Thoughts on Marantz PM5004

JustinChiu24
JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
edited October 2012 in Electronics
I'm looking at this amp right now, I'm going to use it to drive two Epos ELS3. Any thoughts on this amp?
Post edited by JustinChiu24 on
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  • JustinChiu24
    JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
    edited October 2012
    I can't find used where I live. I'm going to use my computer as the audio source so I suppose I would need a DAC. I like the Onkyo but the review on whathifi rates it with a three star http://www.whathifi.com/review/onkyo-a-5vl and the PM6004 big bro of PM5004 scores a 5 star :/
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  • EDUBAG
    EDUBAG Posts: 403
    edited October 2012
    that marantz always gets great reviews so i think ou will be very happy with it. I beleive that it is the better sounding of the three choices rick listed. but maybe is because i like the marantz sound. it is a very good quality (for the price) good looking integrated. you will be happy with it.
    HT:
    POLK AUDIO RTI4 FRONTS
    CSI3 CENTER
    DEF TECH PROMONITOR800 SURROUNDS
    PSW 125 SUB
    PIONEER ELITE AVR23TXH AVR
    APPLE TV 160GB
    PANASONIC BLURAY PLAYER
    50" PANASONIC PLASMA TCP50C2

    2 CHANNEL:
    KEF R300 THREE WAY BOOKSHELF GLOSS PIANO BLACK
    ROTEL RC 990BX PRE
    ROTEL RB 990BX AMP
    OPPO DV980 (AS CD PLAYER)
    PIONEER PL100 TURNTABLE WITH SHURE MX97E CART
    MIT EXP2 SPEAKER CABLES
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  • JustinChiu24
    JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
    edited October 2012
    Rick88 wrote: »
    I wouldn't put much stock in whathifi's reviews personally...

    Where do you live? You can always try Ebay or Audiogon.

    I live in Taiwan, they speak Chinese here. I never understand what they're saying...
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  • JustinChiu24
    JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
    edited October 2012
    Thoughts on Pioneer A-20?
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  • JustinChiu24
    JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
    edited October 2012
    Rick88 wrote: »
    There are a lot of NAD fans here, and this one is just a tad over your budget:

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NAC316BEE

    I really can't extend the budget for amp cause I'm getting a sub-woofer from the rest of the $$$ I can use after I get the amp.
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  • JustinChiu24
    JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
    edited October 2012
    Since I'm using a computer as the source, should I get a soundcard or is it a waste of money?
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  • JustinChiu24
    JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
    edited October 2012
    Is a DAC necessary?
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  • MADGSF
    MADGSF Posts: 603
    edited October 2012
    In regards to a DAC IMO yes it is needed for best results. There are so many USB Asynchronous DACs on the market at reasonable prices that to me it should be included. I am happy with my HRT Music Streamer II but there are many better ones out there. I personally prefer an external DAC over a sound card.
    AVR: Elite VSX-21TXH
    Amplifier: B&K 7250 Series ii
    Misc: Velodyne SMS-1
    Mains: RTi-10
    Center: CSi-5
    Rear: Boston DSi460
    Sub: SVS PC-Ultra
    TV: Panasonic TC-P58V10
    DVD: Panasonic DMP-BD60K
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  • JustinChiu24
    JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
    edited October 2012
    MADGSF wrote: »
    In regards to a DAC IMO yes it is needed for best results. There are so many USB Asynchronous DACs on the market at reasonable prices that to me it should be included. I am happy with my HRT Music Streamer II but there are many better ones out there. I personally prefer an external DAC over a sound card.

    Are SPDIF DACs better than USB ones?
    Any advice on either of them that are under 100USD? I can expend my budget to 200USD if necessary.
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  • JustinChiu24
    JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
    edited October 2012
    Another question, is the Audioengine D1 any good?
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,381
    edited October 2012
    I have a PM5004 waiting to be put to good use. It is a nice, clean little amp. The sound is quite refined. The headphone section is also very good. I haven't tried it yet but the phono section is supposed to be very good.

    The only down-side that I have found is power. It is a light weight. But in a smaller room, or low listening levels, it is great.
    Stan
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • JustinChiu24
    JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
    edited October 2012
    By low levels, how loud is it approximately?
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  • JustinChiu24
    JustinChiu24 Posts: 39
    edited October 2012
    Um, lemme rephrase my question. What are the dimensions for the small room? Which speakers are you driving?
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,381
    edited October 2012
    It does very well driving Monitor 5Bs in a 18x16x8 room. When I tried it with my RTA11TLs in a large area (about 20x36x8) I had to crank it and it seemed strained where my old Denon Receiver (100 watts/ch) fills the room effortlessly. However, the 5004 is a little more refined sounding than the Denon. Could be time to re-cap the Denon.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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