Help me to choose, my first vintage Marantz amplifier.

Angel Uzunov

Angel Uzunov

New Member
Hello everybody,

Probably this week I will go to revise and maybe buy a vintage 70s Marantz amplifier. The two models, which I am observing in an local auction house in my country, are the Marantz 1050 in perfect condition, according the photos, and Marantz 1090 with a visible marks of bad maintenance.
My question now is, which one of the two to buy? Is there a significant gain in sound quality and sound stage for Marantz 1090 over 1050? I really want to experience, the classic Marantz warm sound from the 70s. I am preparing set of 8" EtherAudio Ether5 fullrange drivers (very similar to the Coral drivers) for listening mainly of warm ambient, jazz, ethno\folk music. I want to feel the music, the emotions in it, the amazingness in the details. I want the music to be live.

I know that the best amplifier for this era is 1060, but this is almost not possible to find in my geographical location.

PS: I just saw new auction for Marantz 1070. I am now totally confused, which is the right amplifier for me.

To summarize, my options at the moment are:

1. Marantz 1050 - perfect condition.
2. Marantz 1070 - good/mint condition
3. Marantz 1090 - as shown in the pictures, I think that this one is in bad shape.


Could you please provide me some advice, which path to took. Sorry for my English, it is not my native language.

Best Regards
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
From your discription please wait for one of the following:

Marantz:

1060
2230
2215B
2220B

to me 1070 was not warm and fuzzy
 
patfont said:
From your discription please wait for one of the following:

Marantz:

1060
2230
2215B
2220B

to me 1070 was not warm and fuzzy
Click to expand...

In my way younger days I have had the 1070,1090, and the 1152DC. Now I have the 1152DC and the 1060 which gets more play time in my house. I also think you would like the 1060 and it is very easy to come by.
 
Your English is very good actually! Welcome to AK too. Sorry I don't have any experience with the models you listed but I very much agree with all of the other models suggested.
 
Thank you for fast replies guys. After a quick search, I found one Marantz 2220 in my country. It is stated only 2220 in the advert, without "B" letter at the end. Is this OK, or I should look for 2220B specifically.
Will call tomorrow to understand more about the current condition of the receiver. The asking price is approximately $180.

Marantz 1060 is almost not possible to be found here. It seems this vintage gem is now X rare in Europe.


Current Vintage 70s Marantz gear in my country with prices:

Marantz 1050 - $177
Marantz 1070 - $150
Marantz 1090 - $130

Marantz 1515 - $110
Marantz 2220BL - no price, under negotiation.
Marantz 2220 - $180
Marantz 2226 - $220
Marantz 1550 - $96
Marantz PM200 $100
Marantz PM250 $130
Marantz PM450 $170
Marantz PM750DC - $210

Pretty much that's it after a quick search of local auctions. There is however a lot of Pioneer, Kenwood, Technics, AKAI, NIKKO, Denon stuff. But Marantz is limited.

Thanks for the help guys! It is appreciated!
 
Here's my take on it; others may disagree and be just as correct. Units like the 2230 have capacitor coupled outputs and IMO are more colored in their response. That may be the warmth you're looking for, but it's not as accurate as the (often higher powered) models with bipolar power supplies and no output coupling caps. I would try to get the latter, not only because the circuitry is a bit better, but also because you don't have to worry about replacing big output capacitors or suffer the FUD (fear, uncertainty & doubt) about what their condition is after all these years.
 
I bought myself a 1090 brand new back in the 70's and it is still working great and when compared to my Kenwood KA 701 the Marantz sounds much warmer.
 
I see the 2230 is not on your list, But it was my first marantz and after it failed years later due to a transistor issue, nothing i replaced it with came even close to sounding as good as the marantz except for another marantz, and then another and... well.. you know, another followed by................................................another...:banana::D

The 2230's are a dime a dozen in the U.S.($250) Good Luck in your search!
 
Last edited:
Angel Uzunov said:
I want to feel the music, the emotions in it, the amazingness in the details. I want the music to be live.
Click to expand...

Then absolutely do not get a Marantz. While their sound is warm, it's also dull and definitely not something that makes the music feel live.

Get a tube amp instead. Seriously. Get one of those cheap Chinese ones from Ebay. They are brilliant and will do exactly what you want them to. Their sound will ruin solid state for you forever.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys.

I really want to own classic Marantz, thats why I am looking for something from 70s era. Just waiting to found the proper one, in good shape and to put it in my collection.

According the tube amp, I agree, it is more suitable for this. And I am planning to build one based on old Russian ГМ70 vacuum tubes, or something based on more "modern" Silvanya, Ruby etc. Maybe 300B or KT88,120,150, we will see.

But I want to be part of the Hi Fi electronics evolution, that's why I want to collect some vintage stereos. I am 29 years old, and I am sure I missed soooo much, from well engineered and build Hi Fi equipment during 70s, 80s and early 90s. I am sure you can understand me.

This forum is great! This community is great! I received great support till now, thank you guys!

Best Regards
 
Last edited:
The 2330 is a live detailed sounding unit. I hear background percussion sounds in live clarity.
Now that opinion may change once i get one of these tube amps i collected,"During one of my collection disorder flair-ups", up to speed.
I do realize we are talking amps and not necessarily receivers.

needless to say,Speakers play a huge part in what your hearing also. Marantz/HPM 100's/Cerwin Vega dx3's, paired together, have so far given me the best sound for all the Marantz's i have owned.the small room they are in.

Good Luck with that never ending quest we are all striving for. Endeavor to persevere, they say
 
Last edited:
This forum is great! This community is great! I received great support till now, thank you guys!


The "till now" part cracked me up.
 
Haha, no, no, I mean that the support I am receiving is absolutely great. Thanks for that!

Now back on the topic, unfortunately the Marantz 2220 I went to revise was in really bad condition. It was obvious, that the receiver is not only for recap, but there were a lot of noises during playback etc. Not my example for sure.

Now the searching continues. By the way, I know we are in Marantz sub forum, but what about Pioneer SA-8800 or Yamaha CA-610. I was observing one Denon PMA 790 in a local HiFi store for used classic equipment, and the guy there told me about those 2 amplifiers. He told me they sold them several months ago, and could be found very cheap.

Btw, this Denon, the PMA 790 is absolutely amazing integrated amplifier. I demo it into this store and I am in love. Probably will bought it. The asking price is $500. Very nice amp.

But my Marantz quest continues, I really want good 70s amplifier or receiver.

Best Regards
 
Just a question. Do you need 220/240V or 120V. Obviously makes a huge difference in availability.
 
Hi Jim,

I need 220/240V. This is the standard electricity voltage in my country. I checked several auctions in Japan, but they are 110/120V, so is this mean, the equipment there cannot work on 220V?
 
Dull? Not....

That is what a refub/recap is for.

Baron K Rool said:
Then absolutely do not get a Marantz. While their sound is warm, it's also dull and definitely not something that makes the music feel live.

Get a tube amp instead. Seriously. Get one of those cheap Chinese ones from Ebay. They are brilliant and will do exactly what you want them to. Their sound will ruin solid state for you forever.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom