Marantz PM7200 Class A and Class A/B any good?

[josh05]

Hey all, was just having a browse on the bay and came across one of these in really good condition, was wondering if anyone knew anything about them, i googled the model and read a few reviews havent found a bad one yet. In the description on the bay it says it runs 95 watts in class A/B and 25 watts in Class A. Thanks in advance []

 

[Frank Harvey]

Cracking amp - go for it! The switchble Class A/B thing was useful.

 

[josh05]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
Cracking amp - go for it! The switchble Class A/B thing was useful.

Thanks for the reply David, can you explain to me the differences between this and my NAD? I've never had the chance to hear A Class A amp. Also what speakers do you think would gel well with it? I would be using my Music Hall turntable and CD-67 as sources if i get it.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I'm not familiar with your NAD, but for me the 7200 was one of the best budget amps Marantz produced, and certainly one of the very few I'd actually buy below the £500 mark. At the time, most speakers sounded good on it - if I recall correctly it was B&W's 600 series 2, KEF's Q series, and Acoustic Energy's AE floorstanders which were around £350 that I most used at the time.

 

[Anonymous]

hi josh05, the 7200 imo is an amazing amp one of the best amps i have ever owned. they sell like hot cakes on ebay so if i was you i'd go for it, but make sure not to stack any components on top of the amp as they tend to run hot while in class A. whenever i see one on ebay i have to stop myself from bidding on it. if you are lucky and buy it and disapointed with it you will have no problem selling it on!

 

[josh05]

Thanks for the reply's guys, I went ahead and bought it. I must be crazy lol only had the NAD for no longer than 2 months and absolutely love it, but just thought the Marantz would be good for a change and at least I'll now have a decent spare amp in case anything happens to the NAD. Got a couple more questions about it, was wondering does it sound a lot better when running in class A over A/B? if so could anyone recommend a good set of speakers that would run comfortably with it in class A mode? taking into account that in class A it only has 25 watt a channel. I've noticed a lot of older speakers seem to have high sensitivity and have low watt ratings, yet still have the power too go way louder than you would ever need them too. Would some older floorstanders be worth looking into? Thanks in advance Josh.

 

[Frank Harvey]

It will sound better running in Class A mode, but then that does depend on your classification of better

Running it in Class A mode will reduce it's power output, as Class A is very inefficient. Stick to easy loads and high sensitivities to get the most from this mode.

 

[josh05]

FrankHarveyHiFi:

It will sound better running in Class A mode, but then that does depend on your classification of better

My classification of better would me more natural with less colouration more faithful to the source is that what i would get running it in class A? Thanks again David

 

[Frank Harvey]

More accurate would be Class A/B (normal). Class A is more valve like, with a warmth which some feel is more 'natural'.

 

[RCduck7]

Josh05, will you let us know how it compares to your NAD? My dad has a 7200 in his living room but is always upstairs listening to music dvd's in multichannel on a Yamaha AV amp. In other words he doesn't use the 7200 much for now. I might ask him if i can try it in my setup.

 

[drummerman]

FrankHarveyHiFi:

More accurate would be Class A/B (normal). Class A is more valve like, with a warmth which some feel is more 'natural'.

The few solid state amplifiers I've heard that utilize class A did'nt sound anything like a couple of half decent valve amplifiers, price comparatively. In the nineties I nearly bought one but then settled on Valve amplification.

'Warmth' is not something I'd necesseraly associate with affordable Class A S/S either. Clean, glassy almost brittle is what stayed in my mind. That and generally a lack of power and punch, even compared to equally low powered Valve amplifiers. If you want reasonable Solid State Class A power it'll cost you ... unless it comes from a Shenzhen factory.

Beauty is in the ears of the beholder but for these two here, the 7200 was a rather ordinary product. Agree, materially it was a lot for the money but sound ... I actually preferred a cheap rotel and would rather choose one of the KI's.

As always, my opinion only.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Hence "valve like" rather than sounds like valves

I was referring to Class A's warmer more laid back presentation.

 

[the record spot]

You need a very efficient speaker so something of 89db or more will do the trick.

 

[josh05]

RCduck7:Josh05, will you let us know how it compares to your NAD? My dad has a 7200 in his living room but is always upstairs listening to music dvd's in multichannel on a Yamaha AV amp. In other words he doesn't use the 7200 much for now. I might ask him if i can try it in my setup.

RCduck7, the PM7200 turned up today and straight up I'll say I'm impressed with it, however i do prefer the NAD and i think overall the NAD is more revealing, dynamic, has tighter bass and has more power on tap. On the other hand the Marantz is a lovely amp and does sound better for certain types of music IMO. The Marantz has a much warmer laid back presentation and gels better with the B&W speakers i have, you feel like you can listen too it forever without ever feeling fatigued playing artists like The Eagles, The Moody Blues, Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits etc it's a really pleasurable listen I also think Classical would be more suited too the Marantz as it doesn't tend too harden up as much in the mid/treble. In saying that though aswell as what i said above the NAD is also more controlled than the Marantz and sounds a lot better for rock/heavy metal music and electronica vocals also sound more prominent and emotional through the NAD. Both amps IMO are superb and i think picking between them would just come down to what type of presentation you prefer. Hope this helps I'm new too HI-Fi and these are the differences i noticed anyway

 

[d_a_n1979]

I dont think youll go far wrong with the M/A and NAD combo

However I'm jealous you've got some B&W 602 S2's... Cant find any here in the UK in decent nick

Always seem to have damage to the cabinets or the tweeter covers have been pushed in

 

[josh05]

I think I'm going too love the NAD/MA combo Dan! Unfortunately the B&W's arent mine, i called my local Hi-Fi dealer too get a quote on some Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s for mum and he mentioned someone had just traded the B&W's in so at the price i got them for (half the price of the Wharfedales) i couldnt resist. they are lovely speakers but i think they are just a little bit bright with the NAD amp. anyway mums buying the Marantz/B&W setup off me once i get my M/A's which should be here tomorrow hopefully. So all worked out well

Got a quick question for you Dan, I'm finding my soundstage (through both amps) sounds messy do you think my CDP maybe the cause?

Thanks

 

[d_a_n1979]

Hmmm not sure but then again I've never been a massive fan of Marantz amps.

IMO you'll not go wrong with the likes of an Arcam DiVA CD72 or CD73 or even the CD192 if you can find one.

Other CDP's like the Rega Apollo, Arcam FMJ CD17 or the Audiolab 8000CD would be well suited

 

[josh05]

Cheers, having a look on the bay at the moment for the arcam's, I've been leaning towards the Apollo, anyway i reckon I'll have a bit more of a think about it and hopefully it should make my soundstage better.

 

[AEJim]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
I'm not familiar with your NAD, but for me the 7200 was one of the best budget amps Marantz produced, and certainly one of the very few I'd actually buy below the £500 mark. At the time, most speakers sounded good on it - if I recall correctly it was B&W's 600 series 2, KEF's Q series, and Acoustic Energy's AE floorstanders which were around £350 that I most used at the time.

Slightly off-topic - did you ever get a chance to listen to any of the Neo V2's David? Just wondering how they're going down with people, I'm a bit secluded in the office!

 

[RCduck7]

josh05:

RCduck7:Josh05, will you let us know how it compares to your NAD? My dad has a 7200 in his living room but is always upstairs listening to music dvd's in multichannel on a Yamaha AV amp. In other words he doesn't use the 7200 much for now. I might ask him if i can try it in my setup.

RCduck7, the PM7200 turned up today and straight up I'll say I'm impressed with it, however i do prefer the NAD and i think overall the NAD is more revealing, dynamic, has tighter bass and has more power on tap. On the other hand the Marantz is a lovely amp and does sound better for certain types of music IMO. The Marantz has a much warmer laid back presentation and gels better with the B&W speakers i have, you feel like you can listen too it forever without ever feeling fatigued playing artists like The Eagles, The Moody Blues, Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits etc it's a really pleasurable listen I also think Classical would be more suited too the Marantz as it doesn't tend too harden up as much in the mid/treble. In saying that though aswell as what i said above the NAD is also more controlled than the Marantz and sounds a lot better for rock/heavy metal music and electronica vocals also sound more prominent and emotional through the NAD. Both amps IMO are superb and i think picking between them would just come down to what type of presentation you prefer. Hope this helps I'm new too HI-Fi and these are the differences i noticed anyway

Thanks for letting me know Josh05, i like my music a bit lush and warm but still dynamic so that it wouldn't sound boring. Did you make sure the Marantz wasn't in class A mode? If so, it could be a reason you why you felt that there wasn't enough power from the Marantz... And a B&W speakers needs a bit more power then most speakers to sound to it's full potential. I think the Marantz would be more comfortable with effecient speakers, but then again, taken these measures into account, it's not a sure thing it would sound as dynamic as the NAD as you say.