This is an ok amp. Nothing more, nothing less. It plays neutral with a coloring a bit towards the warm side (typical Marantz). It is has all the features needed for an amp today (Thumbs up for the 'Source Direct' switch!), looks good and is easy to use. The problem with this amp is, unfortunately, it's ability to present music. Even though it has no "screaming" weaknesses, it has no apparent strengths neither. It becomes a bit boring too me. Midrange is the weakest side of this amp. When given songs where theres a lot going on in the midrange (Soilwork - Follow The Hollow, Pink FLoyd - The Dark Side of The Moon), it gets messy. It also lacks the open "top" to give Tool - Vicarious or Dire Straits -The Man's Too Strong the snappy sound it deserves. Also the bottom tends to get a bit "wool-like". Almost as it looses controls when thins get heavy. On the other hand; As a Dolby Stereo 2.0 amp it works very well. Almost as I suspect Marantz to have tried to make a Stereo Receiver for a Stereo Home Teather instead of a straight forward stereo amp.
I 'd recommend it for shelf speakers or small floor standing speakers, if high-end isn't your main objective. But more demanding speakers will strip this amp to the bone. I've tested it on a couple of SEAS Avantis and a couple of QLN 603 mkIIs and I changed back to my old Dynaco 2x50 power amp which is overall a MUCH better amp.
If you don't need a big, high-end amp giving you class A and lot's og power, but just want an amp that plays NICE, this is a good alternatvie. As a background music amp (or a Dolby 2.0 Receiver), it's more than be sufficiant. Else; Buy something else. This is not Marantz finest moment and is not for "feinschmeckers".
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Advantages: A very, very capable all rounder. No real weakness in any variety of music. Bags of OOmph. Disadvantages: No second set of speaker option making bi-wiring a bind.
joeyjojoe1971 06.06.2009 ·
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Review of Marantz PM 66 SE
Advantages: A very, very capable all rounder. No real weakness in any variety of music. Bags of OOmph. Disadvantages: No second set of speaker option making bi-wiring a bind.
joeyjojoe1971 06.06.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Marantz PM 66 SE
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May 30th, 2007
(May 31st, 2007)
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