AV & Hifi Amplifiers
Marantz PM4000 Integrated Amplifier
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The PM4000 is a 30W (RMS) integrated amplifier and has a smooth sound with phenomenal levels of bass making it equally at home for 2-channel DVD's as well as music. Ample inputs are provided including a phono stage and the record out is switchable allowing you to listen and record from different sources.
A headphone socket for late night sessions is provided as well as outputs for two sets of speakers. Round the back you have the usual analogue line in/out and phono sockets as well as proper binding posts for speakers.
Bass, treble and loudness controls are provided with a source direct switch for bypassing everything if you want your sound as nature intended. I don't use the bass or treble however the loudness switch boosts the low and high frequencies adding adds lots of weight to whatever's playing and I keep this switched on. As with most integrated amps, the PM4000 has protection circuitry built in just in case you crank up the volume and the amp runs out of juice. A fully functional remote control can also operate other Marantz kit and the whole unit is very sturdy and solid. A lively, award-winning amp, this beauty has few peers in its price range and is well worth checking out.
Sony TA-FB940R Integrated Amplifier
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Sony have always produced classy hifi separates and the award winning 60 Watts (RMS) TA-FB940 amplifier is no exception. It's a powerful bass-heavy beast with hefty dimensions that's been tuned for the UK with an extended frequency range for Super Audio CD's (SACD). Switch on the amp and it soon becomes apparent that all the extra bulk pays dividends with both hifi and home cinema. The FB940 houses a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) power stage that means it requires less juice to operate and is able to provide higher output more reliably and efficiently. A linear phase circuit minimises disortion keeping the sound smooth and silky. It's not all about specs though as build quality matters and it's here that the Sony delivers in spades.
Available in black or silver, the unit is well built and feels mighty solid with the kind of reassuring sturdiness that you expect with quality kit. Bass, treble and loudness controls are provided along with gold plated line-in terminals, a source direct switch, headphone socket and subsonic noise reduction switch. Two sets of speakers can be hooked up and there's inputs for five sources with an additional phono input. The FB940 is also EON (Enhanced Other Networks) compliant so that the unit can be switched on and off via other EON compliant sources (e.g. tuners).
Sound is refined providing plenty of mid range detail whilst still being able to dig deep for low frequencies when necessary. I keep the loudness control switched on and after twenty minutes of use, the amp really opens up hitting the low notes with ease whilst never losing detail or clarity at the higher end. The wider frequency range of the amp is ideal with movies as well as hifi. Powerful soundtracks and epic musical scores are easily dealt with and you always feel the Sony is just purring along on cruise control without having to try hard. A rather sparse yet beautifully slimline remote is provided that controls all the basic functions of any connected kit as well as volume for the amp. Unfortunately, the remote isn't able to switch the amp on and off but with sound this good, who cares?
Denon AVR-1906 AV Receiver
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The home theatre market is becoming increasingly crowded with AV Receivers and it takes something really special to stand out from the crowd. Step foward, the award winning Denon AVR-1906 that offers 7 powerful channels of 80 Watts (RMS) each, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital and DTS decoders, DTS 96/24, auto setup and even bi-wiring capabilities. Best of all, this is an AV amp that doesn't sound half bad in 2-channel stereo mode, traditionally an area which scuppers most other AV amps.
A nice big chunky remote with large glow-in-the-dark buttons offers full control of the amp along with other AV kit from the comfort of the sofa and the signature Denon power dutton that glows red when off and green when on adds a nice touch of ambience if you have the rest of the matching Denon separates.
The AVR-1906 provides excellent separation of surround channels and offers enough options to tinker with the sound. Bass and treble can be adjusted by up to -+12dB and there are several surround modes provided including a virtual surround for 2 speakers and a source direct to switch it all off. Purists will stick to the vanilla Dolby Digital and DTS surround modes that excel for a home theatre soundstage with the Dolby Pro Logic IIx breathing new life into conventional 2-channel sources and really making them come alive.
The auto setup worked perfectly for me using the included microphone and there are enough inputs to connect all kinds of kit apart from HDMI input that's not included in this model. A quality Burr Brown DAC is used for audio conversion and although the Denon is no replacement for a serious stereo amp, it does better than most and makes a decent stab with CD's. The integrated tuner does everything is should and was able to pick up all the local stations including the underground South London pirate stations that are far more enjoyable than their commercial rivals. If you need a solid AV receiver with excellent surround sound, powerful output and adequate stereo performance, the Denon AVR-1906 is one to add to the shortlist.
Marantz SR7500 AV Receiver
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A huge beast of an AV receiver that demands attention, the SR7500 is fully THX certified and a serious piece of mid-range AV kit that provides a 7.1 soundstage as hefty as its dimensions. A smooth, minimalist flip-down fascia adds to the elegance with a powerful 100 Watts (RMS) amplifier providing a rich, dynamic sound that will smooth and flatter your source material. All the usual Pro Logic, Dolby Digital and DTS surround modes are provided along with full support for THX Select, Surround EX, Ultra and Ultra II modes. A nice addition is the Dolby headphone support and Circle Surround II decoder which is similar to Prologic II but offers a more spatial soundstage and additional controls over bass and treble.
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Marantz are well known for their stereo amps and their expertise has been utilised in their AV range to great advantage. As a mid-range AV receiver, the stereo performance of the SR7500 is as good as a decent 2-channel budget amp and the high grade audio components used inside pay dividends with CD playback especially when the pure direct mode is engaged that switches off all the unecessary circuitry inside. If you're serious about your hifi as much as home theatre, the Marantz SR7500 is a big, muscular amp with a comprehensive learning remote control, contemporary looks and a beautiful high quality finish that would complement the modern home perfectly.