From: detritus@ix.netcom.com   
      
   rtlbuilder@gmail.com wrote:   
      
   > On Tuesday, October 20, 1998 3:00:00 AM UTC-4, David Anderson wrote:   
   > > Hi,   
   > >   
   > > I don't want to start a price-flame war, but I'm simply curious as to why   
   > > Marantz 7 preamps command such high prices compared to other tube preamps   
   > > of their era.   
   > >   
   > > I've looked at a schematic for the Marantz preamp, and it appears to me to   
   > > be a well-implemented, but fairly conventional, design.  I have seen one   
   > > opened up for service, before, though I've never heard one in operation,   
   > > and the only unusual thing I noticed was the placement of the tubes.  In   
   > > fact, it doesn't seem to differ too much in terms of circuit design from   
   > > the McIntosh C22 preamp, which I've seen offered at somewhat lower prices.   
   > >   
   > > In fact, for $2-3K, it seems to me that you could build a really good   
   > > preamp--one that had far fewer switches in the signal path than the   
   > > Marantz 7 and one that had things like a stepped attenuator volume   
   > > control.  For that matter, it wouldn't be hard to duplicate the Marantz   
   > > design.  Power amps are harder to copy due to the output transformers, but   
   > > preamps are generally built from commonly available parts.   
   > >   
   > > So, are the high prices just due to collectors value--the thrill one gets   
   > > from owning something with a certain name and number on it--or is there   
   > > something else that I'm missing?   
   > >   
   > > Regards,   
   > > David Anderson   
   > >   
   > > --   
   > > I refuse to accept any unauthorized or unsolicited E-mail   
   > > communications.   
   > >   
   > > The sending of an unsolicited E-mail communication shall   
   > > be proof that the sender has agreed, by action, to send $500.00   
   > > US/ certified funds to me, prior to any unsolicited or unauthorized   
   > > transmission.   
   > >   
   > > "By US Code Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer/modem/printer   
   > > meets the definition of a telephone fax machine.   
   > > By Sec.227(b)(1)(C), it is unlawful to send any unsolicited   
   > > advertisement to such equipment.   
   > > By Sec.227(b)(3)(C), a violation of the aforementioned Section is   
   > > punishable by action to recover actual monetary loss, or $500,   
   > > whichever is greater, for each violation."   
   >   
   > hello, marantz curious   
   > I use to wonder the same thing myself, a while back. Constantly watched the   
   prices rise, back when they were going for about 1k+ having various tube gear.   
   > I just thought name brand valuation, even looked at a few that sounded   
   awful. but being a newbie at tube gear there was alot i didn't know.   
   > So a year or 2 later becoming more familiar with them, seeing the price of   
   the marantz 7 tube more than double I bought one, everyone of them I   
   auditioned sounded bad. But now I knew all old tube gear sounds bad until you   
   do minor tweaks, bought    
   cheaper tube stuff to experiment with. Almost every piece after tweaking   
   sounds better than whats currently on the solid state market.   
   > Anyway bought one figured i would sell it.   
   > After repair/tweaks, I was blown away by the sound + many other nuances.   
   > It was like a clear window, mind you I was using a Luxman cl-35 preamp   
   already,   
   > plus prodigy otl amps, bass is sharp not muddy, highs are crystal clear,   
   mids just right.   
   > So ended up keeping it and selling luxman   
   > If you hear it you would understand.   
   >   
   > just my 2 bits ;)   
      
   Hey, Rocket scientist -   
      
   You just replied to a post that's SIXTEEN YEARS OLD.   
      
   Learn to read headers, schmuck.   
      
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    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)