Constellation Centaur for Sale

Dpod4

Dpod4

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I have this listed over on Audiogon. Special price for Shark members.

Never thought I would sell the Centaur as it had beat all comers with my Magico S5 speakers (VAC 450S, Hegel H30, CJ Pr350, Air Tight ATM-2, etc) but on a whim I demoed and bought a pair of Marantz MA9s1 from my local dealer. They bowled me over on every dimension. They are so good I just bought a pair of the MA9S2 monos today.

Can't justify keeping the Constellation and want to put some $$ in my oldest' college savings account so it is up for sale.

Darrin
 
Wow, I didn't think I'd see your prized amp up for sale any time soon Darrin! Really nice amp. Good luck with the sale :)
 
Thanks folks - Shark only price - $19k shipped to your door.
 
Darrin,
It is great to note that you have discovered the sonic virtues of the Marantz Reference components. You & I may be the only ones on audioshark using these components. In my opinion they are vastly underrated since they carry the Marantz name. As you might have read the Reference line was designed and voiced under the guidance of the very well regarded Ken Ishiwata. I have a Marantz Reference SC7s2 preamp which I absolutely love. It pairs wonderfully well with my Burmester 956 amp. I bought it brand new for $4000 just before they discontinued the line in the US. It can be had on the second hand market for less than $3000. In my opinion it delivers reference caliber performance at a sane price. In the looks & build department it is second to none. I believe if these components were being built by a smaller reputable boutique manufacturer, they would easily sell for twice the price. Try the Marantz reference preamp if you get a chance -- I think you will love it.

Anshul


Dpod4 said:
I have this listed over on Audiogon. Special price for Shark members.

Never thought I would sell the Centaur as it had beat all comers with my Magico S5 speakers (VAC 450S, Hegel H30, CJ Pr350, Air Tight ATM-2, etc) but on a whim I demoed and bought a pair of Marantz MA9s1 from my local dealer. They bowled me over on every dimension. They are so good I just bought a pair of the MA9S2 monos today.

Can't justify keeping the Constellation and want to put some $$ in my oldest' college savings account so it is up for sale.

Darrin
Click to expand...
 
apdoc2004 said:
Darrin,
It is great to note that you have discovered the sonic virtues of the Marantz Reference components. You & I may be the only ones on audioshark using these components. In my opinion they are vastly underrated since they carry the Marantz name. As you might have read the Reference line was designed and voiced under the guidance of the very well regarded Ken Ishiwata. I have a Marantz Reference SC7s2 preamp which I absolutely love. It pairs wonderfully well with my Burmester 956 amp. I bought it brand new for $4000 just before they discontinued the line in the US. It can be had on the second hand market for less than $3000. In my opinion it delivers reference caliber performance at a sane price. In the looks & build department it is second to none. I believe if these components were being built by a smaller reputable boutique manufacturer, they would easily sell for twice the price. Try the Marantz reference preamp if you get a chance -- I think you will love it.

Anshul
Click to expand...

Anshul,
Thanks for the note. I am listening to Keb Mo via my Spiral Groove and Goldfinger Statement on the Marantz MA9S1 monos right now. I am still perplexed how Marantz amps sound better than anything I have had in my system. They are so musical and have a tube quality to the sound stage - layered and spacious. I had the owner of a high end audio brand over and that person with golden ears now wants to buy a pair of Marantz monos, having access to anything out there including building something custom. The analogy offered to me was that my Constellation amp was really really great but like in the movie Avatar it was a finely detailed holographic representation of the musical event. But the Marantz monos...that was like being in the pod that made feel like you were living the event - there experiencing it and a part of it. I realized today I am listening to my system a lot more. Not thinking about my system but instead reaching for albums.
 
I love hearing these kind of experiences, you Sir have found your audio nirvana(for now) :D

GLWS Darrin..
 
Darrin,
You are in for a treat when you get the MA-9s2 mono as they are a subtle upgrade over the MA-9S1 version. This may be a cliche but the the Marantz sound is just smoooooth and draws you into the music like few other brands. If I did not like my Burmester amp so much, I would definitely buy the Marantz mono blocks.
How would you compare the Marantz amps to the Air Tight ATM-2 amp (which I happen to own as well) on the wonderful Magico S5 speakers?

Anshul

Dpod4 said:
Anshul,
Thanks for the note. I am listening to Keb Mo via my Spiral Groove and Goldfinger Statement on the Marantz MA9S1 monos right now. I am still perplexed how Marantz amps sound better than anything I have had in my system. They are so musical and have a tube quality to the sound stage - layered and spacious. I had the owner of a high end audio brand over and that person with golden ears now wants to buy a pair of Marantz monos, having access to anything out there including building something custom. The analogy offered to me was that my Constellation amp was really really great but like in the movie Avatar it was a finely detailed holographic representation of the musical event. But the Marantz monos...that was like being in the pod that made feel like you were living the event - there experiencing it and a part of it. I realized today I am listening to my system a lot more. Not thinking about my system but instead reaching for albums.
Click to expand...
 
apdoc2004 said:
Darrin,
You are in for a treat when you get the MA-9s2 mono as they are a subtle upgrade over the MA-9S1 version. This may be a cliche but the the Marantz sound is just smoooooth and draws you into the music like few other brands. If I did not like my Burmester amp so much, I would definitely buy the Marantz mono blocks.
How would you compare the Marantz amps to the Air Tight ATM-2 amp (which I happen to own as well) on the wonderful Magico S5 speakers?

Anshul
Click to expand...

The ATM-2 is a wonderful potent tube amp. Not quite as transparent and true as the constellation and at times a little too strong and brassy sassy in the upper mids but on the S5s third best amp i have heard on it. The Marantz monos takes the smooth open clear transparency of the centaur and adds the richness and holographic space of the ATM-2 and injects a whole bunch of wallop and fun factor and increased energy and drive and warmth. Best of both those amps and serious serious low end punch.
 
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Darrin,

So happy you are LOVING the Marantz amps. I tried getting a pair of the MA9S2's when I found out they were not being replaced. Having no luck at the time, they fell off my radar. You lucky dog. Enjoy! Now you have me thinking about the PM-11S3 for fun. Hmmmm. It never ends.
 
I have very fond memories of Marantz to the point I have often threatened to "go back" to Marantz. KI certainly knows how to put the magic into the box. I read somewhere he has freedom of choice as to what he thinks needs to be done with the components.
 
A friend of mine runs an audio store here in Portland so I was able to pick up the MA9S1 monos to try them out. Never expected them to compete with Centaur. Even on hearing the faintest details the Marantz keeps up. I think the Constellation wins on refinement at lower listening levels. The MA9s2 monos (discontinued as well) are hard to find. I wish Marantz would have the same design and engineering team back together and come out with more true reference products like this. If anyone has a SA7S1 CD player for sale I will buy it [emoji16]
 
I should note system synergy is key. I tried the SC7S1 preamp (beautiful and heavy) - it did not beat my air tight ref 2001 preamp. Marantz pre was really nice but didn't come close to my Air Tight. But the air tight is a much higher price point has expensive nos tubes and separate pwr supply and beat out my previous arc ref40 preamp.
 
Received the MA9S2 monos today from dealer. Unpacking them even the tape on the box looked new. Taking them out these monos look brand new unused. I wonder if previous owner even used them. Here are some pix. Will fire them up tomorrow compare MA9S1s to S2s. In final pix the 2s are on top and the 1s on bottom. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1426919911.821255.jpg
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Thanks for posting the pics...looking good Darrin :cool: Looking forward to reading your first impressions of the S2's :thumbsup:
 
I need my children to wake up so I can fire those puppies up!
 
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