Marantz Amp upgrade

Soldato
Joined
26 Jan 2005
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6,512
Hi all,

Hoping for a bit of direction...

Basically I currently have a Marantz 6003 amp from about 2011. It’s served me well over the years and is still going strong.
But I’ve received a good offer for a Marantz 6006 recently and was just wondering if it’s worth the upgrade or will there be no discernible difference between the two?

Any help would be great! :)
 
Man of Honour
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29 May 2010
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Cheshire
Gut feeling is that this would be more of a sideways move.

The spec sheets for both aren't directly comparable, so it's not a simple job to see the differences. On the plus side the newer amp has digital inputs (coax and optical) and a 192kHz compatible DAC to go with them. They're quoting a higher Signal-to-Noise ratio too for a High Level signal, but that could be just a technical difference in the way they're making measurement.

The amplified power output is quoted as the same 45W/ch, but - as long as it's not a typo - on the older amp they're quoting a much lower THD figure (0.0008%) compared to 0.08% for the later model. Without looking in to it more deeply the numbers on their own don't mean much because there's no reference to how they were measured: Was it single channel or both driven, was it 1kHz or 20Hz~20kHz, and was it peak or RMS/continuous, are they measuring on to 6 Ohms or 8 Ohms. You'd probably need to download the manuals for each which would then give a better idea if it's a level playing field.

The bottom line is probably about whether the digital inputs and DAC are worthwhile for you. The 6003 was a good amp when launched, and will still be equally competitive in sonic terms today. If you need a DAC, and if the cost of the amp change is less than buying an external DAC and cables (an you have to factor in an extra box plus controlling it and an extra power socket) then, so long as you're not dropping any wattage, go for the new amp. If it's just changing for changing's sake though then I'd be tempted to look at something that would be a definite sonic step up.
 
Associate
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30 Jun 2006
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Cardiff
Hi I use to have a 6005 which has all the features the 6006 has besides one thing. It is voiced differently. By that I mean where as the 6005 and seeming it a marantz amp it has smooth laid back sound which could be described as warm/dark sounding. The 6006 sounds more cleaner. It still not as as clean sounding as 8005 or hd amp 1/dac 1 though.
 
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Soldato
OP
Joined
26 Jan 2005
Posts
6,512
Thanks for the helpful and informative replies guys! Sounding as though it might be best to stay put with my amp for now and not rock the boat...

Talon, it was the UK edition, which I think is the newest version of the amp!

Lucid, I think you’re right. If I do eventually upgrade it should be to something that is a significant one rather than a rather incremental one by the sounds of it. :)
 
Caporegime
Joined
29 Jan 2008
Posts
58,898
Basically I currently have a Marantz 6003 amp from about 2011. It’s served me well over the years and is still going strong.
But I’ve received a good offer for a Marantz 6006 recently and was just wondering if it’s worth the upgrade or will there be no discernible difference between the two?

Differences between amps is a bit of a hi-fi myth tbh... generally no point in upgrading unless you need some new features or you amp isn't sufficient for some new speakers you've bought.
 
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