What to replace Harman/Kardon with?

[MrsMiggins]

Hi all

My partner currently has a Harman/Kardon HK6200 amp that he's had for many years. It's beginning to give up on him now, despite having it repaired previously and buying various products to eek out a little more life, so I think it may be time to hunt around for a newer model.

I would like to buy him a new one for Christmas. The problem is, I have absolutely no knowledge of audio related stuff in the slightest other than discovering there are some jaw dropping prices out there!

So my question is, what would be a comparable amp for this? The last thing I want to do is go out and buy any old cheap amp. He really likes the one he has now other than the problems he's having with it so I want to try and get something that is at least on the same level if possible. I am limited to approx £300.

I have been looking at the Marantz PM6005 or even the PM5005. They seem to have very good reviews but I'm unsure if that would be stepping down from what he has now.

He listens to a very broad range of music (from punk through to classical and anything inbetween!) but more recently he has been listening to a huge range of classical music, particularly classical guitar.

Hoping someone can give me a few pointers or, at the very least, let me know how the Marantz would compare to what he has now.

Thanks in advance
Mrs M

 

[tcarcio]

You could also take a look at www.Emotiva.com They review well and people like their look and their performance.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Anything from Yamaha, Denon, or Marantz is a good replacement IMO.

 

[crossedover]

im assuming that you are looking for a European model integrated amp? Id imagine the marantz units will work fine as a drop in replacement

 

[MrsMiggins]

im assuming that you are looking for a European model integrated amp? Id imagine the marantz units will work fine as a drop in replacement

Erm............ To be honest I have no idea what I'm looking for! My knowledge of these things is next to useless! I'm guessing yes is the answer to your question as I live in UK. All I know is my partner loves the amp he has now but it's failing him and he's getting frustrated with it. He tells me it was a really good amp from the budget range and wasn't particularly cheap when he bought it. The Marentz seems to have a good review and would appear to be a good replacement on the surface but I have no idea how to compare it with what he has now. It's like reading a foreign language when I look at the specs! Hence I have to put my trust in people like yourselves and hope I am doing the right thing. Thanks for the reply!

 

[zieglj01]

The Marantz PM6005 is a good option/choice

 

[MrsMiggins]

I'm seriously considering Morantz. Let's hope black Friday provides some good deals. Thanks to all of you who have replied. Your knowledge is appreciated.
Mrs M

 

[PENG]

I'm seriously considering Morantz. Let's hope black Friday provides some good deals. Thanks to all of you who have replied. Your knowledge is appreciated.
Mrs M

As suggested, the Marantz PM6005 is a good one, but you may also consider the

Denon PMA720AE
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Denon-PMA720AE-Integrated-Amplifier-Black/dp/B007Y3OBIS/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417050444&sr=1-2&keywords=denon integrated amplifier

or the

NAD 326 BEE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NAD-C326-BEE-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B001UM6YSY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417050840&sr=1-1&keywords=nad integrated amplifier

 

[jcparks]

I went from Harmon Kardon to Marantz and I am very satisfied...

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Marantz PM6005 should be good replacement and can be found for under £300 in UK.

 

[MrsMiggins]

Well, I've been rumbled! Partner came in last night telling me he was going to have to buy a new amp and there was no way around it but to tell him what I was up to otherwise he'd have gone out and bought a cheap second hand one! Doh! Nothing is sacred!
Anyway, I was up with the lark this morning and waiting outside the music store for their black friday deals. By 9.30am I was back home complete with Brand spanking new Marentz PM6005 and it's matching CD player (as that was playing up too!)
I now have one extremely happy fella sitting in the living room playing his CD's with a huge smile on his face! He's truly ecstatic! Looks like the right choice was made.

Thanks once again for your replies. It helped me make the right descision. I am extremely relieved!

Mrs M.

 

[PENG]

Well, I've been rumbled! Partner came in last night telling me he was going to have to buy a new amp and there was no way around it but to tell him what I was up to otherwise he'd have gone out and bought a cheap second hand one! Doh! Nothing is sacred!
Anyway, I was up with the lark this morning and waiting outside the music store for their black friday deals. By 9.30am I was back home complete with Brand spanking new Marentz PM6005 and it's matching CD player (as that was playing up too!)
I now have one extremely happy fella sitting in the living room playing his CD's with a huge smile on his face! He's truly ecstatic! Looks like the right choice was made.

Thanks once again for your replies. It helped me make the right descision. I am extremely relieved!

Mrs M.

I find it amazing that every single response you've got so far mentioned or recommended the Marantz; and that's what you targeted in the first place. That is unusual around here.

Congratulations!

 

[MrsMiggins]

I find it amazing that every single response you've got so far mentioned or recommended the Marantz; and that's what you targeted in the first place. That is unusual around here.

Congratulations!

I did my homework first and had whittled it down to the Marantz. I just wanted to double check I was choosing the right thing. Reviews can sometimes be biased so I figured asking people like yourselves would help to confirm. It's not easy making the leap to buy when you're knowledge of such things is poor. Im sure if I'd have chosen differently people would have made alternative suggestions. I looked at the other stuff suggested but the reviews were unconvincing for me. As everyone said the Morantz was a good choice I just followed my initial instincts and went with it. Would still be flapping around now though if you guys hadn't confirmed my choice so thanks!