VINTAGE RECEIVER VS VINTAGE INTEGRATED, SHOULD I DO IT?

EDUBAG

HELLO GUYS,

ITS BEEN A WHILE, BUT HERE I AM. OK SO I CURRENTLY OWN A MARANTZ 2285B AND I WOULD SAY CONDITION 6/10, 7/10. SO IT WORKS WELL I LIKE IT BUT IT IS NOT PRISTINE. RECENTLY I CAME ACROSS A ROTEL RA 1412 INTEGRATED WHICH IS PRISTINE PRISTINE CONDITIONS I MEAN IT LOOKS BRAND NEW HONESTLY 9/10 BUT LETS SAY 8/10.

IS THIS A BETTER SOUNDING UNIT? ALSO THE GUY IS ASKING 600 DOLLAR DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE PIECE. IS IT WORTH IT IF THE CONDITION IS AS GOOD AS I CLAIM? HOW WELL REGARDED IS IT COMPARED TO THE MARANTZ I OWN AND HOW MUCH I COULD SELL THE MARANTZ FOR? ALSO HE HAS THE MATCHING TUNER (ASKING 600) AND THE RP3000 TURNTABLE (ASKING 375) ARE ANY OF THESE A GOOD DEAL IF ALL THE CONDITIONS ARE AS I STATE.

ALSO ONE OWNER ONLY SINCE THE 70'S HAVE MANUAL FOR ALL THREE.

THANK YOU,

EDUARDO

msg

wow, pretty nice looking piece of gear.
maybe @oldrocker will see this and can chime in with some info

here are the specs on both
http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/rotel/ra-1412.shtml
http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/marantz/2285.shtml

I don't have anything to offer re: which sounds better, but just a couple of questions
Is your Marantz lacking in some way?
What speakers are you going to be using? The stuff in your 2ch rig in the signature?

As you probably know, cosmetic condition is no guarantee of healthy guts in vintage gear. Has the equipment ever been serviced?

Those prices seem kind of "proud" to me for what little experience I've had with vintage gear, but that seems to be the norm with vintage stuff these days, especially if it's somewhat rare or in exceptional condition.

re: the sound, you can read all the reviews and opinions you like, but until you hear it and are able to compare the two for yourself, who can really say, you know?

seems like you might just have to get the stuff and see for yourself

tonyb

Dual trannys in that Rotel...nice. No, not that kind of tranny.

Personally, I like the sound of vintage Rotel over the newer stuff but that doesn't mean it will work out better for you over the Marantz. Gotta get it and hook her up.

Nightfall

Reliability is a crapshoot with vintage gear. If your Marantz is giving you reliable service, I'd stick with it. $600 could buy a lot of vinyl and CD's.

pumpkinman

http://www.thevintageknob.org/rotel-RA-1412.html

What a beautiful piece of gear.
Tough decesion.

sucks2beme

I like vintage, but not at those prices.
I'd look at getting your Marantz updated (checked out/new caps)
you'd might be surprised at the improvement in sound.
Or better yet, buy the Peachtree integrated in the flea market.

EDUBAG

tonyb wrote: »

Dual trannys in that Rotel...nice. No, not that kind of tranny.

Personally, I like the sound of vintage Rotel over the newer stuff but that doesn't mean it will work out better for you over the Marantz. Gotta get it and hook her up.

Thank you tony,I ACTUALLY CANNOT JUST HOOK HER UP BECAUSE I LIVE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. I HAVE HEARD FROM SOME PEOPLE THAT ROTEL WAS WELL REGARDED BACK IN THE DAY. FOR SOEM IT WAS A BETTER SOUNDING BRAND THAN MARANTZ. HAVING SAID THAT MY MARANTZ WORKS FINE, IS JUST THAT I HAVE NEVER EVER SEEN A VINTAGE PIECE IN SUCH CONDITIONS AND IT GOT MY JUICES FLOWING. BUT I DO NOT WANT TO JUMP BLIND AND FEEL LATER THAT I OVERPAYED FOR IT. WITH THE MARANTZ I KNOW MY MONEY IS GUARANTEED.

I WILL TRY TO POST SOME PICS.

EDUBAG

sucks2beme wrote: »

I like vintage, but not at those prices.
I'd look at getting your Marantz updated (checked out/new caps)
you'd might be surprised at the improvement in sound.
Or better yet, buy the Peachtree integrated in the flea market.

Do any of you know where i could have the marantz serviced in miami or somewhere close? I go quite often and could take it with me for a service.

sucks2beme

Go join the audio karma site. They have the best leads on who is good and reasonable. I do my own repairs, so I don't pay much attention.

EDUBAG

sucks2beme wrote: »

Go join the audio karma site. They have the best leads on who is good and reasonable. I do my own repairs, so I don't pay much attention.

I will do that, thanks for the info.

EDUBAG

WELL GUYS,

DECIDED TO KEEP THE MARANTZ AND CLEAN IT THOROUGHLY. I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE DEOXIT LOCALLY AND SPENT THE MORNING GOING THROUGH ALL THE POTS AND POTENTIOMETERS. PROBLEM FIXED!!!! SOUNDS GREAT AS ALWAYS. CHECKED THE CAPS AND NO LEAKING OR BLOATING SO IT SEEMS THAT THEY MIGHT HOLD UP FOR NOW.

JUST WANTED TO SHARE. I WILL TRY TO POST PICS OF THE RECEIVER TURNTABLE COMBO.

REGARDS,

EDUARDO

EDUBAG

EDUBAG

EDUBAG

oldrocker

I think you went the correct route although Rotel does make many folks happy. If your ears are making you smile then thats all that matter.

BTW, she's a sweet looking thing...