Arcam SA20 vs. Marantz PM8006 sound test

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Read the description carefully.

Still in the process of choosing the right amplifier, I tested the Arcam SA20 G-class amp against the Marantz PM8006 which is class AB. For the sake of being fair, I bypassed the built-in ESS Sabre DAC of the Arcam (separate video coming soon on comparison internal vs external DAC!), and run them both through a Monolith Liquid Spark DAC with AK4493 chip inside.
Both amps have been SPL matched.
The Marantz did not have Pure Direct mode turned on, but all EQ dials were flat.

Associated equipment:
LG TV running Plex with Tidal integration
Audioquest optical cable to DAC
QED cables from DAC to amp
Viablue X-40 power cable
Viablue SC-4 speaker cables

Have fun!

00:00 - Arcam SA20 / Funk (Dynamics)
01:06 - Marantz PM8006 / Funk (dynamics)
02:08 - Arcam SA20 / Rock'nRoll (Realism)
03:08 - Marantz PM8006 / Rock'n'Roll (Realism)
04:08 - Arcam SA20 / Female Voice(Pop)
05:13 - Marantz PM8006 / Female Voice(Pop)
06:18 - Arcam SA20 / Pop (Soundstage)
07:00 - Marantz PM8006 / Pop (Soundstage)
07:42 - Arcam SA20 / Metal (Dynamics)
08:39 - Marantz PM8006 / Metal (Dynamics)

[cino-haans]

I find Marantz better. clearer and subtler. great review.

[peterahlberg]

Excellent sound quality in the video, which is truly needed to pick up the, at least to my ears, very subtle differencies between these two amps. After going back and forth multiple times, comparing certain sections of the two first tracks, my conclusion is that the Marantz delivers a tad more deep bass while the Arcam has better control over those very low frequencies.
I have these two on my shortlist, so the video was very helpful. Thanks for the work put in!

[pinkypoohable]

The Marantz has powerful yet controlled bass. It has a fast decay, making way for the midrange and trebles to play a part which leads to a more balanced sound. The Arcam has powerful yet slow decay bass that leads to bass reverberation drowning some of the frequencies.

[MadHifi]

At 5:24-5:26 the piano subtone on the marantz is more detailed & powerful than on Arcam 4:19-4:21 ?

[rupertherbert]

found that Arcam is way more controlled and maybe natural, while the Marantz is a bit harsh in the mid and high frequencies, but I like british sound so the winner of the fight is the Arcam for me. Thanks for the video :)

[Trebor-uq]

I cannot tell the difference between these two amps on my headphones, and I've got pretty good ears. They are as near as damn it the same, which surprises me. What do you think is the difference between them?

[apmihai]

alright, so sounds to me like SA20 more dynamic a bit more lively on highs, while Marantz better at sound staging? Otherwise timbre is very similar? Which one you prefer in real life?

[alex-xsanders]

the arcam has a much more neutral sound than the marantz which has an impression of loudness, the arcam has drier bass which is more realistic than the loudness, the highs are less aggressive with arcam and the mids less accentuated than marantz, the voices are too forward with the marantz which is according to less not homogeneous enough

[lennutrajektoor]

Being a long time Arcam A22 owner I'm actually surprised that I prefer here the sound of the Marantz amp. But I do have 3-way speakers, so it might be due to that I here things differently than used to. Yet I got a sing I might revisit Marantz sound again.

[jerryminus]

All above true to the bone.
That is exactly why I got rid of my PM8005 and ran to A-S Yamaha as I refused any more Marantz gritty mids to be fed to my ears no way. Your last metal track demo proves it. I (You) can listen to Arcam / Yamaha for hours no fatigue. Thanks for excellent demo of two comparable rivals. It is a good warning shot.

However, 40n does sound very different to PM (end 30 as well) of all iterations for the better. So Marantz is aware.

Arcam / KEF any time.

[romainmarchese]

I like the ARCAM musicality, I find that there is more substance, more deep and rounded bass, the highs are silky, the midrange well structured, for my ears, no doubt, it's the SA20 … after an A28, A39, I find the SA20 very endearing!!!

[Trebor-uq]

OK I can hear some differences if I really concentrate but I don't have on off board DAC and my headphones are not very resolving. Have you heard the Denon pma 1600ne? For me an upgrade would be between the SA20 and 1600ne.

[TanNguyen-fzem]

Muốn so sánh chính xác hơn phải chọn đầu vào cd thay vì aux và sources direct cho Marantz, chắc chắn chất lượng âm thanh sẽ khác xa

[quicktoevil]

Great comparison, I know it takes time to set up, much appreciated. I was undecided until I heard System of a Down, Marantz wins but both are stellar. If a coloring analogy is useful the Arcam stays within the lines and the tones are realistic. The Marantz not so much but the colors are bolder and more imagined. Marantz seems more like a Picasso.

[alanalain]

Thank you for such a great sound comparison video... Otherwise, is it me or the Arcam sounds better, if brighter ? Everything seems more tight, is more defined, spatial, and seems to do more justice to what seems to be KEF speakers, driving them better.
Same with dynamics, after hearing a piece on the Arcam, it feels it looses punch and liveliness on the Marantz. The better thing with the Marantz is that it's easier on the ear with high pitch female vocale that seems way too bright on the Arcam (Female voice/Pop).
To me at least with that speakers set, everything seems to breathe better from the Arcam whereas the Marantz feels more muted and more blended in.
But i'm no audiophile and I just go with my ears, so, if you're one and share my opinion, let me know if i'm somewhat right on my impressions...
Also, I thought what dynamic was for an amp. was to allow a speaker to give you that crisp, clear and punchy sound at low to very low volume, isn't that the case ?

[tbonet]

You also have to remember that whatever speakers or headphones you are streaming youtube on, also changes the sound.

[markobalorie]

Another great demo from you george with 2 amps that i had in my mind, i recently got the Kef LS50 aswel.
Just as you looking for the ideal sound to get out of them...i am looking for a full and warm sound with some weight in it, wich amp out of these 3 Rega Elex-R, Marantz PM8006 or the Arcam SA20
would you consider for the LS50 as for now?
Still gonna try the crown xls 1002 myself to test but the crown is hard to get atm.
Thx for the reply.

[snakeobias]

great video, just what I need right now. I am tossing up between an SA20 and a PM8006. Recently I missed out on a SA20 for about $400, bummer. Anyway. Do you have any experience with the Musical Fidelity M2Si at all? I have that amp connected to my LS50metas, Wharfedale Lintons and Polk R200s. I'm in a small apartment room, running the speakers in near field and mostly low to mid-level listening volume. But that will change in a year or 2 and I get a larger room. Just wondering if in your opinion (if you have experience) whether either amp would be a step up from the MF amp, or should would the change be more horizontal. I'm not unhappy with it, just looking for a bit of a change. cheers!

[gino]

Great sound My feeling is that the Kef aren't a easy load If the aim is to extract the best from them i would try a pre power solution Anyway I prefer the Marantz here Warmer

[Julian-elfd]

Aunque considero que el Arcam se acerca más a mi gusto, el Marantz me ha sorprendido muy gratamente y no lo descartaría sin antes escucharlo con otras cajas.