Marantz Amps

restanim

I know a lot of people use Carver and Adcom amps among others to drive their beloved classic SDA's, RTA's and Monitor speakers. I really havent read a lot about classic Marantz Amps such as the 300DC and 170DC, as well as the use of classic Marantz Receiver's with model numbers 22xxB and 23xxB. The output ratings are lower than todays mass produce stuff, but they out perform todays components in every way (minus the amps mentioned above).

What do you think?

mhardy6647

Marantz made one of the best stereo power amplifiers I've ever heard with my own ears... this one.




Not mine, unfortunately, although I did rehabilitate it for its lucky owner. The under-deck photo is a "before" shot to show the innards just as Saul had intended them to be.

halo71

I always wanted one of these. My Dad had one years back....

Marantz 510m

restanim

I own these two:







The receiver needs a couple of output transistors
I'm working on it though.

Wade Spradley

Well, I am running my modest system with the Marantz Model 2325, it definitely does not take much juice/position from the volume knob to drive the Polk speakers I am using. I am learning speaker cable does make a difference in sound. So I am gradually experimenting.

schwarcw

I've owned and still own a number of Marantz pieces over the years, all solid state. One of favorites is the 2230 receiver. It sounds very smooth, slightly warm and more power than you would expect. The Marantz 1060 is an integrated amp that is essentially the amplification circuitry that is used in the 2230. Both the 2230 and the 1060 can be found in excellent condition for a very reasonable price. I currently have one that is about 35 years old and has never been renovated and it sound great. I'm not sure it will give you the power that you may need. This amp works great with monitors and bookshelf size speakers. The 2270 or 2285 will have more power. I recommend the 2285.

I never heard the tube amp that mhardy did a spendid job rebuilding (Model 8 or 9). And for the price of that amp brings, I never will own one. I hope to hear one someday.

Here is a picture of a couple other Marantz components that I still own. The Marantz 150 tuner, the 3800 preamp and the 510M power amp. All of these components were the flagship models for the mid to late 70's.






The 510 amp is a beauty and a real power house with 255 wpc!!

schwarcw

Restanim, your equipment is awesome!!!!

Wade Spradley

Nice, I still have my Marantz Model 5030b cassette deck, purchased used a the Ramstein Base Exchange in 1981 for $150.00, my junior year in High School, my dad was stationed there at the time. It is also dual voltage. It still works. You definitely have a nice setup.

restanim

Schwarcw, thanks.
The Marantz setup is spare equipment that I have. It was on my coffee table to demo my SDA-1C's for a friend of mine. He was blown away and wants a pair. Mine are not for sale. He also liked the SRS 1.2TL's

Here is what is beyond the Marantz components:

restanim

Oh... right now I'm watching Rush R30 on blu-ray. Which I think it is their best live concert on disc. Great sound and picture. Just pure heaven.

schwarcw

WOW! Restanim the equipment looks fabulous!

Are those Sony amps TA-N77ES?

If so, have you solved the problem with the light burning out in the meters? I have a friend with that amp and he replaced the lights once and they lasted a couple of weeks. Everytime you see these amps for sale one or both meter lights are out. The meter actually has three lights in series. I was wondering about an LED solution?

restanim

schwarcw, you have good eye's. You are correct! Along with the amps is a TAE-9000ES pre/pro, CDP-XA7ES CD player, Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD blu-ray player, TiVo Series 3, PS3, two Panamax power conditioners and on the edges at the bottom of the pic, you can see two Velodyne HGS-12 subs. Oh, that's a Pioneer Kuro 60" plasma TV.

As far as the lights in the amps are concerned, I get replacement bulbs from a local electronic parts store. They come 10 in a box and cost like $5 per box. I think the original Sony bulbs were $12 for 1 bulb and came with colored filters for different applications. The amps did not need the colored filters. I just change the bulbs myself, very easy. The replacement bulbs last a long time, I'm going on 5+ years on the ones that are in service. Changing to LED illumination, may be more difficult as I believe the illumination is an AC circuit and you may not get a consistent illumination on the meter face. So, I would stick with incandescent bulbs.

BTW, your Marantz setup is very sweet
Mike

chandler9a

AWESOME set up restanim! You have a very similar rig as my father. Do you have the upgraded firmware for that Sony tae9000-ES? I can't seem to get it to connect with our units.

Also, what part of CNY are you in? We are in Ithaca. I have never talked to any other SDA guys around here, everyone I know is into Klipsch!

Aaron

restanim

Hi Aaron, thanks for commenting on my rig. We're pretty close to one another, I live in Cicero. And yes, do have the latest firmware for the 9000ES. I'm not sure what you mean by "I can't seem to get it to connect with our units". Maybe I can help.
Mike

chandler9a

I should have explained that better Mike, my apologies. I downloaded the firmware off the internet and bought a cable to connect the computer to the back of the Sony but when I go to upgrade the firmware the computer just says "check your RS-232C cable connection."

I've tried it with a couple different cables but still get no connection some how. I also tried it on both my fathers and my unit. I tried process of elimination but can't seem to get it. I would LOVE to hear the improvements because honestly I don't like this for 2 channel listening.
If you have any advice I would gladly appreciate it!

Aaron

P.S. I almost picked up some SDA 1B's in Cicero not to long ago but just missed them. (not that I need any more SDA's)

restanim

Arron,
Are you using the correct cable? You must use a null modem cable, not a serial cable. These two cables are different and it makes a difference whether your upgrade works or not.
Mike

chandler9a

I believe I am using the right one. I went to radio shack and got an actual RC-232C cable as it states to use from sony but I will double check to make sure.

Thanks for the input Mike

Aaron

coffeedog

" ....I get replacement bulbs from a local electronic parts store. They come 10 in a box and cost like $5 per box. I think the original Sony bulbs were $12 for 1 bulb and came with colored filters for different applications. The amps did not need the colored filters. I just change the bulbs myself, "

Hi,
Can you please tell me where you get the bulbs from and what the part number you ask for is?
I am in Syracuse and just purchased a used N77ESD and not one of the bulbs is working at the moment.
It's a great Amp and much nicer soiunding than the Carvet TFM35THX that it replaced (anyone want one opf those'?)
Thank You
Doug

restanim

Doug,
I can help you. I bought the bulbs at Salina Electronics. They are near Hiawatha Blvd. Just look them up or call them.

The brand of bulbs are Eiko and the part number is 2162. They come in a box of ten. These bulbs seem to have a longer life span as well.

The bulbs in each meter are wired in series, so if one goes out, they all go out. I would replace all the bulbs at the same time as the remaining bulbs are probably near the end of their life anyway. You will need some soldering tools and skills, because the bulbs are soldered directly to the circuit board.

If you need help, let me know,
Mike

Cayuga

chandler9a/restanim, I live in Fayetteville. I just wanted you to know although I have a pair of Klipsch I have SDA SRS-2's as well, so they're a couple guys in upstate with SDA's. restanim those are some great pictures of some very nice gear. If you guys are looking (chandler9a) for another pair of SDA's, I have a friend in the Ithaca area with some fully modded SDA 1C's at a great price. It's nice to know a couple Polk guy's are so close.

chandler9a

Really?? I have never talked to anyone around here with SDA's, especially modded ones!

I would love to meet up with him about those 1C's (not that I need them....) Tell him to stop by our Cafe sometime carriagehousecafe.com if he wants to talk.
And if He/you guys are up for some good live music we have some great stuff this Tuesday and Wednesday.

schwarcw

restanim wrote: »

Doug,
I can help you. I bought the bulbs at Salina Electronics. They are near Hiawatha Blvd. Just look them up or call them.

The brand of bulbs are Eiko and the part number is 2162. They come in a box of ten. These bulbs seem to have a longer life span as well.

The bulbs in each meter are wired in series, so if one goes out, they all go out. I would replace all the bulbs at the same time as the remaining bulbs are probably near the end of their life anyway. You will need some soldering tools and skills, because the bulbs are soldered directly to the circuit board.

If you need help, let me know,
Mike

Mike,

Have you ever tried replacing these bulbs in the Sony with LEDs?

ShadesPG

on the topic of marantz gear: i have an opportunity to buy a marantz 2238 fully working for $120...it has a replaced on/off switch and a replaced power cord....im thinking about grabbing it for my sda crs's....or just grab it and maybe try to resell it....i asked the same question a while back in a different forum and was warned that the amp could damage my crs's....any truth on that?

suggestions for buying this?
tia

cnh

Some of the Marantz models have trouble with lower ohm loads. Someone suggested that you check out the caps. The units with the black storage caps have better handling for 4 ohms speakers, than the grey caps. Or so they say. But I really don't think I'd mess with anything under a 2275 or higher for what you want to power.

At 120 you could definitely flip that model!

cnh

restanim

schwarcw wrote: »

Mike,

Have you ever tried replacing these bulbs in the Sony with LEDs?

The circuit for the bulbs is an AC circuit. Therefore you would have to convert it to DC and lower the voltage for the LED's. It's just easy to replace the bulbs when needed. I think I'm going on 7 years with the current bulbs.

Mike

Mr. Bubbles

schwarcw, That Marantz gear is suweeeeett!

I too have a collection of marantz gear but must say that it does not like the SDA's as well as my Adcom. I have tried my SDA 2A's and 1C's on several of my marantz peices including a 170dc, 1152dc, 140 and others and they sound good but they get pretty warm and are not a clean as on higher impedance speakers. (I think) a lot of the reason is that though the marantz can fairly easily go to 4ohm they gain very little in output by doing so and develop more heat loose damping and gain a little distortion from all this. Though they sound good, my Adcom seems to enjoy the load of all my SDA's including the SRS's. I do still run my 2A's and or 1C's on the 170DC with the 1152 as a pre or sometimes the 7T as the pre just to enjoy the warmth of the marantz gear, i just don't drive it as hard. I run my RTA12B's with a 1090 and 140 set.

sda2mike

ShadesPG wrote: »

on the topic of marantz gear: i have an opportunity to buy a marantz 2238 fully working for $120...it has a replaced on/off switch and a replaced power cord....im thinking about grabbing it for my sda crs's....or just grab it and maybe try to resell it....i asked the same question a while back in a different forum and was warned that the amp could damage my crs's....any truth on that?

suggestions for buying this?
tia

the 2238 is a sweetie...much sought after by those who know the model...with the crs's..depending on the room and your listening levels, you could be happy forever...another poster warned of low impedence issues..this was with the earlier 22xx series, prior to marantz adding the 'b'...$120 is really a great price for a healthy unit

mike

evhudsons

Nice to know about those bulbs. I picked up a Marantz 2230 just because it was cheaper than trying to get a phono adapter. I since found out I did alright. I really like the amp, the tuner, the sound. My meter light doesn't work, but the meter itself doesn't either.

Eventually I'll get around to finding out how to upgrade it. It pushes my CRS+ just fine but right now I am using it as a preout for the phono to my AVR. I'm sure I am not utilizing it properly but until I get an avr with preouts I'm stuck with that setup.

Sweet gear photos!