Great HiFi amplification on the Cheap!

[Jim Hawkins]

Hi All,

I have been looking around for other forum posts on this but I didn't see one for this. So I thought I would share.

Last night I went through some of the various modes of my Marantz SR5004 to try and see what worked best. The setup that I was using was:
Dali Ikon for L and R
SR5004 for amplification
Pioneer DV-47Ai for CD playback (Jeff Buckley's Grace)

I tried:
Stereo = includes crossover for the subs and EQ
Source Direct = removes crossover and sub output and seems to remove EQ
Pure Direct = Similar to Source DirectTurns off display and video functions

All three sounded good. Great. Fine.

I then tried:
Dali Ikon for L and R
Yamaha M-45 for amplification (connected directly from the CD player, no preamp)
Pioneer DV-47Ai for CD playback (Jeff Buckley's Grace)

It sounded fuller. instruments that were in the background started coming out to share the stage. It sounded clear and relaxed. Really pleasing.

Does anyone else do this? Im sure this is not new to some.