Marantz MA500/700

[Griz]

I am currently running the following

Denon 2105
Polk Monitor 70s
Polk CS2 center channel
Sony bookshelves & towers for surround ... likely to be replaced with single pair of Monitor 40s

The MA series monoblocks look affordable for wattage 125 (vs 200 on the MA700) and carry a good name in Marantz. On the surface they appear to be a good bang-for-the-buck investment.

Does anyone have experience with these monoblocks? If so, what are your impressions on capability and reliability. Also what tonal difference should I expect between what my Denon is supplying right now, and what I would gain with adding these Marantz monoblocks to the front l/r/c?

Thanks.

 

[j_garcia]

For the price, they're really hard to beat. Any time you go with monoblocks, you're going to get plenty of juice. IMO, 500s should be plenty for Monitor 70s. I'm running my 4 Ohm mains with a pair and they are very capable and clean sounding. The overall sound is still going to be determined mostly by the pre-pro / receiver, so they should be OK for your system. What you'll gain is additional headroom, but if your current receiver isn't struggling to power those speakers, you aren't going to gain a night and day improvement.

One thing you will need to be aware of is how you are going to trigger them on and off. They are setup to use a 12v trigger, and I don't know if the 2105 has one. If it does not, then you will have to buy a separate one that does signal sensing and will trigger them on and hopefully off as well (just one, then link them together and trigger them all on and off). I'll have to look that up, I believe there is one for around $30-40 that should work, IIRC. Note also that you will need an additional outlet for each amp.

 

[Griz]

Thanks for the reply, I'm glad to hear that it won't have much of an affect on the overall sound. I wouldn't say that the Denon is struggling, at least at average volumes, but I'd like more headroom for those obnoxious moments.

I'm pretty sure that there isn't a trigger source on the 2105, so I'd be interested to hear more about this external unit.

 

[j_garcia]

OK, this guy is a plug strip that you can trigger: http://www.bitsltd.net/SmartStrip/faqlcg3.htm I don't quite see how it is triggered, but it says current sensing auto on/off.

http://www.xantech.com/ Look under Products -> remote control swtiches -> AC1. Not sure how much this guy costs.

One more: http://www.russound.com/accessories.htm The ACT-1. Again, not sure how much it costs. Might check used for these last two.

If you can find some Outlaw M-200s, I think they are signal sensing turn on and auto off. I know the M-2200 is signal sensing, but not 100% sure about the M-200.

 

[Griz]

Great, and thanks for providing me with multiple options.