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Marantz PM8004 review

airtime

airtime

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I have been most active with vintage Marantz gear for over 20 years. But the last few years I have been enjoying new gear and its differences from vintage. Most of this review will be based on the Marantz 8004's comparision to the NAD C326BEE. Also a 2010 made integrated amp. The speakers I used were both full range 10" woofer three ways of my own design as well as 6.5" woofer DIY monitor speakers with a Paradyme powered sub.

The first thing that pops out at you is how stylish and well built the 8004 is. The feel and look just scream quality and class. It is not just another "black box" stereo. This amp has personality and looks. Marantz seems to be getting back to it's roots of making good looking gear like their big 70's receivers. Even going back to using, and fun to use, tritone controls.

After both the honeymoon and break in period I did some serious listening on both sets of speakers. Having the NAD for about two years I was quite taken with the clarity, detail and amazing imaging of the 326BEE. The 8004 does have these same qualities but with a slightly different take on the sound.

The treble is very nice. Not beamy or harsh. Very smooth and airy and easy to listen to.

The midrange and upper bass is were this beast seems to come alive. A tremendous amount of detail and force in the midrange. This amp had dynamics and clarity in spades!!!!!

The bass is very lush and full. This amp has NO problem in the bass department when using either a powered sub or good old fashion passive three way speakers with a 10" woofer. The bass is strong, dynamic and Very well controlled. Not boomy or slow. Very articulate bass and well balanced.

The overall sound I would say about this amp is it is very full sounding, lush and VERY dynamic. Reminiscent of the sound of the big 70's receivers. But with far more clarity and imaging. NO listening fatique here. This amp is made for listening.

I use my Marantz 8004 for almost entirely classical low level listening. So detail and articulate sound at low levels are my main needs. The 8004 carries it off without missing a beat. At low levels this amp maintains it's great dynamic sound.

I really can not say enough about this amp other than that I am very happy with it. And I consider myself an audiophile. If you are reading this a trying to decide between two amps, and the other amp is cheaper, my advice is save up and get the Marantz 8004. Just my two cents.

charles
 
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I know I'll sound like an ignoramous, but I just gotta ask...

You said you use a sub in your setup? How so... this is a 2 channel amp, not a 2.1 channel. Since I'm a newb, I just need to comfirm that you used the B-set speaker outputs to high-pass the signal to your subwoofer using speaker wire... would that be a correct assumption?

Thanks for the review.
 
airtime, do you have anything to add to your nice review above, after living with your PM8004 for another 8 months? I am looking very closely at the PM/SA 8004 combination, which would complement my vintage 2130 tuner nicely, I think.
 
Did the OP change out the jumpers on C326BEE? It's key to getting the best from that amp.
 
PM8003 - a close bretheren

I recently picked up the slightly older Marantz PM8003 and thought I'd tack my comments onto the end of this thread, instead of starting a new one. I can break this out if anyone thinks it would be useful:

First off my speakers are Infinity RS-4Bs, with a passive bi-amp mod, sources include an AR-XA TT and an apple TV -> Entech Number cruncher DAC.

My previous set ups include a Mcintosh MX 130 tuner/pre coupled with a MC7108 or Adcom 7400 multi-chanel amp, as well as a sansui 9090 receiver.

My biggest reasons for getting this amp were that it did exactly what I needed, and nothing else, all in one small good looking unit. Apartment dwelling takes its toll when you are lugging big separates around!

I am using the A+B speaker settings to bi-amp the Infinities, as is suggested in the user manual.

Onto thoughts and impressions :yes:

My initial impression was that of a little disappointment. My usage of this was mainly for music via iTunes, and everything was very flat and lacked life. I hoped that with some burn in it would open up.

The noise floor and level of detail were some of the best Ive ever heard, but there was a musicality that was missing.

I had not gotten the TT set up and thought that might be the answer... but in the mean time I was using it for movies, TV and background music.

Quick movies aside:
Previously I had been using B&K and Mcintosh Multi-channel tuner/pres in a stereo set up and had some serious issues with vocal volumes compared to soundtrack volumes. My wife was constantly adjusting volume up and down to compensate. For whatever reason this amp seems to do a better job of setting the "ghost center" and balancing the volume so we don't need to do that any more. I can't say why, but it has helped make A/V usage improve.

Back to Music:
One thing I quickly found out with this that I had NOT noticed to the same degree with other setups: The quality of the digital file has a vast impact on the sound quality of what comes out. I don't consider myself a golder ear by any means, but now pretty much every 128kbs file I purchased from iTunes not make me mad, because they are all flat and lifeless, even the well produced ones are lacking. But... to my great joy and appreciation the higher bitrate files provide improvements all the way up to lossless. For the next week or so I would only play files ripped in lossless :) So I will continue on assuming I stuck with quality files in the current set-up:

Pros:
- Detail, and more detail
- Dynamics (70 WPC is enough for these at the volumes I'm using)
- "airiness" nice highs, with lots of space, but that might just be the EMITs
- noise floor
- Nice balance of speed, not aggressive, but not laid back

Good Enoughs:
- Imaging
- Bass

Cons:
- Volume control: I'm debating going back to a a single speaker wire because the steps on the volume control are so wide that I have a tough time getting the right volume
- I don't know the words, but I often get the impression that the music is still veiled, and something is in the way. It may be upstream components or sources, so I am not pointing fingers at the amp, but something is lacking.

The TT:
I didn't get my TT set up for a couple weeks after getting the amp. I won't spend too much time on it, but suffice it to say that I am extremely pleased with the phono input on this unit. It is clean, clear, dynamic and musical. I have not put it through its full paces, but what I have heard so far makes me very happy!

Wrap-up:

I like it.

I like it a lot, and my expectations right now are that any improvements I make to the sources will come shining right through the amp unimpeded. I have a great need to update the DAC, which should make an across the board improvement in the digital performance. I am satisfied with the Infinity floor-stander pairing, although this amp might be better suited for a nice pair of monitors. I think with good source matching this amp can be made to sound very very good, and is a great bargain. It suits my needs, performs well enough in all of them, and very nicely indeed in some of them. And it is good enough to grow for a little while as other stuff around it is improved.

Side Note:
I almost never turn off source direct mode, but when I have I haven't discerned a difference in performance. In the future when I get/borrow a decibel meter I may use the tone controls to improve in-room balance, and I wouldn't hesitate to do this based on performance.

Side Note 2:
Differences between the PM8003 and PM8004 include different speaker selectors, I believe the 8004 has speaker selectors that are remote controlled, whereas they are a hand control on the 8003. Additionally the PM8003 only has bass and treble controls, and no mid tone control. Aside from that cosmetically and (*ASSUMPTION*) from an internal amp design standpoint they are exceedingly similar.

Side Note 3:
After using vintage amps for a while having something modern that is a solid performer and looker makes me very happy. Unfortunately now I'm shopping for a matching UDX00X :) :D
 
Appreciate the impressions everyone!

How's the midrange sound? Does it still have the hint of midrange lush like the vintage ones?

Also, you say it sounds somewhat flat on digital, through your vinyl at least does it have convincing depth where appropriate? I never go looking for tube amp 3d through SS, but I always appreciate a hint of it.

It's a beautiful looking amp certainly. I just wish in the US that they sold the damn thing in silver like they do just about everywhere else.. :sigh:
 
I'll add the following to the above review of the PM8004. I use a digital source (PS Audio DLIII DAC) exclusively with this amp. The music is very 3D with very good depth. The amp is quiet. The specs say the amp section S/N = 125dB! You can put your ear next to the speakers and hear no hum or hiss. Quiet amps tend to be detailed and this one reveals details in spades. The sound is very slightly warm but very detailed. Over all I would describe the sound as refined and detailed. I love it. (And I've owned numerous ss and tube amps)
 
I have included shots of the inside of the PM8004 to show the build quality (which is high).

This particular model is made in Japan, in the same factory as the Marantz Reference Series. Most of that Reference Series technology is in the PM8004 but without the fancy case.

Those are Nichicon Capacitors in the interior shots.

My PM8004 amp is now 3 weeks old and keeps getting better.

(BTW: Another member on another audio messageboard took those pics.)
 

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I bought a PM8004 recently to base my living room system around. The main thing that prompted me to get this IA over something else was that it was an open box from Vann's and they sent it to me for $629 total. It's a stupidly good piece of equipment and probably all any 2 channel aficionado would ever need. It's certainly all I'll ever want for an IA. Along with the Marantz CD6004 I use a netbook for internet radio and a mini to RCA connection to the tuner section of the amp.

All I can say is that I'm very pleased.
 
I would agree, the phono section they pulled out of there Reference preamp..VERY nice pre. The amp as a whole seems very well thought out, and very QUIET..125 SN is quite good, this amp like my Pioneer A71 has a black background, music emerges from silence..So yes i very much like my Marantz PM 8004...A solid and musical choice at twice the price IMO..:yes:
 
You guys are killing me. :tears: But thanks much for great reviews. I do like Marantz equipment.

I wish I had a 8003\4 - had to settle for a 4023, just the way it goes.

I was prepared to get the UD7006 but the salesdude said I'd get same performance in my 2ch system with the 5005, so that's what I purchased. I do trust the guy, he's been in the business for many years and not often do you hear the recommendation to spend less.

At any rate, I wasn't happy at first with the sound. Maybe I should detail, as a review like yours, my experience and steps I took to get the sound I expected.
Totally agree with the "Source Direct" mode - it works well for me now. I do turn it off occasionally to boost bass\treble at low volumes (where is my loudness button dammit!).
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What's the PM8004 go for? I am getting my own office soon and think I'm going to spend around $1000 on speakers, integrated amp and maybe a cheap DAC to run off my MBP to have a competent office system to make work more tolerable.
 
Marantz PM8004

hi guys I bought my Marantz PM8004 two months ago and has about a 100 hours I love how it sounds now I am looking for a decent DAC or Marantz SA8004 apparently has a very good dac. I have many music concerts on blu-ray using a Denon BD that I would like to use as transport and my PC using usb. anyone have any experience with this super audio cd.
 
I wanted to get back into vinyl so I tried the AVR route. Then I did the vintage tour. Finally admitted defeat and broke down cracked open the wallet and bought the Marantz gear. Couldn't be happier. Great phono stage and headphone amp so I saved some extra money there. Very open and a silky smoothness to it. The search is over.

In case people are wondering the load capacitance on the PM8004 phono stage is 220pF. Direct from Marantz.
 
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