Marantz PM14KI Amplifier?

Hi all,

I've been offered a great deal on one of these and was wondering if any could comment on its sound.

Marantz is not necessarily a manufacturer that i would immediately think of when looking for new kit. However, i listened to the Marantz room at the recent Heathrow show and liked what I heard. Perhaps their kit might be the kind of sound I like who knows.

Anyway, any views?

I don't really fancy the trip to the other side of town if its a lemon.

cheers
S+P

 

well it's got to be worth a listen!

Why not Marantz? I think in the budget, low-mid end they've got some great price comparable kit.

I've only heard their higher end stuff at shows and that too seemed like quality kit.

Before reading any views on sound quality here i'd just go and have a listen. If there's any mechanical things that people point out to keep an eye out for then fair enough. But best to go in with an open mind.

 

certainly looks sexy enuff..why not give it a try..won't be bad by any standards..

 

Thats one seriouisly sexy beast. It puts my 6010ose to shame.

 

always wanted an amp with a temperature gauge...

i have a feeling it'll sound 'ok', with everything in the right place, but from a purists view, musically, not a match for the best in the class, be it Meridian or bel Canto

 

Just had a listen and to my ears its nothing special! Thin and bright would sum it up well.

Oh well the search continues...

 

how much have you got to spend, and what are you looking to get? (e.g. more power, warmer sound/colder sound etc) - maybe we could help?

 

I'm looking for an integrated although I would consider a pre/pow. This quest has been a long one so far although i guess its better not to be in too much of a rush...Spend in haste repent at leasure!

So far I've tried and disliked the following at home;

Primare a30.1/pre/power found the sound dull and grainy.

A chord integrated horrible!

The new Unico integrated I found it a bit artifical sounding.

A £2000 Classe int, bright and not too musical.

Cyrus 8 too bright.

Bryston B60, warm and musical but vieled and lumpy bass.

Copland CSA28 very sharp and thin sounding.

Aura PA200 I quite liked this power amp but it blew a channel and that was that.

I had a Sugden A21a for a few years and it did seem to show real potential and was probally the best amp I've ever owned. However, I found it very diffcult to partner and with the wrong source the lovely sweet sound could easily become very harsh. Also, i felt that it lacked a certain pace, nice fruity bass though. I'm tempted to try another one and see if i can partner it better this time.

Thats probally everything that i've tried at home. I've listened to other amps in the shops and the only thing that i really liked was a Conran Johnson CAV50 integrated which sounded gorgeous across the mid and treble. However, I felt the bass seemed to sound a bit odd, is this a tube thing? I also liked the Audionet integrtaed but no balance control.

Having come this far I believe that the kind of sound I'm looking for is something warm and full sounding,yet detailed, with sweet treble and good bass and timing. I'm very open to second hand although the risk of buying a lemon is worrying. I've bought enough kit in the past that I've regretted, its a horrible feeling!

One limitation that i have is that I need the amp to have a balance controll as my room needs it due to a big cabinet.

So any suggestions much apreciated.

I have about £2000 to spend.

 

did u post similar thread, under a different name on HFC?
if not, why not check out Plinius 8100 int amp- £1500 RRP. Emporium in Diss, Norfolk has one for £850.
Certainly rocks, slightly forward sound i'd say but punchy little number. why not come and listen to it at bakeoff?

oh, and if u liked the sound of the Marantz Heathrow kit, they were using my old speakers!! why not buy them!!!