Marantz MM9000....is it worth the purchase? (1 Viewer)

I am looking for a multi-channel H/T amp. to drive my Rocket speakers. I will be using a Denon 3803. I have read info from others on the Marantz MM9000, but I can't get myself to believe that this amp is any good mainly due to its cheap cost?

Why is this amp so cheap as compared to other with similar power etc. Is it worth purchasing? I really don't need anything more than 150 wpc, but my Rockets would love the 200 watt power!

I've looked on audiogon and need something in the $800-$900 price range.

Any input would be great.

I remember reading a great review on it when it came out way back when in Home Theater Magazine.
It wasn't the end all, but it did well.
I have no idea why it is not more known and used. I would try it especially if you are gonna get it here...

http://accessories4less.com/Amazing/...FSCat=++++++34

Also check out Outlaw.
And if you could just stretch it to 1000 or even 1200 that will give you a bit more choices.

If you do decide on the Marantz let us or at least me know I was always way curious about that piece.

You can get teh MM9000 for $699 BRAND NEW with free shipping from www.ac4l.com. It is cheap because it has been discontinued. THX Ultra cert means it can hold it's own.

I got one a month ago with that same deal. It arrived in three days. It works fine and is a definite upgrade over just about any receiver's power section (using mine with a Denon AVR2803 as pre/pro). It's easy to set up and the auto on/off trigger works perfectly. Neutral sounding and runs quite cool with efficient speakers, with gobs of power to spare. All for $699 shipped. What's there not to like?

Steve, we are looking at the exact same thing. I have just started looking at my options and have come across the MM9000. I was really looking for a good two channel amp.. Outlaw M200, Adcom 5400/5500, ATI 1502 or Parasound 1000/1500 were some of the ones I was considering. I have JBL 312 Studio Towers up front and my receiver, V444ES, seems to start to run out of power at very high levels.

The MM9000 seems to have a wonderful price for 5 channels (THX Ultra)of 150wpc and I've seen nothing but good reviews. My question is also, what's up with this and how come it's not discussed more in here? I'd love to hear more about this amp or others that I was looking at compared to this guy.

It seems that Marantz's venture into separates wasn't as widely acknowledged as other affordable companies like Adcom, NAD, et al. I'm still looking to get a couple of those monoblocks. Denon, Yamaha, Sony, and HK have also put out separate amps over the years, but you don't hear much about them either. I think that certain brands are associated with different types of units. Probably wouldn't be worth it for these bigger manufacturers to go into separates when they don't get half the attention of their combined receivers. A Marantz might not have the bragging rights of some B&K or McIntosh amps, but it seems to be a quality unit nonetheless.

The reason why the MM9000 is not discussed as much is because they are somewhat old now. If I am correct, I think all the channels may share the same power supply as compared to higher end competitors

Also, the MA500 and MA700 Monoblocks seem to have been more preferred.

Besides that, they are probably a great bang for the buck amplifier...especially for people looking to add power or starting to get into separates.

Really cant beat 5x150w, THX certified for under $700us!

I'd say timing, this came out at the infancy of DVD when the players was in the $1000+ range and therefore those who might get into separates now would maybe not be able to afford this as well. It also didn't help that Outlaw came out with a better amp shortly there after which imo was better at the same price point.

This amps a bargain for it's price and would definitely help anyone who wants to upgrade their theater for a minimal price (compared to say a new AVR or speaker set).

I just placed an order for the MARANTZ MM9000, and it should show up on Friday (I hope) for me to play with all weekend. I will be mating it with a Sony STR-DA4ES that will handle Pre/Pro duties for now on. I will post my findings after i run my torture test over the weekend. The 4ES has done a wonderful job since Sept, 2002, but now i'm ready to slide into seperates. My $$$$ is right so why not?!

I don't know if you guys seen this yet, but check it out.

http://www.marantz.com/pdfs/u_mm9000.pdf

All of my Marantz gear has come with the banana covers. I was able to easily pop them out with a pocket knife.

By any chance, has anyone ever compared this amp to the Parasound 855A? That amp is only 85W so should I assume the Marantz is a lot better? Or is there something about a Parasound amp that would make them close?

I'm currently using the 855A for my front and center speakers (NHT Super 2 and 1, respectively, whose sensitivty is a mere 86db). My receiver has only 3 pre-outs so I'm using it for my 2 rear speakers. Just looking for an excuse to upgrade, I guess. I estimate I use my system for about 75% music to 25% HT.

More wattage isn't necessarily a guage of quality. For most home theater environments, 85 honest watts is plenty of power, especially if you have efficient speakers (89+ dB sensitivity). Where the extra watts come into play are as you turn up really loud and want as much clean headroom as possible, or when there are quick bursts of high volume sound (like the depth charges in "U-571"), or when there are great demands of bass frequencies. If your speakers are of lower sensitivity, or are 4 ohm impedance, then it definitely helps to have more power in order to reach near-reference levels with clean power. The NHT's aren't as efficient as other comparable speakers, but your Parasound should still handle everything quite well. I just recently made the move to separates, so for my price range, the Marantz fit in very nicely. Even if you get a dedicated HT preamp somewhere down the line, the Parasound should provide plenty of power unless you like to listen at really loud levels.

I was also looking at this amp and some others. Some
questions on the specs that maybe someone knows?

1. Whats the 4ohm rating? All channels driven.
2. Is the power supply 400W?

I also looked at outlaw and used sherwood.

Outlaw 7100: 7x100(8ohm), 7x165 (4ohm), 51 lbs, $900
Sherwood AM9080: 5x120(8ohm), ?(4ohm), 60 lbs, $400 used

Do you think this ones a better buy? I look at
the weight since that's indicative of the power
supply.

I heard may great things on the Sherwood. I own a Parasound and well I have no complaints. If I were you I would save the $500 and put it into something else in your system....dvd player or whatever.

I just went ahead and ordered the MM9000. Accessories4Less has 10% off this month so I picked it up for $670.45 shipping included. Had could I go wrong for that price???

It is listed as 6 Ohm minumum, but so is my 8300 and I am running two 4 Ohm mains (91.5 dB efficient and relatively low current draw though) and it only gets a tiny bit hotter. Since the 9000 has a larger power supply, I'd expect it will be fine with a few 4 Ohm speakers hooked to it, but it might not like 4 Ohms all the way around.

Well the MM9000 showed up yesterday and all is well so far eccept.

I'm having problem getting the 12V trigger on the 4ES to turn the MM9000 on & put it in standby mode. I bought a stereo mini 1/8 plug and a stereo to mono (RCA end) and nothing. Then i used a mono mini 1/8 plug w/ the same adapter nothing. Okay now i went w/ a video cable out of the monitor out of the 4ES and sill NOTHING! Because my RPTV dose not have a video out.........have no idea why not.

So now what fellas?! :frowning: