Marantz MM7025

[prepress]

I'm doing my own research of course, but thought I'd ask if anyone has experience with or knowledge of this amp? The 140wpc sounds nice to use. I was thinking of gettting it for a small bedroom system, utilizing it along with other pieces displaced from my main setup in recent years (Marantz DV8400, Denon TU-800), plus the Sound Dynamics speakers already there. I am also considering a Yamaha integrated, but the 7025 would let me pull out my B&K Pro-10 preamp.

And, the 7025 has 4-way binding posts. I think that usually means no bananas, is that right?

[Pio]

Originally Posted by prepress

I'm doing my own research of course, but thought I'd ask if anyone has experience with or knowledge of this amp? The 140wpc sounds nice to use. I was thinking of gettting it for a small bedroom system, utilizing it along with other pieces displaced from my main setup in recent years (Marantz DV8400, Denon TU-800), plus the Sound Dynamics speakers already there. I am also considering a Yamaha integrated, but the 7025 would let me pull out my B&K Pro-10 preamp.

And, the 7025 has 4-way binding posts. I think that usually means no bananas, is that right?

In my HT, I use the 5 channel version (M7055) and I use banana plugs, you won't have an issue there. Go for the 7025 / B&K combo if you can. The 7055 is nicely built but not as solid as the Rotel 1075 it replaced. I use mine for the center and surrounds and it has never run out of steam.

However, I got the 7055 when I picked up the matching AV7005 pre / pro (which is simply amazing for the price) and I wish I would've looked at Emotiva at that price range. Especially after the glowing reviews Emotiva gets online including the one Kal wrote up in Stereophile.

For your application (and at the same $799 price as the 7025) Emotiva sells a 300 wpc amp that does 500 into 4 ohms. This means it puts out a lot more current than the Marantz can. You might not need all that power, but for the same money I think it's a no brainer.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by Pio

In my HT, I use the 5 channel version (M7055) and I use banana plugs, you won't have an issue there. Go for the 7025 / B&K combo if you can. The 7055 is nicely built but not as solid as the Rotel 1075 it replaced. I use mine for the center and surrounds and it has never run out of steam.

However, I got the 7055 when I picked up the matching AV7005 pre / pro (which is simply amazing for the price) and I wish I would've looked at Emotiva at that price range. Especially after the glowing reviews Emotiva gets online including the one Kal wrote up in Stereophile.

For your application (and at the same $799 price as the 7025) Emotiva sells a 300 wpc amp that does 500 into 4 ohms. This means it puts out a lot more current than the Marantz can. You might not need all that power, but for the same money I think it's a no brainer.

Thanks for the suggestions. The reason I wasn't looking at something more powerful was that the Sound Dynamics speakers have a recommended power range of 15-100w. But I'm driving my main speakers, rated 100-300w, with a pair of 500w monoblocks, so there's a precedent for your suggestion. And since you mentioned Emotiva, I could certainly check them out. My bedroom is so small (this is a 1BR, after all), high volumes won't be an issue generally. It would be interesting to compare an Emotiva offering to the Marantz, as nothing else I've found so far offers the price/power ratio the 7025 does.

I'll also need to keep in mind that this is a secondary system which won't see a lot of use, plus (the BIG one) there are budget constraints, another reason I wasn't aiming very high. The 7025 seems to offer good bang for the buck and could drive my main speakers if need be. All the more reason to agree that a separate power amp could be of greater benefit over an integrated in terms of flexibility.

[Pio]

Originally Posted by prepress

Thanks for the suggestions. The reason I wasn't looking at something more powerful was that the Sound Dynamics speakers have a recommended power range of 15-100w. But I'm driving my main speakers, rated 100-300w, with a pair of 500w monoblocks, so there's a precedent for your suggestion. And since you mentioned Emotiva, I could certainly check them out. My bedroom is so small (this is a 1BR, after all), high volumes won't be an issue generally. It would be interesting to compare an Emotiva offering to the Marantz, as nothing else I've found so far offers the price/power ratio the 7025 does.

I'll also need to keep in mind that this is a secondary system which won't see a lot of use, plus (the BIG one) there are budget constraints, another reason I wasn't aiming very high. The 7025 seems to offer good bang for the buck and could drive my main speakers if need be. All the more reason to agree that a separate power amp could be of greater benefit over an integrated in terms of flexibility.

I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the Marantz piece. Like I mentioned, I really like my 7055 and I am very impressed overall with Marantz sound. I'm using their N7004 music streamer in my 2 chnl system, very happy.

Re: Power; In my HT I use a Sunfire 600 wpc for the front B&W 805S speakers rated at 120 watt handling and in my office I use a 300 wpc version for B&W 685's And, I've run this set up for over one year with no issue whatsoever.

It's kind of like a high horsepower car, it can be a lot of fun but if your silly with the throttle, it will get you into trouble either with the police or a light pole.

If you don't keep an eye on the volume control a high power amp will kill the driver. Actually, a low power amp trying to play at high volume or keep up with big music peaks will be more dangerous because it's likely to clip. A clipped signal will send the tweeters to high's heaven.

Good luck with the 7025!

[prepress]

I'll check Rotel also, I think, before I go after the Marantz. But I like the Marantz sound in general, and the pieces should fit well (Marantz, Denon, B&K... it does sound like a good match).

[prepress]

Emotiva does indeed have a 300w amp for the price of the 7025. They also have 200w monoblocks for less ($349 each). There's also the Outlaw 2200 monos (200w, Class D) for that same price. This is becoming too many choices; time to do some whittling down of the list.

[Volks]

prepress what Sound Dynamics do you have?

[prepress]

Originally Posted by Volks

prepress what Sound Dynamics do you have?

Volks,

It's the RTS-3 series, with a 1.5" tweeter and 6.5" woofer. They were, I understand, something of a classic and are no longer in production. I like their sound very much. Currently, they're attached to a Harmon-Kardon receiver and some entry-level Audioquest speaker cable.