Great monoblock design, flexible, solid performer.

I can't think of any!

The Marantz MA500 monoblock amplifiers are perfect for just about any surround-sound application. Their long thin design makes it easy to combine as many as you need for your application, whether you desire 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more channels of IDENTICAL amplification.

The 125 watt rating of these puppies should be more than enough power for virtually any application. I have five of these in a home theater/hi-fi configuration and have never had to push them. They sound absolutely fantastic and can handle even the most demanding movies or music without stressing or distorting. They are extremely well ventilated and the dedicated power supply for each channel really helps them hold their own. If it turns out you really do need more power, then these units can be bridged. Talk about flexibility!

You can obviously spend a lot more money and get better sounding amplifiers, but you'll be hard pressed to find anything better sounding with as much flexibility as these wonderful amplifiers within their price range.

Using it at 4 ohm is wonderful.Very clean and very powerful. It fills the room with ambient sounds, and it loves to be cranked.can add more(up to 4) for a low price, and be in in the THX class

I PERSONALLY dont care for the look (like a battery backup). It d

I love the little guy. A great piece from The Marantz company. The Bang at a lille price!!!!!!

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The system being used a2 a Ken.2080,parad.reference ctr.cer. subin, adv. rrs, and klh fronts

Flexibility, 125W, THX certified, compatible with 4-6 ohm speakers, bridgeable, sound

none found to date

After much shopping around for my particular needs, these monoblocks were the best solution. I have them connected to a Marantz AV 560 pre-pro and use its multi-room feature for an in-ceiling speakers system (with 4 speaker selector unit by Russound) and outdoor patio speakers. Altogether I have Five (5) MA500s used as follows: 2 are for my main speakers ("fronts") which are Tannoy Saturn 8s, 1 is devoted to center channel use, and the other 2 are devoted to the in-house speaker system. I don't have any rear speakers set up for AC-3, DTS, etc. yet so this fit my system perfectly for now. (System is used for music about 75% of the time.)
The sound these amps produce is comparable to units costing much more and the flexibilty of the monoblock design is a great added bonus. Highly recommended!

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Midrange, detail, soundstage.

Binding posts.

Decided to go this route considering the price @ The Stereo Trading Outlet (Very nice people to deal with,IMO).
I'll have to admit being sceptical on the performance, but I put my faith in the reviews I've read online.

I can enthusiastically say it paid off and then some. I was currently using a Denon AVR2700 w/ 5-M&K LCR55 satellites and a M&K V75mkII subwoofer. The Denon only allows preamp outs for the left/center/right. So I picked up three of the Marantz MA500's. After playing them for a few hours it was time for the test. I used the new Carlos Santana DVD for material (As I listen to concerts most). The sound was immediately noticeable. I now had glorious midrange!! Before you could isolate the speakers on music and movies, pinpointing the sounds from them. Now I try, but I just find myself staring at the screen as the music envelopes me. The entire front was so seemless it was fantastic. Talk about a you are there experience.

I am so pleased with the performance I ordered one more MA500 and one MA700 for the center channel also the Marantz AV560 pre/processor.

Signed one happy camper :)

Similar Products Used:

Denon Avr2700, Nad 7225, Creek 4330

Hardworking, Stable, Iddiotproof

No Auto Standby Mode

I am using dual Marantz MA 500 mono blocks to push my (very power hungry) Vandersteen Speakers and this is the first amp configuration to produce the TRUE sound I knew my speakers were capable of! I like the audio brightness, clean vocals and exacting base reproduction that my Parasound P/HP 850 facilitates. It's as if there is a concert in my home every day!

Versatility and pure hi fidelity with excellent value

Remote standby switching not compatible with non Marantz gear.

Purchased 3 of these beauties from Alpha Sound for less than $800 all in. I have tried them with my Arcam 10 Amp in Bi-amp config for stereo and you can here the difference in detail using a digital source. But my main setup is using these 3 monoblocks to drive center and surrounds of my HT setup. Using Arcam 10 DAVE as processor and front L/R power.

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Looking at NAD but didn't bowl me over.

The Marantz MA500 is a THX approved, 125W RMS x 1 @ 8ohm (180W RMS x 1 @4 ohm)power amp. Each block is 85mm (~3.3 inches) wide, so 5 components stacked
next to each other would be about the same size as a normal individual
component. The blocks are bridgeable, so when you want to upgrade to more
power, you only need to buy a single extra block for each speaker you
want to power. Currently I have two of these connected to a Marantz
AV600 Preamp and to Cambridge Soundworks Tower speaker and I think they
sound great. Lot's of power with little to no distortion. Each block lists
for $300. These blocks make for a very upgradeable system, when it's time
for more power or more speakers, you need not replace your current amp.

The great power along with good looks and upgradeability give this amp
5 stars in my book.

Check out http://www-us.philips.com/marantz/ to check out these amps and
Marantz's other equipment.

Excellent all around amp for music and home theater

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This amplifier is fantastic. I have 8 MA-500 in my home theater. I have my L & R Def Tech BP2000 biamped, that is I have an MA-500 power the midrange and another for the tweeters. The center channel is also configured that way. The remaining 2 MA-500 power the L & R Def Tech BPx surround speakers. The detail is great. These amps never strain and the highs are nice and airy (surprising for the Def Techs). I highly recommend these amps in any configuration, they are very versatile.

Alot of power in a little package

Yup, those binding posts won't fit dual Banana plugs either. No Auto shutdown

I picked these up used from a friend for about $110 each. I don't think he abused them too much. I know he paid about $150 each for them when new.

I was never satisfied with the amplifier in my denon AV2700. I wanted a little more guts. I was used to my old NAD amp with only 35 watts but tons of headroom for those peak dynamics. The Denon just did not com close at twice the rated watt output. Running these Marantz 125 watt monoblocks from the Denon's full range output (oddly this Dolby surrround 5.1 receiver does not have front left & right outputs, just the full range output to go alond with the surround, center and sub outputs), I was able to get the Denon amp out of the front speakers. Here are my comments:

These amps are not balanced. Perhaps because they were purchased used, they may have become unbalanced because of their previous owners equipment. Or perhaps my Denon's preamp section suffers from the same lack of quality as the power amp section.

These amps handle movie soundtracks well. Their separation is good compared to what had been coming out of my Denon's amp. They don't seem quite as good with music though. In fact the same unbalanced sound that I heard before seems to really affect the music. Perhaps one of these amps needs service. Its response time seems slow.

Summation:
All in all, they are a good cheap amp. Assuming you can find a balanced pair in good repair, I would say they are a wise investment. They do not have tons of headroom, but are most likely better than almost any 5.1 receiver's amp. You should be able to find these for $150 apiece or less since Marantz has come out with a redesign of this model.
Not world class, but a competent workhorse. Five stars for value only. 3.8 for overall (generously rounded up to four)

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Denon, NAD, Sony

price, performance, size

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Purchased this amplifier to power my center channel speaker. Paradigm studio CC. Great combination for movies and 5CH music. This amp offers great performance for the money. No sibiliance what so ever. Recommend good cables and speaker wire to maximise performance. I use RhinoCables.com interconnect and Nordost flatline speaker wire.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Nad