Quite often you get an amp that does one thing very well and nothing else. The PM7001 serves my SA7001 very well. Plug in any source and the sound is refined including that from my Sony MDS-JB980.

Funny how things go. I was going to get rid of my Sony MDS-JB980. Thank god I didn't because the PM7001 captures the music from my minidisc like no other amp has done.

I don't get the punchiness of the bass that I used to get from my old Kenwood amp. But I don't think I miss it that much. The kenwood was a wild care free amp.

I like look and simplicity of the PM7001. I can never understand why Marantz ditched this simple plain facia for the current one with bridges and benches. One thing for sure I will not be rushing to the Hi Fi shop for another amp for a while.

For living room listening this is a superb amp.

The Marantz PM7001 Integrated Amplifier is the best stereo amplifier I have owned to date. I purchased it as part of a matched set, which includes the Marantz PM7001, a Marantz DV7001 Universal Disc Player, and a Marantz ST7001 AM/FM/XM Stereo Tuner. Two months later, I purchased a "B" stock Marantz PMD505 dual-well cassette deck. One month after that, I purchased a pair of 1986 vintage Marantz SP-1200 12" 3-way speakers in new condition in their original packaging. The PM7001 produces the same warm - albeit cleaner - sound as the 1970s vintage Marantz Model 1152DC Stereo Integrated Amplifier. The VOLUME control produces the same sound pressure levels at the same volume settings as the Model 1152DC. I auditioned an 1152DC on a pair of Marantz HD-770 12" 4-way speakers when I was 18 years old back in 1978, but could not afford to purchase either of them at the time. Presently, I have a vintage Marantz system consisting of a Model 2265 Stereophonic Receiver, a Model 6200 Turntable, a Model 5220 Cassette Recorder, and a pair of HD-770 speakers. To be fair, I have used the PM7001 with the HD-770s to compare it to the sound I remembered coming from them on the 1152DC back in 1978. The PM7001 sounds as warm, but slightly cleaner. The SP-1200s are used almost exclusively with the PM7001. However, I also used them with my 2265 receiver to see how they sound on it. Again, the PM7001 sounded as warm, but slightly cleaner. I then ran the comparisons between the between the HD-770s and the SP-1200s on both the PM7001 and the 2265 after removing the Vari-Q plugs from the HD-770s because the SP-1200s are ported bass reflex speakers. For some reason, the SP-1200s seem to have a bit more clarity than the HD-770s on both the 2265 and the PM7001, even though the HD-770s are better built and all of their components are working properly.

I am not concerned about the lack of an LED lamp on the VOLUME control as the deep, creased, elliptical indentation in it seems to sufficiently indicate the volume level, even in dim light. The PM7001's only drawbacks that it lacks SWITCHED/UNSWITCHED electrical outlets on the rear panel (the Marantz PM7000 Integrated Amplifier has them), and has a combined DVD/AUX setting on the front selector control and rear input jacks instead of separate DVD and AUX settings. The MM PHONO input is very convenient as I do occasionally listen to vinyl records. Some vinyl recordings, and many Bakelite (78 RPM) recordings, are not available on CD or cassette. I use my PC as its primary recorder and, occasionally, my cassette deck as its secondary recorder. The electronic BASS and TREBLE controls are accurate enough that a LOUDNESS contour, which boosts BASS and TREBLE at low listening levels, is not needed. The active filtering on the PM7001 negates any need for, and is much more accurate than, LOW and HIGH FILTERS. Therefore, this unit has neither a LOUDNESS contour nor LOW and HIGH FILTERS. The 2265 receiver, the 1152DC amplifier, and other vintage analog receivers and amplifiers, have them because they need them. I find the detailed RECORD SELECTOR control on the front panel of the PM7001 to be very useful. Sadly, this feature was deleted from the newer Marantz PM8003 Integrated Amplifier. The SOURCE DIRECT and 1-SPEAKERS-2 push-button controls on the PM7001 are also very useful. The HEADPHONES jack on the front panel makes private listening easy. The champagne-colored chrome SOURCE INDICATOR dial adds a touch of class, and, along with the free-turning SOURCE INDICATOR knob with click-detentes, is quite handy.

The blue vertical rectangle near the center of the metal faceplate, which illuminates brightly when the unit is powered on, is a strong reminder that the PM7001 Integrated Amplifier is a Marantz through and through. And like its 1970s vintage ancestors, it is very sturdy, but not quite as heavy. The PM7001 weighs 23.1 lbs, and is conservatively rated at 70 watts RMS per channel @ 8 ohms, 100 watts RMS per channel @ 4 ohms, both channels driven from 20-20,000Hz @ < 0.02% Total Harmonic Distortion. Its Damping Factor is 100 from 20-20,000Hz @ 8 ohms. It easily outperforms all of today's so-called 800 watt surround receivers and amps of other brands I have personally auditioned at some of the retail superstores. The PM7001 amplifier slightly outperforms the 1977 vintage 2265 receiver, which is conservatively rated at 65 watts RMS per channel @ 8 ohms, 85 watts per channel @ 4 ohms, both channels driven from 20-20,000Hz @ < 0.08% Total Harmonic Distortion, with a Damping Factor of 55 @ 20Hz.

Overall, I would rate the Marantz PM7001 Stereo Integrated Amplifier at 4.75 out of 5, or 9.5 out of 10.

One serious complaint I have about Marantz in general, is that the company no longer manufactures any full-range hi-fi stereo speaker systems or headphones of any kind or quality. Marantz really should start manufacturing high quality full-range stereo speaker systems and headphones again. The company is most certainly capable of doing so, and doing it well.

Very well built
Thoughtful design and features for truly good sound.
Warm sounding yet very detailed and clean. Produces very low defined bass.
At 70wpc it will drive most speakers efficiently.
Special CD input buffer allows for use with high performance CD players.
Tone controls work very well providing smooth increases in bass/treble. There is also a source direct mode bypassing tone and balance controls.

No lighted indicator on the volume knob

For the money this is one of the best sounding integrated amps you can buy. It is very solidly built and well designed for a $650 integrated amp. Some interesting features are the input buffer circuit on the gold plated CD input which essentially allows for higher signal to noise ratio and channel separation on the CD input. I really think this integrated was made to be paired with the great sounding Marantz SA8001 SACD player which has a frequency response of 2hz - 50kz and dynamic range of 112db when playing SACD's. The special CD input on the integrated can handle the extra bandwidth. Also the chassis are exactly the same size and style. Fit and finish is very good and the only ergonomic grip I have is with the volume control. First, and this is nit picking, there is no light on the volume knob to let you know where the volume is set at. Second, using the remote, when you give the volume up or down a quick single press the volume ramps up or down several steps. I would have preferred a volume adjustment with smaller increments of change.

detailed dynamic yet smooth, well built,very powerful. pre out is very useful for connecting sub. in that case sub volume will be controlled by the amp`s nob.l

bass can be very slightly loose, does not operate at voltages below 220 volts (power protection circuit comes into play). binding posts could have been stronger.

very well built, dynamic,detailed and yet smooth soundig amp. sound does not crack at high volumes and remain in total control of the things.bass goes deep down means it does not give extra emphasis to mid bass.can be used with detailed sounding cdps like cambridge audio 640c v2 with astounding effect.good for every kind of music. impossible to buy such an amp at this price. this amp is rated on very conservative side for power. can drive big floorstanders easily. even at 8 o clock i am able to get perfect soundstage with mission m73i.use it with detailed(does not mean bright) cdp.

Customer Service

good

Similar Products Used:

onkyo liverpool

dynamics, smooth yet detailed , very powerfull sound does not cracks even at high volumes, heavy build

none at this price, ecept minor things like it wont start at voltages below 220v.(power protection comes in picture) binding posts could be stronger

bought cambridge audio 640c v2 cdp before this due to a very good review of this cdp in a uk mag. but cdp sounded very flat and a bit on thin side due to extra details at extremes specially at higher freq. i needed an amp witch does not exaggerate the things. bought marantz pm7001 and what a match it has become with ca cdp. sound is very detailed(courtesy ca cdp) yet very smooth and controlled with very good overall dynamics.this amp is very powerfull also, drives mission m73i easily and gives convincing soundstage even at 8 o clock. go ahead with this, this is damn good at this price.

Customer Service

good

Similar Products Used:

onkyo liverpool

Detailed, dynamic, well controlled bass (but not dry!), well built anf fine loocking

Nothing important, I don't use the control tone....but there's the source direct...

A good amp for the price, well built, fine loocking, a very good detail and dynamic, the bass are not so deep but well controlled, good for almost any kind of music, except for those serching for "bum bum" disco effect. Highs and mid are very detailed without trace of harshness, I like how voices sound. I think this amplifier is not a bestseller 'cause many people only talk about Nad in the entry level class without listen other product like this Marantz; I chose this amp between the Nad 352 and Rotel 02, I can say a good ampli for the price.

Similar Products Used:

Sansui Au719, Nad 352, Rotel 02, Audio Analogue 70, T-amp

Detail, dinamic, well build and fine loocking (for me).

I don't use the tone controls......

Five star in his price category. Great detail and great impact,better than nad 352, a well balanced sound, controlled bass.

Similar Products Used:

Sansui AU719, Nad 325, 352, Rotel 02

Smooth sound, strong bass, good build quality, attractive looks.

Colors the sound. Not the best amp for rockers. Binding posts are a little cheezy.

In looking for a suitable integrated amp to partner with my Quad 11L's, i took shot with this Marantz. The PM7100 dumps the class a feature that the 7200 has. This amp was priced attractively for the features it had. Since i was going to use this for HT duty as well as a 2-channel music system, i liked that you could seperate the amp from the pre-amp with a switch on the back. Plenty of power at 70 watts for my application in a medium sized room, especially since i live in an apartment building and can not "crank it up". Good build quality, weighing in at 23 lbs. The speaker binding posts could be of better quality but not a dealbreaker. Aluminum face plate as well as aluminum source and volume knobs complete an attractive looking amp. The PM7100 is lower in height than the PM7200 and looks sleeker than the older model.

As far as the sound goes, i would say it veers toward the warm side of neutral. The marantz has a smooth, musical sound with strong bass that will appeal to a lot of people. Unfortunately, i am not one of them. With my Quad 11L's i actually prefer my vintage Yamaha ca-610II integrated amp which is more open and neutral sounding. I just felt their was a slight veil over the mid/high frequencies using the Marantz with the Quad's. I enjoyed my jazz recordings, but not so much my blues and rock cd's. Rockers might want to think twice about getting this amp. Low volume sound quality was crucial to me, but i found the Marantz was just too polite for that.

As you can probably tell, i threw in the towel on this amp. I sent it back and am currently using my Yamaha for now. Maybe i would of liked this amp better with brighter sounding speakers, which the Quad's are not. I will give it a 4 rating because i feel i would of liked it better with different speakers. It's all about synergy with this hobby. The search continues!

Similar Products Used:

Rotel ra-02, Yamaha ca-610II

Balanced and musical sounding.
Good dynamics and PRAT.
Smooth yet detailed sounding.
Upper mid and high are very detailed and has good presence.
Bass has punch and shows good extention too.

Soundstaging can be better (may due to insufficient run in.)
Not much really...

I am still running in my new PM7001 and already loving it!

The amp is dynamic, has good PRAT and good details retrival, all contrary to my expectation of typical Marantz. Tonal colour is still very slightly on the warm side compared to say a Denon. But slightly less sweet than the PM7200, more neutral, I would say.

It is quite a flexible amp and sounds good for most music genre that I listen to. It has the rhythem and punch for jazz/pop, the dynamic and details for classical, the smoothness, refinement and beautiful tonal colour for vocal.

I have some reservation over the soundstaging initially, as it sounded a bit too up front and one dimensional to my liking, but things have improved after some extended run in and adjustment of speakers placement. I started to get back some of the depth and layering that I was used to with my previous more expensive pre/power system, not entirely but more than good enough for the price.

Overall, I am very satisfied with the amp, especially with its ultra competitive pricing in my country (S$560 => US$360) compared to the other popular brands.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz PM66KI,
Arcam DIVA A80,
Cyrus 7,
Rotel RA930,
Odyssey Stratos Plus (power amp) / Diva Classic one (tube pre)

-Mentioned above

-None

A great amp for your money. The sound is smooth and natural. Very good detail and the bass is controlled very well.
Build quality is excellent and the amp looks beautiful and very classy.
Hook it up with a good cd player and speakers and in my opinion this is a bargain.