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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
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,907 posts
 
264win, be happy in knowing you've got a great piece of gear. 
Marantz helped create this audio rodeo and have always made a quality product. I have the PM-15S2b with matching SACD player and hear pretty much what you describe and when paired with the right gear, it can simply astound.

It's a crowded field when it comes to reviews so who knows why the oversight. I hope it isn't snobbery on their part. If so, then those who rely on reviews are missing out on something nice.

All the best,
Nonoise
rsfphil
139 posts
 
Wasn't able to edit in time. "anyway near its price range" should read "anywhere near its price range".

newbee
4,775 posts
 
My search for reviews of Marantz integrated amps have more often than not, at least in the ’reference line’ resulted in finding reviews of a combination of the Integrated amp and the CDP players. There have been very few reviews of each component separately. I do not know why this is so, but it has to a certain extent frustrated my attempts to get an understanding of each individual component (I own a SA11s3 and was interested in the PM11s3). I suspect this might have as much to do with the conditions imposed on the reviewers by the company as anything, but that is a WAG. I never did find an independent review of the PM11s3 let alone a comparison of its performance with other integrated ss amps.
264win OP
51 posts
 
Thanks for the responses everyone. I do really enjoy the Marantz PM-11s3 very much and was blown away at it's level of finish. Before pulling the trigger on the Marantz I listened to several other Integrateds in it price range. I demo'd the NAD Master Series M2, the Hegel H360, and the Devialet 120.
I know everyone hears and enjoys different subtleties in music and their flavor of component. But to my ears there was and is no contest between the four Intgrateds, with the Marantz being the best of the bunch. And maybe I'm just old school but the Marantz is almost twice as heavy as any of the others and is built much more higher-end with touches like the all copper chassis and massive toroidal transformer and other things that make it really outclass the other to me.
That is where my curiosity came in as to why such a nice piece has not been reviewed by Stereophile? I was sure I'd find a nice write up on it?
Anyway, I thought maybe Marantz had a falling out with them or something? But either way I am completely thrilled with the Integrated and think it will be with me for quite some time   

paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
As a PM15S2 owner, congrats on your new PM11S3.  I have no idea why there is a lack of audio rag reviews of MARANTZ reference gear.  All I know is that I demoed mine head to head against a McIntosh MA6300 and preferred that PM15S in sound quality, build quality, heft and price.
It does a remarkable job driving my Dynaudio Focus 260's and has helped me get off the dreaded upgrade spiral where my amp is concerned.

Enjoy yours brother, its a great piece of gear.
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