Tell me about the Marantz Model 18
- Thread starter JHoman
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I have a service manual copy you can have...... or I could scan it to you.
mhardy6647
Lunatic Member
US-made solid state Marantz; nice receiver for its day.
SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
Definite collector value as are all scoped Marantz so it is worth getting them back into shape. In good condition, they sell for around $400 so that should give you an upper limit on how much you should spend. I would cherry pick the best parts. Reassemble the others and sell them to get your cost as low as possible.
The tuner section is perhaps the best sounding tuner I have EVER heard. What it lacks in sensitivity is more than makes up in quality. I used it for years just AS a tuner. As do many others. And the scope is just too kool
These units are built like tanks - I mean solid quality! But with just a few drawbacks. The most important is they are in desperate need of a total recapping being they are 40+ years old. And the second, and this is just my opinion which mean nothing, is they tendened to sound a tad on the harsh side. I believe that was related to the use of first generation transistors they used. But don't be spooked by that. It still sounds awesome.
charles
These units are built like tanks - I mean solid quality! But with just a few drawbacks. The most important is they are in desperate need of a total recapping being they are 40+ years old. And the second, and this is just my opinion which mean nothing, is they tendened to sound a tad on the harsh side. I believe that was related to the use of first generation transistors they used. But don't be spooked by that. It still sounds awesome.
charles
onemug
Super Member
It was Marantz's first receiver. It's based on their 15 amp, 7t preamp and Model 20 tuner. I agree with Charles about the tuner in it, it's great. If you care about FM, make sure your tech knows how to do a proper alignment on it.
My 18 was decent sounding when I first got it but transformed when I got new power supply caps. It now has a sweet romantic sound. The tech put in some bypass caps on the power supply. That may be contributing to the sweeter top end, I'm not sure how much but it wasn't that much more of a cost. You might consider doing that.
So my advice is to pick the best looking one of your three and get it rebuilt. Match it up with some 8 ohm/fairly efficient speakers (4 ohm is okay but it will be happier with the 8 ohm), sit back and enjoy a classic.
My 18 was decent sounding when I first got it but transformed when I got new power supply caps. It now has a sweet romantic sound. The tech put in some bypass caps on the power supply. That may be contributing to the sweeter top end, I'm not sure how much but it wasn't that much more of a cost. You might consider doing that.
So my advice is to pick the best looking one of your three and get it rebuilt. Match it up with some 8 ohm/fairly efficient speakers (4 ohm is okay but it will be happier with the 8 ohm), sit back and enjoy a classic.
I actually do agree with onemug about the sound. Even though I may have been less than kind it still is a great sounding receiver. I do think it is representative of being the best sounding gear of that era.
So yes, find the best looking unit and a COMPETENT tech and DO IT!
charles
So yes, find the best looking unit and a COMPETENT tech and DO IT!
charles
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
The Marantz 18 and 19 are in my opinion the best receivers Marantz made. Scope and all. The last real competition the McIntosh MAC line ever had domestically. Their like will likely never be seen ever again. Worthy of care and excellent restorations.
I know this is a "troll" statement, but in the big picture of Marantz's history the 18 & 19 are not the pinnacle of this companys legacy. Yes they were made to a high standard. Designed and built with exceptionally quality of that time. But that time was the mid 60's. Technology, manufacturing process, material sciences, better understanding of the power supply circuits and the availablity of better cheaper parts eventually produced some of Marantz's prized pieces.
Having had a large number of Marantz's gear over the years. The 18 & 19 fits nicely in a nostalgic niche. And yes, are deserving of restoration and collecting. Much like the 3300 / 250 is an excellent example of mid 70's production, so are the 1x receivers an excellent example of the mid 60's.
charles
Having had a large number of Marantz's gear over the years. The 18 & 19 fits nicely in a nostalgic niche. And yes, are deserving of restoration and collecting. Much like the 3300 / 250 is an excellent example of mid 70's production, so are the 1x receivers an excellent example of the mid 60's.
charles
Brian
An Old Geezer
Sadly, the later receivers were compromised at best by cost cutting and lack of pride. Marantz moved from the limited high end market where price points was not much of an issue to the mass market where it was along with competing in the spec wars where specs were more important than ultimate balanced sound. The only later receivers that were in the same stadium were the 2500 and 2600. Sadly the 2600 power supply was a chronic problem and finding replacement toriods are not sourcable. The 2500 is a bit more reliable. However, a 2500 sise by side with a 18 shows the unit has more compromises affecting the ultimate sound than an 18. The 19 is preferable to the 18 only in that it has the active front end tuner, the 20b circuits and the guts of the 16 power amp that was more stable than the 15 used in the 18. The preamp section ot the 18 however, is better.
speaker dave
Active Member
I've had an 18 in my main living room system for the last 5 years (owned it for 12). The strongest point is the tuner which is the same as a 20 and in many ways a solid state follow on to the 10B. (4 sections of the LC buterworth filtering where the 10B has 6) My 18 and 20 have the passive FM front end which is a little less sensitive but bullet proof for strong signals and very quiet on real world signals.
The preamp and amp sections are good but not spectacular. Power output is around 50 watts which seems a bit low for the size of the beast.
Trouble areas: both my 18 and 20 have had the high voltage winding of the transformer die. This knocks out the scope. In both cases I have added a small auxiliary transformer to restore scope opperation. I've also had some stereo switching issues and a channel balance problem that I need to work on, sigh.
This is a classy unit and well worth restoring. American made!
David
The preamp and amp sections are good but not spectacular. Power output is around 50 watts which seems a bit low for the size of the beast.
Trouble areas: both my 18 and 20 have had the high voltage winding of the transformer die. This knocks out the scope. In both cases I have added a small auxiliary transformer to restore scope opperation. I've also had some stereo switching issues and a channel balance problem that I need to work on, sigh.
This is a classy unit and well worth restoring. American made!
David
The 18/19 once properly restored displaced all the receivers, separates and some of the tube gear in my house. I hear comments like harsh…no. But until restoration there can be issues. And it takes a tech with a distortion analyzer to properly service a 19. Don’t just send it to any tech on Facebook advertising they’ll restore your 19. Some of them won’t attempt it anyways due to the point to point construction (more so on the 18) and lack of screen printed boards. I could go on and on but you just have to hear it to believe. 18 is more solid midrange sound and punchy, 19 is more defined and clean.
My Marantz Model 50 displaced ALL my gear. Tubes and all.
The 18 was again, a great receiver. I felt that it even had an edge over my 250 amp. But that edge was more of a matter of taste.
It's impossible to say that this receiver or that amp is better. It all comes down to personal opinions, taste, expectations and setups.
And again, my new Marantz Model 50 just blows everything I have or even had away. My 250M has been sitting on a shelf for a year now.
But how many ics? Just try shorting the outputs and then using it afterward. The marantz 18 or 19 can handle it. The marantz 18 or 19 can be made just as functional with a remote control dac. Maybe you were looking more for the sound of the 19, but nothing wrong with advancing to the 50 either.
