amp better than marantz pm7200?

Well, how much do you want to spend for your new amp?

And which speakers are you using?

Markus.

Hey guys!

My actual equiptment is:
Marantz pm7200
Marantz cd6000le
Wharfedale Diamond 8.2black

I'm willing to spend about 1000 pounds.

Hi Frank,

how big is you room where you want to install the speakers? Do you prefer bookshelf speakers (sized similar to your Wharfedales)? What's you goal for an ideal sound: should it sound "beautiful" or should it reproduce the CD as ideal as possible?

1000 Pounds is about 1500 EURO (why can these brits not join the EMU, this would simplify those things ).

Markus.

And what kind of music do you like?

Hey!

As I already said, mainly classic music but also some classic rock like rolling-stones or queen.

Frank

Perhaps you should try a Rotel combination or pre- and poweramp.

Hi Frank,
I share your musical orientation and I have an Arcam A-85 connected to my Q7.
After replacing my old Marantz Amp with the Arcam I'm more than happy.

- Regards, Wilfried

Hey Wilfried!

What Marantz did you have?

Arcam sounds good! I'll try to find a dealer to test the A-85.

Markus, sorry that I didn't answer your question earlier, I didn't see it till now My wharfedales a placed on stands, but I don't want to replace them, I am very happy with them!

Frank

Welcome to hifi-forum

You should also try NAD if you prerfer classics!
with the combination C160/C270 you get a perfect sound system with a lot of power....
But as You know, there is much subjectivity.....

NAD sounds good.
I'll try to hear C160/C270 as soon as possible.
Any other good NAD devices?

Frank
btw: I'll be checking some arcam amps within the next to days

Hi Frank,

What Marantz did you have?

I used a 3250 preamp and a 170dc poweramp. Both were completely checked at a Marantz service center and they still perform within the company specifications.
The only reason to replace them was to introduce multichannel in my home office. The A85 is upgradable to 5.1 (7.1).
While the sonics of the Marantz combo are excellent the A85 adds a lot of transparency and colors and the localization of single instruments are more stable.
Comparing it with my more recent AV9000+MM9000 surround equipment results in an identical conclusion, however, to a lesser extend.

Arcam sounds good! I'll try to find a dealer to test the A-85.

Would be interesting to hear your report.

-Kind regards, Wilfried

@kimber-frank

well, there is a "silver" series, but the price is quite different.....

Hey drbobo!

If the sound is better, the price may be higher.
So I'll try to hear a silver-line nad, too.

Frank

Hey guys!

After having finished checking arcam, the next brand will be NAD.

My wife suggested mcintosh and accuphase, but I think this is beyond my bugdet

Frank

Hey!

The NAD-test is finished, too.

Result: I don't know, if I should buy Arcam or NAD within my budget or buy NAD out of budget.

I've tested:
Arcam: A75, A80 and A-85. I'd prefer A-85 in this lineup.
NAD: C350, C370 and S300. S300 costs a bit more than 1000 pounds, but this would be my NAD choice. C370 and Arcam A-85 are at the same level, so I don't know which one to take :?.

Or should I spend some more money and take the S300??
Or another amp?

What's your opinion?

Frank

Hi,

take a look at myryad --> it's near NAD (former developer from Myryad are now involved by NAD) ...
I've from the NAD silver line the amp S-250 and it's great strong amp (much better than the "consumer-line" from NAD), but not very cheap.

Greetings
Burkhardt

Hi Frank,

...Or another amp? What's your opinion?

I must admit that I'm not familiar with NAD but another interesting candidate might be the Primare A 20. It comes very close to the A85 but appeared to be not the perfect match to my Q7. It might be, however, a good choice in combination with other speakers.

- Kind Regards, Wilfried

Hey burki, wn!

@burki:
I'll try he S-250.

@wn:
I'll try the Primare A20, too.

At the moment, I think, I'll extend my limit to 1500-2000 pounds, IF I get a better sound.

Frank

Sorry not to have answered for some time

Meanwhile I've bought the NAD S300.
And I'm veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery happy with it!!
I've spend more money than I wanted, but:
It's really great!

So thanks for your help!