Marantz or Yamaha - new budget system

[Choucas]

Hi,

I've narrowed my search to either the Marantz pm6003 amp and cd6003 cd player or Yamaha AS500 amp and CDS300 cd player. My speakers are Acoustic Energy Evo 1 speakers which I intend to keep.

Which system is best for listening to rock and blues?

I do not have the opportunity to test the Yamaha system so your views are most welcome!

 

[Clare Newsome]

Test of the Yamaha pairing coming up in our next issue, on sale December 9th (posted out to subscribers 3rd Dec)....

 

[Choucas]

Thanks, Clare - I'll look out for that!

 

[Anonymous]

take a look on ebay there is a used marrantz 6003cd and amp for sale.

 

[Anonymous]

I own the marantz pair, although the amp is only used as a back up to my old Yamaha. I think that rock is their weak link - they are stronger on acoustic/Jazz/vocals. I think the biggest issue is with amplifier which seems to produce somewhat flat and ponderous sounding bass.

Ian

 

[the record spot]

Much as I'm a Marantz fan, you could do worse than also consider Harman Kardon's HK980 amplifier and really rather good HD990. Both of which are likely in your budget range and both on offer much like the other two.

 

[Anonymous]

ive got an as-500 paired with a cd6003 and a pair of mission 760i's..(picking up new dynaudios next week) i had the pm6003 before but that was when i had ma-rx6's so its difficult to compare the two amps..

having said that, and taking into account the difference between the speakers, the yamaha, mission pairing is very good, and ive a feeling the as-500 is a more dynamic, livlier sounding amp, i cant wait to pair it with the dm 2/7's..

 

[plastic penguin]

the record spot:Much as I'm a Marantz fan, you could do worse than also consider Harman Kardon's HK980 amplifier and really rather good HD990. Both of which are likely in your budget range and both on offer much like the other two.

You've recommended the HKs on a number of occasions, including a suggestion before I bought my Leema. When I contacted my local dealers and mentioned Harman Kardon, they looked at me blankly. It seems that not many people actually stock HK, for some strange inexplicable reason.

 

[the record spot]

plastic penguin:
the record spot:Much as I'm a Marantz fan, you could do worse than also consider Harman Kardon's HK980 amplifier and really rather good HD990. Both of which are likely in your budget range and both on offer much like the other two.

You've recommended the HKs on a number of occasions, including a suggestion before I bought my Leema. When I contacted my local dealers and mentioned Harman Kardon, they looked at me blankly. It seems that not many people actually stock HK, for some strange inexplicable reason.

Hi PP - I first heard about the HK kit a year or so back, then the HK990 & HD990 won an award last year in HFC (best system at £1500 which is the full price for both - amp being £1k and the CDP £500). Then, this summer, in Edinburgh's excellent Home Cinema Centre, I was trying out potential replacements for the Sansui which was in amp hospital being fixed. The HD990 was the source and it was excellent. Heaps of detail, good bass, nice mids, the works. Similar spec, but £300 cheaper on release than the Cambridge 840C, including balanced inputs.

The amp is a powerhouse; 150wpc, but rated up to 300. Dual mono design, room correction, 2.2 configuration, tons of functionality. I walked away with the Leema Pulse but on reflection wish I took the HK to run at home. As it was, the Sansui came home well enough and it's probably got the edge on the two of them anyway. But the HK stuff was very, very good and I imagine the HK980 amp would be just as impressive.

 

[matthewpiano]

The Marantz 6003 pairing is excellent IMO and provides a nicely detailed, atmospheric and balanced sound. I would imaginge it might work very well with your AE speakers, but you would have to demo to be sure.

I've not heard the A-S500. I did have an A-S700 but I gather the two amps are very different to each other.

Have you completely dismissed other options? For your taste in music I would definitely be demoing the NAD C545BEE and C326BEE and I reckon these would sound superb with your speakers (probably better than the Marantz combination to be honest).

Also worth a proper listen is the Cambridge Audio 650 combination.

 

[plastic penguin]

the record spot:plastic penguin:

the record spot:Much as I'm a Marantz fan, you could do worse than also consider Harman Kardon's HK980 amplifier and really rather good HD990. Both of which are likely in your budget range and both on offer much like the other two.

You've recommended the HKs on a number of occasions, including a suggestion before I bought my Leema. When I contacted my local dealers and mentioned Harman Kardon, they looked at me blankly. It seems that not many people actually stock HK, for some strange inexplicable reason.

Hi PP - I first heard about the HK kit a year or so back, then the HK990 & HD990 won an award last year in HFC (best system at £1500 which is the full price for both - amp being £1k and the CDP £500). Then, this summer, in Edinburgh's excellent Home Cinema Centre, I was trying out potential replacements for the Sansui which was in amp hospital being fixed. The HD990 was the source and it was excellent. Heaps of detail, good bass, nice mids, the works. Similar spec, but £300 cheaper on release than the Cambridge 840C, including balanced inputs.
The amp is a powerhouse; 150wpc, but rated up to 300. Dual mono design, room correction, 2.2 configuration, tons of functionality. I walked away with the Leema Pulse but on reflection wish I took the HK to run at home. As it was, the Sansui came home well enough and it's probably got the edge on the two of them anyway. But the HK stuff was very, very good and I imagine the HK980 amp would be just as impressive.

I know you have immense respect for the HK amp, and up in your manor you obviously have a good outlet. However, down in the deep south they seem to be a little sparse. One of my regular outlets lists HK and don't stock them. It's a shame, because it's always healthy to hear new and/or lesser known stuff.

Anyway, I absolutely love the Pulse. At this very moment I'm listening to some organ music (of the seaside variety) on BBC R2 Freeview, and the dynamics and detail the Leema and MAs sling out is astonishing.