All

Actually better with entry level floorstander than entry level bookshelf types. Loud button causes amp to muddle a bit, so don't use it unless you like the thunder.

This was my first amp, I remember it as if yesterday. Had very enjoyable times with it. It does sound a bit thin with entry level bookshelfs, but the result is such musicality at such a budget price. I loved it, very displeased with myself that I sold it many years ago, it would've been great in a small bedroom system.

Customer Service

Excellent, my friend Deon who bought it from me had a small erratic problem with it. Send to HFX systems, fixed it for a bargain price, still going strong 7 years later!!

great power up to 120 w speakers

when you're playing with 4 ohm woofer,amplifier gets hot,but is having limit,and automaticly is turning of

I'm using this amplifier for 2 years,and I'm very satisfied with that what sound he produces.My speakers are B & W 302 DM,equiped with solid bass woofer,and cd player is marantz cd4000.I think that 302 dm from bowers are superb speakers,and with pm 57 are superb combination.I try other's manufacters amplifiers like rotel and denon but the sound was heavy and really tough.for that money it's the best amplifier money can buy

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denon dna 375 dr

Very neutral sounding amplifier for a reasonable price.

It could probably use a little more power. But the 50 watts per channel seems to work pretty well with my Paradigm Atoms.

Like some of the other reviewers, I first noticed the PM-57
when it got great reviews in WhatHifi magazine. I checked it out at a local Austin store but their showroom speakers were just awful. I've heard better sound from car stereos, what were these people thinking? So I came back with my trusty Grado SR-60 headphones and a favorite cd. After listening to the amp for a while, I could tell it was a winner and bought it for about $300 U.S. Marantz was still selling them in the U.K. but I think they're discontinued in the U.S. as of February, 2000.

I would describe the sound as neutral with a just a hint of warmth. My PM-57 is used in a small system consisting of it and a Marantz CD67SE and a pair of Paradigm Atoms. The Atoms
put out a lot of sound for the money and I'm happy for now.

Another reviewer mentioned that he was disturbed by all the hum coming from the transformer. Mine is silent so maybe he has a defective amplifier. The only sound I get is what's intended.

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Too many to mention. Started with a heathkit tube amp and have gone through amps and receivers of various quality.

slim, good, clean power, phono input, rec. selector

the remote is generic looking, no pre-outs or main in

A good little amp, I'm using it in my bedroom at the moment. It would make a good starter amp, a good office amp, or a good bedroom amo. I had a pair of Paradigm Titans hooked up (sounded awesome, good, clean sound) but now I have to make due with JBL tower speakers and Infinity bookshelf speakers. Still sounds good, though....a thoughtful buy at around $200....

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Onkyo A-7

Mid bass is very rich, Absolutely awesome for rock and techno, Phonograph Preamp

Can't think of any

I have been using it with a pair of lx5 ribbon speakers (yes those are the RadioShack ones) and a passive 12inch downfiring sub for 3 years. I also have the marantz cc48 changer. I go to stereo shops at least once a month and listen to all of the latest and greatest and well its been 3 years and I still can't do better for under $300.

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(NAD, ROTEL, YAMAHA, DENON, ONKYO, SONY, KENWOOD) everything that they have for under $300

I've been using the Marantz PM57 intergrated amp in my office for the past few months. CD player is a Sony ES changer (7ES-nice piece) and speakers are Sound Dynamics 300ti (which I love to death).
I bought the unit used ($200). When I got it out of the carton, it felt like there was some weight to the unit, always a good sign. Set-up was simple, 5 way binding posts for two sets of speakers, plenty on in/outs and also includes a phono imput which I think is still essential.

In the office I listen to jazz (Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson) and to an array of classical (Schubert, Bach, Hayden). Lately, I've been listening to World Jazz, which adds a spacey quality to both earlier catagories.

This is my first dealing with Marantz. I spent quite abit of time listening to other intergrated amps. I found this Marantz cleaner and more forceful than the NAD 304. I thought the Rotel model RA-931 didn't measure up at all, not enuff prescense in the music-a real disappointment.

This PM57 does a lovely jobs with all types of instruments, I particularly like how cellos and saxophones sound thru this amp. Now part of it maybe the 300ti which does a nice job in the lower registers, but the PM57 plays all the music that is on the CD. Plenty of bass for an amp in this price range, mids are crisp and highs are clear-what more can u ask for?.

And this thing can play plenty loud...way beyong what u think 50 wpc should sound like. I usually listen between the 9o'clock and 10 o'clock postion. Occasionally, when I have some reggae on and the office is empty, I'll pump it up to the one o'clock position and that is loud enuff. Man, I can only imagine the pictures on the walls would shake if I go all the way to three o'clock or beyond!

The remote is handy, the looks are simplistic and effective and for the money-used-I think this is a great amp. You would be hard pressed to find anything better. I'll gladly give it five stars.

One thing I forgot to mention in my previous comments, the PM57 is a 5 star pick in both British audio magazines, What Hi-Fi and Hi-Fi Choice, along with being included as a top pick in the Good Sound recommendations which can be found at www.goodsound.com.
Hope this is helpful.

Very clean sound, flexibility, 3-year warranty

Perhaps a wee-bit strained at high volumes

I bought this to replace an NAD 3020, which I'd had (and loved) for about 15 years; my main reason for replacing the NAD was that I needed an amp which could accommodate two sets of speakers. But I'm liking the Marantz at least as much, and feel glad that I switched. Sounds every bit as clean and neutral as the NAD, but has greater flexibility. I'm using it with a Nakamichi MB-10 CD player, B&W DM601's, and Audioquest cables and interconnects, and it's a really solid little system.

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NAD 3020

smooth sound and punch, good phono section

none

System used mostly for jazz, particularly 60's cool, as well as pop vocals and variety of other styles of music. Paired with B&W 601's. Music is smooth and clear , with all the bass punch most listeners would want. No overemphasis of one or another area of frequency spectrum. ( and even better sounding after RPG? foam sound treatment to side, front and rear walls of smallish listening room). Selected Marantz over Rotel,NAD comparable products. Other family members agree it provides great sound. I highly recommend it.

Flat sound, soft bass

Remote, too many buttons that don't do anything!

I have been using the PM-57 for a few years now, and have decided it was one of the best £100 I have ever spent. It give a nice warm, but clean sound, with a crisp treble.
I am using the unit through some Wharfdale Modus2 speakers, which I bi-wired to the amp, and found that helped bring out the bass from the sound, and give a much more neutral sound.
The only fault I can realy find with the amp is the remote, which has loads of buttons like play etc, for CD players and such like. When my Technics CD player gave up, I got a Marantz CD-player (CD4000) expecting to be able to use the amp remote for both unites, but with no luck. The amp has a remote output on the back, which I assume is for connecting to other Marantz products, but no such input on the cd player.
If you can get hold of a cheap, good condition example, it would make a brilliant first time amp.
I am thinking of selling the unit now, but only so I can get an amp with a dolby digital decoder. But because of my experience with this amp, I will be sticking with Marantz.