Marantz PM6007 Review: Your Ticket to Amazing Sound
Hey everyone, Fred here! If you’re like me, you love great music but hate the idea of spending a fortune on hi-fi gear. You want high-performance sound that doesn’t cost “an arm and a leg.” Well, guess what? The Marantz PM6007 might just be your perfect match. This little powerhouse snagged an award at the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2023, and after diving deep, I totally get why. Let me break it down for you in simple terms.
Marantz’s Mission: Killer Sound on a Budget
Marantz has been on a roll, laser-focused on making the best budget amplifier possible. The PM6007 is their latest step, building brilliantly on its award-winning predecessor, the PM6006 UK Edition. That older model was a champ in its price range, and now the Marantz PM6007 has proudly grabbed the What Hi-Fi? award crown again in 2023. Legacy? Carried forward with style!
Bang for Your Buck? Unbeatable!
For around US$699.00 (prices vary slightly), the Marantz PM6007 delivers sound quality that punches way above its weight. It packs 45 watts per channel (WPC) into 8 ohms. Don’t let the numbers fool you – this amp has serious muscle thanks to enhanced power storage. What does that mean for you? A wide dynamic range, meaning quiet bits are whisper-quiet and big crescendos hit hard without distortion. You get clean, crisp audio quality that brings your music to life.
Connect Everything! Total Versatility
Whether you’re spinning vinyl records for that warm, analog vibe or streaming digital music files for crystal clarity, the Marantz PM6007 has your back. It’s loaded with inputs:
- Two optical inputs (great for TVs, streamers)
- One coaxial input (another top-notch digital option)
- Multiple analog inputs (perfect for your turntable – though you’ll need a separate phono stage, CD player, or tuner)
This flexibility means you can easily hook up all your audio sources and enjoy exceptional sound quality from every single one. It’s a true integrated amplifier hub for your system.
The Big Upgrade: A Stellar DAC
One of the coolest upgrades in the Marantz PM6007 is its new DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) – the Asahi Kasei AK4490. This chip is a star! It handles high-resolution audio signals up to 192 kHz/24-bit. Translation? It can reproduce the tiniest details in your music with incredible accuracy. Think the breath of a singer, the pluck of a guitar string, or the shimmer of cymbals. The result? An immersive listening experience that feels realistic and engaging. Every note, every instrument, comes through with impressive clarity and richness. This DAC upgrade is a massive win for sound quality.
Built to Last, Looks the Part
The Marantz PM6007 isn’t just about sound; it looks and feels like quality. The aluminum front panel is sleek and sturdy, giving it a premium feel. The knobs for volume, bass, and treble are solid and satisfying to use. Around back, you’ll find robust connections: all those analog and digital inputs we mentioned, plus speaker outputs and even a subwoofer output to add some bass punch if you want. It’s built for the long haul.
Tweak Your Sound: Digital Filters
Want to personalize the audio? The PM6007 lets you choose between two digital filters:
- Slow Roll-off Filter: Gives a warmer, smoother, more natural sound. Think relaxed listening sessions. Great if your system or ears prefer something gentler.
- Sharp Roll-off Filter: Delivers clearer, more detailed sound, especially in the highs and lows. Perfect when you want dynamic, exciting, foot-tapping energy.
This simple choice lets you fine-tune the frequency response to match your listening preferences or your speaker characteristics.
What’s in the Box?
Marantz packs the Marantz PM6007 securely in a sturdy cardboard box with protective polystyrene blocks. Inside, you get:
- The amplifier (of course!)
- A handy pre-programmed infrared remote control
- A power cable
- Two AAA batteries for the remote
- A quick start guide
- A CD-ROM with the full user manual
Final Verdict
So, is the Marantz PM6007 the best budget amplifier out there? Based on its award-winning performance, absolutely! It delivers genuinely high-performance sound with that classic Marantz musicality, all at a price that won’t wreck your savings. The upgraded AK4490 DAC is a game-changer for digital music, the build is durable and classy, and the versatility with inputs is fantastic. Highly recommended!
Marantz PM6007 Technical Specifications
| Category | Feature | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Amplification | Channels | 2 |
| Power Output | 45W/ch (8Ω RMS) | |
| Current Feedback Topology | Yes | |
| Full Balanced Circuitry | No | |
| Double Mono Construction | No | |
| Analog Section | HDAM Modules | SA3, SA2 |
| High-Grade Audio Components | Yes | |
| Customized Components | Yes | |
| Phono Stage | Phono EQ (MM) | Standard |
| Marantz Musical/Musical Premium | No | |
| Digital Section | DAC Chipset | AK4490 |
| Max Sample Rate | 192kHz/24-bit | |
| Digital Filters | Slow/Sharp Roll-off | |
| Inputs | Optical Inputs | 2 |
| Coaxial Input | 1 | |
| Analog Inputs | Multiple RCA | |
| USB Audio (Front/Rear) | No | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth/Wi-Fi | No |
| LAN/Streaming Services | No | |
| AirPlay/Roon Ready | No | |
| Voice Control | No | |
| Tone Controls | Bass/Treble Adjustment | Yes |
| Mid Control | No | |
| Balance Control | Yes | |
| Loudness Button | No | |
| Construction | Power Transformer | Toroidal |
| Chassis Material | Aluminum (Front Panel) | |
| Copper-Plated Chassis | No | |
| Heat Sink Design | Aluminum Extrusion | |
| Symmetric PCB Layout | No | |
| Audio Formats | Hi-Res Playback Support | Via DAC Only |
| DSD/FLAC/ALAC Support | No | |
| Convenience | Remote Control App | Not Supported |
| Analog Mode | No |
Key Notes:
- DAC Performance: Features AK4490 DAC supporting 192kHz/24-bit resolution
- Phono Input: Dedicated MM phono stage (no MC support)
- Tone Management: Bass/Treble/Balance controls (no mid-range adjustment)
- Premium Build: Toroidal transformer + aluminum front panel
- Legacy Focus: Traditional analog/digital inputs (no streaming/wireless)
- Filter Options: Dual digital filters for sound customization