[penguinpaul]

For the last week or so ive been totally going around in circles looking for an amp. I've decided the arcam solo mini is too expensive for me (s/h) and I've been looking at separates too. Now at one time I was going to go for the denon pma-710 integrated amp, but everyone says the bass is 'thumpy'.

Now hyperfi have the marantz 502 b-stock for £199.99 which I love the thought of. It's cheap, small and bi amping. They also have the 603 for 299 b-stock. Now the question is, how would this compare to the PM6003? Hyperfi have that b-stock for 229 so....
I get the idea that the mini systems were more expensive originally...
But There is nowhere at all even remotely close to me where I could demo anything. I live in Cornwall, there's a tiny richer sounds about 70 miles away, but it's small, doesn't stock much and probably has no place to let me demo anything.

I have a pair of Quad 11L2 and I am at a loss as to what to do. I'm currently using a cheap av receiver so I want to upgrade. I'm open to any ideas at all.

:-)

[tuny79]

The mcr603 is almost identical to the mcr502 with just few subtle differences eg Internet & sound not a massive difference.

As for the pm6003 you will gain in sound quality but IMO having had the mcr603 & the pm6004 my self there is not a massive difference but that's just my ears I ended up with the solo mini in the end cause it sounds sweet it has it's own unique sound.

But between the mcr502/603 and the pm6004 I would have the mcd603 for net features and dab

Think you were the chap who made me £360 offer for my solo mini the other week ??? Lol

[penguinpaul]

Originally Posted by tuny79

As for the pm6003 you will gain in sound quality but IMO having had the mcr603 & the pm6004 my self there is not a massive difference but that's just my ears I ended up with the solo mini in the end cause it sounds sweet it has it's own unique sound.

Think you were the chap who made me £360 offer for my solo mini the other week ??? Lol

I couldn't have asked for a better response!! I've read so many good things about the micro systems and this is really reassuring.

Yeah I was!! Unfortunately just don't have the budget to stretch to it which is such a shame.

I'm assuming the Arcam is quite a big leap up from the Marantz?
Not that I want to know that considering I think I'm probably going to get the Marantz!!

[tuny79]

The ARCAM solo mini is as close to seperates as you can get from a micro system at the moment unless you pay £2000+ for the naim unity etc
I would say as to the sound quality the solo mini is better than the marantz mcr603 again that's my opinion it's a very smooth detailed & refined sound typical ARCAM sound but the marantz is a great system and you gain some with the Internet features I used mine with B&W 686 speakers & sounded great but a I went for the better sound I wouldn't use most of the marantz features the solo mini does all I want it to plays CDs, dab radio & iPod that's all I need.

Pity you can't listen to them side by side to make up your own mind

I no myself what it's like doin your nut trying to find what you like as it's a lot of money to spend and not be 100% happy with what you get as you never get back what you pay

Another option if ya budget is tight is the denon dm38dab with Dali zensor 1 speakers thats a cracking combo and dosent break the bank

Regards jim

[penguinpaul]

Yeah it's a real shame I can't hear any of these. I've been considering the Denon DF107 which is a 2 box micro system as I've read that it's fantastic, but again, without hearing it on my speakers (Quad 11L2) it's a shot in the dark. :/

[tuny79]

They all sound good in there own way micros are becoming popular nowadays which is why ARCAM , NAIM etc are gettin In on the act.
Denon have been makin them for donkeys years and have always made good ones the collect raving reviews but if you can't listen to any you will have to go with what you like look of and specs you want they all have good reviews.

Go with gut instinct you won't be disapointed with any if I'm honest the only one you will notice a lot of difference is on the solo mini but that's only cause it uses full size power supply and seperates components hence it give the sound quality you'll find from most budget seperates

[penguinpaul]

Yeh I've seen that the arcam uses bits from the cd 63 and the diva amps.
You said that the marantz 603 sounds similar to the pm6003, which is a well regarded budget desperate - so really the Arcam sounds better than budget separates? Or are they actually all so good now that they're similar?

I appreciate all of your posts btw, it's really reassuring for the micro systems.

[tuny79]

That's it I wouldnt go back to seperates now don't think there's any need these days for big full size pile of boxes the likes of Cyrus , REGA brio etc do seperates but not in full size boxes for years now if you open up the marantz pm6004 really you could half the size of the unit.

Its not to bad if you have spare room to turn into music room then seperates with the likes of naim would be the way to go but most these micro systems are as good as most budget seperates and the differences are that subtle most people can't notice any difference

ARCAM solo mini
Marantz mcr603
Denon ceol
Denon df107
Denon dm38

Are all cracking systems In there own right
The arcams in its own league
The mcr603 & denon ceol are almost identical in terms of specks & sound
The denon df107 is basically the dm38 but with bit more grunt

[penguinpaul]

Thanks for all of your help tuny79. As a complete U-turn, I ended up buying an Arcam A85 from the classifieds!
I decided in the end that sound quality is most important, so although it doesn't have all of the extra features that the micros have, it (should ) outperform them sound wise.

[tuny79]

No probs nice amp that is. Enjoy