Marantz PM7000N
The world is now accustomed to the hi-fi equivalent of Mary Poppins’ magic bag; components that miraculously pack everything into one, compact box. The Marantz PM7000N may not house a hatstand or a lamp within its chassis, but it does pack in 60W per channel of amplification, a DAC, network module and access to a host of music streaming services.
Given the familiar full-width design Marantz has persisted with for decades, you might question how new the Marantz PM7000N actually is – especially since the brand has adopted a more contemporary look for similarly spec’d systems, such as the Melody X. But as Poppins herself noted, you should never judge things by their appearance.
There’s 24-bit/192khz PCM streaming across the digital inputs (USB, coaxial and two optical) and music servers, and 5.6MHZ DSD streaming across the USB input and music servers.
Ample access
While the digital connections, plus four analogue inputs, allow you to hook up external components such as a CD player, turntable or USB stick, there’s plenty of source material within the Marantz itself. The PM7000N leverages the hi-res, multi-room HEOS platform created by Marantz and sister brand Denon, giving owners direct access to networked music servers, internet radio, and several music streaming services including Spotify, Tidal, Deezer and Amazon over wi-fi or ethernet.
There’s Airplay 2 for one-touch streaming from Apple devices, and the offline convenience of Bluetooth. Voice control fans will be pleased to know that Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri are supported too.
Your preferred navigation tool will be your smartphone or tablet running the HEOS streaming app, from which you can access and control music, switch sources and connect players in a multi-room capacity. We’ve seen better streaming apps – BLUOS and Naim, for example – but HEOS is robust and easy to use. If you misplace your phone or prefer a more hands-on approach, the plasticky front-panel navigation buttons can be used to perform simple control tasks.
There’s an argument for not having text displays on streamers – after all, your smartphone screen is essentially a display – but we like that we can put our phone down and read song information while an album is playing, courtesy of the Marantz’s three-line OLED display.
Aesthetically, this is an old-school Marantz, with large volume and input dials, smaller bass, treble and balance tone knobs, and a 6.3mm headphone jack. Less obvious is the function that allows the Marantz’s supplied remote to control the volume, input and power of a connected TV.
The downside to Marantz’s design consistency is that the PM7000N doesn’t look particularly premium compared with some of the company’s more affordable products, but it’s smart and well built for the money.
We select Rival Consoles’ Night Melody, hit play in Tidal within the HEOS app, and the PM7000N reveals a sonic character that’s powerful, expansive and weighty. It communicates the instrumental track’s dense soundscape well and ensures the pounding synths sound fittingly imposing within it.
It has the dynamic attention to convey the ebb and flow of the shuffling synths and their understated climaxes. We don’t feel obliged to turn up the volume to be engaged by the sound. When low-fi beats share the sonic frame with sparkling synths, the quality at both ends of the frequency spectrum is noticeable. But the midrange keeps pace too, managing to eclipse even the Award-winning Bluesound Powernode 2i.
Tone of voice
Play Hope Sandoval And The Warm Intentions’ Let Me Get There and the Marantz’s extra lucidity does wonders for the vocal play-off between Sandoval’s honey-soaked delivery and Kurt Vile’s amiable tone. While the Bluesound makes a bold impression with a dynamic and rich sound, the Marantz newcomer trumps its rival’s talents with greater clarity and expression.
There’s more than enough excitement on show here as Bon Iver’s 666ʇ takes centre stage through our speakers. The PM7000N handles the track’s percussive dynamics well, conveying the album’s exuberant electronica vibe, and keeping a finger on everything in Vernon’s glitchy synth cacophony.
If you’re after a practical box of tricks for all your analogue, digital and streaming needs that is great to both use and listen to, this Poppins bag-like hi-fi system should probably be scribbled at the top of your wish list.