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For your consideration, we have the venerable Marantz Model 7 Stereo Tube Preamplifier that has been fully restored. While we know that some collectors prefer to leave these units completely original, you must keep in mind that this Preamp was manufactured in the 1960's, so we prefer, in part for safety reasons and certainly for sonic reasons, to go through and selectively restore them using modern components. All parts that were carefully removed have been saved and will be included in the sale. They could be reinstalled if one would choose to do so. While the outside of the unit has some scratches and blemishes, it still presents itself very well. Inside the unit is very clean. The faceplate is in very good to excellent condition with only minor blemishes.This unit came to us in working condition, but had an issue on one of the channels. For sonic and safety purposes, a full restoration was done including the following.- Removed the Power Supply and preamp chasis- Replaced the power cord.- Rebuilt the power supply with custom Hayseed Hamfest capacitors, new old stock carbon comp, and new Ohmite resistors- Rebuilt the preamp section with Sprague and Vishay axial electrolytics, and Illinois Capacitor axial Polypropylene caps. (All electrolytics tested out of spec and all paper caps had measurable leakage).- Installed new silicon rectifiers in place of selenium rectifiers.- High current diodes added in series with filament supply to reduce voltage to specifications.- CL80 Thermistor added to Power Transformer primary for soft start, and to reduce B+ to nominal levels after swap to silicon rectifier.- Volume control replaced with Alps 250K.- All controls cleaned- All tubes tested
Generating expert take…
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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