I thought had problem with my system & ordered a new amp (problem was me not the system see this, https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...iot-here-but-not-hopeless.42722/#post-1512319)
Anyway new amp was ordered before I fixed the problem & it showed up a few days ago. My thought was to do back to back listening & return new amp if it doesn't sound better than the AV amp. Goal was to improve 2 channel music only, the "testing"/listening was done with a decibel meter to make sure volume was the same when comparing. I Used a large variety of music CD's, streamed & phono, I know it's very subjective test but it is what it is. To say the least I was a bit surprised at the result even though I've read here from very knowledgeable people that amps don't "sound" different. I've also read that AV amps don't do 2 channel music as well as a dedicated amp. The amps are an AV Yamaha RX A102O about 8 years old & a new Marantz PM8006 playing through Paradigm Special Edition SE3 speakers (no sub) both amps in "direct mode" no EQ. using a Marantz CD6006 player, Yamaha music streamer & Rega Turntable.
The amps with a digital source sounded very very similar, the bass on the Marantz was a bit more defined but not a lot, the Yamaha Highs & mids seemed a bit more pronounced but not by much. At higher volume the Marantz seemed easier on the ears but at anything below 80 db's the sound was very much alike defiantly no clear winner hard to tell them apart. When using the turntable the Marantz was a clear winner with the Yamaha sounding kinda of dull compared to the Marantz. If there is a Marantz "house sound" I didn't hear it or Yamaha built the "house sound" into the the RX-1020.
All in all I was surprised at how good the Yamaha stacked up against the Marantz. I do think for extended listening times like a few hours or so the Marantz would be a better choice especially at higher volumes at least for my ears. I'm also not sure how my speakers played into the test, could they be the cause of the similarity ?
Anyway I'm on the fence about if I should return the Marantz & spend the money on new speakers ? I'll do some more listening and hopefully it will become clear on what to do I still have about 2 weeks on the return window.
Anyway new amp was ordered before I fixed the problem & it showed up a few days ago. My thought was to do back to back listening & return new amp if it doesn't sound better than the AV amp. Goal was to improve 2 channel music only, the "testing"/listening was done with a decibel meter to make sure volume was the same when comparing. I Used a large variety of music CD's, streamed & phono, I know it's very subjective test but it is what it is. To say the least I was a bit surprised at the result even though I've read here from very knowledgeable people that amps don't "sound" different. I've also read that AV amps don't do 2 channel music as well as a dedicated amp. The amps are an AV Yamaha RX A102O about 8 years old & a new Marantz PM8006 playing through Paradigm Special Edition SE3 speakers (no sub) both amps in "direct mode" no EQ. using a Marantz CD6006 player, Yamaha music streamer & Rega Turntable.
The amps with a digital source sounded very very similar, the bass on the Marantz was a bit more defined but not a lot, the Yamaha Highs & mids seemed a bit more pronounced but not by much. At higher volume the Marantz seemed easier on the ears but at anything below 80 db's the sound was very much alike defiantly no clear winner hard to tell them apart. When using the turntable the Marantz was a clear winner with the Yamaha sounding kinda of dull compared to the Marantz. If there is a Marantz "house sound" I didn't hear it or Yamaha built the "house sound" into the the RX-1020.
All in all I was surprised at how good the Yamaha stacked up against the Marantz. I do think for extended listening times like a few hours or so the Marantz would be a better choice especially at higher volumes at least for my ears. I'm also not sure how my speakers played into the test, could they be the cause of the similarity ?
Anyway I'm on the fence about if I should return the Marantz & spend the money on new speakers ? I'll do some more listening and hopefully it will become clear on what to do I still have about 2 weeks on the return window.
