Superscope Marantz's

[lukiedog]

Are any of the Superscope receivers rebadged Marantz's or are they completely different altogether?

[Arkay]

Not sure about receivers, but I've seen a few Superscope amplifiers that looked extremely similar, including --as far as I could tell from shiniing a light through a vent to see-- the insides. I think at least a few were simply rebadges, but I can't remember the model numbers. Not all the ones I've seen were the same, though. .I haven't bought any of the ones labeled Superscope, although I do think they could represent great value: Marantz quality at Superscope prices, and since some of them have black faces (instead of the usual silver/aluminum color), they can present a nice change of appearance.

[gearhound]

A Superscope 1220....is almost identical to a Marantz 2220.
The styling on my Superscope R-340 is NOT typical Marantz.
However....it says Chatsworth, Ca. on the back....just like a Marantz.
Sound is typical Marantz though.....warm and lush!

Steve

[bikehorn]

I have an R-1270 which is definitely a Marantz era amp. The output TO-3 transistors are Marantz branded, the circuit boards resemble Marantz of the era, the dual 10,000 uF cap in the power supply is the same as I've seen in many Marantz items and it certainly sounds nice. The weak link is the preamp, as the power amp sounds great driven by my NAD 1020. This required drilling and inserting power amp input jacks, plus a switch so that I can go from having the preamp bypassed back to normal receiver. Also the back label indicates specifically that it's designed by Marantz but made in Taiwan.

I also have an R-330 or 340, I can't remember which exactly and it's shoved into a closet 200 km away so I can't check...but I know it does not say Marantz anywhere and the internals look a little bit different. Plastic case output transistors IIRC. Virtually no listening experience except for testing my Altec 511Bs so I can't say what it sounds like really.

I vaguely recall someone saying that some Superscopes(like the 1270 which at 35 wpc was the TOTL Superscope) were very close to Marantz designs but had in some cases lower spec'd or less tightly matched parts. I compared this receiver to a Technics SA-300 of the exact same era and price bracket, and the 1270 completely massacred the Technics in every area. The step up in bass definition was clearly noticeable, the power supply was beefier, the front panel components more rugged...you name it.

[hdewees]

I seem to recall that (Sony) Superscope bought Marantz in the late 70's-early 80's. Although there are a lot of things I don't remember about back then, like 1971, 1972, etc.

[winters860]

I seem to recall that (Sony) Superscope bought Marantz in the late 70's-early 80's. Although there are a lot of things I don't remember about back then, like 1971, 1972, etc.

Sigh.

Something like this gets repeated over and over again.

Saul Marantz sold the company to Superscope in 1964. All the classic solid state Marantz gear of the 70's came out under Superscope's ownership. Superscope's claim to faim was that, at the time, they imported all Sony's tape recorders. This is the closest corporate tie that has ever existed between Marantz and Sony.

In any case, Superscope began producing Marantz products in Japan in partnership with Stantard Radio Corp. (SRC) in 1966. Eventually, Superscope would own a 50% stake in SRC. SRC changed its name to Marantz Japan Inc. in 1975 and by shortly afterwards was manufacturing all Marantz gear. It was around this time that the Superscope-branded components mentioned in the OP were produced.

In 1980, Superscope sold its interest in Marantz Japan Inc. to Phillips, only retaining rights to the name in North America. Phillips, at the time, was jointly developing the compact disc with Sony, but was a separate company. In the 80's, under Phillips, there was certainly some fine gear produced. Overall though, the quality declined. The schizophrenic appearance of the brand in North America (Superscope silkscreened "Marantz" on some pretty horrid equipment) contributed to the tarnishing of the nameplate in the public perception.

In 1992, things started to turn around. Phillips acquired the North American rights to the brand and set about polishing it. In 2001, Marantz Japan Inc. bought out Phillips' share in the company, consolidating ownership of the brand in one corporate entity for the first time in sixteen years. The following year, Marantz Japan Inc. and Denon were acquired by a Japanese-controlled consortium and D&M Holdings was formed. They seem to be doing a fine job managing both brands and have been rapidly acquiring venerable hi-fi companies, for the most part letting each division work independantly.

Is everybody clear? Marantz has never been owned by Sony. Ever.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marantz

EDIT: Wow! For the authoritative tone I took, I sure got a lot wrong. Expect some expansion and correction soon.

[Celt]

As much as this gets asked and discussed, the clarification ought to become a *sticky*.

[winters860]

In tying up loose ends:

Way back in 1975, Superscope lost their distrubution rights to Sony tape recorders. By then, Sony was distributing its own line of home hi-fi, building a dealer network, and competing directly with Marantz and Superscope gear. Seeing the writing on the wall, Superscope had already begun to manufacture its own line of tape recorders. To this day, the company continues to lumber along after selling their last grasp on the Marantz name to Phillips in 1992. They have a website (http://www.superscopetechnologies.com/home.shtml) where they market a small assortment of professional gear, including Superscope-branded CD burners and, perhaps with a touch of irony, Sony CDRs and the Marantz PMD620 portable recorder (a D&M Professional product).

Phillips is still a giant multinational technology company and continues to manufacture home electronics under the Phillips and Magnavox brands.

Saul Marantz, who founded Marantz in 1952, served as president of Marantz under Superscope until he left in 1968. He passed away in 1997 at the age of 86.

[jstang]

Yes, this type of Sony = Superscope mistake requires remedial education... In the form of cleaning Marantz face plates for free for the next week for all AKers .... that should do it... You know, like "wax on...wax off...."


jk

[hdewees]

Hey Winters860 - was that a "sigh" or "heavy sigh " ? Thanks for the very good information. I also think your information should become a sticky.

[Switchblade]

I compared my Superscope 350 with my Marantz 2252 side by side and except for the power difference it was hard to tell which was which as far as sound quality.