volume, from whispering levels up to levels my neighbours won't like (with Gary Moore).
The problem over here (Holland) is, that not many dealers are selling a nice combo of British "mainstream" speakers from B&W or Monitor Audio, together with Roksan or Naim for example. There are only a very limited number of Roksan and Naim dealers and they are usually selling higher end speakers. On the other hand, you won't easily find brands like Pioneer, Yamaha etc.. in a HiFi expert shop that is selling B&W or Monitor Audio.
So finally I decided to make the following combination: The Monitor RX6 + Arcam A28 + Sonos ZP90 with Arcam rDac (coax linked). The dealer advised to wait with the Blu-Ray player, until the new units from Marantz and Denon arrive at the end of this month. I will mainly use the system with the Sonos I guess. I hope it will arrive within a few days, so I can start enjoying it.
I must say that both the reviews in the magazine as well as the discussions over here, made me much more aware, where to look for, before making any decisions.