2. amps-preamps
  3. 174473-134159

High End Intergraded comparisons, Marantz, McIntosh, Levinson, Luxman....

Ive been trying to listen to higher end integrated amps but its not easy. 

Im looking for owners comparisons. 

 

I had a Marantz PM-KI Ruby that replaced lots of low powered SET gear with high efficient speakers im no longer using. 

I settled on a nice old pair of KEF Reference Model Fours from about 1999-2000. They are very hungry speakers. Very revealing. 

The Marantz Ruby was rather nice in all ways. 

Im trying a marantz PM-10s1 and although i was expecting a Bigger Better Ruby it turned out to be much more than that. I also got it for about 35% off list so it dramatically lowered the price point compared to competitive brands and products. 

I dont really want any DAC in the box. I actually wanted a good phono stage. Id buy a unit with a DAC but I wont be using it and I Do need a phono stage for a Rega with a AT OC9 MC cart. Limits choices based on additional costs. 

The PM-10 has a Much larger soundstage. Larger and tighter focused images. Wide, Tall and Deep. Much more detail and inner detail. Crystal clear presentation. Very tight and deep bass. Punch and slam. Very life-like presentation of instruments and vocals. Not necessarily bright but extended. Im rather happy but also very surprised. 

I feel maybe I should be exploring some other Integrated amps before settling in on this PM-10. Not easy. They cost allot to ship, return. 

The McIntosh MA7900 is an option but its more money than I spent and im not sure how it compares to the Marantz PM-10. Many say they are very similar in sound character. 

The Mark Levinson 5805 is also a bit more money and is said to be more so detailed and brighter. Is that true? Ive read the PM-10 is smoother and richer. I dont want any more detail or brightness. 

The Hegel 390 and MF MX8 lack phono which drives up the cost for me. Im not sure of their character in comparison to a McIntosh or Marantz. 

The Luxman seems to be one to try, the 507uxii but it has much lower power and some say its rather bright with a bass boom. 

 

Appreciate peoples comments based on what you've heard. 

 

steviet

Showing 5 responses by steviet

steviet OP
8 posts
 

can a moderator please remove the r in integrated in the title. I cant for some reason. 

steviet OP
8 posts
 

Yeah, it's killing me slowly. LOL I blame Siri usually ;-)

The MA7900 is very heavy. Expensive to ship. Although Im not far from Binghamton NY and McIntosh home. Also AudioClassics. 

My buddy has the McIntosh MC402 that is rather good but is a much different beast than the MA series. Hes used BAT and PS Audio preamps with it. 

steviet OP
8 posts
 

Thanks. Yeah Marantz put allot of attention to the phono stage, on the PM-10 its outstanding, MC-H works beautifully with an AT OC9xls.

Im trying different DACs too. A Denafrips, Holo Audio, Wyred 4 Sound. They all sound so damn different! The PM-10 is insanely revealing and true to the sound of your source. The Holo Audio is full, rich and organic but doesn’t have the detail and nuance of the W4S DAC. The W4S is what I know best and its rather lean and a detail whore. Not that there’s anything wrong with that :-)

I have a CD source with a dCS ring dac which sounds complete different still. The Marantz is crazy revealing.

steviet OP
8 posts
 

Good question @szore and does the Marantz sound more like a McIntosh than the others? 

The Luxman's and others aren't powerful enough. I lived in a 2 - 16 wpc class-a SETs for almost 20 years! Been there. Moving onto something different. 

And some are Great but way too expensive! Twice the price of the PM-10. 

The Hegel is an option to ty but its softer and smoother, much less punch and not likely the best match for my system. Im using a large pair of KEF Reference 4's and they are very revealing and can serve up plenty of bass if thats what it sounds like. Id rather control more of the warmth or detail through the source. But I dont like dead neutral amps like the Yamaha's and others. I find them too dull. 

I do have almost 300 hours on the PM-10 now and its bloomed. Its really rather fantastic. I do have about 30 or so days to decide if im keeping it. 

@jbhiller I loved the Ruby. The PM-10 was much more of a difference and upgrade than I bargained for. But its Very revealing and will be brutally honest about what it thinks of your sources and speakers. For good or bad! 

Lots of good feedback. Thank you all. 

steviet OP
8 posts
 

@rbstehno Hehehe, the first Mac fan... Yeah, Ive listened to McIntosh for years. The MC amps in particular.  
Better? There's no better, just different. Better is subjective. 
The PM-10 produces a rated 400w into 4 ohms and over 550w continuous into 4 and 8 ohms on a bench with peaks over 1000w. Go listen to one, if you haven't. And in terms of power the Music Fidelity makes them all sound weak.  


The MA6xxx have too little power and they aren't particularly transparent. The MA7xxxx are better. The MA9000 better still. The MA7900 is less of a model than the PM-10 while the MA9000 best its at $12,500. 

Ive shopped the MA6xxx for a long time. Not worth the money, more status and eye candy at that point. And they are getting old now. 

I ruled out the Hagel because of that "soft" and less transparent sound which isn't better to me. As I ruled out the Yamaha's becasue they are the polar oppisite and again not better to me. 

Better??? I hate that word. Example, everyone is saying these new R-2R DACs are "better" and after trying a couple at a few thousand dollars I can say they aren't so great. Far from better to me. Soft, mushy and lack detail. Some think thats better i guess. 

 

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