[Guest Post] Marantz 1030 Integrated Amplifier

Marantz 1030 Integrated Amplifier (1973-1977, $180 MSRP)

[This was written by HiFi Collector.com Community Member, Frank. Thanks Frank!]

Although the Marantz 1030 is an integrated amplifier that was the bottom rung of Marantz’s integrated amplifier lineup, there’s no reason to write it off.  As it’s name implies, this model generates 30 watts of power over both channels (15 watts per channel) at 4 or 8 ohms.

It’s true that 30 watts seems miniscule, especially when compared with Marantz’s other offerings, like the Marantz 2500 receiver that conservatively produces 200 watts per channel.  

But, paired with some efficient speakers, this little amp can make a system sing.  It’s capacitor coupled amplifier section creates a unique sound signature that is neither overly warm, or too clinical.  This little Marantz would make an excellent choice for a small vintage audio system in your bedroom or study.

Specs:

Output:  15 watts per channel @ 4 and 8 Ohms

Tota Harmonic Distort.:  Less than 0.5% at rated output.

Damping Factor:  >45 @ 8 ohms.

Weight: 16.5 lbs

Check out more vintage audio equipment, including pictures and information at www.VintageAudioOnline.com.

Rear Channel Amplifier - Marantz 2440

The Marantz 2440 is a 20 watt per channel, rear channel amplifier. Rear channel amplifiers (were) are used to supplement a standard receiver or amplifier, modifying the outputs to accept Quadraphonic sound. This particular 2440 came with the optional SQA1 Quad Decoder, which allowed it to decode the SQ matrix quadraphonic system.

Grandpa – What’s Quad?

You see, sonny, here – pull up a chair. Back in the day - decades before surround sound became the “normal” listening mode, people listened to something called two channel audio. I know, I know, you’ve heard stories from your friends about their grandparents having only one pair of speakers in their home, or perhaps you’ve even seen photos in your history book. . er, Kindle, showing what an old time Hi-Fi looked like. Well take it from me, I LIVED through that era and witnessed the rise and fall of more audio formats than you can shake a stiff cat at.

It was the summer of 1971, and your grandma and I had just gotten back from a cruise to the golden sands of Acapulco, Mexico. While we were gone, our neighbor, Roy, he’s dead now, Roy had gone out and bought himself something called a Quadraphonic 8-track. Strange-looking beast, but he assured me it would blow my mind. Whazzat? Yeah, they used that saying back then – hell! my generation INVENTED that saying, now, where was I, oh yes - I sat down, popped a can of Coors, and was absolutely blown away by what I heard. Ya see, Quadraphonic sound attempts to split standard, two-channel sound into four channels. . .hello? You awake? Yessir, if your grandma and I hadn’t conceived your mom on that cruise, I would have had enough money to buy myself one of those Quads by Christmas! Fact is, it took three more years of recycling Coors cans before I had enough money to buy my Marantz 2440, and I pulled double duty on drinking during that time to boot! Ahh those sweet, sweet sounds of The Who coming at my ears from all four corners of the living room. Too bad the record industry never got together with the folks who made the stereos and agreed on a standard format! Yup, the Quad wars remind me of the VHS and Beta wars of the mid-80s, but I’ll save that story for your next visit.

Have any photos or stories about your Marantz 2440? Please leave a comment or send an email, and I’ll share with our community.

Want to hook up your iPod to your vintage stereo? Visit my Audio Accessory Store for some great values!

HiFiCollector.com Mugs, Hats, T-Shirts! Come visit our store on CafePress!

Power Amplifier - Marantz 240

Picked up a rare, black-faced Marantz 240 power amplifier about six months ago, and my back hasn’t been the same since. But seriously, beyond its weight, this was a nice-sounding amplifier. At 120 watts per channel, it wasn’t a monster, but still packed enough power to impress the neighbors.

How did it sound? To me, and again, no opportunity for a side-by-side listening test, it sounded just fine. I was using a newer Adcom preamp with it, and those together worked quite well, sonically-speaking.

Have any stories or photos of your Marantz 240? Please leave a comment or send me an email.

Want to hook up your iPod to your vintage stereo? Visit my Audio Accessory Store for some great values!

BONUS - Here's a first-hand HiFiCollector.com reader's story about the Marantz 240. Thanks to Paul for sending this in!

Hi,

I saw your little posting from 2009 (!) about your Marantz 240.  Do you still own it?  

I worked at Superscope/Marantz in the 1970's, when the 240 was still part of the product line.  As an employee, I had the privilege of buying any Superscope/Marantz product at a 50% discount, but instead, I put together a 240 out of parts -- leftovers from the engineering department, replacement stuff from the parts department, and some parts (e.g., giant electrolytic capacitors) I found at the local electronics surplus place (Apex) near the old Marantz factory in Sun Valley.  The old thing has been working for the past 40+ years, but I have never really pushed it very hard.  What a shame, heh?  

These amplifiers had a sort of checkered reputation in the Marantz engineering department.  After the product was designed and shipped, the service department discovered that the "protection" circuit could fail in a way that would do more harm than good.  Also, in order to meet the specifications for distortion, etc. (which Marantz was very conscientious and forthright about), the output transistors needed to be matched for beta and something like Vbe.  So, at the factory, each transistor was tested on a curve tracer and color coded with drops of paint.  This added some hand work and expense to the assembly process.  The target retail price at that time was $1 per watt, and I think they met that target.  

The 240 was the only product that so blatantly displayed the "marantz" brand name on the front panel.  I like that, actually.  There wasn't a lot else to do with the space meant for the meters on the 250.  They added a little blue jewel light in the star.  Does your jewel light still work?  Adding level meters (on the 250) never made much sense to me.  If the amplifier were operated such that the meters would register anything but minimum levels, the speakers would be practically flaming. 

With my employee discount, I bought the official walnut veneer case for my Frankenstein 240.  Those boxes were elegant, but they, like the amplifier, had weaknesses.  In the owner's manual, the company sternly warned customers not to ship the amplifier inside its wooden case.  The reason was that the amplifier was so heavy (because of the massive power transformer) that the usual jostling by UPS would break the particle board pieces of the case that supported the amp.  I just recently applied another coat of Watco oil to the walnut veneer on my wooden case, and it really does clean up nicely!

Paul, Nevada City, California 

Monster Receivers - Marantz 2325

This was the biggest and some say best Marantz receiver with USA roots. At 125 watts per channel, it packed ample power to fill your 1976, bicentennial house party. I traded two large Pioneers for this one, but ended up selling it to a collector in NJ. Why did I sell it? I don't know, and I'm still kicking myself for it.

If you have any photos or stories about your Marantz 2325, please leave a comment or email me.

Want to hook up your iPod to your vintage stereo? Visit my Audio Accessory Store for some great values!

Receivers - Marantz 2245

Forty-five watts per channel of clean, warm Marantz gooey goodness. Found this one at a Goodwill store for $15.00. Static was eliminated with contact cleaner, now it works like a charm.

For me, Marantz receivers are second only to Pioneer as far as build quality and sound. They have a powerful, room-filling sound, like there's a switch for "Super Loudness" on them - kicking everything up a notch. Like your sound more natural, look to Yamaha. Want something in the middle? Try Sansui. Want to ROCK the house? Pull out the Marantz.

If you have any more info, photos, video links for the Marantz 2245, please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.

Want to hook up your iPod to your vintage stereo? Visit my Audio Accessory Store for some great values!

Integrated Amplifiers - Marantz 1200

One hundred watts per channel into 8 ohms. I just acquired this unit and it isn't working. It's on my "to be repaired" shelf along with a Pioneer SA-9600 and my Marantz 2325. My repair shop is cheap, but they take FOREVER to get the work done. No hurry - these classics have already been around for three decades; a month or two in the repair shop won't hurt them at all.

Have any more info on the Marantz 1200? Please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.

Want to hook up your iPod to your vintage stereo? Visit my Audio Accessory Store for some great values!

Quad Receivers - Marantz 4400 Quadradial

50 watts x 4 or 125 watts x 2 makes this arguably the most powerful Quad receiver of all time. The scope worked on this one, but it was difficult to photograph. Have any more info, photos, video links? Please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.

Receivers - Marantz 2275

Another highly-successful, mass-produced receiver that has become a classic favorite amongst collectors. This one is particularly clean with all dial and indicator lights working. The tuning dial was off a little, but that doesn't matter too much to me. 75 watts per channel - clean, warm, nice sound. If you have any more info, photos, video links, stories on the 2275, please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.

Quad Receivers - Marantz 4240 Quadradial

You could hook this up as a quad with 17 watts x 4 or get a clean 40 watts x 2 in stereo. Great cabinet on this particular one - tough to find decent cabinets without Schlitz beer rings on them. Have any more info on the 4240? Have any photos, video links, stories,? Please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.

Receivers - Marantz 2250B

Love that blue dial and blackout styling. This 1976 classic is rated at 50 watts per channel. I had it for a short time before trading it for the 2270. It sounded great. Have any stories, videos links, or photos of the 2250B? Please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.

Receivers - Marantz 2270

The Marantz 2270 debuted in 1971 and was manufactured for four years. This one came with the optional walnut cabinet. I love the Marantz "punch" that the receivers give to music. To me they provide a more 'colorful' sound than Pioneers of the same vintage, but this also helps them sound great at low volume. I got this one at an estate sale. It was the last one left after a collector grabbed three others, including a 2325! That's okay - I got my 2325 about two years later. Got more info, photos, video links, stories about your Marantz 2270? Please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.