radioactive
tube gear fanatic
heres a marantz 8b review
marantz 8b review (1963)
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ldatlof
We are all steak
8b really held it's value
In 1963 the 8b costs $264 which is equal to $1612.52 in today's dollars. This is what I have seen them go for on ebay. Amazing. :thmbsp:
Just wondering whether you could buy a new production tube amp today for $1600 that is better than the 8b? :scratch2: I have never heard or seen an 8b in person.
In 1963 the 8b costs $264 which is equal to $1612.52 in today's dollars. This is what I have seen them go for on ebay. Amazing. :thmbsp:
Just wondering whether you could buy a new production tube amp today for $1600 that is better than the 8b? :scratch2: I have never heard or seen an 8b in person.
NOSValves
Super Member
ldatlof said:
For $1600 no way!! The 8B to date is the only amplifier that has ever crossed my bench where I couldn't think of reasonable change to improve it. The thing performs near as perfect as can be expected from a stereo power amp. They sound incredibly good and I don't usually care for EL34's!
Craig
bellavoce
"Everybody's Different"
I've owned a Marantz model 8 for some time now. I paid $90.00 for it. It has 4 leaking electrolytic caps. I'm waiting till i have the time and means to take it the big city to have an expert check it out and give me a repair estimate.
I've heard all kinds of stories that there are no such caps available and therefore i'd only have a worthless bastard on my hands.The same individuals said it would be better to just sell the thing as scrap.
Is this extreme and rather bias sounding information correct?????
I'd appreciate any input on this i can get.
Thanks
bellavoce
I've heard all kinds of stories that there are no such caps available and therefore i'd only have a worthless bastard on my hands.The same individuals said it would be better to just sell the thing as scrap.
Is this extreme and rather bias sounding information correct?????
I'd appreciate any input on this i can get.
Thanks
bellavoce
bellavoce said:
Plenty of parts available, many of better quality than the original parts - except for the output transformers. Any resistor or capacitor in that amp can be replaced with new parts of equivalent or better quality. Contact VAC (http://www.vac-amps.com/products.htm)- they might even have a stock of parts from the reissue version they sold in the mid 90's. I now see that they sell what looks like an 8B under the Auricle name for about $2800....
NOSValves
Super Member
bellavoce said:
Finding exact original replacements is most likely not going to happen. Even the above mentioned reproduction didn't use the exact same mounting and dimensional components. The amp can be repaired but you will lose some of the original value in doing so. I'm surprised the electrolytes are bad myself the last one I did I removed them electrically from the circuit and ran them on my cap analyzer and they were as good as anything I'd tested new to date. But this is very dependant on how the amp was treated and stored over time.
If you bought it for $90 your one lucky son of a gun !!
Craig
dave500
New Member
I've been restoring Marantz tube gear since 1972, and there are some things that can be done to improve them, mostly to prolong the life of the tubes. I personally own 3 of them, as well as model 2's, 5's, and 9's. IMHO, the 2's are best, closely followed by the 9's, and then the 8b's and 5's. The output transformers are of the highest quality, although they don't look it in the 8b/5 when uncovered. They are normally Ultra-Linear, but can be wired as Triode, and can also be internally strapped for mono 70 watt (UL), which improves them. When properly adjusted and restored, they have a quality that's hard to beat, and I've compared them to McIntosh, Audio Research, Dyna, and many others (Klipschorns, Cornwalls, Dahlquist DQ-10, others). They were built like tanks, and made to last.
hifi_nut
Vintage? I´m vintage!
A couple of Model 8 ´s on Ebay
Funny we should be discussing this.
I don´t know how to post links from Ebay here, but I have just seen auctions for 2 of these going on just now.
Perhaps some more knowledgeable member could do it for the benefits of those potentislly interested?
Jorge
Funny we should be discussing this.
I don´t know how to post links from Ebay here, but I have just seen auctions for 2 of these going on just now.
Perhaps some more knowledgeable member could do it for the benefits of those potentislly interested?
Jorge
bellavoce
"Everybody's Different"
goldear said:Hey I'd be more than happy to take that unit off of your hands for $90 for scrap!Heck, I'd even pay 3 times that for an 8b parts unit, as long as the trannies are still good.
Thank you for the generous offers guys but i think i'll hang on to this gorgeous doorstop for just a little while longer.
Oh, mine is an 8 not 8b. I'd heard the only difference was the power supply output on the back. Is this correct?
bellavoce
crooner
Tube Marantzed
Bellavoce, the 8B uses different output transformers and it has an extra feedback loop with trimmer pots. You can usually tell the units apart by looking at the serial numbers, and there's also "8B" marked in the back in tiny letters.
Additionally, If you take the bottom plate off you can see the red paint sealed trimmers just below the output trannies. See attached pic.
If this model 8 were mine I would have custom capacitor cans made for it. There's a place called Zack Engineering / Vibroworld (google it) that does this at a very reasonable price. You give them the specs and they'll make exact drop-in replacements. Worth it. I did this to my Dynaco amps and the cans looked great, perfect fit and worked great!.
Additionally, If you take the bottom plate off you can see the red paint sealed trimmers just below the output trannies. See attached pic.
If this model 8 were mine I would have custom capacitor cans made for it. There's a place called Zack Engineering / Vibroworld (google it) that does this at a very reasonable price. You give them the specs and they'll make exact drop-in replacements. Worth it. I did this to my Dynaco amps and the cans looked great, perfect fit and worked great!.
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