• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Vintage Marantz 1060 vs. The Modern PM6004

racingkaherv

racingkaherv

Member
I am currently running a system that consists of an old Marantz 1060 integrated amp, a Marantz CD5004, a souped-up Project Debut III turntable, and Epos Epic 2 speakers.

My question is this: Would I be better off, in terms of sound quality, recapping my Marantz 1060 and keeping it in my current system, or selling the 1060 and, combined with the money I would spend on the recap, using that money towards a Marantz PM6004? (The 1060 operates perfectly, but the high mids are a bit over-pronounced. This would most likely be remedied by a full recap.)

I greatly appreciate any feedback you might have.
 
Register to hide this ad
I haven't had 1060 but a PM + CD5003 combo. I'd say go for the 6004. Just because they'd look better together, easy to operate (one remote does all), no need to worry about repairs & you get to try something new and have fun. It's not like 1060 is some super highly sought after thing either.
 
Thanks for the input, guys. I've got some time to mull this one over. I should add, my live-in girlfriend is a huge fan of the 1060's looks. While not the utmost priority, it is always a consideration. :)
 
racingkaherv said:
Thanks for the input, guys. I've got some time to mull this one over. I should add, my live-in girlfriend is a huge fan of the 1060's looks. While not the utmost priority, it is always a consideration. :)
Click to expand...

BTW, try another CD player with your setup just for kicks. The CD5004 had a lot of energy exactly where you voiced concern about (I used to have one). I'd bet a PM8004 and TEAC CD player would flat rock!
 
Would you recap the 1060 yourself or have it done by someone else?

Also, how much power do you need for your Epics?

I just bought a 1060 and I like the sound a lot. I'll probably recap it myself, which means it should be relatively inexpensive, well under $100 in parts (and probably quite a bit less if I don't go with fancy caps) and then my time of course. But of course, it'll still be 30W/ch.

If you need more power anyway or you'd pay more than a couple hundred in servicing costs to have someone else recap it, probably makes sense to move to something new since you could sell your 1060 for maybe $200 and save the professional recap cost. But if you have the ability to recap yourself, then the 1060 will be reliable after the recap and sound quality should improve as you said.

One advantage of keeping it simple and recapping what you have is it doesn't open up all the possibilities of climbing higher and higher up the ladder. The PM6004 is about $500 and PM8004 is about $800, and it could keep going from there.

Also, agree with Art K to try another CDP as well.
 
While I have recapped speakers, I am wary of doing the full 1060 recap myself.

Which Teac CD player would you guys recommend?
 
racingkaherv said:
While I have recapped speakers, I am wary of doing the full 1060 recap myself.

Which Teac CD player would you guys recommend?
Click to expand...

I have the PD-H600 but I don't think it's available anymore. I think that the PD-H750 would make a great player at a good price.
 
Good to know. Thanks, Art.

I am seriously considering the PM8004. (I can't help but think the advantages of the 8004 over the 6004 might be lost on my entry level components going into it, though. Maybe it's better to view it as something to grow into.)
 
racingkaherv said:
Good to know. Thanks, Art.

I am seriously considering the PM8004. (I can't help but think the advantages of the 8004 over the 6004 might be lost on my entry level components going into it, though. Maybe it's better to view it as something to grow into.)
Click to expand...

I've owned a 1060. I recapped it myself. It sounded much better after the recap. In fact, I think it is one of the best sounding vintage pieces I've owned. Speakers were JBL L100. Last night I bought a PM8004 online and am not-so-patiently waiting for it to arrive. I've been a big vintage guy but my reason for buying new is that this piece looks really nice, I haven't read many if any bad reviews on it, and I just want to listen to music for a change. Of course my decision was partially driven by the fact that my tube amp is blown up, my Soundcraftsmen A5002 is still in pieces on the kitchen table, and my Kenwood KA-9100 plays out of one channel. I could go on but I'll stop there. Anyway, looking forward to listening to the new Marantz.
 
1060

I still own a 1060 and use it daily with my Mac Mini computer and an ipod. I love the sound. My speakers are NHT super-zero. I recently recapped it going bigger (double and a half) and I think the sound is more musical than before.
I have owned it since 1972(i think) and used it a lot.
The 1060 with a pair of L-100's was a setup to die for way back. Many setups like that were around and still are.
I don't know about your other choice but I am sure it would be substantially different.
The only way to know is to go for it.

Paul
 
I would say if you love the way your 1060 sounds then get it recapped and call it a day. If you want a different sound then go for the newer one.
 
in a similar fashion i once 'upgraded' a pm5003 to pm7001. the sonic signature was similar yet there was more beef to the sound. i bet if you can't afford a 8004, even a used 8003 would be better than 6004.
 
For those interested, I am currently auditioning both the PM6004 and the PM8004 at home. All I can say is the sound difference between these two is huge.

The 6004 sounds great. It really does. It has nice depth and air and is nicely balanced. For the money, this thing is absolutely great.

The 8004 is a completely different beast. You can absolutely hear the difference that transformer makes. Every articulation has an added impact to it. The highs are very smooth right now (maybe too smooth?) and my typically bright CD5004 have been drastically tamed. It actually seems to be a nice match with the Epos Epic 2s, which are a little forward in the high mids and highs. There is a subtle detail in the mids that the 6004 can't touch. And the richness and detail of the bass is in a whole other ballpark. That being said, it feels a little bottom heavy right now and is lacking some separation and air. It has only got about 20 hours burn-in on it, and things seem to be improving. (When I first got it, Paul Chamber's bass on "So What" was overwhelming everything. The kick drum on Elvis' "You Were Always on My Mind" sounded like it was from a Red Hot Chili Pepper's record.) If the 8004's sound opens up a bit more, I am gonna have to keep it.

I will report back after some more time is spent with these bad boys.
 
racingkaherv said:
For those interested, I am currently auditioning both the PM6004 and the PM8004 at home. All I can say is the sound difference between these two is huge.

The 6004 sounds great. It really does. It has nice depth and air and is nicely balanced. For the money, this thing is absolutely great.

The 8004 is a completely different beast. You can absolutely hear the difference that transformer makes. Every articulation has an added impact to it. The highs are very smooth right now (maybe too smooth?) and my typically bright CD5004 have been drastically tamed. It actually seems to be a nice match with the Epos Epic 2s, which are a little forward in the high mids and highs. There is a subtle detail in the mids that the 6004 can't touch. And the richness and detail of the bass is in a whole other ballpark. That being said, it feels a little bottom heavy right now and is lacking some separation and air. It has only got about 20 hours burn-in on it, and things seem to be improving. (When I first got it, Paul Chamber's bass on "So What" was overwhelming everything. The kick drum on Elvis' "You Were Always on My Mind" sounded like it was from a Red Hot Chili Pepper's record.) If the 8004's sound opens up a bit more, I am gonna have to keep it.

I will report back after some more time is spent with these bad boys.
Click to expand...

Nice. My PM8004 is supposed to be delivered today. I can't wait to hear it. You spun any records, yet.
 
I haven't tried any vinyl as the amp stack is so big that the power conditioner cord can't reach my turntable. I had to remove the turntable all together for the time being.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom