buckaroo

Would like to post images. Trying to discover how to do that on this forum. Looks like they need to be posted somewhere online then insert the URL after clicking the photo button? So you can't insert them directly into a post?

I just purchased a Marantz PM 8005. I primarily use Klipsch Heresy III speakers but also have Klipsch KG 2.2. I think that you are correct that the peceived lack of bass that you encountered has more to do with the speakers than the amp. Before swapping out cables you might consider an alternative speaker placement. Maybe for a start, put them on the floor and tilt them back (raise the front about 30 degrees) to see if that helps. I am new to this forum but a long time HiFi fan. I am sure others will offer opinions soon. Merry Christmas.

That's like saying I like the nostalgic blue smoke from the worn out rings in my original 66 Mustang. Different strokes I guess. Well actually, if it had the blue smoke symptom it would be sonic disfavor, then a replacement would be indicated. I agree that the sound that each listener prefers is very subjective. Part of the appeal of old amps, for me, is the subtle degree of fatigue that occurs with parts before they fall "too far" out of spec. In other words "broken in". Not everyone likes their blue jeans stiff as when they are brand new, some like them more broken in after multiple washings and wearings. Eventually, when the jeans do wear out, then replacement is indicated. So I guess I am saying that there is an acceptable degree of normal wear on old electronic parts, and that degree of wear might be sonically desireable to some individuals. IMO, the wear contributes to the "vintage sound". And those degrees may vary according to an individual's sonic taste. That is my only point.

Ha! yes it will be my son who will benefit from the "break in" more than me. Thank you for the Welcome!!

Perhaps, but then that old Marantz would be somewhat "new" again and not original as it is now. I really like the old fatigued sonic character. That is the charm of the vintage amp for me. It still has more than adequate low end. And still functions in a reliable manner. My guess is that if I measured the capacitance of the old caps they would not be too far off yet. I think the "old" sound comes from the ageing of all the parts as a whole. I likely will not change parts until they fail or degrade to the point of sonic disfavor. But I recognize that many prefer to recap / restore old amps as a matter of routine and that is certainly a valid approach. I just don't think mine needs that intervention just yet.

The new Marantz PM 8005 with Klipsch speakers: I have compared the new Marantz PM 8005 with vintage (all original except bulbs) Marantz 2238. I used a Rega TT with Exact cart and also used each amp on two sets of Klipsch speakers: (new set of Heresy III and an original set of 1993 Klipsch KG 2.2). My initial impression of the PM 8005 after only a few hours of listening is that the new amp sounds "new" and the vintage amp sounds "old" and well broken in. And there is certainly a charm / character to that old sound that will take the new amp many years to evolve to achieve. Having said that, the new amp sounds very tight in the bass compared to the old one. When I reduce the bass slightly it sounds a bit more like the vintage model...but with a bit more definition / focus in the low end still. The mids seem pretty smooth and balanced. They needed no attenuation to compare in a favorable way to the older amp. Nice detail in these new mids. The high frequency imaging seems to have a bit more clarity / focus on the new one. Though I don't think it is overall any brighter than the old one. Overall, the new amp with no break in period yet, has strong bass and a tighter sound rather than a relaxed vintage sonic character, compared to the older amp. The overall quality of that sound seems to have a bit more focus / detail / imaging than the old one. Overall, the new amp does not seem significantly darker or brighter than the new amp and has a non fatiguing sonic character not unlike the old one. I could listen to either one and enjoy the sound. The new amp seems more sonically neutral than the old one; lacking some of the aged sonic character / sweetness of the old amp. No doubt at least partly due to caps and resistors that are new versus nearly 40 years old. Although I am certain the circuits are not identical and that is contributory to the difference as well. Make no mistake though that the new amp does not sound clinical or void of sonic character. It has a pleasant sound that is easy to listen to. It is mostly tighter and focused imaging compared to the old amp, which sounds relaxed and a bit "sweeter" (aka...desirable sonic fatigue from aging). I think the main difference between the two amps is more about new versus old than anything else. I would bet that if I could hear the 2238 "as new" again there would be greater similarity between the two amps. The build quality of the new amp is very good. It is made in Japan FWIW. I like the new amp and will use both for different rooms. It is hard to say one is better. They are different but have significant similarity for the listener that wants to take the time to perceive such sonic nuance. I won't give up the old amp. but I will enjoy listening to the new one to discover how it breaks in over the next few years. Hope this helps anyone who might be interested in buying current Marantz PM 8005.

New here and my first post. Hello to all. In the 1970's I bought a Marantz 2238 receiver. I still own and operate it regularly. Originally I used JBL LXX? speakers, then in the early 1990's made the move to Klipsch KG 2.2. Last month I acquired a new pair of Klipsch Heresy III and they are mated to the Marantz 2238. WOW!!! I am so much a Klipsch fan. I just got my son his first "starter" Klipsch: a pair of RB 51 II. My point is this: happy to be a new forum member and amazed at how all these speaker sets, while very different, still seem to have a similar "sonic" connection. I was really shocked at the shared sonic DNA between the KG 2.2 and the Heresy III. (Albeit a bit less so for the China made RB 51 II.) I just ordered a Marantz PM 8005 receiver to share duty with the nearly 40 year old Marantz 2238. I will be curious to discover how much sonic DNA those two might share. Buckaroo