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Marantz MA-500 monoblocks?

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I am looking for a way to beef up my receivers amplification capabilities. Has anyone here had experience with the MA-500's? Would it be worth it to spend the extra $$$ for the 700's? I purchsed the 3300 ffor H.T. but I want a way to vastly improve the sound for stereo music listening. Therefore I do not want to shell out the cash for a 5 channel amp. I would rather maximize the sound quality I get for my dollar spent by focusing on 2 channel amplification. Any other alternatives? Thanks in advance for you input!!!

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What speakers are you using and how large is your room? (nt) Jim Bookhard 13:44:42 01/23/00 (8)
- Re: What speakers are you using and how large is your room? (nt) WSB 07:15:15 01/24/00 (7)
  My room is about 17'x14'. The speakers I am using are Mission 774's. Mainly I was wondering if the MA700's just give more power than the 500's, or are they also better sounding, better built amps? Any other advice is greatly appreciated. My speakers have a slight emphasis on the higher freq. so I do not want anything that will add more brightness. Thanks!!!!
  - Re: What speakers are you using and how large is your room? (nt) Jim Bookhard 19:09:00 01/25/00 (6)
    Mission speakers, for the most part, are usually very efficient speakers. The Marantz MA-700 amps are more powerful, but I'm not sure that you need more than the 100 wpc MA-500's. The Marantz amps have a very detailed, yet mellow sound and do not exaggerate the top end (nor do they roll it off). These are very good sounding amps and should be placed on audio grade component shelving for best sound (as all equipment should). If you do not see yourself upgrading anytime in the future, the MA-500's should be all you need. If you think you will upgrade your speakers to less efficient speakers in the near future, I'd go with the MA-700s (REALLY good sounding amps). For even better sound, remove the manufacturer factory installed feet from the amps and set the amps up on brass cones (3 for each amp).
    - I'm unfamiliar with how an amp reacts with shelving, please enlighten me, Thanks! WSB 15:32:59 01/27/00 (1)
      I didn't know the shelving and feet under the amp could affect the sound. How does this happen? I'm very facinated with the many sonic interactions in an audio system, but have much to learn. Thanks!
      - Amps, shelves and resonance Jim Bookhard 12:51:59 01/29/00 (0)
        
        In Reply to: I'm unfamiliar with how an amp reacts with shelving, please enlighten me, Thanks! posted by WSB on January 27, 2000 at 15:32:59:
        
        Interestingly, both Michael Green of MGD and J. Biclewicz of Symposium Acoustics (RollerBlock fame) both advocate the removal of feet from components. I cite these two individuals because both have component setup recommendations that include this and lend credibility to my statements below, since I am just an audiophile of 30+ years and not a manufacturer. I have also used this procedure for about 15 years. Any factory feet made of "rubber", will add unwanted and extra mass to the component and affect the "sound" of the audio signal passing through internal components on the circuit board(s) of the chassis. In effect, "rubber" type factory installed feet change the resonant frequency of the chassis cabinet and actually absorb some of the harmonic structures in the audio signal passing through the component (an audio signal is composed of "vbrations" just as all forms of energy are).
        Since everything is connected (there is no such thing as total isolation, at least here on earth), the component shelves' resonant frequency will affect the resonant frequency of the component chassis cabinet and vice versa. Everything affects everything else. What you want to achieve is a "synergistic" relationship between the component resonant characteristics and the shelving resonant characteristics. Every (shelf) material will interreact differently with any given component, and even with its own support rod materials. You cannot create an "inert" shelf because everything in the Universe vibrates to some degree. Acutally, if you go to Mike VansEvers website at www.vansevers.com, he has an interesting article there on why "resonances" are necessary to create good sound. This may sound contrary to many things you will read in this forum, but it is true. The trick is to find the "complementary" resonances which will work synergistically in your system.
    - Thanks! I will be going with the MA500's. (eom) WSB 07:13:14 01/26/00 (3)
      .
      - Make sure you can return them MikeP 09:56:57 01/26/00 (2)
        
        In Reply to: Thanks! I will be going with the MA500's. (eom) posted by WSB on January 26, 2000 at 07:13:14:
        
        My experience is different than Jim's. On speakers that could get a little bright, I found the Marantz's compounded the problem. The last thing i would do is use MA500's in a bright system.
        The Odyssey Stratos is 150 wpc for $900. It is the best ss amp I've heard in my system and is yards better thant he Marantz. Unfortunately mine has lost a channel twice in 1 year so I can't really recommend it.
        
        Re: Make sure you can return them Jim Bookhard 16:44:11 01/26/00 (1)
        
        In Reply to: Make sure you can return them posted by MikeP on January 26, 2000 at 09:56:57:
        
        There are many things which can make a system sound bright, including the shelving the amp is sitting on. On high quality audio grade shelving, Marantz presents a mellow sonic signature, all other things in the system being equally "neutral" sounding.
        
        Re: Make sure you can return them MikeP 17:50:42 01/26/00 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Re: Make sure you can return them posted by Jim Bookhard on January 26, 2000 at 16:44:11:
        
        Yup. Just a word of caution was all. I had several pairs of speakers, amps, pres and cdps when I had the Marantz. They could add a touch of brightness in some combos. As noted below, it wasn't noticeable at all with the VSR's, but they are a very smooth speaker. With the Mirages I never noticed brightness except with the Marantz's and then it was really bad. If I already thought my system was bright, it would not be an amp I would just assume I could drop in with good results.
Re: Marantz MA-500 monoblocks? Mark 16:28:32 01/22/00 (1)
I used three with my Denon AVR2700 to do exactly what you are trying to do. I found they did improve the sound but I ended up separating my music from my home theater. I bought a Jolida JD1501 hybrid and hooked my cd player to it. I ran an additional pair of speaker wires from the Denon to my fronts and when I want to watch HT with the Denon I simply change the speaker wires. The bottom line is yes the Marantz MA500's will improve your system but the receiver will still be a limitation. I am very pleased with the set up I have now. Food for thought!
- Thanks for your input!!! (eom) WSB 07:16:30 01/24/00 (0)
  .
It depends MikeP 10:51:07 01/22/00 (0)
on the rest of your system, how loud you play it, etc.
For example, I had a pair of Ma500's and found them to be ok with Von schweikert VR3's, but virtually unlistenable with Mirage 5si's (harsh and edgy).
Re: Marantz MA-500 monoblocks? Bill Spohn 18:27:32 01/21/00 (1)
How on earth could we know whether it is worth it for you to buy the 700s over the 500s when you don't give us a clue about what speakers you are driving with them?
- Sorry, I'm new to this forum, don't know the "rules" WSB 07:22:06 01/24/00 (0)
  I decided to come here after giving up on AudioReview's incessant flamewars, lack of maturity, respect for others, etc. This seems to be a great forum. Sorry about not giving enough info. I am driving a pair of Mission 774's in a 17'x14' room. They are a little on the bright side, but very accurate and revealing. I listen to Jazz, Classical, Blues, Rock. I sincerely appreciate your input!!!
Re: Marantz MA-500 monoblocks? Marcus of Markdom 12:37:51 01/21/00 (0)
Saw them cheap this AM on onecall.com
Good Luck.

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