Forgot I had this

jimmydep
jimmydep Posts: 1,305
edited September 2009 in Electronics
I was cleaning out my storage room and found a Marantz 250 amplifier that I used in my recording studio in the '70's. It was rack mounted and was rarely used, because it was a backup to the large Crown amps we had, it only has about 200 hours of use on it.

I bought some neat spade by banana plug angle adapters on Ebay, so I now can easily connect my speaker cables, and compare it to my other amps.

I was amazed how easily it powered my LSi-15's with a smooth, warm, airy sound, with surprising detail, every bit as good as my Sunfire or Emotiva.

I had forgotten how good the vintage equiptment sounds, I think I'll hook-up the RTR's next.



P1020218.jpg
P1020219.jpg
P1020228.jpg





Jimmy
Post edited by jimmydep on
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Comments

  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited September 2009
    Congrats Jimmy! I always like Marantz 250, 500 and an extra rare 1000 SM.

    They are a brute of a Vintage Amp.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,462
    edited September 2009
    Jimmy, we had a vintage Phase Linear amp we hooked up to a rig at this years CF and I was quite surprised how well the sound was compared to some of the other great gear that was there. Don't ever discount what vintage gear can do......I sure as hell won't.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited September 2009
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Jimmy, we had a vintage Phase Linear amp we hooked up to a rig at this years CF and I was quite surprised how well the sound was compared to some of the other great gear that was there. Don't ever discount what vintage gear can do......I sure as hell won't.

    At first I didn't even expect it to work, being over 30 years old and all. But what a surprise, it worked and sounded FANTASTIC TOO!!!

    I'm with you I won't be looking at vintage gear as JUNK anymore.:D



    Jimmy
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited September 2009
    30 years old huh? Maybe that thing can be improved even more by replacing the old caps-perhaps??
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited September 2009
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    30 years old huh? Maybe that thing can be improved even more by replacing the old caps-perhaps??

    I'm not sure how to tell if I need to replace the caps.......I bought this amp new around 1976-77 This was just a back up amp so it pretty much sat in an equipment rack for 3 or 4 years and was hardly ever used. When I dismantled the studio the amp went back into the original box where it was never used again, until yesterday.
    Tonight I really opened her up, I pushed the amp to the point where my ears were starting to bleed, and she had more to give. I have to say I don't think there is anything that needs replacing......the sound is just as good as my other amps, maybe even better.

    How would I know if the caps need replacing? When I really pushed it the amp got very warm but not hot.

    With the amp lying idle for so long, do you think I would have to break it in again?



    Jimmy
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,462
    edited September 2009
    Prrrroooobbbbaaabbbllyy? Honestly, I can't really answer that. If it works? Don't fix it.

    If you want to improve? Well then, upgrade baby! [I would leave it stock until it craps the bed though]
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited September 2009
    jimmydep wrote: »
    At first I didn't even expect it to work, being over 30 years old and all. But what a surprise, it worked and sounded FANTASTIC TOO!!!

    I'm with you I won't be looking at vintage gear as JUNK anymore.:D



    Jimmy

    After 30yrs, its still working thats great-Enjoy!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,349
    edited September 2009
    Congrats on the rediscovery of your classic Marantz amp. I've got the 510M in my vintage rig and love it!

    MarantzCabinent0042.jpg

    510M004.jpg
    Carl

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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,482
    edited September 2009
    schwarcw wrote: »
    Congrats on the rediscovery of your classic Marantz amp. I've got the 510M in my vintage rig and love it!





    Very Nice!!!! I really like the look of the vintage Marantz.
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  • Retro152
    Retro152 Posts: 985
    edited September 2009
    Congrats on reuniting with the long forgotton gear jimmy. Nice surprise. :D:D



    Pat.
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-05
    Amp: Emotiva Xpa-3
    Front L/R: POLK Rti-a9s':D
    Center:POLK Csi-a6
    Rear surround's:POLK Rti-a1s'
    Sub: Klipsch Synergy sub-12
    Sony Kdl-46w4100 46" LCD
    PS3
    Audioquest type 4 wiring.
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited September 2009
    Carl, I like the look of the wood cases. Your pieces look in excellent shape.
    I really like the look of the analog meter's, you don't find them too often anymore.

    I'm really diggin the sound, I'm still amazed at how well a 150wpc@4ohm's amp can drive the very demanding LSI-15's.

    Retro....I'm glad my wife asked me to clean out the storage room, I found all sorts of vintage goodies I had forgotten about.


    Jimmy
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  • devani
    devani Posts: 1,497
    edited September 2009
    nice, jimmy...
    i am amazed that you are so old:D 70's man, my wifey wasn't even born in the 70's....

    it's just that you don't look that old:D:D
    Video: LG 55LN5100/Samsung LNT4065F
    Receiver: HK AVR445
    Source: OPPO BDP-93
    HT: POLK SPEAKERS RTi6, FXi3, CSi5, VTF-3 MK2
    2Ch system: MC2105, AR-XA, AR-2A, AR9, BX-300, OPPO BDP-83
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited September 2009
    Thanks Devin......I'm not ready for a walker yet, but I've been around the block a few times. I graduated High School in '75...man those were good times!!!
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,349
    edited September 2009
    jimmydep wrote: »
    I graduated High School in '75...man those were good times!!!

    Jimmy, you're still a boy! :D

    Thanks for the comments on the amp! I like the look of Marantz. I bought my first piece in 1973, a 2230 receiver. It lasted until about 1998. My son finally killed it. I bought the 510M about 4 years ago. The 256 wpc sounds real nice in my Monitor 7's
    Carl

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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2009
    Those are some sweet amps. Caps only hold up about 20 years. I would replace the electrolytic caps at least.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,410
    edited September 2009
    That is a sweet amp. Can we go exploring your storage room too?
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,349
    edited September 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Those are some sweet amps. Caps only hold up about 20 years. I would replace the electrolytic caps at least.

    Yeah Ben, I've been thinking about those. I am got to check over all unit measuring capacitance, voltage, resistor ohms, etc. I have a service manual to work through the unit. I know that I need to replace that nasty fan with a newer production, ultra quiet fan unit. It's stand size so an affordable replacement is readily available. I may also replace those stupid 1/4" phono input jacks with the standard RCA jacks and better speaker terminals.How about a couple more pics of the vintage Marantz rig driving my Monitor 7's with the Peerless tweets!

    MarantzCabinent0052.jpg

    MarantzCabinent0092.jpg

    MarantzCabinent003.jpg

    MarantzCabinent0042.jpg

    MarantzCabinent002.jpg

    marantzcabinent0012.jpg
    Carl

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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2009
    WOW WOW WOW WOW! Thats a wow for each piece of gear. Looks fantastic!
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited September 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    WOW WOW WOW WOW! Thats a wow for each piece of gear. Looks fantastic!


    +++++ on what Ben said.....Carl, that is some impressive stuff.
    I have a few vintage Marantz pieces but you are truly a Marantz Connoisseur

    That's like a ....Marantz Shrine......I am not worthy!!!!



    Jimmy
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  • Pedler
    Pedler Posts: 95
    edited September 2009
    WOW Great Pics....:D
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  • Pedler
    Pedler Posts: 95
    edited September 2009
    WOW Great Pics it looks immaculate....:D
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  • speedster2333
    speedster2333 Posts: 37
    edited September 2009
    I always love find new things from the past.
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,349
    edited September 2009
    Thanks for all the kind words fo Jimmy's and my gear!
    Carl

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