SX-727 sidelined Marantz 170DC back into the rotation with no pre, playing cassette and Cd

[angelaudio]

Had the marantz on the sidelines for a while. I had been using my SX-727 and fiddling with tone controls because I just wasn’t enjoying the sound too much. I had another thread in the speaker section talking about why many audio purists refuse to use the tone controls and someone there brought up something about having a better experience running no preamp. So i tried it and...why do I need a pre again? Aside from convenience and such. Playing tapes and cd’s from a lowly teac cd-a500 direct into the marantz and i feel no need to fiddle with frequencies whatsoever. The music came alive through the marantz and I’m very pleased. The marantz is voiced to be very warm. Lovely bottom end and articulate mids. Highs sound slightly rolled off but still enough shimmer and definition to please my ears. Anyway the marantz is either a superior amplifier or my pioneer sx727 is just old, tired and sluggish because the difference is night and day between the two. Like I’ve heard some say here about recapping speakers, it’s like a wool blanket was taken off when I switched amps (i know the sx is a receiver). Anybody else have a similar experience switching from one of their beloved music makin machines to another? I’m playing a classic blues compilation on tape and good lord, buttery smooth. By the way, Who’s interested in watching videos of my audio experiments on youtube? Thinking of starting a channel so you folks can have a front row seat to my systems

 

[Oldsansui441]

Hi angelaudio, after just reading your post with interest l have had a similar experience. I remember a couple of years ago l fully restored a Rotel RB-2000 power amp and ran it directly from an old higher end Yamaha cd player and it sounded superb indeed (easily better than any other combination with the same speakers). As you say, you don't really need a pre if you are not using a turntable and don't require many inputs.

Sounds like your beautiful Marantz has a great synergy with your speakers also. The SX may not be up to the task either because it is a little tired or because the speakers you are driving are above it's pay grade. The SX-727's are very good performers if paired with the right speakers and are within spec.

I am not in the group of not using tone controls or any other "standard" recommendation, l think we can all do whatever we like to make our own systems sound best to us .

I am sure you would get interest from around here in regards to your youtube channel.