SWL3600
Super Member
I got my Marantz 250 back from a full restoration a few weeks ago. Prior to the restoration it was in good shape cosmetically but totally messed up internally.
For the last few weeks I've had it in my main system in a totally treated room, an established sweet spot....the whole nine yards. In this system the spl's don't go above 70-75db if that. I like it. Paired with very efficient totally upgraded-modded Klipsch KLF-30's the sound is warm and detailed. Very listenable.
Today I moved it down to my basement/workout room system paired with a fully restored 3600 preamp. Same speakers (I have two pair, identical with all the upgrades and mods). Normally I use a high powered amp down there for some motivation.....a 500 watt Crown amp does just that. This Marantz 250 surprised me. At about 105db it sounds ballzy but relaxed. The fidelity is admirable. It doesn't neccesarily have a "tube sound' but reminds me of a tube amp in that when it's cranked it sounds so good and smooth that I've got the urge to keep cranking it up because it just never shows any audible signs of it distorting or running out of steam. When I'm cranking my Crown amp the woofers are pounding so hard they look like they're gonna fly right out of the box. With the 250 the woofers barely move in comparison but have serious nuts.
Curious to hear what other Marantz 250 owners have to say about how theirs perform and with what speakers. So far I'm pretty satisfied with this amp.
For the last few weeks I've had it in my main system in a totally treated room, an established sweet spot....the whole nine yards. In this system the spl's don't go above 70-75db if that. I like it. Paired with very efficient totally upgraded-modded Klipsch KLF-30's the sound is warm and detailed. Very listenable.
Today I moved it down to my basement/workout room system paired with a fully restored 3600 preamp. Same speakers (I have two pair, identical with all the upgrades and mods). Normally I use a high powered amp down there for some motivation.....a 500 watt Crown amp does just that. This Marantz 250 surprised me. At about 105db it sounds ballzy but relaxed. The fidelity is admirable. It doesn't neccesarily have a "tube sound' but reminds me of a tube amp in that when it's cranked it sounds so good and smooth that I've got the urge to keep cranking it up because it just never shows any audible signs of it distorting or running out of steam. When I'm cranking my Crown amp the woofers are pounding so hard they look like they're gonna fly right out of the box. With the 250 the woofers barely move in comparison but have serious nuts.
Curious to hear what other Marantz 250 owners have to say about how theirs perform and with what speakers. So far I'm pretty satisfied with this amp.