My Set up.

[JDL]

Marantz PM7200
Meridian 206
B&W DM602 S3
Silver Anniversary Speaker Cable
Bi Wired
Van Damme Neutrik Rean RCA cables

 

[Gray]

You've raised the Marantz up nicely to aid the airflow John, but I presume your fan blows rather than sucks.

If so, isn't that blowing the rising heat back down?

 

[JDL]

You've raised the Marantz up nicely to aid the airflow John, but I presume your fan blows rather than sucks.

If so, isn't that blowing the rising heat back down?

No, it's not facing down enough. The top of the case is cool, even thou it's angled down a little it would have to face directly down into the vents to do that. The bottom, where the components are is nicely warm but not super hot

 

[Gray]

No, it's not facing down enough. The top of the case is cool, even thou it's angled down a little it would have to face directly down into the vents to do that. The bottom, where the components are is nicely warm but not super hot

I reckon the fan, face up underneath would be the best option.....or a cooler amp 🙂

(No, it does look nice - and being Marantz I know it will sound good).

 

[WayneKerr]

I'd get a new Marantz, waiting... just in case

 

[robdmarsh]

Lovely looking old skool amp. Love Marantz/ Denon

 

[JDL]

I listened to the setup all day today. I listened to Mozart Piano Concertos, Gong Live etc, Gong You, Led Zeppelin 2, and more. I have to say I was incredulated (I know that's not a real word) very impressed at how beautifully the Meridian plays CDs. Detail, accuracy, warmth, punch, perfect to my ears, no need for any adjustments, source direct. It's stunningly good believe it or not considering it was made in about 1990. These things cost nearly £1000 back then. I did do a hell of a lot of reading before deciding to give one a go, if I could find one. I'm very, very pleased. There's no way a new £299 CDP would sound as good as this I think.

 

[JDL]

I've gone mad. I just bought another amp as an upgrade for my old PM7200. The Hi Fi bug is biting me.....

 

[JDL]

I'd get a new Marantz, waiting... just in case

Hah, I just bought another Marantz Amp. A newer one. Probably ditch the fan ha ha

 

[WayneKerr]

Hah, I just bought another Marantz Amp. A newer one. Probably ditch the fan ha ha View attachment 4794

Nice one John Which model did you go for?

 

[JDL]

Nice one John Which model did you go for?

 

[JDL]

Hi Wayne I brought this Marantz PM8500. It's about 5 years old, so hopefully there should be plenty of life in yet. I think it should be an improvement on the 7200. God, I hope so anyway 🤣

 

[JDL]

Hi Wayne I brought this Marantz PM8500. It's about 5 years old, so hopefully there should be plenty of life in yet. I think it should be an improvement on the 7200. God, I hope so anyway 🤣

Made in Japan!!

 

[JDL]

I was chatting with a guy on eBay who had a Rega Brio R for sale. He said it would be in a different league to the PM7200 and I'm sure he's right. But it had a dent in the front and I was slightly put off by the complete lack of anything on the front panel other than a Volume knob. Now I know it is said that the best Hi Fi amps only need a volume control. When I told him that I'd gone for a PM8500 he reckoned it wouldn't sound anything like as good as the Rega. I read as many reviews and opinions as I could find and I hope that he's not actually correct. But anyway I can always re sell the 8500 and find something else it's just that I like Marantz amps having had such a good experience with my 7200. I'm just hoping I haven't made a mistake in buying it!!.🤞🏻

 

[WayneKerr]

I was chatting with a guy on eBay who had a Rega Brio R for sale. He said it would be in a different league to the PM7200 and I'm sure he's right. But it had a dent in the front and I was slightly put off by the complete lack of anything on the front panel other than a Volume knob. Now I know it is said that the best Hi Fi amps only need a volume control. When I told him that I'd gone for a PM8500 he reckoned it wouldn't sound anything like as good as the Rega. I read as many reviews and opinions as I could find and I hope that he's not actually correct. But anyway I can always re sell the 8500 and find something else it's just that I like Marantz amps having had such a good experience with my 7200. I'm just hoping I haven't made a mistake in buying it!!.🤞🏻

I'm sure you haven't made a mistake John. Amps are very personal and if you like the sound of Marantz then it's wise to stick with what you like.

I started my current journey with a PM/CD6004 in 2012, upgraded to a PM/CD8004 in 2014, and finally my current Ruby pair in 2020. I like Marantz too

 

[JDL]

Excuse my ignorance Wayne but what's the "Ruby Pair". I'm very interested in all things Hi Fi, so would like to know. And the PM/CD8004 is a CD player?

 

[WayneKerr]

Excuse my ignorance Wayne but what's the "Ruby Pair". I'm very interested in all things Hi Fi, so would like to know. And the PM/CD8004 is a CD player?

Not ignorance at all John and happy to oblige, sir. The "Ruby" is the Marantz Ruby, it was the last amp and CD player Ken Ishiwata had dealings with and marked his 40 years associated with the brand, it was limited to a 1000 pair run.

It is inferred that it is a reference-level system being only one down from the top PM-10 amp and CDP, personally I look upon it as a signature-level system. This will be my last upgrade as I want for nothing more, it delivers in every respect, and more.

The PM/CD8004 was called the Pearl Lite in Europe and consists of an amp and SACD player separates, it is the forerunner to the 8005 series and was also "tuned" by Ken Ishiwata.

 

[JDL]

Not ignorance at all John and happy to oblige, sir. The "Ruby" is the Marantz Ruby, it was the last amp and CD player Ken Ishiwata had dealings with and marked his 40 years associated with the brand, it was limited to a 1000 pair run.

It is inferred that it is a reference-level system being only one down from the top PM-10 amp and CDP, personally I look upon it as a signature-level system. This will be my last upgrade as I want for nothing more, it delivers in every respect, and more.

The PM/CD8004 was called the Pearl Lite in Europe and consists of an amp and SACD player separates, it is the forerunner to the 8005 series and was also "tuned" by Ken Ishiwata.

Wow that really sounds like something special, I'm going to go straight onto Google and try to find them to have a look at. Have you got a picture of your gear in the show off your Hi Fi section of this Forum. I'd be very interested to know what your opinion of speakers is.
I was admiring the the B&W DM 606 S2 Anniversary Edition Speakers yesterday and wondering if they would make a good replacement for my DM602 S3 speakers.

 

[Gray]

I was chatting with a guy on eBay who had a Rega Brio R for sale. He said it would be in a different league to the PM7200

He would say that wouldn't he?
It will certainly be in a different league by virtue of the fact that it will sound different.
It's very easy to make generalisations based on age, price, reviews and not least, other people's opinions (people do it all the time on forums).
But if you were to hear the Brio, you may well prefer the sound of your Marantz.

 

[WayneKerr]

Wow that really sounds like something special, I'm going to go straight onto Google and try to find them to have a look at. Have you got a picture of your gear in the show off your Hi Fi section of this Forum. I'd be very interested to know what your opinion of speakers is.
I was admiring the the B&W DM 606 S2 Anniversary Edition Speakers yesterday and wondering if they would make a good replacement for my DM602 S3 speakers.

Go ahead and have a Google John Don't know how to upload pictures here so you'll have to satisfy your curiosity with web images

Apparently B&W pair well with Marantz but I have no personal experience of them. I started off with Monitor Audio then PMC and finished with baby Harbeth's P3ESR. This is only due to placement issues in my lounge and a sealed box design seems to work the best.

 

[WayneKerr]

What I will add is that I never pay full RRP for any of my kit, I bide my time and then pounce Marantz kit does seem to drop in price quite considerably over time.

 

[JDL]

I must admit that since the guy was trying to sell me the Rega Brio R he would of course say it was marvellous etc. I can imagine that it might well be an upgrade as far as the PM7200 is concerned but as for wiping the floor with PM 8005 which he seemed to consider as no better than the 7200 I thought he obviously doesn't know anything about Marantz and possibly doesn't like it. The comparisons I read favoured the 8005 over the Rega Brio. I looked at some pictures if the innards of the 8005 and it certainly didn't look like rubbish to me.

 

[JDL]

Go ahead and have a Google John Don't know how to upload pictures here so you'll have to satisfy your curiosity with web images

Apparently B&W pair well with Marantz but I have no personal experience of them. I started off with Monitor Audio then PMC and finished with baby Harbeth's P3ESR. This is only due to placement issues in my lounge and a sealed box design seems to work the best.

I will do that and I'll have a look into your speaker choice and do some reading. It's all fascinating stuff to me!

 

[JDL]

What I will add is that I never pay full RRP for any of my kit, I bide my time and then pounce Marantz kit does seem to drop in price quite considerably over time.

That's a sensible strategy I think. For me I'll very likely go the secondhand route from now on even though my first proper set up was new.

 

[hifi]

Jealous have fun ! 👍