Price Paid:  $1000.00

Summary:
Absolutely amazing Amp !!!It sounds very clear without getting to hard in the upper regions. I have this Amp hooked up to my pm 17 mk II and the sound is incredible. Beats Brands like Rotel or NAD by miles. To get better Sound you`ll have to spend a fortune. I`m now thinking of buying a second sm 17, i`ll then get them briged and try Bi-amping with the two briged sm 17s and my pm 17. Oh, the quality and the looks are simply outstanding !!!

Strengths:
Amazing Quality, amazing looks and even more amazing sound !!!

Weaknesses:
None!!!

Similar Products Used:
NAD, Myryad, Rotel, T+A, Bryston, Classé, older levinson stuff.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I was using two Adcom GFA555's bi-amped to a set of Phase Tech PC8.5's, all run through a Sony ES Pre-amp. I always liked the sound but wanted home theater capability, so I purchased a Marantz SR18ex. Listening to the Adcoms against the Marantz receiver, I liked the softer sound the Marantz produced -- the Adcoms were loud, but also very "bright." Well, just on a whim I picked up a single SM-17sa amp to see how it sounded. MY JAW HIT THE FLOOR when I heard how soft and creamy this amp sounded. The only thing I can equate it to is a tube amp. It just sounded incredible. I have since decided to by another and run them bridger at 200W right and left. If you have the change to get one of these sweet-hearts, you will not be disappointed!

Strengths:
Phenominal imaging while still sounding soft. No matter how loud I crank this amp, it never hurts my ears.

Weaknesses:
The case looks way to small for the huge sound stage it creates.

Similar Products Used:
Haven't found anything near this price range...

Summary:
if you love the sound and looks of the reference series from marantz and have speakers that can be bi-amped this is a must have!
i have a pm-17, cd17-mkll and st-17 with custom modified dynaudio speakers that i've been using with complete satisfaction for about a year.
two weeks ago i added sm-17sa and was amazed at the results! the sound suddenly became much more full. i heard sounds that seemed in the background come forward. it seems like a whole new system. i expected a change in quality, but, nothing like i received!

Strengths:
quality build, smooth marantz sound, classic good looks!

Weaknesses:
none i've found.

Similar Products Used:
pm-17