Marantz PM-11S3 integrated amp - opinions?

A

AudioKnight

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Jun 2, 2015
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Hello everyone, this is my first post and I'd like to ask forum members for their impressions of the Marantz PM-11S3 amp.

Is it as good as the reviews suggest? How does it compare with others of roughly the same price, like the Naim SuperNait2, the Electrocompaniet ECI5-Mk2 and Musical Fidelity M6si?

Many thanks in advance!
 
Sorry, I should have mentioned that the source would be the Marantz NA-11S1 streamer and speakers would be Spendor SP100/R2.

Thanks.
 
AudioKnight...the other AS member here who has considerable experience with Marantz goes by the username dpod. Shoot him a PM as it is likely he will have a useful opinion for your situation.
 
Quick update for the benefit of anyone interested in this amp.

I've found that it requires extensive break-in, around 150 hours' use at least, before it performs as it should. The seller advised me to be patient because he found that some customers opted to trade in the amp after 1-2 weeks as they were disappointed with the sound. He was right - exercising patience has really paid off because although there was incremental improvement over the first couple of weeks, the biggest jump came over this weekend when the sound suddenly opened up. It is now hugely involving and 3-dimensional, the bass is punchy and there's plenty of detail. Perhaps the biggest plus is the midrange, which is beautifully projected and articulated.

I saw a video which described this Marantz as one of hif-fi's best-kept secrets. Only after five weeks' use, I'm beginning to see why.

Cheers!
 
Congratulations! Great news. I love Marantz gear and need to listen to one of these that's well broken in. Thank you for the update.
 
AK...congrats :thumbsup: Glad you are enjoying your new purchase.
 
Another update - after a further 6 weeks' use, I've found another step up in performance. It's really quite astonishing.

One other thing I should add - a 15min warmup is recommended before listening, otherwise the sound can be a bit thin.
 
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