Should buy "XXX-Rare" Marantz deck?

[Arkay]

Here's a question that might stir up some opinions/discussion...

Today I saw a Marantz 1820 MkII cassette deck in one of the wholesale places.
I looked it up on the classic audio site [ http://www.classic-audio.com/marantz/1820.html ] , and noticed that they list it as "XXX-Rare", meaning I may never see another one. Should I run back and grab it tomorrow, just because of its rarity? [The price should be pretty cheap, not raised due to rarity factor.]

I already have a good Marantz tape deck from the Esotec series, complete with wooden case, don't actually need another cassette deck, and am definitely not trying to build the complete Marantz reference collection, which is why I didn't get it immediately. I do see a lot of classic Marantz decks, and pass them up unless they are better than what I already have.... but this one is sort of pretty with that less-common golden brown panel, and apparently rare, perhaps giving it a bit of "collector's braggiing rights"(?).

So should I go back and get it? Should I? Hhhhmmmm.... :scratch2:
What do you guys think? What would you do?

[Mr Slabi]

I'm happy with my CT-F950. If I was in your spot I'd pass on it, unless it's just to resell.

[Lefty]

Here's a question that might stir up some opinions/discussion...

Today I saw a Marantz 1820 MkII cassette deck in one of the wholesale places.
I looked it up on the classic audio site [ http://www.classic-audio.com/marantz/1820.html ] , and noticed that they list it as "XXX-Rare", meaning I may never see another one. Should I run back and grab it tomorrow, just because of its rarity? [The price should be pretty cheap, not raised due to rarity factor.]

I already have a good Marantz tape deck from the Esotec series, complete with wooden case, don't actually need another cassette deck, and am definitely not trying to build the complete Marantz reference collection, which is why I didn't get it immediately. I do see a lot of classic Marantz decks, and pass them up unless they are better than what I already have.... but this one is sort of pretty with that less-common golden brown panel, and apparently rare, perhaps giving it a bit of "collector's braggiing rights"(?).

So should I go back and get it? Should I? Hhhhmmmm.... :scratch2:
What do you guys think? What would you do?

Hard call. If cheap enough then maybe you should pick it up while you can. However being rare does not nessesarly make it valuable. Marantz decks are usually mostly collected by people wanting a complete Marantz set-up rather then collected by cassette fans just on there own merits.

Lefty

[240 Volts]

Looks to me like a fairly run of the mill lower-end Marantz deck. If you've got an Esotec range deck then I'd definately give the 1820 a miss.

- Richard B.

[alexkerhead]

Pass, only good Marantz decks are the 5XXX decks.
That is a Euro version of a sd800, which I have a sd800, and it is a peice of junky, plastic, badly made, stupid, crap, just holding place until I can pay for a 5025B(to go with my 5010B for dubbing..
After hours of work, new motor, adjust, the sd800 still plays 10% slower than a correct deck.
I wouldn't give it another thought.

[onepixel]

Marantz decks are usually mostly collected by people wanting a complete Marantz set-up rather then collected by cassette fans just on there own merits.

Lefty

That's me...I hardly use mine. But it sure looks pretty light up.

[Arkay]

Based on all your advice, I think I'll pass on this one. I have since found a nice Sansui SC-2110 (along with an AU-5500) that I may go back and get, though.

UPDATE: Just to update this thread, I did pass on that tape deck. Since then, however, I've bought several better 5XXX series decks, to match up with stacks. I might be winnowing those down at some future point (soon?). Also got an interesting gold-front marantz "Drawer" type deck.