Marantz 6004 vs Denon 720-AE
Hi all,
I'm considering buying an amplifier and CD player and wondering which one should I chose between the Marantz 6004 series (PM and CD) or the Denon 720-AE (PMA and DCD) ones. The first ones received 2011 awards for amplifier and CD player, but it seems that the Denon one are also very good.
Anyone has some facts / opinion to share about this - if so, please share the speakers that you're using / used with both?
Thanks!
The 720AE is a pure CD player and is not a SACD player. I've seen it listed as such by one retailer but a quick check of the Denon website proves that it isn't an SACD player. The cheapest Denon SACD player is the DCD1510AE.
Hi,
i don't know for sure if the 720 Denon CD player supports SACD. On the Denon site there is a difference between the 1510 en the 720 spec's.
The 1510 does support SACD.
The new Pioneer CD players PD-10 and PD-30 are in the same price region and support SACD. The PD-30 picked up a 4 star review in Germany, while the matching Pioneer Amp A-30 gets highly recommended 5 stars (betters the Marantz PM6004 in some aspects). Maby worthwile checking out.
Hi Dalwen. Do you know if this amp also has a phono entry / pre-amp?
I really like the look of the PMA-720 amp. Looks like it's build like a tank.
Hi Terrace, to avoid a wrong advice, please check the pioneer.eu site. For example the Dutch.
http://www.pioneer.eu/nl/products/42/98/405/A-30-K/specs.html
The 720AE is a pure CD player and is not a SACD player. I've seen it listed as such by one retailer but a quick check of the Denon website proves that it isn't an SACD player. The cheapest Denon SACD player is the DCD1510AE.
Okay, thanks mattewpiano. I think i'd rather have a headphone output than SACD function.
Hi Dalwen. Do you know if this amp also has a phono entry / pre-amp?
Looking at the Pioneer manual it says not to connect the phono (MM) terminals to anything other than a turntable, so I guess not. The unit's power amp direct terminals should never be connected to any other components connectors except pre-amp out.
I think terraces was asking whether the amp has a phono pre-amp built in, to which the answer is yes.
Are you still considering a new amp yourself then Blackdawn? What have you shortlisted? I've heard a 710AE with the A26s and it sounded very good so I'd anticipate the 720AE to be a good match.
I really like the look of the PMA-720 amp. Looks like it's build like a tank.
Me too, I also like the look of the Denon 720 and Pioneer A30. The Denon is more powerful than the Pioneer A30 by 10w and has a pre out for sub or power amp. The Rotel RA-10 looks nice too and has the same power output as the Pioneer but no remote.
I think terraces was asking whether the amp has a phono pre-amp built in, to which the answer is yes.
Are you still considering a new amp yourself then Blackdawn? What have you shortlisted? I've heard a 710AE with the A26s and it sounded very good so I'd anticipate the 720AE to be a good match.
Okay Thanks. I'll be looking for a new CD player first. My CA is to be moved on to the other system. My shortlist is Marantz CD6004 (first choice), Denon DCD 720AE (2nd), Pioneer PD30 (final). I'm also tempted by the Yamaha CD300, which has good reviews and is much cheaper. I still like my Denon SE amp so it will probably be staying unless it goes up in smoke!
I think terraces was asking whether the amp has a phono pre-amp built in, to which the answer is yes.
Are you still considering a new amp yourself then Blackdawn? What have you shortlisted? I've heard a 710AE with the A26s and it sounded very good so I'd anticipate the 720AE to be a good match.
Hows the 685's with the NAD btw? Do you have the white versions?!
I think terraces was asking whether the amp has a phono pre-amp built in, to which the answer is yes.
Are you still considering a new amp yourself then Blackdawn? What have you shortlisted? I've heard a 710AE with the A26s and it sounded very good so I'd anticipate the 720AE to be a good match.
Hows the 685's with the NAD btw? Do you have the white versions?!
They're black. It is the best I've heard the NAD sound, though I shouldn't be surprised. I actually had a pair of 685s on home demo quite some time ago when I had a C325BEE and I was going to buy the demo units from the dealer, but then they realised they'd already sold them. For some reason, which I don't quite understand, I never bought a pair of 685s then - possibly due to the cost, but that turned out to be a false economy given the other speakers I've been through. Even this time I was thinking I would buy the 685s and try and change the amp to one of the new Rotels, but I stopped myself, bought the 685s and now I've heard them with the NAD all though of making any further changes has fortunately disappeared from my head.
matthewpiano,
you heard the Denon PMA-710AE amp. Is the sound comparable to the Marantz PM6003/NAD C326BEE sound ?
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I've not heard the Denon 720 AE's but am interested in them. I see the DCD 720AE is also an SACD player, not that I have any SACD's, but it looks nice. It also has a USB in and headphone out, which is useful same as the Marantz. The Marantz cd player uses a 24bit DAC, the Denon uses a 32bit DAC. The amps are similar power ratings. Has any one compared the 6004 with the 720ae components?
HiFi- Cambridge Audio 340C- Pioneer A30- Boston Acoustics A26 speakers. Denon FM/AM. Pure DAB.
Marantz CD6004 - Beyerdynamic DT250