Marantz Model Nineteen Receiver

[energyandair]

How good does the Marantz Model Ninteeen sound when properly set up?

I have the opportunity to buy a Model 19 that is in great cosmetic shape and has a functioning oscilloscope but has issues in the FM and has one channel distorting badly with no bass. The other channel sounds OK but maybe not as good as it could sound.

Listening to it at the moment doesn't tell me much about its potential but its a great looking piece and if it would sound as good as, or better than, my Sony 2000F / 3200F / 5000FW stack, I would be tempted to switch. My current thinking is to have one nice early solid state setup and the space saved by having one piece rather than 3 is appealing.

FWIW, the Model 19 was bought in 73 and the List was $1200. The Sony stack dates from the same period and listed at $1430 ($580, $400 & $450)

I know a good tech who I am pretty sure could fix it but it would obviously be a fair bit of work.

David

[dshoaf]

I restored a Model 24 preamp tuner from the same lineup as the 19 a couple of years ago. The problems you describe in the 19 doesn't sound that bad, actually, but......

If, however, you wish to have it restored internally, then be prepared for some $$ to spend. Main reason is that this age of amp used *lots* of capacitor-coupled stages. There are *lots* of small electolytics throughout the whole unit. Since electrolytic caps are known to have their electrolyty paste dry up over the decades, this will can be a labor-intensive exercise - the caps themselves aren't that expensive.

I'd suggest that you try it out for a bit and see if you like the sound. Your other stack of gear is of the same vintage with similar circuit topologies so that would indicate that you're just stepping across to the Marantz - without the scope, of course. Frankly, I never did get into the whole 'scope thing back then nor now.

You can get an excellent scope these days for cheap if that's what you really want (this from an old bench tech from the 70s).

Cheers,

David

[energyandair]

I restored a Model 24 preamp tuner from the same lineup as the 19 a couple of years ago. The problems you describe in the 19 doesn't sound that bad, actually, but......

If, however, you wish to have it restored internally, then be prepared for some $$ to spend. Main reason is that this age of amp used *lots* of capacitor-coupled stages. There are *lots* of small electolytics throughout the whole unit. Since electrolytic caps are known to have their electrolyty paste dry up over the decades, this will can be a labor-intensive exercise - the caps themselves aren't that expensive.

I'd suggest that you try it out for a bit and see if you like the sound. Your other stack of gear is of the same vintage with similar circuit topologies so that would indicate that you're just stepping across to the Marantz - without the scope, of course. Frankly, I never did get into the whole 'scope thing back then nor now.

You can get an excellent scope these days for cheap if that's what you really want (this from an old bench tech from the 70s).

Cheers,

David
My problem is that in its current condition the Marantz sounds dreadful and gives me no idea of how it would sound when working properly.

The Sony stack on the other hand sounds really enjoyable just as it is. Perhaps it would sound better with new caps but I am generally only aware of any limitations when I specifically listen for them and compare it to newer hi end equipment.

I've never had a scope but I imagined that it is useful in tuning or setting up FM. I mentioned it because its a pain having a part that doesn't work and I wouldn't want to be replacing the CRT. When I looked up the Model 19 on ebay, I noticed someone asking $350 for a replacement CRT.

David

[.dh.]

I've got the 18, and I love the sound of it. If you're shooting for a great vintage SS receiver, the 18, 19 and MAC 1900 would be my pick hitters. Not only were they all TOTL, look and sound great, and are serious performers once brought up to spec, they are each benchmarks among classic receivers.

If you really want to do it right, send it to Terry DeWick.

I sent him my Marantz 18 that was having pretty much the same symptoms, and now it's the centerpiece of my livingroom system.

I have nothing but good things to say about his operation. You'll find contact info on this board.

[Lefty]

As far as which would be the better to have, the Sony stack or the 19, that would be a really hard choice to make. I've had a 19 for about 8 years now and the 2000f/3200F for about a year. Both setups are so unique that there is no way I'm parting with either... :thmbsp:

Lefty

[energyandair]

I've got the 18, and I love the sound of it. If you're shooting for a great vintage SS receiver, the 18, 19 and MAC 1900 would be my pick hitters. Not only were they all TOTL, look and sound great, and are serious performers once brought up to spec, they are each benchmarks among classic receivers.

If you really want to do it right, send it to Terry DeWick.

I sent him my Marantz 18 that was having pretty much the same symptoms, and now it's the centerpiece of my livingroom system.

I have nothing but good things to say about his operation. You'll find contact info on this board.
Thanks for suggesting Terry. I'll keep him in mind but if I buy the Marantz, I'll probably use my local guy who has done good work for me in the past.

David

[energyandair]

As far as which would be the better to have, the Sony stack or the 19, that would be a really hard choice to make. I've had a 19 for about 8 years now and the 2000f/3200F for about a year. Both setups are so unique that there is no way I'm parting with either... :thmbsp:

Lefty
It's neat that you have both and I can see why you would want to keep both setups. Putting appearance issues aside for a moment, are there any differences in sound, useability or ability to drive speakers that jump out at you?
David

[Lefty]

It's neat that you have both and I can see why you would want to keep both setups. Putting appearance issues aside for a moment, are there any differences in sound, useability or ability to drive speakers that jump out at you?
David

Can't say I can hear a really difference however I only play the 19 now and then. At twice the power I suspect the Sony setup would work better with more kinds of speaker setups. The Sony 2000F/3200F just have so many features and controls that I think have been converted to a component kind of guy from now on :thmbsp:


Lefty

[Brian]

Apples and oranges. The Sony has a sound closer to an early Mc SS while the Marantz is more typically SS sounding. Which is better? Neither and each since it is a matter of personal taste. The BIG issue is flexibility. The 19 is a receiver and as such has less inputs, no preamp out. The input and tape limitation can be overcome with outboard switch boxes.

The tuner of the 19 is the 20b that the Sony would have been going up against when both were in production. The 19s preamp and power amp sections were the last of the Sid Smith based designs for Marantz and the amp was based on the 16 circuits that was his 3rd design.

[grease]

I have owned a Marantz Moddel 19 since 1972 or 73 that I bought new. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

[marty-alex]

Wish I had one... :yes:

[Lefty]

Wish I had one... :yes:


They are pretty rare even here in the USA, I imagine that they are near impossible to find in the EU :scratch2:

Lefty

[marty-alex]

They are pretty rare even here in the USA, I imagine that they are near impossible to find in the EU :scratch2:
LeftyYou bet! And what isn't? Models 1050 and 1072 are the only "widely" avaible...