Marantz PM-11 S3 integrated amp - thoughts?

[Singslinger]

When it comes to integrated amps around the 3,000 pounds mark, I notice common recommendations are the Naim Supernait 2, Electrocompaniet EC5-Mk 2 and sometimes the Musical Fidelity M6i.

At lower prices however, I notice that Marantz gets mentioned quite a fair bit (as do brands like Rotel and NAD). Does this mean that Marantz's higher level gear isn't so highly rated? For example, Marantz's top integrated is the PM-11 S3 which looks very well built and generously appointed yet - as far as I can tell - hardly gets mentioned when forum members ask for recommendations around this price. I found one review online which was very positive but by and large, this amp does not appear to feature on the radar.

Has anyone auditioned this amp against some of the more popular names mentioned above? If so, or if you own one, I'd be very grateful of you could share your experiences.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Covenanter]

I think there are two factors:

1 - Most posters won't have heard the high-end Marantz kit. In the UK there aren't many stockists which makes auditioning problematical.

2 - Marantz isn't a fashionable brand.

Chris

 

[Singslinger]

Thanks Chris.

 

[ID.]

Well, I did give a longish reply to this from my computer, but it seems to have disappeared.

Min short, decent for the price here in Japan if you like the smooth Marantz sound. At a 50% premium in the UK surely there are better competitors. It's very capable but there are others I'd choose ahead of it even here in Japan.

 

[FennerMachine]

[font="ProximaNova-Light, arial, verdana, sans-serif"][style="font-size: 14pt"]That's the thing – if you like the smooth sound, the extra power over the PM-14S1 might be beneficial.[/font][/style]

[font="ProximaNova-Light, arial, verdana, sans-serif"][style="font-size: 14pt"]It likely won't sound much better or different but with the right speakers and a larger room it could make the difference between OK and very good Hi-Fi.[/font][/style]

[font="ProximaNova-Light, arial, verdana, sans-serif"][style="font-size: 14pt"]Other high end amps may sound different, but not necessarily better.[/font][/style]

[font="ProximaNova-Light, arial, verdana, sans-serif"][style="font-size: 14pt"]I can demo one near me, but at £3000.00, with my speakers and room size, there is no point.[/font][/style]

 

[ID.]

My thoughts were that it would be a candidate for auditioning at the Japan price which is equivalent to just over 2000 pounds at the moment. Still preferred the more muscular Luxman L-507uX at a similar price range - iron fist in a velvet glove, plus VU meters 🙂

 

[postup_crni]

I have listened to S3 amp/SACD with B&W PM1 followed by CM9 and own Marantz PM11 S2 amp/SACD combo, powering Martin Logan Electromotion ELS. Sound from PM1 was such that I wanted to listen through each&every test song and then more (felt the same again only with MLs). Very clean, dynamic, even loudness was not an issue. CM9 was no match at all, wooly and inarticulate, but it could also be that the amp was not compatible. Shortly before listened to Harbeth P3ESR /Super HL5 and Audio Physics Scorpios with Naim XS amp/CD and largely prefered PM11S3/BW PM1.

You should pay attention to the speaker choice, eg. we found KEF R700 and Vienna Acoustics Bethoven warm, lacking detail and uninvolving, whereas PMC 23 and MA Gold 200 were very good. For us, however, ELS proved even better than those. I assume you should not pair PM 11S3 with warmer speakers.

Pricewise, S3 can be had for 2500 eur ex demo http://hificorner.nl/outlet/beschadigde-verpakking/marantz-pm-11s3-goud and 3200 eur new at http://sonusart.hr/product.aspx?c=10&p=358. I see that Luxman is far more expensive in UK and in Europe and is therefore hardly comaparable.

I would recommend putting it on a shortlist and give it a serious try.

Best, postup

 

[Singslinger]

Really appreciate the input postup, many thanks!