Marantz M-CR611 pre-out

[chebby]

The upcoming new M-CR611 will - finally - have pre-out connections which can be used with power amps or active speakers.

Previously the M-CR603 and M-CR610 models have only had fixed, line level, 'audio-out' connections which were not controlled by the volume control (or it's tone controls) so couldn't be used directly connected to active speakers for instance. (Not unless the speakers had their own volume control or you put a pre-amp or volume control box between them.)

Just a thought. I know some of you have wanted to do this in the past but couldn't.

Well, now you can.

 

[Ivek]

He is in search for such a device with analog input for turnable and preout for his active loudspeakers Dynaudio MC 15.

 

[ID.]

Interesting. Still a bit bigger than I'd like, but that's a lot of functionality for something that costs less than many of the combined DAC preamps I've been looking at.

 

[lpv]

shame they didn't put some pre outs in MCR511

 

[MajorFubar]

He is in search for such a device with analog input for turnable and preout for his active loudspeakers Dynaudio MC 15.

Bear in mind he'll still need a phono pre-amp if his turntable doesn't have one, because the line input on the MCR611 is exactly that: a line input, not an input for a phono cartridge.

In other news it looks like it will have two optical inputs compared to just the one on the outgoing '610. Which is very nice but it would have been even nicer to have seen some kind of coaxial or optical digital-out as well. Probably asking too much that though; it's not inherrently a digital amp and won't have an ADC for its FM radio or line input.

 

[MajorFubar]

Indeed; another carry-over from the 510 sadly.

 

[steve_1979]

...and a tempting proposition for active speaker users.

 

[ID.]

Now that I look at the dimensions, they aren't significantly bigger than units like the Pioneer U-05 I've been considering.

 

[spiny norman]

shame they didn't put some pre outs in MCR511

Think that's called product differentiation.

 

[Ivek]

My friend has Thorens TD 146 and Thorens phono preamp.

Thanks MajorFubar

 

[MajorFubar]

No problem, glad it helped.

shame they didn't put some pre outs in MCR511

Think that's called product differentiation.

No it's called being measily or damn clever depending on your point of view. The 511 is a LAN/Airplay/Bluetooth network receiver with internet radio and Spotify Connect, and if it had line-outs (which would add the sum total of thrupence ha'penny to the manufacturing cost) its expected £250/£299 retail price would make it a very attractive proposition for use as a streamer to feed a separate amplifier or active speakers. But Marantz don't want you to do that, they want you to spend £499 on the NA6005 instead.

 

[spiny norman]

No it's called being measily or damn clever depending on your point of view. The 511 is a LAN/Airplay/Bluetooth network receiver with internet radio and Spotify Connect, and if it had line-outs (which would add the sum total of thrupence ha'penny to the manufacturing cost) its expected £250/£299 retail price would make it a very attractive proposition for use as a streamer to feed a separate amplifier or active speakers. But Marantz don't want you to do that, they want you to spend £499 on the NA6005 instead.

Shame on them, given they're the only hi-fi brand available. ;-)

 

[chebby]

Anyway, what sub £1000 (per pair) active speakers are there for domestic hi-fi application (and that look good in a living room)?

Not second-hand.

The nearest i've found are Dynaudio X14As but they are £1350. Other cheaper ones, like the Quad 9AS or KEF X300s for example, either have built in DACs / pre-amps and/or are 'powered' or wireless.

So called 'pro' monitors are designed for desktop/studio near field monitoring and tend to appeal to a teenage 'aesthetic'.

 

[DocG]

Anyway, what sub £1000 (per pair) active speakers are there for domestic hi-fi application (and that look good in a living room)?

Opinions differ on what looks good in a living room. But for my taste the Adam Artist (3 or 5) could fit the description.

 

[richardw42]

There's the obvious. AVI DM5 (but I would say that

im im having an extension that includes a new master bedroom. I intend to use my NAD dock, but if I do go with 2 speakers, I think a pair of Play 1s is most likely.

 

[MajorFubar]

Shame on them, given they're the only hi-fi brand available. ;-)

True there are other options of course from alternative manufacturers, but that’s just how M&D have chosen to play their ball. They don’t want sales of the more expensive MA6005 impacted by their £250/£299 all-in-one which could be easily used as a cheap streamer, if it had line-outs. It’s not a particularly unusual marketing tactic. Remember the days when outboard HiFi DACs first appeared, and you had to spend £300+ on a company’s CDP just to get one with a digital output on it, when what you really wanted was a digital output on their £150 poverty model?

 

[ID.]

I'm quite partial to the Daruma-like curves of Genelecs, but having just bought a pair for the living room I would say that.

My Adam A7X are pretty ugly.

 

[chebby]

There's the obvious. AVI DM5 (but I would say that

Someone here reported (reliably I assume) that they are no longer made.

 

[richardw42]

They're making another batch. I bought another pair a couple of weeks ago as front speakers for my HC.

 

[DocG]

I had a look at the site the other day, and it said £100! But then the description of what you buy is "DM5 Active Loudspeaker Deposit" *stop*

 

[richardw42]

They are £699, and then there is the options of premium finishes such as rosewood for an extra £75.

The £100 is the deposit and paid at ordering. Before despatch AVI will email you for authorisation to take balance.

 

[lpv]

Anyway, what sub £1000 (per pair) active speakers are there for domestic hi-fi application (and that look good in a living room)?

Not second-hand.

The nearest i've found are Dynaudio X14As but they are £1350. Other cheaper ones, like the Quad 9AS or KEF X300s for example, either have built in DACs / pre-amps and/or are 'powered' or wireless.

So called 'pro' monitors are designed for desktop/studio near field monitoring and tend to appeal to a teenage 'aesthetic'.

I have Genelec M040 on top of heavy oak and metal TV unit. I think they look nice in our living room and the lack of speaker stands is a bonus for us, sounds impressive and below £1000 new. In fact the speakers looks better then square edge speakers and suits our - not too modern but not dated - living space design. Together with some ATC actives ( expensive) models we've heard this Genelecs are the real deal. Very musical, easy to listen to, detailed and powerfull. Having them for few months now and I can say they're great for any kind of music ( late night listening ? the bass is great... and as party speakers? go really loud, never shouty - can't say the same about Yamaha HS8) and movies. Lovely set of speakers.

 

[loaRx]

Indeed; another carry-over from the 510 sadly.

Agree - Quite sad that they haven't included the preout on the M-CR511, then It would definitely have ended up in my office setup.

According to www.audiophiles.eu, the M-CR511 uses less power than the M-CR510, wonder if that means that it is a weaker power supply, and if that applies to the M-CR611 also?
http://www.audiophiles.eu/2015/07/15/marantz-m-cr511-first-impressions/

 

[MajorFubar]

Indeed; another carry-over from the 510 sadly.

Agree - Quite sad that they haven't included the preout on the M-CR511, then It would definitely have ended up in my office setup.

It would probably have ended up in my lounge as a source. In the old days I'd have whipped-out the soldering iron and made a set of line out sockets (not the first time I've made line-in and line-out sockets for people with cheap stereos with no socketry), but these days I'm finding it's too much of a faff as CBA overrides my impetuousness more easily than it did. Plus it's not as easy as it was; nowadays everything's all surface-mount ICs and a few caps thrown in for good measure.

 

[lpv]

No problem, glad it helped.

shame they didn't put some pre outs in MCR511

Think that's called product differentiation.

No it's called being measily or damn clever depending on your point of view. The 511 is a LAN/Airplay/Bluetooth network receiver with internet radio and Spotify Connect, and if it had line-outs (which would add the sum total of thrupence ha'penny to the manufacturing cost) its expected £250/£299 retail price would make it a very attractive proposition for use as a streamer to feed a separate amplifier or active speakers. But Marantz don't want you to do that, they want you to spend £499 on the NA6005 instead.

NA6005 doesn't have preamp... closer alternatives to Melody 510/ 511 are NR1506/ NR1606, both with volume control and pre outs.