 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
65.153.249.86
In Reply to: RE: Marantz Tube Receiver and Speaker Recommendations posted by dofthesea on November 22, 2017 at 21:57:34
I would recommend looking at the photos available on vintage Marantz equipment sites. A receiver comprises three components into one box:1) FM/AM tuner
2) Preamplifier (including RIAA equalizer for playback of LPs
3) Power ampThe most common tubed Marantz products were the 7 preamp (often called the "7C", where "C" was for "Console" and meant that the unit included a walnut-veneered box for better appearance. The most common power amp was the 8B at 35 wpc, although a few people would spring for the twice-as-expensive Model 9 at 70 wpc.
What killed Marantz as we know it was the development of their 10B tuner. It was a laboratory-grade instrument, and retailed for $485 or so - much more than their other products, but low enough that they lost money on every single one of them. Even selling them in high volumes didn't help (!), and within a short time Marantz was in a bad financial spot.
Marantz was distributed in Japan by Superscope, Inc. Superscope bought out Marantz, and soon after discontinued the tubed products,replacing them with some of the day's better solid-state products. As others have noted, these were the first Marantz receivers. There are two possibilities:
1) Your father had tubed separate - a 7C preamp, an 8B power amp, and a 10B tuner. These are all collectors items, with the bulk of the originals in Japan. If you can find all three things, that will likely set you back between $5000 to $8000. The tuner needs to be aligned properly to obtain the best performance. You will want to buy it from Audio Classics (or one that has been recently tuned up by them).
If you get the tubed stuff, the most common speakers used with it were JBLs with 15" woofers, a horn midrange, and a horn tweeter. You only need 10 watts to rock out on with system like this. Other less common (but more sophisticated) speakers would be KLH 9 full range electrostatics (although these would likely also need the extra power of the Model 9 power amp and also require some extra maintenance).
The later solid-state receivers were some of the best of the day. They weren't nearly as good as the tube equipment, but far beyond competing solid state amps. Their early series was the 22xx, where the xx was the watts per channel, so a 2235 would be 35 watts per channel. This is a case where one tube water amp is subjectively as powerful as a two watt solid-stage power amp.
Have fun, and let us know how it turns out.
Edits: 11/23/17Follow Ups:
Another outstanding and informative reply.
Ok I must be confused. Now that I think about it I think he had Marantz speakers and not sure what the components were maybe Fisher. Anyhoot I think Im getting better clarification on this. So here is where Im at any thoughts?
What might be the best bang for the buck for an all in one system? Would be nice to keep this maybe in the 3-$500 range not even sure if its possible
As far as speakers go I think I would prefer to use modern small book shelf speakers. What is going to compliment would be nice to keep these in the $500 range
> > What might be the best bang for the buck for an all in one system? Would be nice to keep this maybe in the 3-$500 range not even sure if its possible
As far as speakers go I think I would prefer to use modern small book shelf speakers. What is going to compliment would be nice to keep these in the $500 range < <
To get an entire system in the $500 range is going to be pretty tricky. Remember the old saying - "Performance, features, price - pick two."
For small loudspeakers, modern ones are much better than vintage ones IME. (There are some great vintage speakers that are quite large...) I also think you are going to have to buy used. I'm not sure how much it would cost, but I think you could put together a really nice system by getting:
A '70s era Marantz receiver, such as a 2240, 2270 or similar.
A pair of KEF LS-50 bookshelf loudspeakers.
The Marantz will have a phono input, so you can plug a turntable into it. Some of the best introductory turntables are by Rega and Pro-Ject. The receiver will also have AM/FM radio built in, so you will likely want a CD player. You won't have a lot left in your budget, but you are better off to buy a cheap CD player than a cheap turntable, as a cheap CD player won't damage your CDs - while a cheap (or worn out) turntable can damage your records.
Have fun!
Charles thanks for the info let me clarify what Im trying to do.
All in one unit. in the 500-$1,000 range would prefer tube as I have loads of NOS and I can do some of the work on tube units.
Small bookshelf speakers in the $500 range
So a total of about $1,500 ish
dofthesea, sorry but there is no single answer to your inquiry, just as others have suggested.
Two popular tubed receivers of the era were Fisher 400 and 500 models in one or more iterations. Other quality units were sold by Scott, Sherwood, and of course McIntosh. Many different speakers were paired with them besides JBLs, including Altec, Bozak, AR, KLH, Klipsch, Electro Voice, as well as those offered by the receiver companies themselves.
Properly put together some combination from this list (though not exclusive) should be a satisfying system. Just be prepared that some specific units are sought after and so may be expensive. Also, due to their age, any electronics that old will require some parts updating (not just the tubes) and the FM section a tune up. Assuming you can't do that yourself it may be very difficult with a budget of $3-500.
Regarding the Marantz receivers (solid state), the first generation products sold by Superscope as described by Charles were not as good as their later products. Look for a 4-digit model number, such as the 2270 already suggested. I made the mistake of relying on the Marantz name and bought a 23 or 27 (can't remember which) receiver in the early '70s and it was a poor performer.
Good luck.
"The piano ain't got no wrong notes." Thelonious Monk
Great info. I can do the maintenance on a tube component as I build Tube guitar amps.
I was hoping for this is what you get answer haha
Do all Fishers use 7591 Power Tubes? Since matched quads of NOS tubes are probably near impossible how are the current production 7591?
What might eb the preferred tube a 7868 or 7591 in an Audi application. Im looking at a Fisher 500 and 400
...for original issues. Not sure about reissue stuff but the New Sensor EH and "Tungsol" brands get decent reviews. Be aware that the EH 7868 uses magnoval base instead of original novar. Sticking a magnoval into a novar socket permanently deforms the socket such that only magnoval can be used in future.
Ok now Im just more confused about the whole process.
Another question is there a decent tube all in one unit where I can just buy one component in the 400-$1,000 range and what might be a good choice for $500 isn modern speakers?
Do searches on eBay on the brands I suggested above. That will give you a sense of what is available at different price points. An upper end Marantz, quality restored receiver will be in the $500.00+ range. You might also check out your local Craigslist.
| FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
