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Comparison Marantz PM5005 vs NAD C356BEE

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Marantz PM5005
NAD C356BEE
Marantz PM5005NAD C356BEE
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Main
ByPass Direct mode. remote control. Recorder. Standby mode.
Device typeintegrated amplifierintegrated amplifier
Element basetransistortransistor
Toroidal transformer
Amplifier parameters
Number of channels22
Frequency range10 – 50000 Hz
20 – 20000 Hz /±0,3 дБ/
Power per channel (8Ω)40 W80 W
Power per channel (4Ω)55 W
Signal to noise ratio102 dB106 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio (Main)120 dB
Signal to noise ratio (Phono MM/MC)83 dB75/78 dB
Damping factor100100
Harmonic distortion0.05 %0.007 %
Channel sensitivity / impedance
Line input
200 mV
20 kOhm
166 mV
22 kOhm
Main input
 
 
0.95 V
20 kOhm
Phono MM/MC
2.2 mV
47 kOhm
18/1.6 mV
47/0.1 kOhm
REC output
 
1 kOhm
Preout
 
0.08 kOhm
Connectors
Inputs
Phono
 
control input (IR)
 
RS-232
control input (IR)
To amplifier (Main)RCA
RCA5 pairs7 pairs
Outputs
 
control output (IR)
Pre-Amp /two pairs/
control output (IR)
For acoustics4 шт4 шт
REC (to recorder)2 pairs2 pairs
Trigger output1 шт
Front panel
indicators
 
headphone output
indicators
audio input jack
headphone output
Features
Adjustments
bass control
treble adjustment
balance adjustment
level adjustment
loudness
bass control
treble adjustment
balance adjustment
level adjustment
 
More features
By-pass/Direct
auto power off
ММ phono stage
additional speaker connect
Bi-Wiring
external devices control
By-pass/Direct
 
 
additional speaker connect
Bi-Wiring
external devices control
General
Remote control
PSUinternalinternal
Power consumption110 W350 W
Standby consumption0.3 W0.5 W
Dimensions (WxDxH)440x370x105 mm435х337х131 mm
Weight6.7 kg8.7 kg
Added to E-Catalogjanuary 2015january 2014

Toroidal transformer

Most modern amplifiers have toroidal transformers - with a toroid-shaped core, in other words, a donut. This type is considered optimal for amplifiers of any level up to Hi-End: it creates a minimum of "extra" electromagnetic radiation and, accordingly, interference. Some time ago, E-core transformers were also widely used, but they are considered obsolete and are becoming less common today.

Frequency range

The range of audio frequencies that the amplifier is capable of handling. The wider this range, the more complete the overall picture of the sound, the less likely it is that too high or low frequencies will be “cut off” by the output amplifier. However, note that the range of sound audible to a person is on average from 16 Hz to 20 kHz; There are some deviations from this norm, but they are small. At the same time, modern Hi-Fi and Hi-End technology can have a much wider range — most often it is a kind of "side effect" of high-end circuits. Some manufacturers may use this property for promotional purposes, but it does not carry practical value in itself.

Note that even within the audible range it does not always make sense to chase the maximum coverage. It is worth, for example, to take into account that the actually audible sound cannot be better than the speakers are capable of giving out; therefore, for a speaker system with a lower threshold of, say, 70 Hz, there is no need to look for an amplifier with this figure of 16 Hz. Also, do not forget that a wide frequency range in itself does not absolutely guarantee high sound quality — it is associated with a huge number of other factors.

Power per channel (8Ω)

The nominal sound power output by the amplifier per channel when operating with a load having a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 8 ohms. In our catalog, this parameter is indicated for the mode when all channels of the amplifier work under load (see "Number of channels"); in the presence of unused channels, the rated power may be slightly higher, but this mode cannot be called standard.

Rated power can be simply described as the highest output signal power at which the amplifier is able to work stably for a long time (at least an hour) without negative consequences. These are average figures, because in fact, the audio signal is by definition unstable, and individual level jumps can significantly exceed the rated power. However, it is she who is the main basis for assessing the overall loudness of the sound.

This indicator also determines which speakers can be connected to the amplifier: their rated power should not be lower than that of the amplifier.

According to the laws of electrodynamics, with different dynamic load resistance, the output power of the amplifier will also be different. In modern speakers, the standard values \u200b\u200bare 8, 6, 4 and 2 Ohms, and power levels are indicated for them.

Power per channel (4Ω)

The nominal sound power output by the amplifier per channel when a load with a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 4 ohms is connected to it. See Power per Channel (8Ω) for more information on power rating and its relationship to impedance.

Signal to noise ratio

In itself, the signal-to-noise ratio is the ratio of the level of pure sound produced by the amplifier to the level of extraneous noise that occurs during its operation. This parameter is the main indicator of the overall sound quality — and very clear, because. its measurement takes into account almost all the noise that affects the sound in normal operating conditions. A level of 70 – 80 dB in modern amplifiers can be considered acceptable, 80 – 90 dB is not bad, and for advanced audiophile-class devices, a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 100 dB is considered mandatory.

If the specifications do not specify for which output the signal-to-noise ratio is indicated, it usually means its value for the linear input (see "RCA (par)"). This is quite enough to evaluate the quality of the device for this parameter. However, some manufacturers indicate it for other inputs — Main, Phono; see below for more on this.

Signal-to-noise ratio (Main)

Signal-to-noise ratio when the amplifier is operating through the Main input. For more details on the value of the signal-to-noise ratio, see the relevant paragraph above, about the Main input — p. "Input to the amplifier (Main)".

Signal to noise ratio (Phono MM/MC)

signal-to-noise ratio when the amplifier is driven through the Phono input. This interface is for connecting turntables; its features are described in the “Inputs” section below, and for the meaning of any signal-to-noise ratio, see the corresponding section above.

Harmonic distortion

This indicator describes the amount of non-linear distortion introduced by the amplifier into the processed signal. Such distortions are not necessarily perceived as extraneous noise, but they degrade the quality of the sound anyway — for example, they can make it more deaf. It is almost impossible to avoid them, but it can be reduced to levels inaudible to the human ear.

As a result, the harmonic distortion factor (harmonics) is one of the main parameters describing the overall sound quality in Hi-Fi and Hi-End amplifiers. The lower it is, the clearer the sound. Hundredths of a percent are considered a good indicator for modern amplifiers, thousandths and below are excellent. The exceptions are tube and hybrid models, for which rather high harmonic coefficients are allowed; see "Element base" for more details.

Line input

The sensitivity and dynamic impedance of the amplifier when a signal is applied to the RCA line input.

Under the sensitivity of any input (except optical) is meant the lowest signal voltage at this input, at which the amplifier is able to provide normal nominal power values (see "Power per channel (8Ω)"). This parameter determines, first of all, the requirements for the signal source. On the one hand, the voltage provided by this source must not be lower than the input sensitivity of the amplifier, otherwise the latter simply will not give the claimed characteristics. However, a significant excess in voltage should not be allowed, otherwise the sound will begin to be distorted. More detailed recommendations on choosing an amplifier by sensitivity are described in special sources.

For any input other than optical, it is believed that the higher this indicator, the less distortion the amplifier introduces into the signal. The minimum level of input impedance in modern models is considered to be 10 kOhm, and in high-end devices it can reach several hundred kOhm.
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