L
lreinstein
Audioholic Intern
Hi,
I am a music and audio enthusiast. I listen mainly to Classical, Jazz, and Blues but also Classic Rock and other genres. My source is typically Lossless files through a Squeezebox 3 and I intend to purchase a good DAC soon.
But now to my question.
My HIFI system is in a very large room with cathedral ceilings I own a Marantz Integrated amplifier (PM7001, 70 wpc) and the floor standing KEF XQ40 speakers.
Anyway the sound is fantastic for most music. I have a sweet spot where i sit about 10 feet away. But this is a very bright room. (When I clap my hands once I can hear the ping or ringing in the corners of the ceilings.) The music at moderate volume levels sound really sweet.
My problem is when I try to play the music LOUD. When I pump it up to hear a Mahler or Beethoven Symphony as if I were in the concert hall orchestra section ... it very quickly sounds very very "muddy". Is that the right word -- I am not an audiophile? Do you know what i mean?
I asked my local HiFi store expert if it is it a problem with my integrated amp?
He said I probably would benefit from a more powerful Amp. He suggested adding a Marantz MM7025 which would be driven by my PM7001 and up the power to 140wpc.
Questions:
1. Is he correct and am I underpowered and would more power help me at large volumes?
2. Would a powered subwoofer be a good alternative?
I am limited in shelf space (my wife is fussy) and also budget. I could spend up to approximately $1300
3. Would I be better off replacing the PM7001 with a more powerful Integrated Amp?
4. Would the NAD 385BEE be a better choice? It would also give me the 150wpc and take up less space. Also I could sell my PM7001. Is NAD a good brand?
5. Are there better choices for comparable $$
Thank you very much for taking the time to help me out.
Larry
I am a music and audio enthusiast. I listen mainly to Classical, Jazz, and Blues but also Classic Rock and other genres. My source is typically Lossless files through a Squeezebox 3 and I intend to purchase a good DAC soon.
But now to my question.
My HIFI system is in a very large room with cathedral ceilings I own a Marantz Integrated amplifier (PM7001, 70 wpc) and the floor standing KEF XQ40 speakers.
Anyway the sound is fantastic for most music. I have a sweet spot where i sit about 10 feet away. But this is a very bright room. (When I clap my hands once I can hear the ping or ringing in the corners of the ceilings.) The music at moderate volume levels sound really sweet.
My problem is when I try to play the music LOUD. When I pump it up to hear a Mahler or Beethoven Symphony as if I were in the concert hall orchestra section ... it very quickly sounds very very "muddy". Is that the right word -- I am not an audiophile? Do you know what i mean?
I asked my local HiFi store expert if it is it a problem with my integrated amp?
He said I probably would benefit from a more powerful Amp. He suggested adding a Marantz MM7025 which would be driven by my PM7001 and up the power to 140wpc.
Questions:
1. Is he correct and am I underpowered and would more power help me at large volumes?
2. Would a powered subwoofer be a good alternative?
I am limited in shelf space (my wife is fussy) and also budget. I could spend up to approximately $1300
3. Would I be better off replacing the PM7001 with a more powerful Integrated Amp?
4. Would the NAD 385BEE be a better choice? It would also give me the 150wpc and take up less space. Also I could sell my PM7001. Is NAD a good brand?
5. Are there better choices for comparable $$
Thank you very much for taking the time to help me out.
Larry