The New Marantz PM7000N Music Streaming Amplifier At Audio T Swindon. Just Add Speakers

With the recently launched Marantz PM7000N, we now have a one-box Hi-Fi solution without compromise, that offers incredible value for money.​​

Any Hi-Fi enthusiast, whether a seasoned audiophile or someone just setting out on their Hi-Fi journey, will more than likely be acquainted with Marantz. Leaving aside the fact that the Marantz heritage is legend, and is doubtless worthy of a separate blog post, I am keen to focus on their current range of amplifiers; of which the PM7000N is the latest addition.

If you're considering your first Hi-Fi amplifier then a Marantz PM5005 will probably by very close to the top of your shortlist and one listen tells you the brand clearly has a winning formula. It's an enormously talented amp' and for such relatively small beer. Take a step up the ladder to the multi-award winning PM6006, which still continues to garner praise, particularly following its UK tuned edition, the SE, and you have two exceptional amplifiers for a very reasonable price. Equally, take a little look at the present range toppers, the PM10 integrated amplifier, and matching SA10 CD Player. A fine combination that will stand proud against any perceived competitor offering poise, power and control, and outstanding detail and dynamics; not to mention absolute bullet-proof build quality. And while not inexpensive, at literally a pound or two less than £14000, they make for an impeccable partnership that absolutely delights. But with all of that said, what is often easy to overlook is the consistency inherent throughout Marantz' range of amplifiers, particularly when step up from the PM6006 to the next in line, the PM8006.

At this price point your head can easily be turned by the likes of Naim's entry level offering, the Nait 5Si or the equally well regarded Rega Elex-R; both fine amps in their own right. Consequently the PM8006 is often overlooked in favour brands that open their ranges with pricer products. And I have always thought this is a shame as the PM8006 in my experience offers a little taste of the what a high-end equipment can do for your music. I've always found the PM8006 to offer a more mature and powerful sound than those below it; giving a clean and musical presentation, it's never bright, but it does bring the out finer detail. Instruments are resolved with greater realism and it offers a wonderfully deep soundstage, it’s an exceptional amplifier!

The reason for the preamble, is that a little bird tells me that the new Marantz PM700N Streaming Amplifier model is very much based on the PM8006, and in no small way either! There are subtle differences in the spec' sheet. The PM8006 is rated at 70w in to 8 Ohms, 100 into 4 Ohms, while the PM7000N offers 60w & 80w respectively. The PM7000N also includes both a newly designed pre-amplifier circuit and moving-magnet phono-stage, Marantz Current Feedback Amplification and their Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules, in this case the HDAM-SA3. It also includes a brand new DAC circuit built around Asahi Kasei AK4490 chip. In terms of inputs, while a perfect one box solution, the PM7000N has more than enough inputs anyone using multiple sources.

There are three line level inputs, plus the new MM Phono-stage. The inputs for the internal DAC include a single coax input, two optical connections and USB-A port for your PC and the DAC is capable up to PCM 24bit/192 and DSD 5.2 with the USB, coaxial and optical inputs. Naturally there is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and Denon and Marantz's propriety HEOS streaming platform. HEOS gives you access to Amazon Music, Spotify connect, Napster, Pandora, Tune-In and Tidal, to name just a few, and all can be controlled via the HEOS app', which is beautifully straight forward to navigate and the streamer also offers Apple AirPlay 2. There is also a handy feature that allows you to switch off the digital circuits such as the USB input, Bluetooth and & Wi-Fi to enhance analogue replay; particularly useful if your intending to indulge your record collection for an afternoon. ​​

With the tech-specs taken care of, what of course is most important, is how it sounds! Now my impressions are my own, but as with the other amplifiers mentioned in this blog I really do like it and my brief description to the PM8006 sound should give you a very clear indication of what you can expect from the PM7000N.

While assessing the sound, I paired it with both the Monitor Audio‘s Silver 200, to great effect, and with a pair if Spendor A4’s, which are quite a bit more expensive than the amplifier priced at £2400. While the Silver 200 and the A4's are clearly very different the speakers are able to deliver what the speaker designers intended because the amplifier is so well balanced. I won't say too much more about the sound, we all experience sound differently and we also have our personal preferences, but if you’re in the market for an new amplifier, upgrade or downsize or otherwise, the Marantz PM7000N Streaming Amplifier is absolutely worthy of an audition.​

Please contact the Audio T Swindon team and we will be happy to arrange a proper demonstration for you. Call Andy or Andrew on 01793 538222, we are always pleased to hear from you.

Marantz Hi-Fi products are available from all branches of Audio T: