Lusting over vintage Marantz - advice?

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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited October 2013
    The early solid state Mac hardware, to my ears, is notably harsh, grainy, and unrefined sounding... the vacuum tube Mac stuff (vintage, at least) is quite good; some of it was exceptional (MC-225, MC-30). Still, all in all, the Marantz 8B is one of the best sounding consumer amplifiers I've ever heard. Unfortunately, I've yet to hear a pair of Marantz Nines, so I cannot comment on them.
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited October 2013
    I started with a Pioneer SX-424 receiver.

    My friend had a Marantz 2230 at the time. No comparison, the Marantz sounded gorgeous.

    I have had a few pieces of Marantz equipment over the years, Model 140 power amp, 1030 integrated amp, 1060 integrated amp, 2015 receiver, and 2030 receiver and some tuners. They all sounded great: smooth, powerful, silky controls, great classic looks, reliable. Just a pleasure to use and own.

    I sold a friend a pair of used Dahlquist DQ-10's a few years ago, a notoriously power hungry speaker, even an "amp-killer".

    Hooked up a little Manantz 1030 integrated (rated @ 15 wpc) to test them. Played pretty darn loud, sounded great, and never got hot.

    Made me wonder why I have all this more expensive stuff.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • pumpkinman
    pumpkinman Posts: 9,826
    edited October 2013
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    One word. Sansui.
    not as pretty as the Marantz, but sounds better.

    I know I'm new around these here parts. But I must concur with Sansui and also Pioneer.
    lmivdewpnb28.jpg


    Because I am The Pumpkinking


    A Kind Word Is An Easy Gift To Give
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited October 2013
    Timothy Smith wrote: »
    I started with a Pioneer SX-424 receiver.

    My friend had a Marantz 2230 at the time. No comparison, the Marantz sounded gorgeous.
    So... you gotta admit, not quite a fair comparison - the SX-424 was "entry level"; the Marantz a couple of rungs up the ladder ;-)
    I have had a few pieces of Marantz equipment over the years, Model 140 power amp, 1030 integrated amp, 1060 integrated amp, 2015 receiver, and 2030 receiver and some tuners. They all sounded great: smooth, powerful, silky controls, great classic looks, reliable. Just a pleasure to use and own.

    I sold a friend a pair of used Dahlquist DQ-10's a few years ago, a notoriously power hungry speaker, even an "amp-killer".

    Hooked up a little Manantz 1030 integrated (rated @ 15 wpc) to test them. Played pretty darn loud, sounded great, and never got hot.

    Made me wonder why I have all this more expensive stuff.

    So... someday I I guess I have to rehab at least one of the two 1060s that are helping to hold down a shelf :-)
    ... and you and I both know why you have the "more expensive stuff" ;-)
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited October 2013
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    So... you gotta admit, not quite a fair comparison - the SX-424 was "entry level"; the Marantz a couple of rungs up the ladder ;-)



    So... someday I I guess I have to rehab at least one of the two 1060s that are helping to hold down a shelf :-)
    ... and you and I both know why you have the "more expensive stuff" ;-)

    You are right. The Pioneer was way cheaper (all I could afford), but that was the only comparison that I could make, and the Marantz stuck in my mind as something I wanted...someday.

    It's like the Schwinn Stingray Apple Crate bike I lusted after. No way I could afford it. But I kept stopping by the Schwinn dealer to gaze at it: Gleaming chome, beautiful candy-apple paint, banana seat, stick shift lever, 10" front "chopper" tire on a springer fork. I think the price was something like $175. On the other hand, my bikes were ones I found in the trash by the curb that I grabbed for free and fixed up.

    Decades later I was at a car show/swap meet and I saw a Schwinn Apple Crate for sale for something over $500. I wanted it bad and had the money in my pocket. Then I thought about how ridiculous I would look, a grown man, ridding back and forth in front of my house "popping wheelies" on the Apple-Crate, so I walked away. (I should have bought it).

    Something about a 70's vintage Marantz receiver or integrated amp with a brushed silver face, blue lights and a beveled walnut case just gives me a thrill that is hard to describe. I have a 2230 reciever with a walnut case in my "library". I have better, more expensive stuff. But every time I look at and listen to the Marantz it thrills me.

    It may be weird, but I know that you know what I'm talking about.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited October 2013
    I know what you are talking about - and I harbor a certain tinge of it, too, for the Marantz stuff of that era.

    As a not-unrelated aside, I also own a Pioneer SX-727... no real interest in listening to it, but it is a handsome piece of hardware. I think the next generation of Pioneers (including the SX-1010) was the best-looking family of "blackout dial" Japanese hifi receivers (FWIW).


    and finally... Funny - I picked up a 5-speed Ross Apollo spider bike a decade or so ago... from a local garage sale, for $10 ;-) Not quite as collectible as the Schwinn, but I had one (the three-speed variant) as a kid and simply couldn't resist it. It is (barely) rideable "as found", so, yes, I've ridden it ;-) Not in public, though...
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  • Mr. Bubbles
    Mr. Bubbles Posts: 736
    edited October 2013
    I in no way want to find a vintage BMX bike and ride it like years ago. LOL. I believe very strongly that it would hurt and i would loose some respect from my kids. daddy has to keep that tough image to the kids. LOL.
    If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of Progress?!


    Monitor 5Jr, Monitor 5, RTA12, RTA 15TL, SDA 2A, 1c, SRS 2, 1.2TL, CRS, Atrium.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited October 2013
    That tough image, eh, "Mr. Bubbles"? ;-)
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited October 2013
    It's like 7th grade math. Split seating facing the middle. Blonde girl named Debbie wore mini skirts all year.
    Wouldn't I like to go back and visit that again.
    The real issue here is trying to do comparisons on 40 year old gear. A rebuild is in order to
    bring them back to spec. I'm sure Debbie as a senior citizen doesn't look as good in that mini!
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited October 2013
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    That tough image, eh, "Mr. Bubbles"? ;-)

    That one deserves to bring back the: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • drummer86
    drummer86 Posts: 441
    edited October 2013
    For the record, you all have done a terrible job talking me out of this. I'd love to get my ears on a lower powered 22xx or one of the 1030/1060 integrateds.
    Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
    Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

    HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited October 2013
    ... then come up to NH and listen to some Yamahas and flip the Marantzes for $$$ ;-)
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  • drummer86
    drummer86 Posts: 441
    edited October 2013
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    ... then come up to NH and listen to some Yamahas and flip the Marantzes for $$$ ;-)

    I haven't been to NH in years. Sounds like as good a reason as any to get back...
    Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
    Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

    HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited October 2013
    I haven't been to the Eastern Shore for a few years, either ;-)
    Beautiful part of the world it is...
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  • Mr. Bubbles
    Mr. Bubbles Posts: 736
    edited October 2013
    Polkersince85 wrote: »
    That one deserves to bring back the: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.


    Yeah, i know, The name really sounds tough right...

    A nickname that stuck at work due to my "Bubbly" personality. Kinda like naming the big boy "tiny"; having that great demeanor is not my strong point. I'm kinda stuck with it now though.
    If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of Progress?!


    Monitor 5Jr, Monitor 5, RTA12, RTA 15TL, SDA 2A, 1c, SRS 2, 1.2TL, CRS, Atrium.
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,640
    edited October 2013
    drummer86 wrote: »
    For the record, you all have done a terrible job talking me out of this. I'd love to get my ears on a lower powered 22xx or one of the 1030/1060 integrateds.
    Run & treat yourself to one. You wont be disappointed. Thread made me LMAO with responses :)
    ..
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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,640
    edited October 2013
    I picked up some Monitor 5a Peerless, local from Doug(member) for 80.00 some may think high $ but not for condition they are:) & i matched them nicely with Marantz 2216b 60.00 & had sources to use. Sound is rather pleasant to my ears. Marantz match well with lots of different speakers of your likings. Always flip it if you dont like it too
    ..
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,428
    edited October 2013
    Mark, still got the TA-500, have any opinions of it? I've got one in storage but haven't listened to it much. Not an overly common unit.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,806
    edited October 2013
    The TA-500 sounded very good with (now, don't laugh, please!) a pair of Radio Shack Mach Twos. I'd tried them with a PP EL84 vacuum tube amp (Dynaco SCA-35) and they sounded pretty mediocre... went downstairs and grabbed the first SS component that I espied - which happened to be that receiver. Made a big, big difference with the Mach Twos (which, in all fairness to them do have a pretty nice high sensitivity tweeter in 'em, if nothing else).
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited October 2013
    Not laughing at all. Sometimes rat shack sold something under their name that was a real treasure.
    All this talk about Marantz has me thinking about an 1150 integrated again.
    I bought one new on closeout for $75 back in the 70's. Hard to find anymore.
    For some reason, the Sansui integrateds are a lot easier to find.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited October 2013
    This one went for 1600 Warshingtons recently on the Goodwill site.
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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