Now to be fair, we were very impressed with the 7001 and it set a high bar for future models. In addition, the newcomer seems to be more tonally neutral, having lost a slight chestiness which we found in both standard and KI 7001 incarnations.

We also continue to approve wholeheartedly of the family likeness in the way these amps handle bass. This is where performance goes beyond expectations of mid-price hi-fi, approaching a high-end standard indeed.

Lowering hi-fi prices

We've said many times that hi-fi value for money has been on an upward trend for years.

While it's also true that high-end achievement has also been increasing, products like this do suggest that the gap is in many ways not that vast and the extent to which the 8003 can grab hold of a woofer and vibrate it with precision, conviction and attack would really not disgrace an amp at a considerably higher price.

We tried all the usual 'trouble tracks' everything from church organ to plucked double bass, piano, kick drum and more: in every case, we were rewarded with tight, but always tuneful extension and a highly convincing sense of realism.

Lively performance

The treble is also highly commendable, perhaps not quite a strikingly fine, but still very good for the amp's price.

The big problem with high treble reproduction (and this seems to hold for amps, sources and speakers alike) is combining extension with that sense of air and space around the sound that is so essential to the lifelike replay of delicate treble details. In this case the extension is indisputable, while the space is very good, certainly among the better examples we've heard in this class.

And as already mentioned, midrange is neutral with excellent vocal quality as a result. We've found some Marantz amps in the past a little more partial to male than female voices, but this one seems very even-handed.

It's also very lively, again by our reckoning rather more so than previous models: it's a little tempting to link this to the improved neutrality, as coloration can have an odd effect on one's perception of rhythm and dynamics, especially in A-B comparisons. Whatever the cause, this amp really does seem to enjoy bopping along to lively tunes and has a good deal of that sought-after 'foot-tappingness'.

Underwhelming Marantz amp

Which really only leaves that niggle about detail. For less then two-thirds of a grand we aren't asking for the sort of analysis that allows one to identify the make of guitar pick being used, but we have experienced some very high standards in this area recently and on one of our favourite test discs.

For instance, we had rather more trouble identifying which instrument in the orchestra was playing which line than we'd expect and also found the imaging of the choir less clear than we've heard. Imaging and detail often go hand-in-hand and certainly here the former loses some depth and precision, though there's still plenty of width on offer.

Perhaps we are asking for the moon on a stick. Bass and treble extension this good are worth making a little sacrifice for and detail isn't everyone's top priority.

We're more than happy to recommend the Marantz PM8003 amp on grounds of tonality, liveliness and unusually clear-sounding phono stage: and with Marantz's usual good looks and ergonomic operation, it's a welcome arrival.