POWERFUL GOOD QUALITY SOUND

BENEFIT FROM MORE BASS

THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST AMP I HAVE EVER HAD IT HAS SERVED ME WELL FOR MANY YEARS WITHOUT A GLITCH
AT LOW VOLUME IT GIVES ME A SUTTLE BACKGROUND PLEASANT SOUND BUT THIS DOES CAUSE A DIPPING IN SOUND CLARITY BUT IT IS AT ITS BEST WHEN TURNED TO AROUND HALF WAY UP RUNNING FLOOR BASED SPEAKERS I HAVE FOUND THAT WARFDALE OR CASTLE TOWERS GIVE IT A CHANCE TO SHOW WHAT IT REALL CAN DO LOVE THIS AMP ITS A BIT OF A BEAST ALTHOUGH IT COULD DO WITH A LITTLE MORE BASE WHEN USING SMALLER LESS CAPABLE SPEAKERS
AND THE GUY I BROUGHT IT FROM DID NOT KNOW WHAT HE HAD

Warm, musical sound. Comparatively good sound for the price.

The bass probably is too weak for bookshelf speakers. Not very good speaker terminals (no plugs accepted, I was hardly able to insert 4mm2 wire).

This was the first mentionable amplifier I ever had. When I started shopping I just wanted to get a 100W aplifier from "decent company" without any idea that they may sound very different - thus, I still think that I was quite lucky that I wandered into a specialist audio shop and was convinced that this is not the case. However, the salesperson actually wanted to recommend some similarly priced Yamaha, still Marantz seemed to have much more musical sound and I choosed it. I have used the amplifier with two different spekers - JMLab Tantals 520 (floorstanders) and JMLab Chorus 706 (bookshelf). The sound with Tantals was quite enjoyable and I felt happy with it for about two years. However the results with Chorus was quite dissapointing - there was a total lack of bass and the sound in general was not particularly good. For a while I assumed that this is the speaker problem, until I changed Marantz to Arcam Alpha 10, which resurrected these speakers for a new life. However the Alpha 10 costs 3 times as much, and the improvement on Tantals probably was not that dramatic. Whilst currently it is not in use, I am still keeping Marantz to set it up in another room sometime in future.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam Alpha 10

Power, clarity even at high volume levels, looks, overall quality

Difficult to connect wires for bi-wiring

I've been using this amp for about a year and a half. I think it's truly amazing, especially for its price. As you can see I also have experience with the HK690 -which is much more expensive- and I think it's much clearer although a bit less powerfull.

When I bought the Marantz PM-68 I owned a pair of Jamo X3M10
speakers. These are real loud speakers with an almost over-agressive basspower. With these speakers and the PM-68 I think I could really blow-out the windows in my room.

A few months ago I sold my Jamo's and bought a pair of Tannoy Definition 300 speakers. These speakers are 'only' 85 watts continuously at 8 ohms but they are really demanding when it comes to high volume levels. The PM-68 has no trouble at all with hours of music with the volume on one o'clock.(!) It does get real hot, but that only seems to make it sound even more detailed.
BTW I recently placed my amp on top of my cd-player to improve cooling and to stabilize the cd-player. It REALLY works!

My setup:
-Marantz PM-68 amplifier
-Marantz CD-48 cd-player
-Tannoy D300 speakers
-Van den Hul 'the source' interlink

I can really recommend this amp to anyone. I know this model isn't in production anymore, but since it's infinitely reliable it's a wise choice, even second hand. Or you could always buy it's modern equivalent the PM6000.

Similar Products Used:

HK690

Power

Too bad doesn't have class A like PM78

Negative rather than Positive. this amp is bit overpriced (i think) considering the sound quality produced.
The sound's a bit lazy, slow and totally lost the soundstaging (big time!!) It may have the drive since it is 95W but total lost of the sonic to fill the room is totally have to be avoided.
Instead try Musical Fidelity X-A1 or the older brother PM 78 (with class A on)

df

Lots of power

poor transparency

This is a party-amp and I would recommend it only to people who prefer LOUD music. At moderate levels it specially lacks transparency and highs in general. I know my previous Fase was pricier but the difference is huge.
Remote sucks!

Similar Products Used:

yamaha ax-592
fase pf-45

Powerfull, great sound and good robust construction.

Poor speaker terminals

I was looking for an allround amplifier at a nice price that I could use at my home parties and when I just want to chill after a hard day. So my choice falled on Marantz PM68. And I still think that was a good choice.

It's very difficult to describe exact how it sounds. I will say warm. I tried it with different speaker systems and my conclusion from that it don't fit so good with all types of systems. So before you buy, if it's possible, listen to it with youre own speakers and see if you like the sound.

I bought the PM-68 to replace a 100w/ch Technics receiver. I was told by several people I would notice the difference - and I have. My system sounds _much_ better now. Of course, since I also replaced the speakers, it's a little hard to say how much improvement is due to the speakers and how much to the amp. I am running through an equalizer, but I also was doing that with the Technics.
I'm very pleased with the way the PM-68 sounds and I have only a few minor complaints:
* Did it have to be made so _large_?
* The front panel is...well, kind of displeasing, aesthetically, at least to me. I like the look of the PM-57 better. Of course, this doesn't affect functionality, but it is something I consider.
* There is no display of information, such as one that shows what mode you are in. Perhaps Marantz was aiming for a more retro look and feel, but I'd prefer the convenience of a display panel.

I expect to keep this unit for some time. It appears to be a solid performer and sounds great. FWIW, I'm using teo smallish AR speakers and an AR subwoofer (sorry, don't know the models offhand). The Marantz has plenty of power to drive them.

this is a power full, soft and good looking guy ;)

it may be a little reserved at lower frequences, but that don't have to be a weakness

This is a great amp for medium size living rooms. As said it's little reserved at low freqences. Seems like that makes all the sound stages together more involved to make a more punchy and crispy sound. If you wan't more bass, make it up with a sub. I guess this amplifier likes floor standing speakers with 2x7-8" bass/mid-range as B&W DM603 S2.

Lot´s of power. Remote posibility, and many connections. Headphone connection.

Weak speaker terminals. When not using "source direct" the sound falling apart, and lacks transparency.

I bought the amplifier about for about 1 1/2 year ago. Before this buy I had a Nad 3240Pe, which I have had for almost ten years. To buy a new audio product is a long process for me, and I have listened to numeroues of amplifiers. When I bought the amp I was a student (still is), so I set up a moneylimit to $500.

I listened to some new Nad´s and a Pioneer, and even an Audiolab. However it is difficult to judge a amp at an audiodealers listening room. The room is not the same, and often it is impossible to audition the amp through the same speakers that you have at home. Some dealers let you take the amps home for an audition, but in reality you don´t do this for more than a couple of times. So you really have to trust your own ears when listening in the store. However I where to many stores and listened, but really did´nt found THE amp I was looking for.

So I went back to Hifi klubben, where I had bought my Nad so long ago. And there it was, and sounded detailed, warm and had a lot´s of power. The salesmen sold me the stores showroom ex, so he withdraw $50, and I still got the full guarantee. When looking for my new amp I set up a demand for power. I do not have big floorstanders, but when having a powerfull amp, you will benefit the advantage of control and clarity of the sound. I have a couple of B&W matrix 805 on speakerstands. In this configuration I am very pleased with the sound, my speakers are very revealing, so if the electronics are bad you can tell instantly.


Home I went and putting everything together, my speaker benefit when biwires so I did. The amp has 2 couple of speakerconnector so you can biwire if you want. Well turned on the amp, and hearing the little clics, that tells me that everything is in order. I believe it is relays that control the amp. After about ten minutes I put on Dire Straits album "Brothers in arms" track 6 "Ride across the river". And I was touched of that felling that come over you when you listen to a truly good sound. You know the felling that puts shivers in your spine.

Conlusions: It is important that you audition the amp with "sorce direct" button on. If not the sound lacks transparency and details. I am aware that this model is discontinued now but if you can find one used for a good price it is a great deal. You will get a lot for your money, and my opinion is to put the most of your audio budget on a couple of good speakers. I have discovered that if you would like a much better amp then the Marantz pm-68 you have to put up with at least double it´s cost.

My configuration:
Pioneer PD-91
B&W matrix 805,
on reference stands.
Van den hul cables

Similar Products Used:

Nad and Pioneer 607