RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Unknown condition at £157 still looks like a solid buy for a PM500 DC, because typical asking prices for these vintage Marantz integrateds commonly land closer to the £170–£300 bracket once you translate the overseas listings into GBP. At that level, £157 sits on the low side rather than being ambitious, so it’s attractive if the amp is fully working and not hiding a channel or noisy-control issue.
It’s a well-liked 50 W/ch vintage Marantz: enough grunt for efficient to moderately easy speakers, with that warm, confident house sound and a respectable phono stage for a deck-first system. The upside is strongest if it’s been serviced, comes with the original fascia/knobs, and has clean switches and pots; if not, budget a little for a refresh, but on price alone this one reads more like an opportunity than a risk.
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.
See all Marantz listings on RADAR.
