Roypercy
Super Member
Since there isn't a lot of information out there on Marantz' less-loved 80s gear, I thought I'd post a quick account of my experience with this integrated amp. This is only a casual account of my experience with the Marantz running in my second system, so don't expect a lot of technical knowhow to shine through (what little I have).
I picked it up for $30 locally when the Denon DRA-700 in my second system needed a little work. The Marantz came to me with one channel completely out, which, as it turned out, was only because it needed a good cleaning.
I'm still not sure what I think of the looks of this unit. It's certainly distinctive: a gold-colored brushed aluminum faceplate with all electronic controls, a plethora of red and green indicator lights nd a digital readout for volume level. It has a distinctively 1980s appearance. it looks like something I might have lusted after at J&R Music World back in the early 80s, so in that way it's kind of cool to own. All my other vintage gear to date has come from the 60s or 70s.
When I first opened up the amplifier I was a bit taken aback. It contains one STK 3082II, although the internal construction looks good and it is very heavy. It's rated at 70 wpc. 0.03% distortion, a damping factor of 60 (as per HiFi Engine). It has inputs for MM/MC cartridges, and a system for remembering preferred volume levels that I haven't figured out yet. The MM/MC switch on the front seems to be a weak spot; although I cleaned it thoroughly I still sometimes have to push it in and out a couple of times when I first start listening to records or the sound comes out muted and fuzzy. I think more use will make this issue go away.
Since I got the controls all cleaned, I've been giving it a listen on various kinds of material. I must say I'm very impressed. The Denon DRA-700 I had been using in this system has a very good phono stage. I would say the Marantz PM730 has an exceptionally good phono stage. The soundstage is wider and deeper, and there is more "air" in the sound without sacrificing bass. As good as the Denon was I had never thought it matched very well with the DCM Time Windows I use in this system. The Marantz makes them sing. On paper the Marantz only has 10 wpc more than the Denon, but somehow music sounds far more effortless. I suspect the Denon would be happier with more efficient speakers. With the Time Windows I always felt the Denon sounded too "polite" and laid back.
I just listened to Max Richter's "Four Seasons" and "The Zombies' Greatest Hits", both on vinyl. Playback was on a Hitachi HT-353 with a Shure M75ED cartridge. The Richter piece, which is essentially a rewrite of Vivaldi as if he wer a 19th-century Romantic composer, sounded exceptionally sweet. Richter multiplies the instruments over Vivaldi's original orchestration, and the Marantz had no trouble keeping everything placed clearly and maintaining separation of the various elements. The Zombies recorded most of their hit songs in mono, and the 'Greatest Hits" album I own maintains the original mastering. The Marantz found all the air there was to find in low-fi songs like "Just Out of Reach", and all the bass that could be squeezed out of "Time of the Season". It was a gripping performance. Something about it just reached out and grabbed me in a way that the Denon never had.
So, in summary: the PM730 has overly complicated electronic controls, it has looks that you will either love or hate depending on your perspective. It sounds wonderful. It handles transients very well, and throws out a broad and deep soundstage. It seems to drive my power-hungry Time Windows easily, with plenty of power to spare. I was expecting to keep this for a short time while my Denon receiver was in sick bay; I think, instead, the Marantz is a keeper.
I picked it up for $30 locally when the Denon DRA-700 in my second system needed a little work. The Marantz came to me with one channel completely out, which, as it turned out, was only because it needed a good cleaning.
I'm still not sure what I think of the looks of this unit. It's certainly distinctive: a gold-colored brushed aluminum faceplate with all electronic controls, a plethora of red and green indicator lights nd a digital readout for volume level. It has a distinctively 1980s appearance. it looks like something I might have lusted after at J&R Music World back in the early 80s, so in that way it's kind of cool to own. All my other vintage gear to date has come from the 60s or 70s.
When I first opened up the amplifier I was a bit taken aback. It contains one STK 3082II, although the internal construction looks good and it is very heavy. It's rated at 70 wpc. 0.03% distortion, a damping factor of 60 (as per HiFi Engine). It has inputs for MM/MC cartridges, and a system for remembering preferred volume levels that I haven't figured out yet. The MM/MC switch on the front seems to be a weak spot; although I cleaned it thoroughly I still sometimes have to push it in and out a couple of times when I first start listening to records or the sound comes out muted and fuzzy. I think more use will make this issue go away.
Since I got the controls all cleaned, I've been giving it a listen on various kinds of material. I must say I'm very impressed. The Denon DRA-700 I had been using in this system has a very good phono stage. I would say the Marantz PM730 has an exceptionally good phono stage. The soundstage is wider and deeper, and there is more "air" in the sound without sacrificing bass. As good as the Denon was I had never thought it matched very well with the DCM Time Windows I use in this system. The Marantz makes them sing. On paper the Marantz only has 10 wpc more than the Denon, but somehow music sounds far more effortless. I suspect the Denon would be happier with more efficient speakers. With the Time Windows I always felt the Denon sounded too "polite" and laid back.
I just listened to Max Richter's "Four Seasons" and "The Zombies' Greatest Hits", both on vinyl. Playback was on a Hitachi HT-353 with a Shure M75ED cartridge. The Richter piece, which is essentially a rewrite of Vivaldi as if he wer a 19th-century Romantic composer, sounded exceptionally sweet. Richter multiplies the instruments over Vivaldi's original orchestration, and the Marantz had no trouble keeping everything placed clearly and maintaining separation of the various elements. The Zombies recorded most of their hit songs in mono, and the 'Greatest Hits" album I own maintains the original mastering. The Marantz found all the air there was to find in low-fi songs like "Just Out of Reach", and all the bass that could be squeezed out of "Time of the Season". It was a gripping performance. Something about it just reached out and grabbed me in a way that the Denon never had.
So, in summary: the PM730 has overly complicated electronic controls, it has looks that you will either love or hate depending on your perspective. It sounds wonderful. It handles transients very well, and throws out a broad and deep soundstage. It seems to drive my power-hungry Time Windows easily, with plenty of power to spare. I was expecting to keep this for a short time while my Denon receiver was in sick bay; I think, instead, the Marantz is a keeper.
