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Whether we like it or not, we are entering a new era where many audiophiles prefer streaming music to traditional physical media. The Marantz PM7000N integrated amplifier is Marantz’s first stereo hi-fi product to support HEOS multi-room streaming integration, allowing users to enjoy music from multiple services without purchasing a dedicated audio streamer.
With the dedicated HEOS app, users can stream audio directly from popular services such as TuneIn, Pandora, Spotify, SiriusXM, Amazon Prime Music, and TIDAL. For example, you may not have fully switched to streaming yet, or you have downloaded a large library of audio files. In that case, you can still use the NIC for UPnP audio, so you can stream files to your computer or NAS while the amp is still connected to your home network. The NIC also offers new features such as voice control with Josh.ai, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant.
Marantz PM7000N High-End Home Amplifier with HEOS Review
Marantz PM7000N Specifications
Company name MARANTZ
Product name PM7000N
Power handling (1% THD+N, 1kHz) [W] : 8 ohms, 2×74
Power rating (1% THD+N, 1kHz) [W] : 4Ω, 2x 113
Sensitivity (at maximum power) [V] : 2x 0.2
Signal to noise ratio (characteristic filter, referred to 1W) [dB] : 85
Dynamic range [dB] : 104
Damping factor (reference 4Ω) : 64
Frequency response from 5Hz to 100kHz (+/-3dB).
Supported file formats WMA, MP3, WAV, MPEG-4 AAC, FLAC, Apple Lossless, DSD
Input sensitivity/impedance
PHONO(MM): 2.0mV/47kΩ
CD, AUX, Recorder: 220mV/18kΩ.
SUBWOOFER output voltage: 240mV
Maximum acceptable signal level on the PHONO input (1kHz) MM: 80mV
Deviation from RIAA equalization (20 Hz – 20 kHz): ±0.5 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio (IHF-A, 8 ohms)
Headphones (MM): 87 dB (at 5 mV input, 1 W output)
CD, AUX, Recorder 115 dB (at 2 V input, nominal output)
Tone control
Bass (50 Hz): ±10 dB
Treble (15 kHz): ±10 dB
Power consumption: 220W
Dimensions (S x W x L): 440 x 125 x 379mm
Weight: 23.8 Pounds
Separate preamplifier and power amplifier designs
The power section consists of two independent switching power supplies and a toroidal transformer.
Use of high-quality components in the signal path and current storage
Symmetrical PCB used in the power amplifier section.
A state-of-the-art HDAM-SA3 module is used in the preamp section.
Class AB output stage
Wireless connectivity
Wi-Fi compliant (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, 2.4GHz, 5GHz)
Bluetooth version 4.1
Digital inputs: 2 optical, 1 coaxial digital (AK4490 DAC)
Ethernet input
Phono input (for MM phono)
Analog input: RCA x 3 + Loop-through signal output
Subwoofer output
Headphone input
Design & Ergonomy
In terms of weight, the PM7000N easily beats PM6007 with its built-in DAC. However, in terms of body height, internal topology, and outputs, the amplifier is closer to the PM8006, a masterpiece of analog hi-fi. Sure, it doesn’t have a thick aluminum cover or a heavy triple chassis, but it has all the other attributes of its counterpart.
There is also a headphone jack (0.25″) and EQ control knobs to adjust treble and bass settings to suit your system and sound preferences. The amplifier is made of a combination of metal and metal-like plastic and is quite large, measuring 17.3 x 4.9 x 14.9 inches and weighing 27.9 pounds.
If you plan to place the amplifier in your living room, you’ll eventually want to connect your TV to it as well. To that end, the PM7000N offers several options for digital and analog audio.
You can connect it to your TV via the optical input, but you can also connect your TV or other sources to the coaxial input or the three analogs (unbalanced) RCA inputs.
For vinyl lovers, the PM7000N also has a phono input. Note, however, that Marantz’s phono preamp section is designed for moving magnet phono stages with a rated output power of 47k ohms. Therefore, you may need to replace the magnetic cartridge of your turntable for it to work properly with this amplifier.
The Marantz PM7000N uses a unique current feedback circuit and a discrete SA3 HDAM amplifier module. In critical areas of the audio path, there are parts of improved quality.
The power section also uses a shielded toroidal transformer, a rectifier with Schottky diodes, and buffer capacitors. The rear section features an equally robust aluminum heatsink and four SPKT-1+ terminals.
Marantz engineers have extensive experience in eliminating unwanted noise associated with digital audio processing. To isolate the analog section from the noise generated by the DAC section of the sound card and network amplifier, Marantz has placed the “noisiest” components in a shielded enclosure.
For “crystal clear sound,” the PM7000N also implemented three Pure Audio modes that allow the digital amplifier section to be completely disabled when not in use. Alternatively, all digital amplifier operations can be completely disabled when using an analog source component, leaving the amplified audio signal in its original state.
Technology & Compatibility
The Marantz PM7000N is a full-featured desktop amplifier, so there is no need to purchase a separate DAC or streamer. These are already built into the device. In general, such a device would be classified as a stereo network amplifier.
Still, it should be noted that this is not a device built on an AV receiver platform (like Denon’s DRA-800H), for which the description of “network amplifier” fits better.
The Marantz PM7000N is the company’s first amplifier with advanced networking capabilities, thanks to Denon’s HEOS technology (tied to D&M Holdings).
This allows you to control the amplifier and connected devices wirelessly. Downloading the HEOS control software from the app store, signing up for the program, and connecting to a local Wi-Fi network (the device operates on the 2.4GHz/5GHz band) takes only a few minutes.
After that, the Marantz PM7000N amplifier provides you with a full list of possible actions and settings. HEOS loads thumbnails of the currently playing album while track information is displayed on the amplifier’s large, easy-to-read screen.
HEOS is also designed to connect to other compatible devices, so you can easily expand your system into a multi-room format. The following virtual voice assistants are also supported: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and AirPlay 2.
Streaming & Audio File Formats
Streaming is possible via virtually any online service (Tidal, Spotify, and a growing number of others), as well as very familiar sources such as your home NAS server.
The Marantz PM7000N desktop amplifier can play FLAC, WAV, ALAC (and other popular PCM-based standards), and DSD128 from the Internet (Wi-Fi or LAN) at up to 24-bit resolution and 192kHz sampling rate.
Until now, Marantz hasn’t designed a high-end home amplifier capable of networked operation because of the theory that multiple electronic units in an amplifier can interfere with each other through noise and interference and affect the sound quality.
PM7000N Connectivity
The PM7000N can be connected to three line-level sources and an MM cartridge turntable. Also, there are four digital inputs:
- One coaxial
- Two Toslink
- One USB input for media storage
On the back is a LAN port for connecting to your home Ethernet network. As you can see, this amplifier is designed for a variety of speakers.
With the phono amplifier section, the PM7000N can be connected with a turntable, which is an improvement over the previous generation of integrated amplifiers. The use of field-effect transistors (FETs) in the input stage simplifies the signal path, reduces distortion, and improves signal purity.
To meet the needs of those who demand high performance from a two-channel integrated amplifier, it also features a digital-to-analog converter that processes signals from the digital inputs (two optical, one coaxial) and a USB-A input that supports streaming of high-resolution files from USB flash drives and music files from portable devices.
Looking at Marantz’s specifications, the PM7000N has an output power of 60W/channel or 80W/channel between 8 and 4 ohms. A massive shielded toroidal transformer contributes to the weighty 23.80-pounds build of the amplifier.
To reduce overall power consumption, the designers decided to disconnect it from the circuit when not in use.
The switch-mode power supply (SMPS) goes into standby mode when the amplifier is not operating. When the amplifier is running, the SMPS module shuts down and powers the transformer.
Like many other exclusive amplifiers, the PM7000N uses current feedback technology, which features limited impedance and low phase bias. This is what gives it its characteristic clean sound, among other things.
The amplification traditionally uses proprietary “hyper-dynamic” modules (Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules – HDAM) on discrete elements.
Marantz PM7000N Sound Quality
With the PM7000N, Marantz enters the world of streaming without sacrificing the Marantz heritage and commitment to sound or the design features developed here.
The sound is fast, detailed, rich, and, most importantly, well-controlled. It doesn’t matter if the PM7000N plays louder or quieter music because whatever your musical preferences, the PM7000N will impress you just as much, no matter the complexity or genre.
Interestingly, despite the lack of a large image, the soundstage seemed wide and deep, and the bass seemed simple and not voluminous or weighty. With this combination, it’s nice to listen to classical music, jazz, orchestral music, or any live recording (but only on CD-quality files or better, because compression doesn’t eliminate “airiness,” “detail,” or “delicate articulation”). In rhythmic and lively “electric” genres, the PM7005 lacks drive, speed, and energy.
Compared to its predecessor, the PM7005, the Marantz PM7000N has a more mature sound. The overall character is still dense and heavy, with more brilliance and dynamics, and has gained more power, volume, and momentum through brightness and much higher dynamics.
The bass is clean and very well controlled, with no attenuation. Sonically, this is the most exciting and lively amplifier in the Marantz lineup in this price range.
Overall, the PM7000N gave us everything we wanted from an amplifier, and the sound quality exceeded our expectations. Our pleasant experience with the Marantz PM7000N in a home audio system only reinforced our belief that an investment of about $1000 in such a device is wise.
The sound quality, color saturation, and overall naturalness of the amplifier are just as good or, probably, even better than one would expect.
Tidal Streaming
Conclusion – Paying Top Dollar Premium Headphone Amp PM7000N
The Marantz brand has never lost sight of its heritage while adapting to changing times, and the PM7000N retains the distinctive sound for which the company’s products are valued by its fans. At the same time, it’s more neutral and smooth and works more confidently with a wider range of speakers.
The Marantz PM7000N is also available as a classic AV amplifier with extensive networking capabilities. Networking capabilities for playback of popular digital formats and content from streaming services require no additional hardware. In an ever-changing world, the confident decision of releasing an amplifier with a built-in streamer seems logical and – most importantly – successfully implemented.
In addition, Marantz’s high-end models are equipped with a range of technical solutions that offer high functionality and sound quality. The high-end stationary amplifier is designed for affluent music lovers who expect high-quality sound from high-end amplifiers. This amplifier also have a phono input, a DAC that supports a sufficient number of digital inputs, and a subwoofer output for bass lovers.
Ultimately, the Marantz PM7000N is an excellent choice for systems that demand surround and expansive sound with plenty of freedom and control over sound processing at all levels. Marantz delivers the performance one would expect in the high-end category: pleasant, slightly softer, carefully balanced sound, and excellent stereo performance.
