Replacing meter lamps on Marantz 140.

[outshined]

I'm replacing the meter lamps in my 140. Do I need to take the case off, or can I do it by removing the faceplate?

Thanks.

[BalancedXLR]

...

[dgwojo]

You have to remove the top cover. There is a screw in the top centre of each meter that is holding down a plate. Remove those and pull out the small board that has the lamps clipped in. There are 2 bulbs for each meter. Pretty simple :yes:

Any ratings on those lamps for a model 140?? I think the model 250 uses 6.3v/150ma bayonet base lamps. :scratch2:

[renaudagnes]

More info :

http://www.acec13.fr/tvc/Marantz/MarantzSMandSchem.html

[whsh93a]

The 140 takes (4) standard 8V fuse lamps to illuminate the meters.

I thought that the 250 used the same - at least according to my data base.

The (2) peak indicator lamps are small wired 8v lamps.

DH

Any ratings on those lamps for a model 140?? I think the model 250 uses 6.3v/150ma bayonet base lamps. :scratch2:

[outshined]

The lamps I'll be using are those LED types, which are supposed to be cooler running and last much longer.

Thanks for the help!

[renaudagnes]

Well, according to the SM, the peak indicators are 8v/60mA for the 140.

[outshined]

You have to remove the top cover. There is a screw in the top centre of each meter that is holding down a plate. Remove those and pull out the board that has the lamps clipped in. There are 2 bulbs for each meter. Pretty simple :yes:

Thanks for the pic, and the procedure. Very good of you to take the time. :yes:

I replaced these lamps about 15+ yrs ago, but I forgot how it was done!
I'm sure I did it the first time by trial.

[BalancedXLR]

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[outshined]

Anytime :beerchug:
Gotta keep those beautiful blue meters shining!

I don't wanna beat this to death with the thank yous... The answers are all VERY much appreciated!

The pic you inserted, I thought, was a very nice gesture.

The Marantz link is in French! I appreciate the reply, of course, but I still can't read French. :D

BTW, I know the PEAK lamps work, and have never replaced them. (they light only once in a great while...) But, they are hard wired? Hmmm...

[BalancedXLR]

...

[dgwojo]

The 140 takes (4) standard 8V fuse lamps to illuminate the meters.

I thought that the 250 used the same - at least according to my data base.

The (2) peak indicator lamps are small wired 8v lamps.

DH

DH,
I just shipped a bunch of 6.3v/150ma bayonet base capsules to a guy in Europe for his 250, maybe the ones in his unit were replaced in the past with incorrect lamps?? :scratch2:

[outshined]

Good deal. I am not very good with soldering irons and schemos that look like a NYC subway map.

Maybe I should replace them, because if the amp clips, I wouldn't know it. (The meters can't be relied upon to tell you if the amp is clipping)

I always thought that there was a mechanical mechanism, tied into the meters, that tripped the PEAK lights, as when a sharp transient sent the meter needles all the way, but I don't think that's the case.

The PEAK lamps light when actual clipping occurs, irrespective of the meter readings. Am I on track here?

[outshined]

***Double Post***

[renaudagnes]

The Marantz link is in french, ok, but the Service Manual on the page is in english...

Maybe you want the link to download directly :

http://www.acec13.fr/tvc/Marantz/ressources/140/140_SM_MARANTZ_EN.pdf

[Allen9959]

PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE, let me know how the LED's work out. I may do the same. Thanks.

[outshined]

The Marantz link is in french, ok, but the Service Manual on the page is in english...

Maybe you want the link to download directly :

http://www.acec13.fr/tvc/Marantz/ressources/140/140_SM_MARANTZ_EN.pdf

Thank you.
However, the page does not load. I tried to download the SM from your other post, but that didn't work either... :scratch2:

[outshined]

PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE, let me know how the LED's work out. I may do the same. Thanks.

I have seen before and after pics of the 140 using the LED lamps, and there is quite a difference for the better.

Once I get another set of power and USB cables for my digicam, I'll try and post a before and after.

[iglowblue]

I have seen before and after pics of the 140 using the LED lamps, and there is quite a difference for the better.

Once I get another set of power and USB cables for my digicam, I'll try and post a before and after.

IMHO LED's are the way to go for the 140. Beautiful blue, dispersed evenly, no heat, easy to replace. The last big plus is... you can go back to the original lamps any time you want. I will never go back myself. I like 'em.

[outshined]

IMHO LED's are the way to go for the 140. Beautiful blue, dispersed evenly, no heat, easy to replace. The last big plus is... you can go back to the original lamps any time you want. I will never go back myself. I like 'em.

The lamps lasted some 20 years, so I can't complain. I still have 4 of the old lamps; I bought 8 of em at Radio Shack in '87 or so.

I also think it's a testament to the reliability of my 140. I bought it new in '77 I think it was, and it has never failed or behaved badly. It is one of the oldest amps I own. The others being my SAE 2600 and GAS Ampzilla.

[iglowblue]

The lamps lasted some 20 years, so I can't complain. I still have 4 of the old lamps; I bought 8 of em at Radio Shack in '87 or so.

I also think it's a testament to the reliability of my 140. I bought it new in '77 I think it was, and it has never failed or behaved badly. It is one of the oldest amps I own. The others being my SAE 2600 and GAS Ampzilla.

Oh I know, for a vintage home system the 140 is hard to beat. You can still find them at garage sales etc. for a bargain compared to a lot of other amps. I still have several original lamps on hand, and with new vellum paper they still look great, but for now it's LED's for me.

[outshined]

Oh I know, for a vintage home system the 140 is hard to beat. You can still find them at garage sales etc. for a bargain compared to a lot of other amps. I still have several original lamps on hand, and with new vellum paper they still look great, but for now it's LED's for me.

I first used the 140 with a pair of Bose 901 IV's, in, maybe '78-'79. The results were tremendous. I know that the room they were in made all the difference, as far as the speakers were concerned. Truly good sound. I had the 901's hanging from the ceiling, per the recommendations. The 140 never had a problem with them. The 901's were very efficient, had great bass and crystaline highs. Had a Technics SL-1500 MK II 'table w/ a Stanton 881S cart.

The next amp I bought was a Phase Linear 700 II. I think this was my favorite amp to date. Seemingly unlimited power and control.

My 140 now resides in my bedroom, driving either a vintage pair of RS Optimus 30's, or GR Audio A/V Ones. The GR's are 4 Ohms, and sometimes, the 140's PEAK lamps will light. I don't think the 140 is suited (or even rated) to drive 4 Ohm loads, but it will if the volume level is adjusted so it won't clip on peaks.

I was lucky and obtained a pair of NOS cabinets for the 140 and the 3200. This really completes the look of these two Marantz's, although, I'm not too crazy about the 3200 (which I bought new along with the 140) My main complaint about the 3200 is the curves I get with the tone controls, even though it has several frequency turnover points.

Still haven't replaced the meter lamps. I'm worried about scratching the front opening of the cab. Think what I'll do is take the (razor sharp!) front panel off first, then slide the amp out of the back of the cabinet. It would bum me out if I even so much as nicked the cab. But, it went in OK, so, it should come back out OK as well, if I'm super careful. The 140 weighs 30 lbs. or so. Thats some serious iron for a 70wpc amp, wouldn't you say?

[lupodimare]

The 140 takes (4) standard 8V fuse lamps to illuminate the meters.

I thought that the 250 used the same - at least according to my data base.

The (2) peak indicator lamps are small wired 8v lamps.

DH

Hello,

The 250 uses four bayonet type lamps to illuminate the VU-meters.
According to the service manual, they have part number 482-1006. No information about V, mA.
I bought the 6.3V 150mA type from dgwojo and placed them on my 250: in my opinion the result is good, as you can see from the linked pictures.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk223/lupodimare/Marantz%20250/IMG_1004.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk223/lupodimare/Marantz%20250/IMG_1005.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk223/lupodimare/Marantz%20250/IMG_1007.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk223/lupodimare/Marantz%20250/IMG_1008.jpg

I checked also the 240 service manual and noted that the power indicator lamp has part number 482-1006-000. Maybe it is the same lamp.

Greetings from Italy.
Gianni

[dgwojo]

Gianni,
It looks very nice, hopefully that unit didn't require 8v lamps as the 6.3's look pretty bright to me when they're not behind the meters, let's see how it works out, Dave.

[outshined]

I've noticed that, on some 3200's, the pilot light indicator is rectangular, like mine, but others are just a round LED.

Can anyone explain this?

Thanks.