Need Help Marantz Model50 or Arcam A25

[Kazu]

I’m looking for a new amp and considering Arcam A25 or Marantz Model50 for only 2channel speakers.
Which one do you recommend?
What I'm concerned about is the sound quality at relatively low volumes.
The less distortion the better. My room is 5Mx6M.

 

[PENG]

The truth is, at the below $2,000 price range, those integrated amps are not going to be distortion champions as they don't typically use the near SOTA DAC and volume control ICs, and tend to use standardized parts with their AVR/AVP lines. So if measured on the bench (they they have been), you will find that they don't offer less distortion. Also true, that even at their mediocre level of distortions, you won't be able to tell anyway, only the so called golden ears will tell you they hear better sound quality.

So, typical answer could be, pick the one that has the features you like better, and/or looks better to you, or based on the best prices you can find for each. If it is my money, I would skip integrated amps and go separates because I am ocd on distortions, like you said, the less the better regardless.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

What I'm concerned about is the sound quality at relatively low volumes.

SQ will be the same, especially at relatively low volumes.

 

[Kazu]

＜Model50＞

SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - Marantz Model 50 Integrated Amplifier Measurements

www.soundstagenetwork.com

<A25>

Arcam A25 Integrated Amplifier Bench Test Results

The Arcam Radia A25 is a 100 watt/ch slimline stereo integrated amplifier featuring high resolution DACs, excellent noise and distortion performance on our test bench and blends into any room décor.

www.audioholics.com

 

[TLS Guy]

＜Model50＞

SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - Marantz Model 50 Integrated Amplifier Measurements

www.soundstagenetwork.com

<A25>

Arcam A25 Integrated Amplifier Bench Test Results

The Arcam Radia A25 is a 100 watt/ch slimline stereo integrated amplifier featuring high resolution DACs, excellent noise and distortion performance on our test bench and blends into any room décor.

www.audioholics.com

I would put the Leak stereo 230 on your list.

It measured very well in a stereophile review.

LEAK was founded by Harold J Leak in 1934. Leak were builders of some of the finest amps in the fifties and sixties and the first to market an amp with 0.1% distortion. I had a Leak TL 10 in the pre stereo era.

Harold Leak retired in 1969 and sold the company to the Rank organization who mucked the company up in a hurry. Recently IAG have bought the name. They own Quad and Wharfedale and some others. Design is in the UK and manufacture in China.

Anyhow that amp looks like a winner, and it has ARC return so you can connect it to a TV.

 

[PENG]

＜Model50＞

SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - Marantz Model 50 Integrated Amplifier Measurements

www.soundstagenetwork.com

<A25>

Arcam A25 Integrated Amplifier Bench Test Results

The Arcam Radia A25 is a 100 watt/ch slimline stereo integrated amplifier featuring high resolution DACs, excellent noise and distortion performance on our test bench and blends into any room décor.

www.audioholics.com

There they are, that's why I said they have been tested. Based on bench test results, sadly such integrated amps did not measure any better than AV receivers such as Marantz and Denon's. It is a myth that they have lower distortions and would sound better. Choices are often made by people based on such myths, when it would seem better to choice based on their needs (features, looks, physical aspects etc.) and in some cases, prices.

Nothing wrong with those two on your short list, just know that if want lower distortions, they are not going to give you, but again, people can't really tell a difference between 0.0001% and 0.1%, 20-20,000 Hz, 50 mW to rated output lol..

 

[TLS Guy]

There they are, that's why I said they have been tested. Based on bench test results, sadly such integrated amps did not measure any better than AV receivers such as Marantz and Denon's. It is a myth that they have lower distortions and would sound better. Choices are often made by people based on such myths, when it would seem better to choice based on their needs (features, looks, physical aspects etc.) and in some cases, prices.

Nothing wrong with those two on your short list, just know that if want lower distortions, they are not going to give you, but again, people can't really tell a difference between 0.0001% and 0.1%, 20-20,000 Hz, 50 mW to rated output lol..

Take a look at these measurements though. I was just curious when I noted an integrated amp on Crutchfield with the famous old LEAK name on it. That integrated does actually measure better than a receiver, not that you will likely here it. However, that amp represents good value for money for what it has to offer, and would be a good choice for what would be an audio only system or one where you might want to get the audio from a TV as well. I think they actually did Harold Leak's name proud with that one. Among integrated amps that has to be a top recommendation.

 

[PENG]

Take a look at these measurements though. I was just curious when I noted an integrated amp on Crutchfield with the famous old LEAK name on it. That integrated does actually measure better than a receiver, not that you will likely here it. However, that amp represents good value for money for what it has to offer, and would be a good choice for what would be an audio only system or one where you might want to get the audio from a TV as well. I think they actually did Harold Leak's name proud with that one. Among integrated amps that has to be a top recommendation.

Sorry but please take a careful look and compare a popular receiver, in fact even an AV receiver that we know you don't like at all lol.. You can always find a receiver that measured worse than this mid range Denon, but you can also find integrated amps at the same price point that measured a lot worse than the Leak 230 right?

I didn't look at the Leak 230 before, so let's see now at their corresponding distortions, by comparing the almost apples to apples distortions that the OP is interested in, in this case the typical 1 kHz, 4 ohms sweep of THD+N vs output that both Stereophile and ASR would do on their test bench.

Leak:
Fig.6 Leak Stereo 230, line input, THD+N (%) vs 1kHz continuous output power into 4 ohms.

Receiver (Denon AVR-X3600H):
Also 4 ohms, 1 kHz

And compare their THD+N

At 100 mW and the knee point:

Leak amp THD+N........................................................0.018%
Denon AVR..................................................-75 dB = 0.0178%

At knee point:

Leak amp THD+N......................................j...................0.01% at about 100 W
Denon AVR............................................... -86.28 dB = 0.0048% at 166.8 W

So, very little difference, but the receiver measured a little lower (a touch less that half that of the Leak amp) distortions and output a lot more.

The Arcam A25 indeed measured similar, also by Stereophile, but it's distortions at 100 mW was quite a bit higher than both the Denon receiver and the Leak Stereo 230.

That's just one measurement, if you take the time to compare the many other metrics you will find that those 3 integrated amps didn't do better at all. That is not to see everyone should buy receivers, just enough to say if they buy one assuming they have lower distortions and sound better would be based on myths, not necessary (yes in some cases obviously but not always, and it could go either way too) fact. There are other good reasons to go with integrated amps for sure.