Marantz PM6005 Amplifier

I think I may know the answer!

The reviewers' perception of ""well, its in the same boat as the previous PM6004 amplifier. The PM6004 had rave reviews so therefore the 6005 MUST also be good."" WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.

I am 62 years old. Even to my aged ears, the PM6005 is "edgy" at best. It is bordering on "harsh" at higher volume.

I think that transients are over exaggerated artificially. This gives the impression of detail but after a short while it is most fatiguing.

The designers have also been a bit clever bordering on being a bit sneaky perhaps? When switching over from analogue input to the in built DAC (S/PDIF), there is a marked increase in volume. This again gives the impression that it is a better quality sound. Again, wrong, it is merely louder and equally as edgy.

Now the good points, (yes there are some very good features). Clarity of staging is sublime and three dimensional. Details are pinpoint and distant undertones are subtle.

The good points cannot out weigh the bad however and therefore I would not recommend the PM6005 amplifier.

Background:

Reviewed April 2015.

Best retail price at the time £268.90

Input Sources:

Marantz CD-53, Cambridge Audio DAB300, Pro-ject / Ortophon OMB 5E

Outputs:

Sennhieser HD600 headphones

Tannoy HPD315 Cheviot speakers

Tannoy Sensys DC2 speakers

Tannoy Sensys DCC speakers

Wharfdale Diamond 9.1 speakers