While I do not currently own the 500’s, I am ’making do’ with it’s smaller brother, the Concept 40 in an apartment setting. Once I find a house, the 500’s are budgeted for.
After auditioning many integrateds, including one of the Azur’s, I chose the Marantz Ruby; while it’s been too long to recollect specific differences, the Ruby is open, very fast, and detailed, well worth a listen before making a final decision. The phono section is suprisingly good.
Your preferences will ultimately dictate which amp is chosen, there’s no bad ones.
Ken I. used the 500’s in many demos with the Marantz Ruby Series. While I did not have the pleasure of attending one of these events, a few associates did and were suitably impressed.
FWIW, I have found a nice synergy between the two with Canare speaker wire & an old Jellyfish powercord. I’ll probably upgrade the cables once settled into a permanent dwelling, or if I get bored in the meantime.
Good luck, hope this is of some help.
After auditioning many integrateds, including one of the Azur’s, I chose the Marantz Ruby; while it’s been too long to recollect specific differences, the Ruby is open, very fast, and detailed, well worth a listen before making a final decision. The phono section is suprisingly good.
Your preferences will ultimately dictate which amp is chosen, there’s no bad ones.
Ken I. used the 500’s in many demos with the Marantz Ruby Series. While I did not have the pleasure of attending one of these events, a few associates did and were suitably impressed.
FWIW, I have found a nice synergy between the two with Canare speaker wire & an old Jellyfish powercord. I’ll probably upgrade the cables once settled into a permanent dwelling, or if I get bored in the meantime.
Good luck, hope this is of some help.