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In Reply to: Citation II and/or Marantz 8b posted by Bob Mc on February 18, 2007 at 18:26:48:
Hi, Bob:You will probably get a better deal for your money with the Citation, but the Marantz 8-B would greatly benefit from a complete rebuild. I own four of them and each one has been updated. The difference on paper between an unrestored and a restored unit is night and day, let me assure you.
All of these folks who pay through the nose for an 8-B in original, unrestored condition are probably sitting on an expensive time bomb, ready to malfunction. The original selenium rectifier in an 8-B needs to be replaced and nearly all of the under-chassis coupling caps and smaller electrolytics also need to be replaced after more than forty years of service. Fortunately, the original oil-type large cans on the top have a much greater lifespan.
You can also wire the 8-B to operate in triode mode with the change of four resistors. That will drop rated output per channel to something around 20 watts, rather than almost 40 in stock form.
The Marantz 8-B, as nearly every owner will tell you, is among the most musical satisfying vacuum tube amplifiers ever designed. Owning four of them makes the enjoyment that much more profound, of course!
Lastly, even if you plan to restore an 8-B and even though this logical and intelligent decision will decrease the potential for resale, sit back and enjoy one of the best amplifiers ever designed and built in this country.
Trust me!
Follow Ups:
Thanks for the advice. I appreciate people's advice re: amps other than Marantz. Sometimes I think about trying a sub-$500 vintage amp to see what differences I hear. I've heard the 8b once and really like what I heard but haven't heard it in quite a while or in my system. It looks like getting an 8b (inevitably in need of some and perhaps much restoration) is virtually impossible for much under $2000. Does anyone know reliable restoration shops in Wisconsin or Illinois?
Use a decent power cable to replace the originalA quad of JJ KT-77's, Amp wired in triode mode
Phillips E90F's are a mesh plate replacement for the 6BH6s ( you need a Pair of these ) SQ's if you can find 'em; better than any other NOS tube you'll find and a direct sub.
6CG7's with the center plate; I use GE JAN's; super quiet tubes, a Pair of these
You haven't spent a Ton of money; and you're set; a quiet, detailed and dynamic sound. Will wipe the floor with most SET amps; I've yet to find an Amp that will knock by 8B off its perch with this setup
Grins
Thanks, grinagog!Good advice.
Truthfully, I have yet to replace any of the smaller tubes in the four 8-Bs I still own. They have tested nicely ever since I acquired these amplifiers. I completely rebuilt all four amplifiers a few years ago and have the harmonic distortion charts somewhere to show measurably lower harmonic distortion.
The thing that really irks me is that I also have some genuine NOS Telefunken EL-34s stashed away. They have become Soooooo valuable that I am no longer planning on using them! Isn't that ironic?
You do not have to convince me what an 8-B can do. Now for the truth!
I purchased one 8-B in 1976 for about $225. Another one was acquired for about the same price later on, but I also found one at a rummage sale in San Francisco at the Art Institute in 1981 for only $25, complete with the cage. The fourth and final example was literally given to me, along with a nice 7-C preamp, an Eico AM tuner and a Scott 350-B for absolutely NOTHING. I even got all of the original receipts for the gear and the original factory check-out cards when this happened. That was about eighteen years ago, however.
"Free" is always good, you know!
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