I recently purchased a set of MA-700s and an AV-550 pre/pro to replace my Pro-logic only Onkyo 636 receiver. I also tried several alternatives in the form of an AMC 5-channel power amp (25100 - 100W x 5) and a number of Denon receivers (which have a good rep for stereo performance). However, none of them came close to the Marantz monoblocs, particularly for music performance, even when using the AMC to biamp my speakers (Mission 704s). The MA-700s have fast, controlled bass and a massive amount of power (I've stopped using my sub, except for movies, since I bought them). However, even more noticeable was the trebble detail and extension. Music sounds more open, and vocals project far more solidly into the room than with any other amps I've heard for similar money. They do get fairly warm when the volume is cranked up though, which is a surprise given what I'd read--especially as the 704s are 8-ohm speakers. They also need a thorough run-in (the trebble starts off a bit painful...) Overall, these amps are very high quality and amazingly good value for money. Even better, since buying them I'm no longer tempted to get a dedicated stereo amp to complement my HT setup.

In general this amp sounds smooth and bit warm..The power reserve is excellent for $500 amp
handles low impedence well. Circuitry has lots of protection as you can tell
by lots of relay going on/off..
solidly built. level control is bit flimsy but serves its porpous.

Deciding that the 80 wpc from my Yamaha DSP A3090 was not enough for my mains, I looked long and hard for a 200-300 per channel amp (the low end was a little weak with the Yamaha). After looking at and listening to a number of amps, I went home with two MA700's. I've long suspected that watts are watts when it comes to amps. After you graduate from the chain store receivers and get in to the higher end stuff, I believe an amp such as the MA700 will be indistinguishable with almost any other amp in terms of power, lack of back ground noise and so on when the specs are similar or equal. Since I don't have the resources to verify this suspicion scientifically, I can rely only on casual listening, articles from several magazines (The Sensible Sound, The Audio Critic, Stereo Review) and conversations with EE's I know. Bottom line: the MA700's have a seemingly limitless supply of clean power. They drive my mains significantly louder and with more authority in the low end than the Yamaha amp. My speakers are rated at 4 ohm's which means about 300 wpc are being delivered from the Marantz amps. At $1000.00 for both, I consider them a bargain compared to many other amps. My only concern is that they run very hot. They are supposed to shut down automatically after they reach a certain temperature but I wonder. Definately not an amp you would want to put in an unventilated equipment closet. There are lots of reasons to buy a more expensive amp (better looks, pride of ownership, bragging rights to your less informed peers, possibly longer life) but none that include a better audio end result. All in all, five stars since I can't take half a star off for excessive heat.

Sound quality, flexibility of monoblock, high power, auto on/off,

Those darn binding posts

I was an amp slut until I found these babies. Now I've settled down to some good old reliable solid state sound, and I feel much better about myself. But seriously, I don't want to get rid of these- they are without fault. You need to have a very revealing system for it to be worth upgrading from these. I'm a very picky person, and these satisfy me.

Similar Products Used:

Sunfire stereo, ATI1506, Marantz MA500

Not so much the power, but the mid-bass detail, sonic clarity and musical presence.

THey get a bit on the bright side at refrence/near reference volumes.

Happiness is not the word I can use to discribe these amps. From the snap of a snare drum (which, incidentally you can feel at the base of your spine)to the breathyness of an alto sax, the detail and impact is flawless. A simple 1,3,5,8 chord on a vocal cd is presented with a live detail and presence unmatched by most other amps I have heard. The sub 100hz impact (w/o sub) is earth shattering. After switching out the amp 2 and installing the marantz, I found my speakers popping from bumping the magnet at the same relitive volume as the amp2.Just a side note..The Marantz are actually cost effective! My pre-amp, amps,cd player, dvd player,vcr....Is all marantz. I just have a funny feeling it will stay that way for a long time. 10 out of 10.

Similar Products Used:

Proceed amp2

Great presence, Wonderful imaging, Powerful base, Clarity, Detail, Price, Ease of use. Auto turn-on.

None that I can think of.

I have been shopping for a pair of new main speakers for nearly a year now. Along the way, I auditioned a pair of Paradigm Studio 100v.2s. However, the Paradigms were hooked up to a giant amp, at least 200wpc. Of course, the salesman said that my exist receiver, a Marantz SR-96 would be adequate to drive these speakers. I was not convinced, and so I called Paradigm and talked with one of their techies. Explaining my situtation, his comment was that the speakers would be, "underwhelmed." He was clear that they needed 200wpc to shine. This started my search for additional amplification. The MA700's were highly recommended in Stereophile and in Home Theatre Magazine. After sometime spent considering the Rotels, the Outlaw and its cousin, the ATI (both only 150wpc), I went for the Marantz. Am I happy! These babies took the pressure off buying a pair of new speakers. They made my very old towers (12 year old T930s) sing as they have never sung before. My wife (not an enthusiast) thought that I had bought a whole new bunch of CDs. That she immediately heard the difference says it all. In fact, she is as happy with the purchase as I am. Talk about a first! These amps make my old speakers sound flat out $2,000 better, all for just $1200 for the three of them. On top of that, they seamlessly fit into my system. I hooked them up to the left, right, and center preouts of my SR-96. The SR-96 has a remote output that interfaces with a remote imput on the MA700s, so when I turn on the receiver, the amps turn on following a slight delay. I then hooked the rear preouts to the main ins on the receiver, which openned up the sound in the rear channels as well. The overall effect is simply wonderful. Everything I have thrown at them sounds great. It has occasioned me to revist my entire music collection. I am hearing things that I have never heard before. Previously, the sound was just a little too stuck in the box (the cabinet). Now, it is right in the room. It is like having live music in the house every day and every night. I'll start looking for new main speakers again the beginning of next year. Till then, thank you Marantz.

Similar Products Used:

SR-96