Marantz PM6005 Amplifier
Here we've an illustrious business that began as a purveyor of a few of the finest in the United States -sounding valve amplifiers ever made. Subsequently the possession of Marantz ended up with Philips where it became renowned for outstanding Japanese-built affordable hi fi separates. That is a bright-looking apparatus that offers five line level audio inputs plus a built in DAC using a range of coaxial or optical in. Unlike the Cambridge Audio, it is a total-fat 24/192-competent processor, although it does not have USB connectivity, which is quite puzzling. Other things are fitted nonetheless, including tone controls, a MM phono input signal and two pairs of (somewhat flimsy) loudspeaker terminals.
It is quite as light as the Azur 651A, but is nevertheless very sturdily built considering the moderate cost that is retail. Inside, Marantz says the preamp and power amp sections are kept separate and feature discrete components rather than integrated circuits, which can sully the sound. Specially selected parts - including custom main capacitors - are fitted, as is a shielded toroidal transformer. There is a Crystal Semiconductors CS4398 DAC used - which is also seen in Marantz's higher-end products - and that is carefully shielded.
Sound quality
It ranks quite near the Cambridge Audio 651A, a few key differentiating characteristics, although with nearly all the great points of the Cambridge Audio offering. If anything the Marantz seems polished and a little more tidy; its tonality is higher priced, sleeker and somewhat warmer seeming. By contrast, the Cambridge is slightly more abrasive and more raucous. The Marantz features a somewhat broader soundstage, with better depth view also. Vocals hang back somewhat rather than being thrown in the listener, by way of example. Third, it appears to be better on international dynamics; touches that are loud seem louder, quiet tad more quiet. And this works with all the fine time to provide an extremely open and smooth sound for this kind of affordable layout of the amp.
It definitely provides impersonal sound that is nevertheless exceptionally pleasing. But as the Squeeze tune proves, it is a little bit less emotive as opposed to 651A. This aside, it surpasses all of the others here, and a few but only can not quite express the play of a tune like the Brit. Like your suave, cousin that is posh, the Marantz is a genuine charmer that lacks a specific edge! I find that across all Philips' sources, this amp delivers a substantial punch with among the most powerful bass guitar performances of the group, also, and just seems better than it should at the price.
What is never to enjoy?
