SC12

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.29 of 5, 14.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
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.

Weaknesses:
No lighted indicator on the volume knob

ankurjain.aj625

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.17 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $540.00 from india

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
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

Weaknesses:
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.

Similar Products Used:
onkyo liverpool

Price Paid:  $500.00 from india

Summary:
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.

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

Weaknesses:
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

Similar Products Used:
onkyo liverpool

Andrea

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.11 of 5, 9.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
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.

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

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

Similar Products Used:
Sansui Au719, Nad 352, Rotel 02, Audio Analogue 70, T-amp

Price Paid:  $500.00

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

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

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

Similar Products Used:
Sansui AU719, Nad 325, 352, Rotel 02