Yippee - Got One!

[ESP2009]

I've been a baaaaaaad boy - again! [:$]

Following recommendations over the past few months, and a purge of my spare cable collection, I was fortunate enough to pick up a Marantz PM-66SE KI Signature amp off Fleabay at a very decent price. So, bye-bye cables...hello amplifier!

I am really looking forward to trying the two Marantz KI Sigs (CDP and amp) together at last. Let's see if the two Audiolabs stand up to this new assault.

 

[matthewpiano]

Nice one!

Would be very interested to hear how you get on!

 

[ear]

the oli's 2 are lasting? no negative sentiments about them yet?

 

[matthewpiano]

ear:the oli's 2 are lasting? no negative sentiments about them yet?

They are incredible. End of.

 

[matthewpiano]

ear:the oli's 2 are lasting? no negative sentiments about them yet?

They are incredible. End of.

 

[Anonymous]

So good it has to be said for the left one and the right one...

 

[ESP2009]

igglebert:So good it has to be said for the left one and the right one...

I am not altogether sure why folk seem so sure there should be negative sentiments about those amps. Partner and link 'em up right and they seem to perform well enough. Now, to be fair, I have little enough experience with amplifiers, so perhaps there were and are better models out there at the same price point, but I seem to recall they were fairly well-regarded in their day. No, I have no clear recollection as to why I didn't buy a Marantz PM66SE KI Sig at the same time as the KI Sig CD-player. However, I did audition the Audiolab and Marantz together and enjoyed what I heard at the time. They may even have been recommended as a pairing.

And yet, finally, I have a few sheckles available to spend an will give the Audiolabs a chance to prove their mettle against what is arguably the perfect pairing. The Pioneer A400 failed to knock them off their perch...narrowly. So we shall see.

 

[drummerman]

I'm not sure where the 'two' audiolabs come from, I can only see an 8000s in your signature. I had one of the original 8000s when it first came out in the nineties. Only kept it for a couple of months or so as I really didnt get on with it at all. Very hifi, no musicality.

That was a long time ago and perhaps the later, chinese built ones sound different, plus of course if you use one of the brands poweramps in addition, that will make a difference too but I'd hazard a guess ... you'll find a more involving presentation with the 66KI even if the usual hifi traits may take a slight backstage. I still got mine even though I rarely ever use it.

 

[ESP2009]

I hoped that 'biamped' was a giveaway! However, if 8000SS helps? Or is 8000Sx2 more acceptable?

Yes, I look forward to hearing an alternative. I fully realise that in many respects I have led a very sheltered existence in hi-fi terms - in truth it has never been a hobby or enthusiasm as such, but things and circumstances change. Besides, let's face it, you don't necessarily know what you are missing until you hear it (at last).

 

[drummerman]

Yes, the 'bi-amped' should be clue enough, problem is i'm completely rat bothered after a great afternoon gig at one of my locals ...

I'm sure you'll enjoy the new amp even if it is perhaps not going to replace your current system. You could always have a vintage bedroom system and add an audiolab player to your present one. These KI products don't loose money anymore so you'll always get back what you've paid anyhow.

 

[ESP2009]

Whey-hey! Everyone's happy! Glad the gig lightened up an otherwise rather disappointing Bank Holiday Monday.

 

[Torres09]

ESP2009:
I've been a baaaaaaad boy - again!

Following recommendations over the past few months, and a purge of my spare cable collection, I was fortunate enough to pick up a Marantz PM-66SE KI Signature amp off Fleabay at a very decent price. So, bye-bye cables...hello amplifier!

I am really looking forward to trying the two Marantz KI Sigs (CDP and amp) together at last. Let's see if the two Audiolabs stand up to this new assault.

Nice one ESP2009

, i managed to get a PM-66KI to go with my CD-63KI. I've only set it up this afternoon and so far i am very impressed.

You wont be disappointed.....

 

[ESP2009]

Torres09, thanks for the encouragement. I look forward to both your follow-up thoughts and the arrival of my own amp.

 

[ESP2009]

...and it has arrived! Amusingly, to me anyway, was the obviously not original packaging: Sony STR-DH800 (7.1 home cinema receiver - niiiiiiiice!)

Looks great. Sounds...ah, well that would be something I haven't discovered as yet.

I took delivery at work today and despite itching to hook it up, just haven't had the chance. I hope to at least have a quick sound check before the weekend, but next week I am home alone and ready to rock 'n' roll and various other genre. I just hope the neighbours decide to be out - for once!

 

[Torres09]

Bout time ESP2009!! It's a beast of an amp. I got mine on a thursday, however i resisted the urge and waited until the weekend when the house was empty and i had loads of time to listen to some cd's.

Personally i am really impressed with the sound. I'm not as clued up as some of the other members on here re: warmth, depth of field, bright, etc, etc, all I know is the CD63KI and the PM66KI are a match made in heaven.

Enjoy

 

[Anonymous]

Torres09:
Bout time ESP2009!! It's a beast of an amp. I got mine on a thursday, however i resisted the urge and waited until the weekend when the house was empty and i had loads of time to listen to some cd's.

Personally i am really impressed with the sound. I'm not as clued up as some of the other members on here re: warmth, depth of field, bright, etc, etc, all I know is the CD63KI and the PM66KI are a match made in heaven.

Enjoy

im jeleous ...

 

[Torres09]

Max, have you decided on a CDP yet? How much is Jack doing the NAD C545BEE for you? It's listed at ?450

However if your going for it take a look at this first:
http://www.soundsolutionshifi.com/product_info.php?cPath=103&products_id=656

 

[Anonymous]

nice price , cheers , ive gotta get some dough first , and demo a few cdps , but the nad is top of the list , along with the rega apollo , ill keep you posted ..

not sure about jacks prices , but id say he,ll look after me ..

 

[Torres09]

Max, one other thing, if your interested in the Rega Apollo keep an eye on Cloneyaudio.com. ( Based in Blackrock, Dublin)

They have a used section and you may find one there........

 

[Anonymous]

Torres09:
Max, one other thing, if your interested in the Rega Apollo keep an eye on Cloneyaudio.com. ( Based in Blackrock, Dublin)

They have a used section and you may find one there........

will do torres , thanks .. actually when i get some dough , ill start a thread titled your username and have a chat about whats out there if thats cool

 

[ESP2009]

OK, first impressions of the Marantz PM66SE KI Sig now that it is hooked up in the living room?

Wow! I will say that again: WOW!!!

I couldn't be bothered to go ferreting around the back of the hi-fi stack (apart from re-routing the Atlas Titans from DACMagic - Audiolab #1) so I quickly connected in some QED Silver Anniversary XT (it's bi-wire, but I just connected two of the four). I will get around to trying the Chord Odyssey tomorrow (I hope).

The sound is lovely. Just one amp feeding the speakers via a standard run of cable is easily on a par with, if not better than, the two Audiolabs together. I will readily admit that I would never have believed it. Why did I never buy the two KI Sigs together in the first place? I will put it down to naive ignorance.

Since tomorrow is a work day I will have to leave off soon and get some shut-eye, but suffice it to say it already looks as though those two Audiolabs, as classy as they look, are in serious trouble.

 

[Torres09]

ESP2009:
OK, first impressions of the Marantz PM66SE KI Sig now that it is hooked up in the living room?

Wow! I will say that again: WOW!!!

I couldn't be bothered to go ferreting around the back of the hi-fi stack (apart from re-routing the Atlas Titans from DACMagic - Audiolab #1) so I quickly connected in some QED Silver Anniversary XT (it's bi-wire, but I just connected two of the four). I will get around to trying the Chord Odyssey tomorrow (I hope).

The sound is lovely. Just one amp feeding the speakers via a standard run of cable is easily on a par with, if not better than, the two Audiolabs together. I will readily admit that I would never have believed it. Why did I never buy the two KI Sigs together in the first place? I will put it down to naive ignorance.

Since tomorrow is a work day I will have to leave off soon and get some shut-eye, but suffice it to say it already looks as though those two Audiolabs, as classy as they look, are in serious trouble.

Good to hear your enjoying the Marantz set up ESP2009, i was in no doubt you'd like them when i heard mine....

I'm well happy now, can sit back and enjoy the music