LOOK OUT FOR B STOCK UNITS !!! A couple of weeks ago several mail order and store front dealers were offeren big discounts on 'B' stock units offered as new. The amps are a great value as 'A' stock and even better if you can get 'B' stock for a significant discount but BEWARE!!! I went through 8 units of the 'B' stock to get 5 that were ok and I had to pay shipping. I have talked with several other people and they all say, dont waiste your time with the B's and just go for the A's. I have spoken with one person who ordered 4 units and they came with different feet and case than the newer units. Other than that, these amps are everything this site says they are!!! great !!!

Sorry for the double posting, I thought I was in the Marantz 550 review. Anyway here is my review for the MA-700.
I believe that their is no better amp for the price. I have used both the 550 and the 600 pre-processors and have witnessed no problems. No overheating, great power and just shear energy!!!

Change the power cord, cut a few more slotts for heat expiration and you have something approaching that of a class AAA amp for anly 20% of the cost.
Those are some heafty words but I feel it is accurate.

Most might argue that only tube amps or atleast one with a name like Classe, Krell, or Cello and a sticker price of atleats $10 a watt could possibly be considered for such a review, but anyone doing so has not given these current cannons a fair play.

They definitely are not tubes, they definitely are not Cello, but I bet that a blind folded 20 year veteran audiophile would not consider these a $500 solid state amp.

Verry little distortion in the highest of frequencies and plenty of raw punch when needed.

Bridging two of these together created more power than I will ever need but it sure does wonders for range and extension. I could only witness them in bridged mode for sterea since I used the rear channel amps for the second units in front.

I loved the little MA-500's but these power horses are even better. Capable of driving even 3OHM speakers without distorion and little thermal build up. Quick, high and precise tonal evidence with thuder like bass extention. I use two bridged together for my sub and the neighbors complain!! The plugs on the back of one unit came bent but the dealer replaced it. The plugs do seem to be in an awkward position and stick out a little but who really cares once they are hooked up!!!!

The MA-700's are perfect in comparison to most other amps in this price range. I could not believe the impact madein the lower frequencies on my so-so speakers. It was like someone gave my Paradigm's some Co-Tylenol and their congestion went away. They do get a little warm when really used which came to my suprise because I am using 8ohm speakers and I was told they were very cool running. Stereo comes through with pinpoint location and soundstaging. I would highly recomend these to anyone in any budget.

MARANTZ MEGA BLOCKS!!!

Exceptional value *****

Great power *****

Low heat ****

Incredible sound *****

Good looks ****

Clarity ****

You will not believe your ears !!! or your wallet !!
200 watts of crisp clean precise energy flowing effortlessly. THat is the feeling you get when you first plug these puppies in!

I typically use tubes but I thought I would give these a try for my second (party system) rack in the living room. I never use my good stuff for parties, too much of a risk at super high volums!! but these things can fill the house with little effort

I am very happy with them

There is no reason that these amps sell for what they do!!! They should be atleast $1500 a pair instead of $1000 a pair. Just too good to be true. Anybody want to buy a Carver amp???

After a long battle with my dealer, I finally got my set of these power blocks. The dealer is the only one in my area and I think that he wanted to sell all of his MA500's before he ordered the 700's. Hooking them up was a cinch as expected. There was a little fuss when adjusting the THX referance dial on the back but after 2-3 minutes, they were calibrated. They sounded like tin foil scraping on teeth for the first 2 days or so but that is so with most solid state amps. On the third day, I listened for 6 hours and had no fatigue. These things are as crystal as soild state gets!!! Retail is $500, I paid $489, word has it that you can get refurbished units for about $400 plus shipping but I would never trust a re-furbished amp. You never know if the dealer had it sitting on the floor and some kid cranked rap music to 65 db and blew the roof off. over all, these are great!!!

After reading the reviews on this site as well as others, I could not believe the amount of raves and cheers this amp was getting. I finally went to the audio shop in my city and auditioned them. After my initial listening, I asked to borrow them for a true test on my system. I had them for 3 days and I was very pleased. I have to admit, I am not ready to buy 5 more amps right now only to replace my perfectly good amps, but I am buying 2 for stereo use in the next month. There was so much power and clear perception of detail that I have never heard with my other amps, I will soon have 5