Marantz amp choice question

aglassofwater

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Hi all.

I've been enjoying lurking on the forums these past couple of weeks, been mightily illuminated, and I thought it was about time I asked a question. I did put it in the Zensor 3 thread earlier, but it doesn't really belong there, so I'll have a go with a new thread.
I've heard the Zensor 3 and like it very much, pairs nicely with Marantz PM 6005, all well and good. However, my local dealer here in Slovenia has a pretty good deal on a PM 7005. It's still more expensive than the 6005, but a good deal nonetheless.
So, would any difference be worth spending the extra 200 quid on? Should I save my cash, or spend it elsewhere on the set-up on something I haven't thought of? I'll be running a Rega RP3 and, possibly, a refurbished Marantz CD-67 MkII SE from it (all as yet unpurchased).

Many thanks.

Joel
 
I can't be definitive as I've not heard this combination, but my hunch is that I'd look at spending an extra £200 on a better cartridge for your RP3 than on the slightly better amp.

Or if new, wait for the new Panar 3 which has been better reviewed than the RP3.
 
nopiano said:
I can't be definitive as I've not heard this combination, but my hunch is that I'd look at spending an extra £200 on a better cartridge for your RP3 than on the slightly better amp.

Or if new, wait for the new Panar 3 which has been better reviewed than the RP3.

+1 The Planar 3 might turn out to be the better turntable but it will almost certainly come fitted with a mediocre cartridge. ;-)
 

aglassofwater

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Thank you both. Looks like a sound policy.

The RP3 (and the new P3) both come with an Elys 2, but I've seen recommendations made on turntable threads here for cartridges that are cheaper, so I am a little confused.

So, any recommendations for a cart that would be a definitive step or two up from the Elys 2?
 

lpv

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did have zensor 3 with marantz budget amp.. this combination is ok until you start comparing it with better offerings for same money then you realize your zensor/ marantz have boomy bass, recessed midrange and exeggerated top... how important is the look of the speakers for you? do you need grilles? nice veneer? what's your max budget?
 

aglassofwater

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lpv said:
did have zensor 3 with marantz budget amp.. this combination is ok until you start comparing it with better offerings for same money then you realize your zensor/ marantz have boomy bass, recessed midrange and exeggerated top... how important is the look of the speakers for you? do you need grilles? nice veneer? what's your max budget?

I think I'm pretty settled on this, but nothing's purchased yet so I'm open to suggestions.

Total budget (amp, speakers, TT, CD player, although the latter might wait if I had some facility for playing FLAC files from my laptop) would be no more than 1,500 quid.

Edit: I should add that the ability to demo is limited where I am. I've heard the Marantz/Zensor combination, but no Arcam, little Rotel around these parts. B&W, Monitor Audio speakers yes. Etc. Look of the speakers not important, but would prefer standmounters.
 

matthewpiano

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The phono stage in the PM6005 is no better than average and won't get the best out of the RP3 with Elys 2. If you instead went for a Rega Brio-R you would have a much better all-round amplifier, and a phono stage of an altogether higher quality to get the best out of the turntable.
 

BigH

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aglassofwater said:
Thank you both. Looks like a sound policy.

The RP3 (and the new P3) both come with an Elys 2, but I've seen recommendations made on turntable threads here for cartridges that are cheaper, so I am a little confused.

So, any recommendations for a cart that would be a definitive step or two up from the Elys 2?

I don't know the Elys 2 cartridge, if it comes with the TT may as well hear it unless you can get quite a lot of money taken off for without the Elys 2. There are some good cartridges around about the £100 mark, whether they are better than the Elys 2 I don't know. Its a matter of taste quite often, do you want clarity and hear every detail or do you want a more refined less detailed sound, less surface noise?
 

aglassofwater

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matthewpiano said:
The phono stage in the PM6005 is no better than average and won't get the best out of the RP3 with Elys 2. If you instead went for a Rega Brio-R you would have a much better all-round amplifier, and a phono stage of an altogether higher quality to get the best out of the turntable.

I could demo the Brio, but not with the Zensor 3, only B&W 685, Monitor Audios, Focals, Q Acoustics. Did spend a lot of time thinking about the Brio though.
 

aglassofwater

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BigH said:
I don't know the Elys 2 cartridge, if it comes with the TT may as well hear it unless you can get quite a lot of money taken off for without the Elys 2. There are some good cartridges around about the £100 mark, whether they are better than the Elys 2 I don't know. Its a matter of taste quite often, do you want clarity and hear every detail or do you want a more refined less detailed sound, less surface noise?

Detail definitely, but involving. I listen to everything: psych, glitchy electronic stuff, country, reggae, classical and messed-up jazz.

If that's everything.
 

BigH

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aglassofwater said:
BigH said:
I don't know the Elys 2 cartridge, if it comes with the TT may as well hear it unless you can get quite a lot of money taken off for without the Elys 2. There are some good cartridges around about the £100 mark, whether they are better than the Elys 2 I don't know. Its a matter of taste quite often, do you want clarity and hear every detail or do you want a more refined less detailed sound, less surface noise?

Detail definitely, but involving. I listen to everything: psych, glitchy electronic stuff, country, reggae, classical and messed-up jazz.

If that's everything.

With detail you will get more surface noise and maybe siblance. The Elys 2 gets a good review in WHF, not that means that much. I did a google search and came across this: http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=45551

which you may find of interest.
 

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