Marantz or Cambridge?

[Dellboy]

Hi Guys,
I have a Marantz PM-6007 amp with B&W 603 speakers. I have been looking at the Cambridge 851A amp. Has anyone compared these amps? Would it be considered an upgrade?

 

[Al ears]

Hi Guys,
I have a Marantz PM-6007 amp with B&W 603 speakers. I have been looking at the Cambridge 851A amp. Has anyone compared these amps? Would it be considered an upgrade?

What sources do you intend to use?
The Cambridge was quite expensive when first released so should, in theory, be the better amp but then it could be up to 10 years old......

 

[Dellboy]

Hi,
I have a heavily modified Rega Planar 3 TT, Marantz CD-6005 CD, Yaqin MS-23B (Phono Stage - Moded) & SMSL D1se DAC.

 

[camcroft]

Hi,
I have a heavily modified Rega Planar 3 TT, Marantz CD-6005 CD, Yaqin MS-23B (Phono Stage - Moded) & SMSL D1se DAC.

Heavily modified in which way. The Rega that is.

 

[Dellboy]

Yaqin MS-23b is a (Valve) Phono stage & Preamp.

 

[Al ears]

That's why I asked, you are going to need that external phono preamp.
If it is also a preamp why dont you simply buy a power amp?
I thought it was simply a phono preamp with only one input??

 

[Dellboy]

Yes, I realise that the Cambridge does not have a DAC or Phono. What drew my attention was that it is 120w in 8ohm. Does that equate to better sound quality?

 

[Al ears]

Surely you mean its a phono preamp

 

[Al ears]

Yes, I realise that the Cambridge does not have a DAC or Phono. What drew my attention was that it is 120w in 8ohm. Does that equate to better sound quality?

Not necessarily it simply means it has more power reserve to drive and control your speakers. It does not guarantee better sound.

 

[Dellboy]

Surely you mean its a phono preamp

 

[Dellboy]

Yes you are correct. My description was incorrect as there are not 2 seperate units.

 

[Al ears]

My guess is the Cambridge might be a better amplifier if you can get it for a decent price but must admit I have never heard one used with your speakers.

 

[Dom]

Yes, I realise that the Cambridge does not have a DAC or Phono. What drew my attention was that it is 120w in 8ohm. Does that equate to better sound quality?

Why would more power equate to better sound quality?

 

[Dellboy]

Heavily modified in which way. The Rega that is.

Hi camcroft,
I used to be an engineer:-
Thick acrylic platter, metal sub-platter, rewired tonearm, underslung counterweight, double 33rpm pulley, upgraded motor, Rega speed controller, metal bracing plate (like the Rega P3), adjustable spiked feet, metal wall bracket. You did ask

 

[camcroft]

Hi camcroft,
I used to be an engineer:-
Thick acrylic platter, metal sub-platter, rewired tonearm, underslung counterweight, double 33rpm pulley, upgraded motor, Rega speed controller, metal bracing plate (like the Rega P3), adjustable spiked feet, metal wall bracket. You did ask

Bit like mine

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi Guys,
I have a Marantz PM-6007 amp with B&W 603 speakers. I have been looking at the Cambridge 851A amp. Has anyone compared these amps? Would it be considered an upgrade?

As the others have suggested, if you have vinyl the Marantz (any model) would be prudent choice, perhaps one of the midrange models. IMO, Marantz would be my choice with B&Ws.

Also, never been a big fan of Cambridge Azur ranges. Years ago , former member @Gerrardasnails invited me to listen to his Cambridge Azur 840A. Very powerful but sounded too clinical for my taste. The likes of Arcam, Marantz etc etc sounded more natural.

 

[Dellboy]

Bit like mine
View attachment 4090

Nice!!!!!
Here is mine :-

 

[camcroft]

Nice!!!!!
Here is mine :-
View attachment 4091

Very nice.

 

[Dom]

Nice!!!!!
Here is mine :-
View attachment 4091

Woh...Super amazing, nice and very cool looking, buddy. 🧡

 

[WayneKerr]

Nice!!!!!
Here is mine :-
View attachment 4091

Ooh, couldn't be having that, mismatched colours for amp and CDP... black is the only colour for hi-fi

 

[plastic penguin]

Nice!!!!!
Here is mine :-
View attachment 4091

Very nice looking kit. I would suggest demo one of the midrange Marantz amps. They'll share the tonal qualities but have better control over the speakers.

By the way, your colour walls are very similar to mine. Picture taken just after I completed it in 2019🙂

 

[Symples]

Hello Dellboy,

I just happened to have purchased a Cambridge Audio Azur 851A on ebay (refurbished)

Besides a CD63SE, I am not too familiar with Marantz, but I can tell you that I am very happy with the Azur 851A

I like the look and it is solidly built.
120W into 8ohms and 200W into 4.

But it's not just about power.
It sounds just fine to me.
Don't ask me to explain it, as I'm not into superfluous descriptions (Detailed, exciting, insightful etc lol)
.
Comparing it to my Onkyo TX RZ800 (AV receiver). It sounds just as good, though lacking in power compared to the Onkyo (Tannoy Revolution XT 8F bi-amped from the Onkyo)

I have it on a 30 day return. so if I am not satisfied. Back it will go (8 days so far)

The manual looked a bit worn, but otherwise the amp was in perfect condition.

Worth a look.

Cambridge Audio Azur 851A Integrated Amplifier (Silver) - Refurbished 5055300405890 | eBay

 

[treesey]

In my research done before finding my Pioneer, I read only very positive reviews on the ?51 kit from Cambridge. Apparently very different from the ??0? Azur range.

I was looking for an 851R but the Pioneer arrived first.

ETA ...sorry it was the 751R - but it's the same '1 more' family over the standard Azur range.

 

[Dellboy]

Hello Dellboy,

I just happened to have purchased a Cambridge Audio Azur 851A on ebay (refurbished)

Besides a CD63SE, I am not too familiar with Marantz, but I can tell you that I am very happy with the Azur 851A

I like the look and it is solidly built.
120W into 8ohms and 200W into 4.

But it's not just about power.
It sounds just fine to me.
Don't ask me to explain it, as I'm not into superfluous descriptions (Detailed, exciting, insightful etc lol)
.
Comparing it to my Onkyo TX RZ800 (AV receiver). It sounds just as good, though lacking in power compared to the Onkyo (Tannoy Revolution XT 8F bi-amped from the Onkyo)

I have it on a 30 day return. so if I am not satisfied. Back it will go (8 days so far)

The manual looked a bit worn, but otherwise the amp was in perfect condition.

Worth a look.

Cambridge Audio Azur 851A Integrated Amplifier (Silver) - Refurbished 5055300405890 | eBay

I was looking at that one on Ebay. You sound like you have a lovely set up. My friend had the Tannoy speakers but he has just changed them after listening to my B&W 603's.

 

[Symples]

I was looking at that one on Ebay. You sound like you have a lovely set up. My friend had the Tannoy speakers but he has just changed them after listening to my B&W 603's.

I got lucky with the turntable in an auction. Though I had to travel from London to Manchester to collect it £150 train and cabs. All worth it.

Actually when I thin of it. Turntable, arm, speakers, DAT player, streamer anbd now the new amp all came from ebay and all at a good price. (Though it takes time to put together)