Marantz 6004 vs Cambridge 351 series

[ele101]

After a couple of months of researching my first separates set, I thought I'd reached a decision on what to buy:

- Marantz cd6004

- Marantz pm6004

- Q Acoustics 2020i

However, after discussing it with staff at my local Richer Sounds, they said the following were better:

- Cambridge Azur 351c

- Cambridge Azur 351a

- Cambridge s30 standmount speakers

With the current discounts both sets come out at around £580. I mostly listen to 60s stuff (Dylan, Beatles etc) and alternative (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, the National) and some jazz..

The reviews of the Marantz and Q Acoustics are better than the Cambridge set but the staff were adamant the latter were the best bet for the money.

What do people think? Any advice appreciated!

 

[Jake12988]

I think richer sounds want to get rid of the cambridge stuff!

They seem to push cambridge audio stuff hard; as there one of, if not the only retailer for cambridge audio, I'd go with marantz and q acoustics everytime,

The q acoustics will be 100 times better than the cambridge s30's, there amps are decent enough, but there speakers... Not so...

However you could also consider denon pma 720ae and the dcd720 with some monitor audio bx2's for a superb sound, and a long lasting system which won't need upgrading in a hurry, if ever...

or marantz and monitor audio bx2's, either or.. .

the q acoustics are great speakers as well, I just think the monitor audio bx2's are a better buy!

Good luck, enjoy deciding!

 

[ele101]

I think richer sounds want to get rid of the cambridge stuff!

They seem to push cambridge audio stuff hard; as there one of, if not the only retailer for cambridge audio, I'd go with marantz and q acoustics everytime,

The q acoustics will be 100 times better than the cambridge s30's, there amps are decent enough, but there speakers... Not so...

However you could also consider denon pma 720ae and the dcd720 with some monitor audio bx2's for a superb sound, and a long lasting system which won't need upgrading in a hurry, if ever...

or marantz and monitor audio bx2's, either or.. .

the q acoustics are great speakers as well, I just think the monitor audio bx2's are a better buy!

Good luck, enjoy deciding!

Thanks for your help. I was wondering about them pushing the Cambridge stuff.

I was also considering the Denon 720 series as the cd and amp are only £180 each at the moment. Richer Sounds said they were very flat and much worse than the Marantz and Cambridge.

I was thinking of pairing the Denons (or indeed the Marantz) with Acoustic Energy Compact One speakers as they are only £80 at the moment and have very good reviews. I don't know whether I was being too greedy though.

 

[Jake12988]

I suppose you can only go by your own ears, I think the cambridge audio 351 range is good, but I really think the marantz is a cut above, I like denon sounding seperates so always lean that way...

if your budget can stretch, I'd try and go for some monitor audio bx2's, I think you'll be so surprised how great they sound, if not the q acoustics are great!

maybe ask to demo all 3 amps and see what the difference is, the only problem is richer sounds will always give there opinion based on what they need to get rid of from the stock room... So just go by your own ears!

 

[GMK]

This has been the one thing that's annoyed me about RS, the fact they own Cambridge Audio and flagrantly try to sell that brand over everything else. I find it insulting. Other than that the shopping experience there is generally good

 

[Andrew Everard]

This has been the one thing that's annoyed me about RS, the fact they own Cambridge Audio and flagrantly try to sell that brand over everything else.

As has been stated here many times before, Richer Sounds don't own Cambridge Audio – Audio Partnership does. True, Mr Richer has an interest in AP, but the two companies are – well, two companies, and run as such.

However, Richer Sounds is both the distributor and sole retailer of Cambridge Audio products in the UK, which is why the products are less expensive here than they are in some other countries where a more conventional distribution/retail model is used.

 

[unhalfbricking]

Speaking as someone who made a Cambridge Audio purchase from Richer Sounds only yesterday, I would say that their sales guy gave the CA item a gentle shove ahead of the Marantz alternative -- no more than that. If you start quoting What Hi-fi's preference for the CD6004 over all sub-£500 competition, they play that down a bit. I didn't have a problem with that at all. Other than that, I was given a free run for over an hour in their demo room with zero spin or sales pitch.

 

[Ketan Bharadia]

That's good to hear.

 

[mr malarky]

I suppose you can only go by your own ears, I think the cambridge audio 351 range is good, but I really think the marantz is a cut above, I like denon sounding seperates so always lean that way...

if your budget can stretch, I'd try and go for some monitor audio bx2's, I think you'll be so surprised how great they sound, if not the q acoustics are great!

echo that about the monitor audio's; well worth a listen before you commit to the Q-Acoustics.

 

[BigH]

I would not take any notice about what a saleman says, in fact it often puts me off. Best to make up your own mind by listening. CA have a rep for being lively and on the sharp side so depends how you like your music, just make sure you can live with it, some systems sound good initially but are a bit harsh after a longer listen.

 

[wilro15]

Richer always push Cambridge Audio, its happened to me several times. Richer are good for buying stuff cheap and for demoing but not great for advice.