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Marantz and Stereophile?

First post here, so hello all!

So I just made what I would call a real "audiophile" addition to my system, a Marantz PM-11s3 Integrated. It is funny that when you hear of a large purchase from people my age (47 ouch) and so many call it a "mid life crisis"
Funny thing is that whether it’s a sports car or a nice Hi-Fi component it takes years of financial building to afford such a piece. Not so much a crisis but a purchase that is soooo well deserved after years of wanting but not being in reach.
I have always enjoyed, followed, and owned 2-Channel systems... I’m a 2-channel guy and always will be! I remember that very first time 30 years ago that Mark Levinson and Wilson Audio changed my perception of recorded music forever! The love of music and the appreciation of components that deliver it to me that is sonically pleasing has had a grip on me ever since.
Mark Levinson and the likes were never attainable in my younger years but the like of Adcom, Rotel, Creek, Paradigm were. Thanks to these companies I have, for many years, enjoyed terrific music that was affordable and more than that... Really enjoyable!
Several years back I found myself without anything to listen to or even a simple dvd or bluray player to watch! Break-ups suck!
As soon as I could afford it again I went back out into the market and listened to a ton of components that I could afford and was really impressed with Marantz. I ended up with a Marantz PM8004 Integrated Amp and a Marantz UD7007 Universal Disc Player. I added Paradigm Monitor 7s with Kimber speaker cables and AudioQuest interconnects for a 2-Channel system I have quite enjoyed for the past three years.
This year I finally was able to take a jump up and add to the system.
I have really loved the Marantz sound, detailed yet warm as I would describe it... So I made a plunge and replaced the PM8004 with a Reference Series PM-11s3 and replaced the Paradigm 7s with Monitor Audio’s Silver 8s.
The PM8004 is a really sweet little integrated! I really enjoyed it as did everyone who listened to it. It was and still is a very nice piece that WAY outperforms its price point.... Having said that the difference between it and the PM-11s3 is not only night and day but virtually on different planets! The PM-11s3 from build quality to sound is just in every single way in not only a different class but in a different state completely.
Now, thanks for hanging in with me here... When one looks to replace a $1000 Integrated with a $5000 Integrated they look to the ones they trust for evaluations and trusted insight on a component. So naturally I looked to Stereophile and I found nothing? Not only did I find nothing on the PM-11s3 but nothing on any Reference Series Marantz? None of the Integrates, none of the SACDs, and none of the high-end mono-blocks that cost 20K with the pre?
Now this is IN NO WAY a flame of Stereophile! I just can’t understand that in the last 15 years why they haven’t reviewed or even mentioned Reference Series Marantz? Is there a misunderstanding between the two?


264win
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
Reference series from my knowledge is excellent! But dealers of Marantz tend to offer the basic line!
Your correct.  Marantz has two lines of gear - their excellent Reference line made in Japan and is strictly two channel.

And then their is their basic line, made in China and comprised of mostly HT gear.  This is where the money is at as true 2 channel HiFi has become a very small market compared to multi-channel surround sound.  And we all know they are two different things.

If Marantz currently has a stigma in the audiophile world, its that they carry this basic HT line.  But no doubt, this is also where the volume of their sales and revenues come from.
pennsy
152 posts
 
Paraneer: your statement of two channel being a lost configuration to surround systems is true! How knew that electronics would support Atmos 11 speaker surround sound! However, 2 channel is alive and well in audiophile purest systems! Start shopping for 5 figure or better electronics and refer to multi channel setups and you WILL get Grey Poupon spit in your face! High end purists find only PCM 2 channel acceptable! DTS and especially Neo 6 are considered hollywood tricks! Sort of like letting gas go in church!

264win OP
51 posts
 
Paraneer, I would add the PM8004 & PM8005 to the list of 2 channel equipment that is not in their Reference line yet still hand built in Japan along side of them. Im not sure if it's only these two other integrateds or all the 2 channel units that are made in Japan though?
The PM8004 is a really nice piece that was originally priced just under the 1k mark. I don't ever see them second hand but Im sure someone who is patient can grab one up for 1/3 less or so from the original price. So having excellent Marantz equipment can be affordable and is how I stumbled onto the line.

chrisr's avatar
chrisr
543 posts
 
I have had the pm8004 driving rega rs5 for the past 6 years... It is the best bang for the buck I have ever had in my house.  
Great gear.  Marantz is solid.

mcb854sw
8 posts
 
Great posts. I am at the same level of equipment and also love Marantz since the 1960s but that time I could not afford to have one of those beatiful stereo receivers with glowing blue dial, but few years ago I got the 8004 set (which now is in my bedroom) and a couple of years ago I bought the 11-s3 set (integrated amplifier, SACD and network player). 
Last week I bouth a second-hand SC-7s2 pre-amplifier (now discontinued) and will connect it to the power section of my PM11-s3.
Curious fact about magazines is that if you pay attention, everytime you see a Marantz review, there is also a Marantz ad on that month issue. Maybe just coincidence.
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