Entry level Marantz System

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Hi All,

I've been looking at buying the follow top set up a basic combined stereo and home cinema area:

Marantz PM5005 - Stereo Arm
Marantz CD5005 - CD/Audio player
Marantz SR5009 - AV Receiver

I've heard/read some very good reviews of the Marantz bits, and even though the PM/CD5005s are a few years old you can still pick them up new for a good price.

Does anyone here own any of the above and have any input or thoughts as to their quality or value for money?

I'd be looking to pair them up with some Monitor Audio MR4 floorstanders for the stereo work and the home cinema L/R channels, then a Monitor Audio MR Centre and a pair of Monitor Audio MR2s for the 2 rears channels.

Once again any input on the quality of the Monitor Audio bits would be appreciated, but i'm hoping to get down to my local audio shop to soon to hear them.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!
 
My experience of Marantz AV stuff is admittedly old, but they were exceptionally fiddly and picky bits of kit and never as good as the Yamaha, Onkyo, Sony, Denon alternatives.
 
I use Marantz 7005/6 AV amp and universal player, they work and sound very good with music, wouldn't choose any other brand at this price point.
 
First rule: Gathering opinions is okay, but never buy without first listening for yourself. Someone else's idea of audio nirvana could be your idea of hell and vice versa.

Second, you're duplicating up with two sets of front speakers unnecessarily.

With a little lateral thinking it's entirely possible to have a dedicated 2ch Hi-Fi, and then integrate AV without wrecking the stereo performance. You need an AV receiver with pre-outs. The SR5009 has pre-outs.

How it works is that the AV receiver no longer powers the front L&R speakers. That becomes the job of the PM5005. For Hi-Fi use you leave the AV receiver switched off and just run the PM5005 with the stereo speakers and your pure stereo sources. It's a pure 2ch Hi-Fi; simple as that.

For AV use then both the receiver and the PM5005 have to be on. The AV receiver has pre-outs. They're usually used for connecting a 5ch or 7ch power amp. However, there's nothing to say that you can't have a 2ch power amp just for the front L&R. That's what the PM5005 becomes. So the AV receiver Fr L&R pre-outs connect to a line input on the PM5005.

The trick then is to set the PM5005 volume to a point where it mimics the level that would have come from the receiver's own L&R speaker sockets. A smart phone running a dB meter app will do for the initial set-up. Record the test tone levels from the receiver while the speakers are still connected to it. Run the same test with the receiver volume display set to the same level, but this time with the PM5005 connected and powering the fronts. Once you have the volume dial on the A19 set to the correct position then mark the dial so it's possible to repeat this setting again and again. Then run the receivers AV setup routine to fine tune.

All that's really changed from the receiver's point of view is that it no longer has to supply current to the front L&R. There'll be a very small improvement in power delivery to the centre and surrounds as a result.

If you set-up as outlined above then all you need is a pair of MR4, the centre and surrounds. You save the cost of one pair of MR2 and stands. If it was me, I'd use the money saved and not buy the BR2 for surrounds at all. I'd get a pair of BXFX or look for a used set or the previous BRFX. These are dipole/bipole surrounds. They work far more convincingly, especially with movie sound tracks and where the listener to each side speaker distance is less than 15ft.

I'd also take a good listen to the SR5009 in Pure Direct mode with the CD player connected via decent interconnects (Chord Crimson or similar) versus digital coax. Pick which you think sounds the best, then demo that against the CD player in to the stereo amp.

This next bit might sound a bit anal, but it is really important. You need some objective way to measure the volume in each mode to ensure that one isn't louder than the others. Louder is often mistaken for better. So you're looking to level the playing field so that it's the difference in quality rather than quantity you hear. If you have a smart phone then a sound meter app will do the trick. Many include a display that gives both peak and average volume. Play a short clip on repeat and note the value or position of the volume dial.

You might find that coax appears to work best with the receiver and give the biggest sound (i.e. widest sound stage) but not necessarily the most cohesive sound. The stereo amp might not sound as big, but could offer more insight and a greater ability to separate individual instruments while at the same time showing you how the musicians are playing together. But if you find you can't separate the receiver from the amp then you'll know that the speakers are possibly the limiting factor.
 
Lucid isn't wrong but I wouldn't both with all that faff. Just get a bit better series of Marantz AV amp and use pure direct mode from an analogue source like a decent CD Player or Streamer for music... That's what I do for my lounge.
They actualy do music better than most are use to or give credit for... If you want to improve add a separate power amp for the main L+R channels later.
 
I would never personally put a Marantz CD player with a Marantz amp yes they look nice on the rack and the remotes probably work both components but for me the sound is way to bright. You should certainly audition this combination before purchase! I have a Marantz CD player paired with an Arcam stereo amp as they balance each other out nicely for me.
 
First rule: Gathering opinions is okay, but never buy without first listening for yourself. Someone else's idea of audio nirvana could be your idea of hell and vice versa.

Second, you're duplicating up with two sets of front speakers unnecessarily.

With a little lateral thinking it's entirely possible to have a dedicated 2ch Hi-Fi, and then integrate AV without wrecking the stereo performance. You need an AV receiver with pre-outs. The SR5009 has pre-outs.

Sorry that was already my plan, not sure i made that clear!

I'd be using the Monitor floor standers for both the stereo speakers and the L/R channels on the home cinema depending on the source. Thats for the set up tips though, that explains it a lot better!

Obviously i'll be hearing it all before purchasing, luckily my local shop stocks all the bits i'm after!
 
I would never personally put a Marantz CD player with a Marantz amp yes they look nice on the rack and the remotes probably work both components but for me the sound is way to bright. You should certainly audition this combination before purchase! I have a Marantz CD player paired with an Arcam stereo amp as they balance each other out nicely for me.
That sounds more a like an poor match or choice of speaker.... Both the CD player and amp going to be pretty flat and not bright.... I have no problem with a Marantz universal player, UD7006, into a Marantz AV amp, feeding Dynaudio based speakers.
 
That sounds more a like an poor match or choice of speaker.... Both the CD player and amp going to be pretty flat and not bright.... I have no problem with a Marantz universal player, UD7006, into a Marantz AV amp, feeding Dynaudio based speakers.

Everyone is different :-)

To me Marantz stuff has always sounded bright no matter what the setup, I had a Marantz AV amp for a while and that was the same. Not bad just not the sound I wanted. This is the reason everyone should audition stuff they are going to buy as everyone hears things differently!
 
I'll echo sentiments to listen. I know when buying online it seems a pain but ultimately listening before buying ensures you are always happy with your purchase.

To add fuel to that fire, try comparing similarly priced standmount speakers and floorstander speakers. For the same money, the standmounts might sound better.
Obviously aesthetics are personal....but when did that ever influence purchasing of audio gear? :)
 
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