Marantz 8003

[admin_exported]

Hi folks!

Just finnished a deployment somewhere hot and sunny but not somewhere you'd call a holiday hot spot! So not been on here for a while! I'm looking at up grading from a marantz pm 5003 to an 8003. I love the marantz's warmth although I know it's not to everybodies taste. Will the new amp be too much for the MA BR2's that I currently have and also enjoy. I was also looking at the 685's as a match.

vmt Tug

 

[plastic penguin]

The 8003 has been around for some time. I've not personally heard it, but really like other Marantz amps and tuners.

http://whathifi.com/Review/Marantz-PM8003/

I would say keep clear of likeminded speakers such as Focal. If you're looking for speakers to match, look at fast, punchy monitors such as Epos M12, EB Acoustics EB1 or even Dynaudio. Can't comment on the B&Ws mentioned, I've only heard them briefly in the dealers.

 

[Dalesman]

Cant comment on the 5003 but have owned the 6003 and the 8003 at the same time for a few months and did a side by side comparison. I personally couldnt justify the cost differential and found the 6003 perfectly adequate for my needs, hence got rid of the 8003.

The speakers I use are 685's.

 

[Cypher]

The PM8003 sounds almost the same as the PM6003. I had the option to buy the PM8003 for a very good price but I agree with Dalesman, it isn't worth the extra money. The PM6003 is already very good and is much cheaper.

 

[ID.]

I Didn't try the 685s with the 8003 in my own room, but in store my impression was good bass and scale to the sound, but lacking in detail. Maybe that could be remedied by using a different source. I only tried with the 8003 CDP. Maybe too bassy in small rooms.

Isn't the 8004 available or available soon? I'd check that out first. I think the 8003 is easily outperformed by cheaper kit, but it did have a warm, musical and non-fatiguing sound that could be easy to live with.

 

[plastic penguin]

I'd also look at the SA-7001 KI. One of the best amps they've produced IMHO.

 

[the record spot]

That's the PM7001-KI mate; the "SA" designates the CDP's SACD capability. The others are prefixed "CD" for standard redbook only, e.g. the CD6003.