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What makes the trannys blow so easily on the 2500 and 2600?

theblackknight

theblackknight

Mikes off! No recording!
Everyone knows there are lots of these that are basically broken beyond repair. Why do the caps make the trannys blow so easily? I also noticed that their damping factor is not great at all. Why is this? They are absolutely beautiful, but I would never buy one for 4K and then risk it would break so easily.

Is there a way to prevent the trannys from blowing?:scratch2:
 
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Yes, don't load them with 4ohm speakers, keep it at 8ohm.
Don't run them for hours straight.


What makes them blow is overuse and age. The windings in the transformer get hot and the coating burns off, causing a short.
There are suitable "better" replacement trannies though.
 
Well, since I have a 2600 here with what appears to be a bad transformer, if you have information as to where a replacement can be located, fess up.
 
EchoWars said:
Well, since I have a 2600 here with what appears to be a bad transformer, if you have information as to where a replacement can be located, fess up.
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Wow Glenn thats a big azz tranny :O



Brian...:smoke:
 

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I have had a 2600 for some time and could not detect any weakness.

4 Ohm load a problem for this beast?
Don't think so.

Yes i've heard about some broken transformers but do not understand this.....

The output transistors are kept much cooler than with a conventional heatsink.

Don't forget; these items are almost 30 years old so if there are some broken ones around, it isn't a big surprise.
 
Don't forget; these items are almost 30 years old so if there are some broken ones around, it isn't a big surprise.
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2/3 of the 2600's I see on eBay have blowed transformers.:nono: :no: I've never even heard of a Concept 16.5 to have a problem.:smoke: 2600's should be a lot more reliable if they are that hi-end.
 
Well I have of course heard about the 'tranny problem' on the 25/2600 but never having seen one up close so don't know the myth from the truth.

I have always wondered if Marantz fused all the secondary windings on this tranny like several of the other TOTL recievers. That is, is the problem with over current drawn from the windings for whatever reason and Marantz just failed to protect the windings with fuses, or did the transformers just have poor QC and winding insulation failed causes internal shorting? Are the same windings failing in most cases, the primary? one or both of the main secondaries or some of the low power windings?

Lefty
 
Back to the original question:

theblackknight said:
Is there a way to prevent the trannys from blowing?:scratch2:
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I have a 2500 that works great but what do I need to do if anything to keep her running smooth?
 
alexkerhead said:
There are suitable "better" replacement trannies though.
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Alex, you now have the attention of every 2500/2600 owner. Provide source and part number, or whatever info you have, please?
 
This is one of the reasons I never use mine. Don't want to risk losing it. The monetary value seems disproportionate to the performance and reliability.
 
http://www.toroid.com/

You will need to modify the unit a bit, but find one with similar specs and work with it. You wont find a drop-in tranny for it. You have to think beyond direct replacement with rare unit parts...

I cannot find the link, but I saw a tutorial on replacing a toroidal tanny in a pioneer receiver with a high quiality replacement modified.
I assume this is quite possible with the 2500/2600.

Note: I am not an expert, but I do like rigging stuff. :D
Only try what I am recommending if you don't mind risking your unit.
 
Negotiableterms said:
Alex, you now have the attention of every 2500/2600 owner. Provide source and part number, or whatever info you have, please?
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Perhap a reference to the gentleman in Australia who had a custom tranny built for the 2600 he sold in this old auction over two years ago? :scratch2: The seller appears to solicit orders for more of these custom-built trannies towards the end of his listing (which is why I saved it)...
 
theblackknight said:
2/3 of the 2600's I see on eBay have blowed transformers.:nono: :no: I've never even heard of a Concept 16.5 to have a problem.:smoke: 2600's should be a lot more reliable if they are that hi-end.
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Humm, that is odd, I don't see many blown tranny 2500/2600s.

Reason you never hear of concepts going bad is because the brand is not very popular(not saying the unit isn't a fine one) and hense you wont hear much either way about them.
But I am sure they are probably more reliable than the 2500/2600.
 
skibjr said:
Perhap a reference to the gentleman in Australia who had a custom tranny built for the 2600 he sold in this old auction over two years ago? :scratch2: The seller appears to solicit orders for more of these custom-built trannies towards the end of his listing (which is why I saved it)...
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See, that is the kind of stuff I am talking about.:banana:
If I had a 2500/2600 with a blown tranny, i'd work on building a custom tranny for it.
 
Humm, that is odd, I don't see many blown tranny 2500/2600s.

Reason you never hear of concepts going bad is because the brand is not very popular(not saying the unit isn't a fine one) and hense you wont hear much either way about them.
But I am sure they are probably more reliable than the 2500/2600.
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Im surprised. Maybe Ive looked on ebay at different times than you. Ive seen so many broken ones.

Regarding the Concept: Yes, you have a point there. But still. Ive searched them a lot on AK and never heard of anyone that had a problem. Never seen one for sale on the bay or CL that was broke either.:thmbsp:
 
I've often thought that one day, when I have more time (and more money) that I would try my hand at restoring one of these blown 2600s. I'm barely a passable tech, and no engineer, so I'm sure that any success on my part would be preceded by quite a bit of trial and error. One thing is for sure though, unless I used a custom tranny wound like that Aussie's, I'd have to employ at least two separate transformers - one for the 576V scope circuit, and at least one for everything else - which would most likely mean building an outboard supply. Lotta work, and a lousy investment - in fact I'd bet a working 2600 with a jury-rigged outboard power supply would be worth LESS than simply a dead 2600.
 
theblackknight said:
Im surprised. Maybe Ive looked on ebay at different times than you. Ive seen so many broken ones.

Regarding the Concept: Yes, you have a point there. But still. Ive searched them a lot on AK and never heard of anyone that had a problem. Never seen one for sale on the bay or CL that was broke either.:thmbsp:
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There is always a reason things aren't well followed.

Not to be confused with popular, which could have been a problem with PR at concept, but following isn't strong for concept, so I will remain sceptic until I buy one.

Oh, not to be rude, but try not to become a fanboy until you've tried more than a few low end receivers and one totl. I made that mistake once and I won't do it again.
I hated pioneer because a sx-9 sounded like nails on chalkboard, so I thought Marantz was the greatest ever.
Now I like every brand, but with certain models.
 
Im not trying to criticize Marantz at all. The looks of the 2600 are absolutely stunning. Better than a 16.5 in many ways. My new signature is just me screwing around--I put it there for the heck of it. If anyone is offended by it, Ill remove it.

Im also not trying to show off by buying a lot of expensive stuff.--but this last summer, I worked my ass off and made some good money. I also had a portable dvd player that I bought a couple of years ago with grass cutting money. I sold it too so I could buy the concept.
 
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