Heavenlysounds
Standard Member
Couple of years ago we bought a Marantz PM6006 amplifier. To cut a long story very short, I have come to the conclusion that there are reliability issues with this amplifier model. Other people on the Internet are also reporting this amplifier going into circuit protection mode with no seeming cause. One reviewer advises avoiding this model due to reliability issues. At other clients, we have Marantz PM500X models with similar power specs - not a single problem at any of those clients. So it would seem that the 600x range are just not as good as the 500x range. The venue halls are similar size so I doubt that capability is the issue.
The speakers we have got are 2 sets of Q Acoustics Q3030i speakers which are 88dB and 145 Watt. My understanding is that these should be easy to drive speakers. They are 6 ohm though, not 8 ohm. Unfortunately the speakers I wanted to get, which were 8ohm were replaced by a newer line which did not review well. These speakers were highly reviewed.
The Marantz PM6006 was suitable for our needs - when it works! I have looked at replacement amplifiers around the same spec and pricing as the Marantz and found the Rotel A11 and Denon PMA-800NE.
The impression that I get is that the Rotel build quality is by far the best of all three amps. Build quality and reliability is a much bigger consideration than anything else given that this is the third time we have had problems with the Marantz amplifier in the space of about 18 months of actual use. The Marantz seem to use poor quality transistors or whatever it is that keeps blowing when the amplifier goes into circuit protection mode.
However a number of people suggest that the Rotel doesn't like difficult to drive speakers (and I am not sure about our speakers in this context) and seems a bit under powered compared to the Denon. The Denon on the other hand comes across as a bit muddy according to some reviewers.
I like the simple design of the rotel more as the Denon interface looks a bit cluttered. I also don't know that I like the Denon power cord not being removable. So I am more keen on the Rotel than the Denon, but would like to get feedback on the concerns raised about the Rotel and if anyone has tried both amps - what do you think?
We need the amp for assembly type volume, gym, dancing - that sort of thing. So doesn't need to be deafeningly loud like a Disco, but obviously a bit louder than you would have your TV for example.
The speakers we have got are 2 sets of Q Acoustics Q3030i speakers which are 88dB and 145 Watt. My understanding is that these should be easy to drive speakers. They are 6 ohm though, not 8 ohm. Unfortunately the speakers I wanted to get, which were 8ohm were replaced by a newer line which did not review well. These speakers were highly reviewed.
The Marantz PM6006 was suitable for our needs - when it works! I have looked at replacement amplifiers around the same spec and pricing as the Marantz and found the Rotel A11 and Denon PMA-800NE.
The impression that I get is that the Rotel build quality is by far the best of all three amps. Build quality and reliability is a much bigger consideration than anything else given that this is the third time we have had problems with the Marantz amplifier in the space of about 18 months of actual use. The Marantz seem to use poor quality transistors or whatever it is that keeps blowing when the amplifier goes into circuit protection mode.
However a number of people suggest that the Rotel doesn't like difficult to drive speakers (and I am not sure about our speakers in this context) and seems a bit under powered compared to the Denon. The Denon on the other hand comes across as a bit muddy according to some reviewers.
I like the simple design of the rotel more as the Denon interface looks a bit cluttered. I also don't know that I like the Denon power cord not being removable. So I am more keen on the Rotel than the Denon, but would like to get feedback on the concerns raised about the Rotel and if anyone has tried both amps - what do you think?
We need the amp for assembly type volume, gym, dancing - that sort of thing. So doesn't need to be deafeningly loud like a Disco, but obviously a bit louder than you would have your TV for example.