Vintage golden age equipment from Marantz

The New Yorker Saul Bernard Marantz [1911-1997] built with his first "Audio Consolette" in 1952, a revolutionary model of pre-amplifier with separate tone controls, sold for $ 155. The MARANTZ COMPANY was founded in 1953 and launched the evolution of its Consolette under the name "Model 1" the following year. The "Model 2" (power amp) was born in 1956, then came a long series of tube wonders that still make lucky audiophiles happy - especially the Model 7 & 8b. The company was sold in 1964 to SUPERSCOPE Inc. who signed a 30-year exclusive contract with its creator. In 1980, the brand was sold to the Dutch giant Royal Philips Electronics, which marked the start of the manufacturer's analog end.

Choosing a Marantz is not easy because the range from its beginnings until the dawn of the 80s, does not include less than 180 amps, tuners, preamps and receiver-tuners ... and I do not count the record players, speakers, quad-decoders and other accessories. So where do you start? The reputation ? the budget ? stereo or quadraphonic? lamps or transistors? Receivers: The 1970s saw the appearance of the famous line of 2200 series receivers, a series now known and recognized by all HIFI enthusiasts, the 2252B, 2265B, 2285B are more powerful more expensive, better equipped, and much more powerful, the series 23 super complete devices with attractive aesthetics especially the 2325 and 2330 delivers a fabulous sound.

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Marantz model 2270, vintage #marantz

Une publication partagée par Khalid hadebuis (@khalidhadebuis) le 7 Janv. 2020 à 3 :20 PST

Quadraphonic receivers, like the 4220, 4230, 4240, 4270, these devices are very flattering aesthetically, have excellent performance, and you can use them to sound two separate rooms, with independent volume controls, like the current amplifiers offering several zones.

 

Vintage Marantz Integrated Amplifier

We cannot forget the 1060 acclaimed everywhere. If it is true that it is an excellent device, with undisputed success, in the remarkable phono preamp section.



The 1122DC, 1152DC, 1180DC series and especially the unobtainable and unaffordable 1300DC are beautiful aesthetically, and are excellent, the 1150 and 1150D are very powerful and very complete.

Vintage Marantz Preamps

At the beginning of the range, we find the marantz model 3200 which is a small success at a low price to couple with model 140. - more efficient and a little more expensive the 3600 and 3250, 3250B (which has the MC input) are recommended purchases. The 3650 and 3800 touch the high end, but are difficult to find and very expensive. the 7C (with tubes) and 7T (with transistors) in another register even if are much older remain among the most efficient; the 7T is less than 1000 €, for a 7C, we are headed for a big investment.

Marantz Vintage Power Amplifiers

The 5 most common models are, from bottom to top, the 140 of 2 x 70 W, the 170 dc of 2 x 85 W, and 240 (2 x 120 W), 250 and 250M (2 x 125 W) which form the high end.

The monstrous 500 and 510 of 2 x 250 W, The much rarer models 15, 16 and 32 are known for exceptional sound quality, and for big budgets, an 8 or an 8B, you will make an excellent investment.