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£149 is ambitious for a used Marantz PM45, sitting well above the 75th percentile of £123 and the median of £109 from your own comparable listings. While the nearby PM-44SE often trades between £75–£100 in the UK, the PM45 commands a premium that still doesn't justify nearly £40 over the median asking price.
The PM45 remains a respected 1980s integrated for its warm, musical sound and robust build, making it a worthwhile buy if the condition is pristine and it includes original accessories or a remote. However, at this price point, you should verify the capacitors are fresh and the tone controls are scratch-free before committing, as age-related wear is common in this era. If the unit is truly clean and original, it’s a fair but not exciting opportunity; if anything is questionable, look for a better-priced example closer to the £100 mark.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Marantz originated in the United States, founded in 1953 by Saul Bernard Marantz, a music enthusiast and amateur musician born in Brooklyn in 1911. Dissatisfied with the audio equipment of the era, he crafted the groundbreaking Audio Consolette preamplifier in 1952 from his New York home, selling the first 100 units rapidly and prompting the formal establishment of the company in Woodside, Queens. Though production later shifted to Japan in partnership with manufacturers like Standard Radio in 1966, and the brand evolved through ownership changes including Superscope and eventual integration into larger groups, its heritage remains rooted in American ingenuity and a relentless pursuit of musical fidelity.
The brand excels in high-end audio components, particularly amplifiers, preamplifiers, and integrated systems that defined its golden era. Iconic models like the Model 7 preamplifier (1958), Model 9 power amplifier (1960), and Model 10B tuner (1964) set benchmarks for performance, while later offerings expanded to tuners, receivers, and CD players. Marantz briefly ventured into speakers under designer Ed May in the 1970s but focused primarily on electronics rather than turntables, headphones, DACs, or cables, emphasizing separates renowned for their "Most Musical Sound."
Marantz commands a premium position in the hi-fi market, revered as a high-end pioneer that shaped the audiophile landscape through the 1970s zenith. Today, it blends vintage allure with modern elegance, appealing to discerning buyers who value durability, innovation, and warm, detailed sound signatures over mass-market accessibility.
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