Greg Jamieson Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Hi guys, I am considering upgrading from an nad 3225 pe to a marants pm5005. I would be greatful for your ideas and is there anything better around for that kind of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwurb Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Marantz PM6006 on sale, if you can stretch the budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jamieson Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 The 6006 is twice the price of the 5005. It would have to be a huge special? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwurb Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 1 minute ago, alpha777 said: The 6006 is twice the price of the 5005. It would have to be a huge special? PM5005 at full price (new) is ~$700. PM6006 at full price (new) is ~$1100. Maybe it would be possible to get the PM6006 for ~$900? Of course if you are looking to get the PM5005 on sale around ~$500 then I have not recommendations for other amps in that price range. I haven't heard the PM5005 but if it sounds similar to PM6006 but is only missing digital inputs then I would also recommend PM5005. Also consider items on the classifieds as there are some good bargains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jamieson Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 Thanks for your thoughts. The 5005 has great reviews and you can pick them up for $560. But I'm not sure what I would gain, whether it would be a whole new level of sound to the nad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wen Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 At that price i dont believe you would get a whole new level of sound, but there would definitly be an improvement, best bet would be to audition and let your ears be the judge. The age of the NAD is against it. Have not heard the PM5005 amp but bought the PM5005 CD player for a friend, in my system most impressed with the quality of sound, compared against a $3200 CD player i have 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cafad Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 The Myryad Z240 units on ebay currently are a bargain. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Myryad-Z-series-Z240-Amplifier-Phono-In-RRP-1299-Black-Great-Sound-Oct-Sale-390/163980335145?hash=item262dfd5829:g:BTUAAOSwgQ9Vp11l&frcectupt=true Less of a warm sound than the Marantz gear but just as good, and cheaper. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwurb Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 54 minutes ago, Cafad said: The Myryad Z240 units on ebay currently are a bargain. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Myryad-Z-series-Z240-Amplifier-Phono-In-RRP-1299-Black-Great-Sound-Oct-Sale-390/163980335145?hash=item262dfd5829:g:BTUAAOSwgQ9Vp11l&frcectupt=true Less of a warm sound than the Marantz gear but just as good, and cheaper. A bit cheaper here: https://www.rio.com.au/product/z240-stereo-amplifier-myryad/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jamieson Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 (edited) Thanks Guys, I have decided that I like the specs of the Onkyo A-9130. All I have to do now is find one for the right price. Cheers. Edited March 6, 2020 by alpha777 typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbz Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 I still think there is a lot to be had in the vintage arena, provided you don't mind the odd niggle like scratchy switches. Depending on the sound you are after, be it "warm" or "neutral", that sort of money would get you a refurb'd Sansui receiver, not over the top, eg, a 661 or a 5050 or vintage Luxman SQ-505X a good vinyl amp or more neutral the yamaha CA-800 though the CA-1000 is worth the stretch. Expect significant change on all these (except the CA-1000). Plenty of others in the Pioneer, Marantz,,,stables Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al.M Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Not sure what your budget is perhaps around $300, but the usual common other used options that come up regularly are Audiolab 8000A, Mission Cyrus, NAD 3020, Arcam, Pioneer 400, Muscial Fidelity, Rotel etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jamieson Posted March 7, 2020 Author Share Posted March 7, 2020 My budget is around $500 and from my research I don't think I can do any better than the Onkyo A-9130 for $497. Vintage stuff may be good but there is no way of knowing. My NAD 3225pe I bought on Ebay but it's a gamble buying from a photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthumbs Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 I've been contemplating moving to a Bluetooth based amp myself and for around the same dollars, and the Yamaha wxa-50 comes to mind but the OP may require the phono input which I think the Onkyo has. http://www.clefhifi.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2791&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwruTzdeH6AIVTB0rCh1s_QCxEAQYBSABEgLdzfD_BwE The Music Cast app thing puts me off though a little, still sounds like to much messing around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakey72 Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 19 hours ago, alpha777 said: Thanks Guys, I have decided that I like the specs of the Onkyo A-9130. All I have to do now is find one for the right price. Cheers. What? Specs aren't worth the paper they are written on especially from Onkyo. What speakers do you have for a start? The Myryad is a much better unit for the price too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david j Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 (edited) If I didn't already have far to many components id snap one of the Myryad amps up Good buying there Edited March 7, 2020 by david j Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wen Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 @alpha777, i agree with @blakey72, careful about what you can read into the specs, John Atkinson from Stereophile magazine reviewed an amp, his comment was that the amp had no right to sound so good when you look at the specs, bottom line, trust your ears, make the effort to review, could save you $$$ and heartache with your purchase 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jamieson Posted March 7, 2020 Author Share Posted March 7, 2020 Come on guys, your telling me not to read too much into specs and reviews and the next thing I read is a discussion about the specs of the amps you're suggesting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wen Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 everybody has an opinion, thats why my suggestion was, review by audition, and let "your" ears decide 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jamieson Posted March 7, 2020 Author Share Posted March 7, 2020 I read a review on the Myriad Z240 and they said although it sounded nice there was nothing special about it. For $1000 + I would expect it to be more than just ordinary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jamieson Posted March 7, 2020 Author Share Posted March 7, 2020 I am not really in a position to audition amps so I guess I have to rely on specs and reviews and form all the reviews and info I can get the Onkyo seems a winner. But that's why I'm talking to you guys, I value your help. I'm 66yrs and my ears arn't what they use to be also mild tinitis so I'm looking for a nice clean sound. I also have a difficult lounge room in that it's L shaped. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakey72 Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 39 minutes ago, alpha777 said: I read a review on the Myriad Z240 and they said although it sounded nice there was nothing special about it. For $1000 + I would expect it to be more than just ordinary. Remember though, this reviewer may be comparing the Myryad to a more expensive amp and you aren't paying $1k for it, you're paying $300 odd. I bet if the reviewer was comparing it to a $300-$400 amp he wouldn't say it's just ordinary. I've owed a Z240 and IMO it would be a step up from the Onkyo. It also has a very clean, clear sound. I trust what @Cafad's opinions hold as he's heard more amps than anyone on here including Onkyo's from memory. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbz Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 The guys budget is $500- He doesn't have the time to audition. Buying vintage does have its risks so would prefer to buy new. Hi-fi is a slippery slope, there's a nice Luxman on ebay for about $7000-... I think he would prefer first hand suggestion in the $500- market... 2c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthumbs Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 Both Selby and Klapp have the Onkyo at $479.00 according to their respective websites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demondes Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 (edited) On 06/03/2020 at 11:32 PM, alpha777 said: Thanks Guys, I have decided that I like the specs of the Onkyo A-9130. All I have to do now is find one for the right price. Cheers. I recommended a Marantz PM5005 a few weeks back to my dad who was looking to replace an old arcam alpha 5 (failing due to age). He bought and loves it. MM phonostage, headphone out remote. his budget was as close to $500-600 just be wary of matching the amp correctly with speakers. When reviewing I also looked at Denon, Yamaha, onkyo etc. i was warned off the onkyo a-9130 and the next one up the ladder 9150? by a dealer who sold them. 2nd hand on StereoNET is another good option but you may need to wait to get the right amp. Edited March 7, 2020 by Demondes 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwurb Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 59 minutes ago, Demondes said: i was warned off the onkyo a-9130 and the next one up the ladder 9150? by a dealer who sold them. Just curious, did he say why? I ask as the reviews are pretty good but reviews don't speak of long term use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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