Marantz SR8400 vs Marantz MA 500

baboon
baboon Posts: 60
edited September 2006 in Electronics
Will there be a noticeable difference if I add two MA 500 external amps to my reciever (to drive the FR & FL). Currently my reciever is 110wx7 and the MA is a 125w monoblock. Noticeable difference, worth the price of $290?

Thanks mon.
Post edited by baboon on
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    YES. Just buy 'em.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • 2+2
    2+2 Posts: 546
    edited September 2006
    Probably depends on your speakers as to the level of difference but probably would help. If you have demanding speakers, I would do MA700s....
    System 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300

    System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES

    System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps

    System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD
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  • MADGSF
    MADGSF Posts: 603
    edited September 2006
    FWIW there are a few Marantz MM-9000 amplifiers on Audiogon in the ~600 range. A 5 channel 150w amp and at that price it would leave money in your budget for a sub. I can't find any professional reviews on them and Marantz does not have much information on their web site. However if I had the money I would try one.
    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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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited September 2006
    baboon,, yes the MA500 amps will help take the load off of your 8400 receiver.

    plus the MA500 amps are pretty inexpensive.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited September 2006
    Amps are fun to experiment with, and just about any separate amp you add will make your system sound better. . . Fronts will have more power / headroom and it will leave more in the tank for your receiver to power the other speakers adequately.

    Buy 'em. You can sell for similar price no problem, if you don't notice a $300 difference.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,341
    edited September 2006
    IMO the sound will be fuller, maybe a little cleaner. The MA700's would be better but for the money give it a try. Like someone said if you aren't satisfied, flip it for what you paid.
    Carl

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  • jayman_1975
    jayman_1975 Posts: 672
    edited September 2006
    A buddy of mine has a SR 6300 reciever and just recently added two MA500 amps to the front L/R channels. It definitely made an improvement in mid and low range making it more punchier. At low to moderate listening levels it is hard to hear much improvement but when you crank it up his speakers really sing.
    Onkyo TX NR 5008 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Oppo BDP 93 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Arcam CD37
    Monitor Audio Gold GS 60
    Revolver Audio Music 5 towers.(surround)
    Vandersteen V2W
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    I recently added a MA500 to power my center channel and it works great for the price. It's certainly an improvement over using a receiver. I used to own a MA700 and it was even better. Both have the same smooth sonic signature. I like the monoblock concept for HT because it is flexible and inexpensive. Sure, I'd love to get an awesome 5-channel amp someday, but IMO, the cost doesn't justify the improvement in sound for my modest system.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • marantz 2325
    marantz 2325 Posts: 6
    edited September 2006
    ive been runnin all old school marantz equ for bout 15 yrs now. reciever model 2325 a solid state rec, 135 watts per channel a early tube pre amp an thats all hooked up to a gas amp aka the ampzilla my room is filled up at half vol with bout 5oo watts
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