Marantz PM6004 (2011–2013)

The PM6004 is a stereo integrated amplifier that Marantz produced from roughly 2011 to 2013. It was a refinement of the already well-regarded PM6003. What Hi-Fi? named it Product of the Year in 2011 - the magazine's five-star review helped cement its reputation as a budget-reference amp. It was frequently paired with the matching CD6004 player.

The amp is rated at 45 watts per channel into 8 ohms. The headline spec is a very low total harmonic distortion figure of 0.0008%. Signal-to-noise ratio is stated at 87 dB, and frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 70 kHz. Marantz used all-discrete components inside, with no integrated circuits in the signal path, as part of its "finest ingredients" design philosophy. There is an integrated MM phono stage, six line-level RCA inputs and two outputs. There are no digital inputs.

The PM6004 measures 440 mm wide, 366 mm deep, and 105 mm tall, and weighs 7.5 kg. It draws 150 W in normal operation and just 0.2 W in standby. A remote control is included. The remote jacks on the rear let the PM6004's sensor control other compatible Marantz components, as long as the remote switch on those units is set to "EXTERNAL." It came in gold and silver finishes, and at least some units were assembled in Japan. The original MSRP was $600.

Known specs:

- 45 W/ch into 8 ohms, 60 W/ch into 4 ohms

- THD: 0.0008%

- SNR: 87 dB

- Frequency response: 10 Hz - 70 kHz

- Damping factor: 100

- Input sensitivity: 200 mV; input impedance: 20 kΩ

- 6 RCA line inputs (including phono), 2 RCA outputs, 1 headphone output

- Dimensions: 440 × 366 × 105 mm; 7.5 kg