Amp advice - Rotel RA-1520 vs Marantz PM8003

DK... -- Sat, 03/13/2010 - 14:15

Hi all.

I'm looking for advice building a system centred around a record player. I've been able to listen to all the individual items I'm considering, but have no way to listen to them at once, seeing as they are all at separate stores (boo!). I'd love your opinions on an integrated amp.

I'll be going with either Monitor Audio RX-2's or RX-6's, a rega p3-24 with TT-PSU and a Dynavector 10x5. Seeing as this is all for the record player, the phono stage in any integrated is obviously key, and this is what is holding me up. I've read lots of reviews on both, but nothing that specifically discusses the quality of the phono stages in a comparison. Do any of you have experience with one or both of these amps, ideally with your record player?

A little bit more. The setup will be in my condo. Reasonable sized room, and reasonably sound-proofed building. However, I will need to limit my listening volume to mid levels. I'm willing to buy used, but there isn't much of a selection where I am, so it's far more likely I'll be buying new.

Any advice in regards to the amp(yes, including other possible options too) is appreciated. But please keep in mind my budget (app $1000 canadian) and my requirements (integrated, and good phono stage). Thanks in advance!!

Dave

Jose Ignacio (not verified) -- Sun, 03/14/2010 - 09:45

I listened to the Rotel 1520 at my local dealer yesterday. The guys were kind enough to hook it to a pair of B&W CM 1's and later to CM 5's. We tried the phono section with a Project turntable and grado wood cartridge. I think the Project was the Expression III.
The phono quality of the 1520 was really good, very clean and refined..not bright at all..very pleasant. The midrange was sweet, the bass was defined and distinct and the highs were clear and very glassy. The music was very engaging and in your face in a good way; not muddy and boring.
Needless to say, I bought the amp. We also listened to the Rotel separates using their new preamp and their new 120 Watt AB amp, i think it was the 1552. The preamp wasn't the top model but what I would view as the RC 1070 replacement. I can't remember the model.
The performance of the integrated vs. the separates was 90%, so I didn't see the need to go for separates for a small room with small bookshelves. The chemistry between rotel and B&W is just amazing, the overall tone and music just sounds right. It seems that someone spent hours tweaking the components with an equalizer until they got it perfect.
I have a Rega P5 and can't wait to try it with my new Rotel 1520. I've had the P3-24 in the past and it was simply amazing, so musical. I have to admit that the Project Expresssion III paired with the Rotel 1520's phono input sounded better than the Rega in my opinion, but I'm not sure how much of that was the cartridge. The dealer said it was a 400+ wood cartridge.
Like, you, I also used the Rega P3-24 with MA RS6 speakers, very good synergy.. I can't speak of the new RX series.
The new Marantz amp seems nice, I haven't used a mid-fi Marantz unit in a while, but nthis Rotel blows the Marantz I had out of the water... Keep in mind that all this was using the CM's which are probably the best bookshelves I've listened to.

DK... -- Tue, 03/16/2010 - 15:51

Hi Jose.

Thanks for your feedback. I have to say my interest in the Rotel is growing and growing. If it looks possible, I might buy the turntable and speakers first, and see if I can arrange a 1 or 2 day trial of both the marantz and the rotel to compare. I wonder if this will be affected by listening to amps (and speakers and a turntable I suppose) that won't have time to be broken in by the time I have to return them. I kind of wish there was a Costco like store for high end audio where I could just mix and match until satisfied, but that would be too much to expect.

Have you hooked up the Rotel to the P5 yet? Let me know your impressions when you have time. Thanks again!

Dave