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At USD 1,300, this is an ambitious ask: it sits well above the USD 763 75th-percentile comparable and more than three times the USD 376 median. “Fully tested and updated where needed” helps justify a premium, but the listing would need unusually thorough documentation and exceptional cosmetics to make that price compelling.
The 3800 is a genuinely desirable vintage preamp, with a strong MM phono section, two phono inputs, flexible tape facilities, extensive tone controls and dual outputs. It is also a complex late-1970s design, so verified service is meaningful—especially for power-supply parts, switches and potentiometers. Still, at this money, insist on a detailed service record, clean operation of every control and confirmation that the original meters, lamps and accessories are present; otherwise, a substantially lower offer makes more sense.
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.
