Radio Road

RE: Marantz 10B

128.48.7.72

In Reply to: RE: Marantz 10B posted by Tube Hertz on May 05, 2008 at 13:07:48

Hi, Tube Hertz:

A little tale from Marantzguy's past!

You really should have been at this particular collector's place. This is the same guy who had the sealed cartons of Marantz 10-B tuners.

I had seen an ad for a Marantz 8-B in the papers, and at the asking price of $225 in about 1976, this was not that bad, all things considered. So, I decided to drive over to Oakland from SF and see the unit.

Anyway, long story short:

This huge guy named Harry Stephens was the seller. His entire flat was crammed full of the most precious of vintage audio gear I had ever seen. He had nearly everything ever made of quality in there. Stacks and stacks of McIntosh stuff, Scott pieces, and of course, the Marantz gear. Nothing like hoarding gear, huh?

One closet had some Ampex 351-2 recorders, off in another corner was a pair of EV Patricians, etc. In fact an entire bedroom in this flat was full of speakers, nothing else. But in his living room was this drop-dead gorgeous looking 10-B, so perfect that I have never seen another one like it. Of course, when he showed me the others all stacked up in yet another closet, I realized why it was so beautiful. It was new old stock! He would not even let me breathe on that tuner out on his coffee table.

Of course the guy had more than a handful of screws loose, if you know what I mean.

He's probably no longer alive, poor guy, but he sure had the gear!

10-Bs were about $500 on average when I saw his units. Of course, with one sealed in the box, he could command $1K for one, way back then, and he did!

I purchased the 8-B, but even then, this seller would not even let me remove the bottom plate to inspect it. What did old Harry say to me that day so long ago?

"That's MARANTZ! Look but do not touch!"

Jeeeeeez.

BTW, one of the output tubes had a terrible burn spot on the top and the ball bearing in the bias meter switch was missing.

Nevertheless, I had to get him a cashier's check for the $225 and purchased his unit.

When I got that 8-B to the house and inspected it from underneath, I discovered why he did not want me to look inside. There were two vaporized carbon type resistors around that one discolored tube.

The jerk!

I hate people who are dishonest AND hoard gear!

'nuff said!

I just wonder became of all of that gear when old Harry tipped over one day and landed, feet up, on a pile of tube gear.

Crunch!

Or...maybe he was planted with his collection?
Another interesting thought!

Richard Links
Berkeley, CA

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