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Should you grab this Marantz PM5005 at £175 or wait for a better entry point? At £175, this listing is a clear bargain, sitting well below the 25th percentile of £179 and the median of £182 for recent used GBP listings. This price represents genuine value, offering a strong deal for an entry-level amplifier that is often priced higher in the secondary market.
The Marantz PM5005 is well-regarded for its fully equipped entry-level design, delivering 40 W per channel into 8 ohms with a built-in phono preamplifier and five linear inputs. Its low distortion of 0.01% and robust 55 W output at 4 ohms make it suitable for medium rooms, while its compact dimensions and headphone output add practical versatility. For a clean listing at this price, it is a timely buying opportunity for budget-conscious enthusiasts seeking reliable performance without the usual markup.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Marantz originated in the United States, founded in 1953 by Saul Bernard Marantz, a music enthusiast and amateur musician born in Brooklyn in 1911. Dissatisfied with the audio equipment of the era, he crafted the groundbreaking Audio Consolette preamplifier in 1952 from his New York home, selling the first 100 units rapidly and prompting the formal establishment of the company in Woodside, Queens. Though production later shifted to Japan in partnership with manufacturers like Standard Radio in 1966, and the brand evolved through ownership changes including Superscope and eventual integration into larger groups, its heritage remains rooted in American ingenuity and a relentless pursuit of musical fidelity.
The brand excels in high-end audio components, particularly amplifiers, preamplifiers, and integrated systems that defined its golden era. Iconic models like the Model 7 preamplifier (1958), Model 9 power amplifier (1960), and Model 10B tuner (1964) set benchmarks for performance, while later offerings expanded to tuners, receivers, and CD players. Marantz briefly ventured into speakers under designer Ed May in the 1970s but focused primarily on electronics rather than turntables, headphones, DACs, or cables, emphasizing separates renowned for their "Most Musical Sound."
Marantz commands a premium position in the hi-fi market, revered as a high-end pioneer that shaped the audiophile landscape through the 1970s zenith. Today, it blends vintage allure with modern elegance, appealing to discerning buyers who value durability, innovation, and warm, detailed sound signatures over mass-market accessibility.
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