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I'm not that impressed with the older Marantz PM 8003 int. amp.

Posted by AbeCollins (A) on March 27, 2017 at 11:45:55

In Reply to: Marantz PM 8005 int. amp. vs Anthem 225 int. amp. posted by sflira24@yandex.ru on March 26, 2017 at 07:11:26:

I believe the PM8005 is just the minimally updated model of the PM8003 that I own. Both are in the same Marantz $1000 class of integrated amps. Mine is two generations old. You can compare side-by-side at the Crutchfield links provided below.

I thought the PM8003 was a bit dark, veiled, and rolled off. In a word, dull. I compared it in my office system to the more costly Ayre AX-7e and the Rogue Cronus Magnum integrated amps. The Marantz was noticeably inferior sounding, and I'm not talking slight audiophile nitpicks. To be expected* I guess given the huge price differences. But......

I ended up using the Marantz PM8003 in our family room for 2-channel stereo with the TV and other AV sources. The only reason I recently replaced the Marantz in the family room was to gain the benefit of HDMI video switching, which the Marantz lacks.

*To my surprise the cheapie sub $150 Sony AV Receiver I bought sounds better than the Marantz.

My advice - Unless the PM8005 is significantly improved over the PM8003, I would skip the Marantz and look for something else.

The Marantz PM8003 at Crutchfield

The Marantz PM8005 at Crutchfield

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