Marantz pm7003 review what hi fi

The Marantz PM7003 stereo current feedback integrated amplifier is the perfect solution for the audiophile seeking uncompromising musicality with flexible operation

-MARANTZ PM7003 AMPLIFIER - Product Description

The Marantz PM7003 stereo current feedback integrated amplifier is the perfect solution for the audiophile seeking uncompromising musicality with flexible operation. Delivering 2 x 70 watts into 8 ohms, this amplifier features symmetrical circuits for perfect image balancing, and uses high-grade audio components and current feedback HDAMs (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules) to preserve the music's dynamic structure, tonal quality and stereo image.

The 2-stage construction concept, the short, symmetrical signal paths and the stable power supply, supplying high-speed instantaneous current, further underline the superb build-quality of the Marantz PM7003. The phono MM input and two pairs of speaker terminals complete the list, making the Marantz PM7003 the perfect centrepiece of your stereo system. Enjoy the exceptional sound quality of the Marantz PM7003.

Current Feedback 2 x 70 watts (8 ohms) power amplification New solid reference standard chassis High-speed instantaneous current supply power amplifier design Fast signal handling and extended frequency range Marantz current feedback Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules HDAM Symmetric circuit architecture Linear Drive Power Supply High-grade audio components Source Direct function for best sound quality Six audio inputs including phono (MM) Tone control Amp direct mode for operation as power amplifier only (for bi-amp mode or extension of A/V-Receiver) Two pair of speaker outputs - A/B Detachable power cord
  • System remote control and Marantz D-Bus

More Information BrandsMarantz Product Specifications

  • Total harmonic distortion 0.0001%
  • Damping Factor at 8 ohm 100dBs
  • Signal to noise ratio 85dB Phono
  • Dimensions (HxWxD) in mm 364x440x123
  • Finish Black or Silver
  • Power Output 2 x 70 Watts per Channel
  • Inputs 6 x Audio plus Phono
  • Power Consumption 200 Watts
  • Weight 10.5kg
  • Speaker Terminals A plus B Gold Plated Banana

Warranty information for Marantz:

Marantz pm7003 review what hi fi

Marantz products are designed and manufactured to the highest quality standards. However, if something does go wrong with the product we are here to help. From your date of purchase your product is warranted against faulty materials or workmanship a period from 24 months, Marantz Ruby Products are warranted for a period of 36 months which can be extended at no extra charge to 60 months upon registration. Click Here to register.

This guarantee applies to all Marantz Products including Blu Ray Players, Book Shelf Speakers, CD Players, Headphones, Hi Fi Amplifiers and Receivers, Home Cinema Amplifiers and Systems as well as award winning Mini Systems, Sound Bars and Turntables. Providing you with peace of mind and the assurance of premium Quality.

Hi, I'm looking to upgrade my budget system, a Marantz PM4001 (30w @ 8ohm) & Mordaunt Short Avant 902i for something with more power / punch, yet still keeping to a midrange budget. I'm not interested in the newest, but older good quality 2nd hand seperates for more bang for the buck.

I listen to alot of bass heavy & rhythmic music with vocals such as 70s Reggae / Dub, Funk, Jazz Funk, RnB / Soul, Hip Hop & Jungle /DnB, mostly via my Technics 1210 MKII but also on cd. So my current set up just isn't cutting it. While I like bass, it needs to be weighty yet sensitive to lower subass frequencies, not muddy / boomy. Also the rhythm of the drums, guitars, keyboards & vocals also need to be clearly defined & not overpowered by the bass.

With this in mind the amplifiers I'm considering are the following: Yamaha A-S500 (What Hi Fi gave it a 5 star review) Yamaha A-S500 review | What Hi-Fi? Yamaha A-S501 Yamaha A-S501 review | What Hi-Fi? Yamaha A-S700 (What Hi Fi gave it an average review) Yamaha A-S700 review | What Hi-Fi? Marantz PM7200 Marantz PM7200 Integrated Amplifiers user reviews : 4.1 out of 5 - 20 reviews - audioreview.com Marantz PM7003 or 4 Marantz UK | PM7003 Marantz ENG | PM7004

DAC is not essential as this is for two channel music only & not intended for movies /surround sound, but it might be useful to connect my tablet / phone for playing my digital flac, wav, mp3 music aswell as recording to my tablet. Since i like to rip my vinyl to archive digitally to store on my desktop computer hardrive or to upload to my YouTube channel. I currently do this using an Irig UA interface https://www.amazon.co.uk/IK-Multimedia-Effects-Processor-Interface/dp/B00TY2X4BW which outputs audio from my amp to record direct audio / video via my android phone over a usb connection. It's meant for guitars but it also works for digitally ripping my records.

What I do need are two seperate record in/outputs since I have a tape recorder aswell as a cd recorder. A record selector input is useful to select the source to record from. All those amplifiers listed have these functions accept for dac which I could buy separately anyway if needed.

I will also need to upgrade my speakers that will work well with the amplifier. I cannot decide between a bookshelf or a two way plus tweeter floorstanding speaker. I assume having two bass woofers or a woofer & midrange speaker plus tweeter will give out a wider array of sound? With this in mind I'm condisidering these:

(Floorstanding) Q Acoustics 3050 (not the newer i version) Q Acoustics 3050 Floorstanding Speakers (Pair) (Floor standing) Klipsch R-26F or R-28F (Top end of my budget 2nd hand) Klipsch Reference (R24F, R26F, R28F) Tower Speakers Review (Floor standing) Cambridge Audio SX80 Cambridge Audio SX80 (Walnut) (Bookshelf) Monitor Audio Bronze 2 Bronze 2 | Bookshelf Speakers | Monitor Audio (Bookshelf) Monitor Audio BX2 (apparently not quite as good as BR2?) BX2 (Bookshelf) B&W 602 S3 vs B&W 685 S2 That Was Then… B&W 602 S3 review | What Hi-Fi?

Thanks

Last edited: Jun 18, 2019

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Hi. Out of the amplifiers, the pm7004 would my choice. Why? Well for one I listen to more or less the exact same music you do and Looked at same brands at that time

2nd I've had the pm7001ki (preceding model becore pm7003/4 with a little pep ) and had a good session as500 with my current speakers and in my view, while good the technics sounded a bit. cllinical and got a bit fatiguing after a while. The marantz was a warmer smoother sound to me and on point Not heard the as700 so cannot comment.

Speakers play the biggest part in sonic appreciation so without hearing those listed i cannot say. Except i have the ma bx2/5 and didn't like much.

Speaker size is usually determined by room space, layout, preference , wife or girlfriend. If not got the latter 2 then its Down to the former 3. Information about the room would be handy as maybe other suitable suggestions can be made

bookshelves can have same foot print as floorstanders if on stands. Floorstanders can produce more bass becausr of the bigger cabinets. So if you can accommodate bookshelves on stands then you should consider floorstanders as well.

Lastly, forget WHF reviews. They makes the leaning tower of Pisa straight as a dye. Go by users as they're the ones who paid money and living with the kit

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Hey Don Dadda (Super Cat?), the room size is 13ft long by 9ft wide in regards to the speaker choice.

Yeah, I have had my eye on the Marantz PM7004 but they appear to be hard to come by 2nd hand, ditto PM7003. Having searched ebay & googled there are none listed in the UK, which could be a sign that most people like them & not willing to sell them on. There are a couple of the older PM001 & 7200 but not many. The newer PM7005 that has a DAC has dealers pricing them around £700

The Yamaha A-S500 & 501 appears to be a bit easier to find used & more affordable.

Sellers listing as Collection only (no postage) also limits what I can buy when not local to Manchester. But just like hunting down hard to find records patience is a virtue when it comes to these things.

Last edited: Jun 18, 2019

  • 4

    Hey Don Dadda (Super Cat?)

Ya dun know

I have to agree, the PM700x are rare as hen's teeth on the s/hand market. Seldom do they appear and when they do, are snapped up. I did find a 7005 the following on the bay, but wouldn't expect it to be there for too long

Marantz pm 7005 | eBay

The pm7200 are getting long in the tooth and so the risk is greater of getting problematic one. I personally wouldn't look below Pm700x range now.

There are pro and cons for both the 7003/4 and 7005. The 7003/4 has Direct Amp in or better known as to the rest of the world -HT bypass. Very handy if adding or incorporating into av setup The 7005 has a dac but no HT bypass. this may be more preferable for you needs.

Admittedly i am bit bias towards marantz as a pre owner but not above all else.

What's the budget for speakers and amp? i don' see it mentioned. Suitable alternatives could suggested by others.

The room is a bit on the small size but if only for music then you can have whatever speaker size you want. If its the main living room then bookshelves maybe the best option

XTZ 99.25 MkII are excellent bookshelves which are able to tune for best results could be had had for around £300 s/hand, but again, rare as hens teeth.

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Budget wise around £450 max for both but would like to aim for less if possible. So that rules out the Marantz PM7005.

The Yamaha A-S500 might be the better compromise since the Marantz are more in demand. They sell for around £100 to £140 used depending on condition. I notice that the A-S501 which has the DAC goes for only slightly more. I found one on eBay for £150 in Ex cond. Looks identical, has two record in/out connectors but unlike the A-S500 has no Record Selector input on the front. What's the main benefit of this? as it appears to be redundant on newer amplifiers.

For now I think I'll hold out for a Marantz PM700x series to turn up first, pref 3/4. No rush. I just need to narrow down my speaker choice.

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Seems you have found some interesting amps, as you say hold on for what you want. I do think though that your room is too small for floorstanders. Admittedly they do take up the footprint of standmounts on good stands but floorstanders simply do not like being pushed into a corner which is something you should consider. Standmounts will be easier to place and may very well outperform floorstanders in small rooms.

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As yet nothing has turned up on ebay in the uk for the Marantz PM7003/4

However there are few of the older PM7001 listed, with this one located not far from where I live. I'd prefer silver to match my system but it's not essential. BOXED! Marantz PM7001 Hi Fi Separates Phono Stage Stereo Integrated Amplifier 4951035029527 | eBay

I can still hold out for a 3 or 4 model as my current amp works fine. Upgrading my speakers first is more of a priority. I'm just wondering how the PM7001 compares to the PM7200? Are they from the same vintage year? It was mentioned that the PM7200 is a bit too old now so more likely it could develop a fault.

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As you like sharply defined bass I’d suggest floorstanders are a non starter in your room.

In fact I’d go for quality over quantity in any given situation, but especially in a relatively small room.

Therefore I’d strongly suggest these as the current bargain of the moment... half priced gems.

KEF R100 Bookshelf Speakers

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Last edited: Jul 14, 2019

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The NADs are of no use as they don't have a phono stage. I also need two sets of record input/outputs & a record selector switch would be useful. The Audiolab is interesting but probably too vintage for me.

As far as bookshelf speakers I've been eyeing up the recent Monitor Audio Bronze 2, which I think is an improvement over the older Br2 (metal speaker rims) & the BX2.

However the similar budget front ported ELAC Debut 6.2 looks to be a a better choice given the highly rated reviews. Although speaker sound Is a personal choice & I'm aware can be determined by the room size & accoustics. The Elacs are looking good tho as far as my meagre budget extends. I'm just unsure on whether 3 way standmounts would give me a much bigger sound due to cabinet size, etc.

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I wouldn’t ignore the Kef R100s. They are in a different league to the MAs. They are after all more than twice the price of the MAs.

Speakers are far and away the biggest contribution of any hifi to the sound you hear, so the best quality for the money is the way to go.

If you like the sound of MAs I’d suggest these would be a better buy;

Monitor Audio Silver Rx1 Speakers Ash Black | eBay

These also have an excellent reputation for clarity and impact.

Cambridge Aero 2 speakers | eBay

Neither would I ignore the Nads. They are top class amps.

Adding one of these would give you a very fine phono stage. At least as good as any you’ll find in an integrated amp at your budget.

Cambridge Audio CP1 Phono Pre-amp, MM

I also think the nads have two input/outputs. Finding an amp with a record selector switch might be difficult though.

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    As far as bookshelf speakers I've been eyeing up the recent Monitor Audio Bronze 2, which I think is an improvement over the older Br2 (metal speaker rims) & the BX2.

The MAs are £279. The KEF R100s are £299. The KEFs are in a different league to the MAs, always have been. Six months ago the R100s were retailing for £600.

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If you can't find a 7 series Marantz, have a look for an 8 series. There's normally plenty of those doing the rounds on Ebay and the like.

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    The MAs are £279. The KEF R100s are £299. The KEFs are in a different league to the MAs, always have been. Six months ago the R100s were retailing for £600.

I have come across them but what puts me off are there small compact size, comments I read are that the bass is not weighty, so of no use for the types of music I listen too. They also only have one speaker & are rear porting which means placement could an issue. The R300 appears to make up for this but still fetch quite a high price £500 on ebay.

I like the bigger sound you should get from the speakers with bigger cabinets. I may even consider the older 3 way standmount speakers. Most new bookshelf speakers thesedays are very compact.

Last edited: Jul 15, 2019

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    If you can't find a 7 series Marantz, have a look for an 8 series. There's normally plenty of those doing the rounds on Ebay and the like.

Not much joy there either. Looking at the 8 series. The models with two sets of record in/outputs are models PM8004 & below. However only the older PM8001 has a record input selector. Looking on Ebay for the 8001 available in the UK is also hard to come by.

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You can still get the R300s new from Peter Tyson for £599 and they are worth every penny. I run a pair and have them driven by a Rega Elicit-R and they do like power. Capable of every genre of music they are fast and agile and capable of very deep bass for a standmount reaching 42hz. The R300s are true three way speakers. Like the R100s they are rear ported.

KEF R300 Bookshelf Speakers

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£599 is way over my budget, I'm looking at £400 as a maximum (but ideally less) for both the amp & speakers. This why I'm going the 2nd hand route.

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  • 18

I’m very impressed by the Yamaha AS501. It’s powerful yet airy and controlled. Good bass extension and a very open, natural sound. It’s a cracking amp.

It’s also enormous and you can use it to sit the extended family round at Christmas.

If you’re interested, keep an eye on the classified forum. To say my wife is unimpressed by its look is an understatement whilst my children are wondering where the giant spaceship came from.

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The 501 has no Record Input selector but I was considering the 500 which does. However there are some mixed views on the quality of its build & the brightness of its sound when compared to the Marantz. By accounts it would require more careful pairing with speakers.

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  • 20

The 501 has a moving magnet phono input. I’ve never used it so can’t comment on its capability.

  • 21

    The MAs are £279. The KEF R100s are £299. The KEFs are in a different league to the MAs, always have been. Six months ago the R100s were retailing for £600

Hello, make sense to exchange my Rotel ra1520 with Marantz pm7003? Speakers kef r300 Pro ject 1xpression

Thanks Mel

  • 22

    Hello, make sense to exchange my Rotel ra1520 with Marantz pm7003? Speakers kef r300 Pro ject 1xpression
Thanks Mel

Sideways move at best. You'll gain little in outright power, just 10 watts between the two. Marantz has better THD but hardly noticeable. Depends what you're going to pay for the Marantz as it's an old unit.

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Sideways move at best. You'll gain little in outright power, just 10 watts between the two. Marantz has better THD but hardly noticeable. Depends what you're going to pay for the Marantz as it's an old unit.

What is the price of Marantz PM7003?

Rs 35000 Marantz PM7003 70 RMS x 2@8 Ohm HDAM Amp-Direct Mode High Grade Components Stereo Amplifier.

Does Marantz PM7000N have DAC?

The quality sound continues with the choice of internal DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor). Using the highly rated Asahi-kasei AK4490EQ chipset, the PM7000N is able to stream Hi-Res 192kHz/24 bit signals through all its digital inputs. Connect via the USB and the PM7000N also decodes DSD files up to 5.6MHz.