Marantz PM-5004 Integrated Amp

skrol

Anyone have any experience with this amp? Stereophile had a very favorable review of its younger sister PM-5003 and a follow-up comparison with the 5004.

I actually bought the amp for a very good price and have 30 days to decide if I want to keep it. It would be replacing my Denon DRA-835R from 1991. I am skeptical as it is pretty light weight compared to the Denon and has a much more modest power rating. It is rated 35W into 8 ohms, 45W into 4 ohms. Would this amp be sufficient to drive a pair of LSi9 (that I hope to get in the future)?

Thanks
Stan

cnh

That Denon receiver is pretty beefy (5.7 amp draw or 684 watts?) Marantz draws only 110 watts? That's quite a difference even if we take into consideration a more efficient design, it still looks overpowering in comparison.

To properly power LSI-9s with an integrated I'd be thinking something like a NAD C37X series 150 watts x 2 / 8 ohms, 33.6 lbs. Great headroom. Or a Cambridge Audio Azur 840A (similar class integrated).

Unfortunately this probably triples or quadruples the budget. And it seems that what your looking for is something well under a grand.

I'm not even sure my NAD C325 at 50 watts x 2 could handle LSi-9s. It just about does the job with my LSi-7s and I suspect that the Marantz above would also sound pretty good with 7s. But the impedance curves on the 9s are troublesome for lower powered amps.

I haven't heard any of the Marantz integrateds above. But I have heard their AVRs on well respected speakers while I was in China, may times. And I almost always "liked" what I heard. I've heard LSi-7s, B&Ws, Dalis, and some Focals on the AVRs. So I suspect the integrateds must sound at least as good and probably that much "better".

If I were going with a PM-5004, I definitely scale down to the LSi-7s. Otherwise up the amp budget for the 9s.

cnh

skrol

My Denon has been serving me well and drive the RTA11TL very nicely. My wife gets on me to get rid of my big speakers and I figure the LSi9 would be a good way to go. Every one says separates are the way to go for the LSi9.

My listening area is fairly large 18" x 32" but I don't usually play loud. It sounds like this Marantz is not the amp for me but I'll probably play around with it while I still have it.

Stan

skrol

After listening to the 5004 last night with headphones and today, I have to say that this is a nice little amp. It certainly has a better headphone section than my Denon. Through my RTA11TL's it presents as a little more refined in the mids and highs than my old Denon and seems to image a little better. The sound is spacious and sweet enough that I almost want to keep it. However, the Denon has it in the bass department and overall control authority over the speaker. With the size of the room, the DRA-835R effortlessly fills the room with sound while the 5004 seems a little strained.

I should stick with my plan "A" and get a nice amp to hang off the Denon and later get a nice preamp to replace the Denon. Though, this little Marantz has me thinking about its bigger siblings.
Stan

DeadFeat1

I have been using the PM 5004 with my RTiA1s since November and must say that I love it. Works very well in my 12x13 room. It is rated to match up with 4 ohm speakers and is a high current amp. Nice example of how nice a less expensive, lower watt integrated can sound in two way system...highly recommended!