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Anything better than Marantz 300DC ???

A

aoeuidhtns

New Member
Looking at some of the specs, the 300DC is as follows:
THD 0.03%
IMD 0.03%
SNR 100dB

I read somewhere that Saul said one of his earlier models was unbeatable until the 300DC came out, so as far as Marantz goes I don't expect anything better.
BUT...
Does anyone know of any other brand/model vintage amp (in the range of 100-150 watts per channel @ 8 ohms) that beats all three of these specs?
 
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Until you said "in the range of 100-150 watts per channel" I was going to say that my Yamaha 101M trounces my 300DCs in every category...:D... but it's an entirely different beast, and in a whole different power and price bracket.

Seriously, I really like the 300DC very much as a solid-state amp. I have several (I had planned before to set up a bi-amped quad system with them), paired up with a couple of 3650 preamps, and I'd rank them as among the very best solid state amplification I've heard in their range. I don't know any in their power range that can beat them, off the top of my head (but I don't remember specs on many amps, either :D). Sadly, mine don't get as much play these days as they did a couple years ago, but I still can't bring myself to part with them. :no: Ample power and clear, clean sound. Ben Blish calls them the best system he's ever heard of ANY kind, period... and I think he's heard a few systems.
 
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aoeuidhtns said:
Looking at some of the specs, the 300DC is as follows:
THD 0.03%
IMD 0.03%
SNR 100dB

I read somewhere that Saul said one of his earlier models was unbeatable until the 300DC came out, so as far as Marantz goes I don't expect anything better.
BUT...
Does anyone know of any other brand/model vintage amp (in the range of 100-150 watts per channel @ 8 ohms) that beats all three of these specs?
Click to expand...

EASY !

Sansui AU-D11 II - 130W into 8 ohms.

THD 0.0028%
IMD 0.0028%
SNR 110dB

Anyone can play the specs game !
 
I used to own a 300DC and it is a fantastic sounding amp, well built and a great looker. I wasn't looking for a new amp but I got an Onkyo Grand Integra M508 for $10 at a garage sale with a problem, which I repaired. I then had a decision to make, which to keep. After a lot of listening, I decided the M508 had a slight edge over the 300DC, so I sold the Marantz. The M508 is just a hair smoother sounding. Both are revealing, and the 300DC is certainly not fatiguing to listen to at all. Here are the specs for the M508, since that's what you seem to be interested in comparing.
2 x 200W into 8 Ohms at 20Hz - 20KHz @.003% THD.
Intermod distortion is .003% at rated output.
Frequency response is 1Hz to 100KHz +0dB -1.5dB
Damping factor 140 into 8 Ohms at 1KHz.
Signal to Noise Ratio is 120dB

Those are tough to beat!
 
Thanks guys.
I'm limiting the power on account of my AR2ax spkrs. I have a Technics integrated, (in storage, forget model). It's ok, but I'm looking to upgrade, maybe put the Tech in my workshop.
That Onkyo has a little better snr and considerably better damping than the Marantz. I might take a listen sometime, but when you add a pre into the mix, matching becomes an issue.
Anyway, some McIntosh can beat the Marantz, but I've read reviews of one that said it didn't sound very musical, so X that off.
See, I'm not just playing a specs game. I'm using the specs to make a short list before comparing reviews.
 
Yeah, not hard to beat those specs.

Yamaha M-40 (120wpc)

THD: 0.003%
IMD: 0.003%
SNR: 127dB
DF: 130

That said, arguably some of the best sounding amps in the world don't have very particularly impressive specs when lined up against the ultra low distortion models.

There is some school of thought that ultra low distortion typically comes from use of lots of feedback. Although it makes the amp measure very well, is claimed to adversely affect the sound. I believe Nelson Pass is of this mindset, FWIW. While not a Pass design, the ARC 100.2 I have is a very low feedback SS design and it sounds quite nice, perhaps the best sounding amp I have. :thmbsp:
 
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Ahh! I see now. Feeding processed signal through more processing makes a processed sound, not nec'y a desirable thing. And what's more processed than digital (my whole point in wanting analog). I want Perlman and his violin in my living room, not a holographic projection.
Ok. I'll look for a 300DC.
 
whoaru99 said:
Yeah, not hard to beat those specs.

There is some school of thought that ultra low distortion typically comes from use of lots of feedback. Although it makes the amp measure very well, is claimed to adversely affect the sound. I believe Nelson Pass is of this mindset, FWIW. While not a Pass design, the ARC 100.2 I have is a very low feedback SS design and it sounds quite nice, perhaps the best sounding amp I have. :thmbsp:
Click to expand...

Yeah, I wouldn't get too caught up in the distortion numbers. It was a bit of a marketing ploy back in the day to see how many zeroes they could put after the decimal point. It really won't necessarily make it sound better. Some of the most lifelike and musical sound I've heard came from amps with ridiculously high distortion numbers.

The best way to choose is to listen to as many different amps as you can. It might take some time, but there are alot of people on this site who love to show off their gear to new ears.
 
Lots sound better in that class. You have a cult amp by Marantz there. This is a very popular amp that has high value due to being a higher powered Marantz with meters. Marantz lovers have run the used value on these way up because they are highly collectible but these are not the final word in sound. These are expensive to pick up. That being said, for less money I would take a Hafler DH500 or any B&K or Acurus in that power range/price range. The Denon POA-1500 sounds a little more defined to my ears as well. My .02 Unless you are a Marantz collector, I would find a more sound value.
 
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