Need a little integrated?

[mdaudioguy]

Just picked up an open-box (a floor model that was never connected to anything) Marantz PM5004 integrated amp for $139.99 from Best Buy. Just wanted to put that out there in case anyone was interested. Haven't even heard it yet, but it can't be awful.... can it? :wink:

[mhardy6647]

It should be pretty respectable based on what I've read...

[CCNJ]

Wow - The PM 5004 retails for $449. So I would say that $139 for an open box item is a killer price. Not a lot of professional reviews on the PM5004 but many customers gave it a good rating.

[cnh]

I think you're good at that price, even their AVRs are fairly "musical" compared to others. I mean an integrated for less than 150, new? Get-outta-here!

Have fun!

cnh

[heiney9]

Killer price compared to retail. As far as sound, depends on what your expectations are. I'm sure it's decent, but not sure it will knock your socks off.

H9

[skrol]

Man, you got my price beat. I picked up one a couple months ago and it is a sweet little amp. If it had a little more power it would replace my Denon. I had to push it close to 40% to get my RTA11TL's to show some life in my relatively large listening room. The sound is nicely refined with a touch of warmth. It is relatively low power at 35W into 8 ohms but would me great for a small room. The headphone section also sounds quite nice.

http://www.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/new_products_from_marantz/
http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/marantz_pm5003_integrated_amplifier/index.html

[mdaudioguy]

Glad to hear you like yours, Stan. What are you doing with it now? My expectations are realistic. I'm wondering what I'll think of it as compared to a Cambridge I once had, which I really liked. If I like it, I might just go grab the other one they had! Or maybe point my son in that direction.

Most I'll probably use it for is to push some bookshelves. Now to find what they might be...

[skrol]

Right now it is sitting in its box waiting to be put into service or sold. I saw the amp for a nice price and curiosity got the better of me. I like the amp but just doesn't have the drive to fill my rather large listening area (family room and kitchen). My old Denon receiver does this effortlessly.

It would be great in a smaller room pushing some bookies. If I keep it, I'll likely do a 2ch setup in the basement with a pair of Monitor 5's or the S8's.

[DeadFeat1]

Really love my PM5004 driving RTiA1s. You bought a really fine integrated at a great price. I stumbled on mine at Best Buy for $231 w/ a $12 rebate from my credit card...Enjoy

I can't turn it up past 1:00 because it is far too loud in my 12 x 13 room. 9:00 to 10:00 provides very enjoyable listening levels. Stereophile gave it a very favorable review...