Marantz or Mcintosh for 803D3
 

Thinking to try the Mcintosh 8900 or the Marantz PM10 to drive a pair of 803d3. Any opinions and comparisons are greatly appreciated.

I had a pair of PM-10s bi-amping my 805D2s and D3s. I thought it was a lovely setup even though the room could have used some work.

I briefly used a single PM-10 on my 800D3s. I have read several articles and seen B&Ws in house with Marantz and the development of the reference product.

I LOVE the build quality of the Marantz reference gear. The PM-10 and SA-10 is gorgeous. the SA-10 is a TANK!

I recently have switched over to an all Mac system and the added power and "Mac Sound" have been welcomed.

While I really enjoyed the PM-10, I am not sure I am sold on class D. I have nothing negative to say about the PM-10. I put the fit and finish right up there with the best of them IMO, even surpassing Mac.

Now the SA-10. That is a special piece!

Sound wise, I am happy to be on a new journey with McIntosh even though I have no experience with the 8900. If I was considering the 8900, I don't know if I could stop there with the 803s. I would probably push/pull/drag whatever it took to get that 9000 ;)

I am driving the 802D3 with a pair of Marantz PM-11S3 in bi-amp and the combination is really excellent. It depends from the source, but these amps are very capable. I think a pair of PM-11S3 with the SA-10 would be a really good combo.

I have a Mac MC-452 which I think is fabulous of that helps. Some pretty good deals to be had on them since the 462 released..

McIntosh no question

Have not tried the PM10, but several Mc's and several Marantz's tell me McIntosh, no question. Good luck!

I am late to post here but I am using a Marantz PM-10 (& SA-10) on a pair of JBL 4365 with great results. I really like it--I HAD McIntosh MC601's/C50.

Both I had and they are really nice and a known good combination. Though in the meantime Switches to Devialet :)

Interesting that you used a pair of integrated amps to bi-amp. Not seen that before.

Wondering why you mention class D? Marantz brags about the PM-10 being "purely analog........" with no digital circuitry.

Tough call on the MA8900 or PM10. Terrific choices and have happily owned both marques in the past. I would lean towards the looks of the MA8900 and the fact that it has an upgrade path for its current & future DAC modules.

The power output stage of the PM-10 is 4 class D amplifiers, if I understand correctly (2 bridged power supplies).

The pre-amp is a linear power supply and part of the "purely analog" marketing is to emphasize no noisy digital/dac circuitry, inside.

Christian - After more digging (outside the Marantz website), you are correct. My bad. Ken Ishakawa called it "analogue switched mode design..........". Quite deceptive to brag about 'purely analog........' IMHO.

Marantz certainly didn't go out of their way to say much more than it being a switched power supply, given how some audiophiles might not want to see the term class-D included in their amps.
I don't know whether this disqualifies the amp as being analog, though.

In the absence of another amp to compare to, I'm happy with the sound of mine though I'd eventually like to demo something else in the same system just to see what differences I could discern.

PM10 bi-amp mode
 

I currently own a PM10, driving Q acoustics concept 500’s which can be bi-amped. I am absolutely happy with the pairing.
I’m on the fence about getting a second one. Can you please describe your experience from going from 1 to 2 pm10’s and perhaps what I may expect to see for results.

vwpeacecar… Welcome to AA! :wave:

I looked at the description of the PM10 which is a bit confusing. It definitely says "all analog". A switching power supply for the output stage does not necessarily mean or require a Class D amplification. :scratch2:

I drive my 803D3 speakers with a McIntosh MA 9000--sounds fantastic!

I think Mac may be a better component but my old 802 matrix sound great bi amped with Marantz !

Very true. Some of the best vintage Sony amps (my TA-F6B integrated amp and the TA-N86B), among others, have PLPS (if memory serves on Sony's acronym) power supplies. Both are great sounding amps with analog output stages.