Marantz 8b Variant?

bdlbrian

New Member
I picked up what I think is a 8B but need some help to be sure.
The chassis has the preamp octal socket
The output transformers are stamped TA-2-A and are potted. They only have one tertiary winding for feedback. There is a matching schematic for these transformers but most seem to have two windings.
The Pwr transformer is stamped TP-5 and is not potted
The 5k bias pots have a 6040 code on them.
The AC balance pots do not have the black Bakelite bridge.
Any help would be appreciated
 
A post about a tube Marantz, I was beginning to think there weren't any Marantz tube owners left. 7C was my Favorite at the time.
 
Yes that's an 8.

Marantz 8.jpg



The 8B has house wound transformers and 35 watts per channel, vs 30. Also a different feedback circuit. A couple minor cosmetic differences as well.

I recently started listening to my Marantz tube items again. I've never noticed a difference in sound between my 8 and 8b.
 
A post about a tube Marantz, I was beginning to think there weren't any Marantz tube owners left. 7C was my Favorite at the time.

I've owned two 7c's. I still have one real nice one but don't use it. I'm not real fond of their sound, but it may be just the two stock units I've owned. Maybe a rebuilt unit would sound better as both of mine sounded slightly dull and lacking detail. I do like the 7t solid state look alike.
 
I've owned two 7c's. I still have one real nice one but don't use it. I'm not real fond of their sound, but it may be just the two stock units I've owned. Maybe a rebuilt unit would sound better as both of mine sounded slightly dull and lacking detail. I do like the 7t solid state look alike.
They have a very "busy" feature laden signal path.
 
They have a very "busy" feature laden signal path.
That could easily be the problem with the 7c. Too bad as it has a great look. The 8 and 8b sure are exceptional amplifiers :) I'd love to try some of the Marantz mono blocks.
 
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That could easily be the problem with the 7c. Too bad as it has a great look. The 8 and 8b sure are exceptional amplifiers :) I'd love to try some of the Marantz mono blocks.
Model 2 would be interesting, the model 5 is half a model 8.
 
Yes a pair of model 2's would be nice to find :)
Of course the question would be primarily about the output transformers. The rest of the 2 is overbuilt to a fare thee well, the 5 is a "tighter" build. The 2 stayed available thru the latter Marantz tube period.
trifold-2.jpg
 
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Of course the question would be primarily about the output transformers. The rest of the 2 is overbuilt to a fare thee well, the 5 is a "tighter" build. The 2 stayed available thru the latter Marantz tube period.
View attachment 1312385


Nice brochure. It would be nice to try out a pair of 2's for a week or so to compare to the 8b. I'd love to do a comparison using a few different pairs of efficient speakers.
 
A nice 7c will best a nice 7t, but a modified 7t can stay with a nice 7c.... caps for solid state use have come a long way in 50 years....

When the C was built, tube tech ( tubes invented about 1904, I would argue earlier by Edison ) was around for nearly 50 years or so and high voltage audio caps were very good.... when the T was built, Solid state tech ( transistors invented in 1947 )was 15 year years old...the low voltage caps they had at that time were still early in development.... We have better low voltage audio caps today, 50 years later.

Got to love both the tube and SS stuff....

Back to Edison, living 10 miles from where he and Tesla worked...I am an Edison fan.... it has been argued, that Edison is the father of all electronics... As he discovered the electron emissions that tubes rely on to work....that led to tubes, tubes led to transistors to chips to my iPad and to internet porn....see how progress works? ;)
 
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A nice 7c will best a nice 7t, but a modified 7t can stay with a nice 7c.... caps for solid use have come a long way in 50 years....

When the C was built, tube tech ( tubes invented about 1904, I would argue earlier by Edison ) was around for nearly 50 years or so and high voltage audio caps were very good.... when the T was built, Solid tech ( transistors invented in 1947 )was 15 year years old...the low voltage caps they had at that time were still early in development.... We have better low voltage audio caps today, 50 years later.

Got to love both the tube and SS stuff....

Back to Edison, living 10 miles from where he and Tesla worked...I am an Edison fan.... it has be argued, that Edison is the father of all electronics... As he discovered the electron emissions that tubes rely on to work....that led to tubes, tubes led to transistors to chips to my iPad and to internet porn....see how progress works? ;)
Edison got the one way thermionic electron check valve, the criticial piece of the electrostatic linear gate came as an almost random experiment by someone else (Lee deForest) who didn't understand it's nature. The science and development of the practical reliable linear electron valve came via AT&T under the direction of Hendryk van der Bijl.
 
A nice 7c will best a nice 7t, but a modified 7t can stay with a nice 7c.... caps for solid state use have come a long way in 50 years....

When the C was built, tube tech ( tubes invented about 1904, I would argue earlier by Edison ) was around for nearly 50 years or so and high voltage audio caps were very good.... when the T was built, Solid state tech ( transistors invented in 1947 )was 15 year years old...the low voltage caps they had at that time were still early in development.... We have better low voltage audio caps today, 50 years later.

Got to love both the tube and SS stuff....

Back to Edison, living 10 miles from where he and Tesla worked...I am an Edison fan.... it has been argued, that Edison is the father of all electronics... As he discovered the electron emissions that tubes rely on to work....that led to tubes, tubes led to transistors to chips to my iPad and to internet porn....see how progress works? ;)

Nice to live so close to Edison! I've always been fascinated with the early pioneers of electricity. It would be wonderful to visit the workshops of Edison! I'm a real fan of Tesla as well.

As far as the 7c, maybe both I've owned were not up to par. Since I'll probably never sell it I may rebuild it. I've been hesitant as it is completely original and plays without hum. The more I think about it the more I'm likely to rebuild and try it out. I know it hurts the value but if not selling it, I might as well try to get it to sound how I like. I now prefer the Fisher 400CX2 and McIntosh C22 but who knows once rebuilt. It's not a fair comparison as both the Fisher and McIntosh are rebuilt. I can carefully remove and keep the original parts.

Here's my 7c
20181020_114306.jpg
 
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My 7C not only sounds wonderful but it is also highly flexible. When I received it, I noticed one bumble bee cap was cracked along its length. That "forced" me to go ahead and replace all the caps on the main phenolic turret board. I'm glad I did as I even prefer its sound to my CJ PV-8! I should replace all the caps on the tone controls but what an intimidating job that would be! I also should eventually replace the selenium rectifier. But, in the meantime, it sounds great!

My Marantz 7C inside #3.JPG
 
Nice to live so close to Edison! I've always been fascinated with the early pioneers of electricity. It would be wonderful to visit the workshops of Edison! I'm a real fan of Tesla as well.

As far as the 7c, maybe both I've owned were not up to par. Since I'll probably never sell it I may rebuild it. I've been hesitant as it is completely original and plays without hum. The more I think about it the more I'm likely to rebuild and try it out. I know it hurts the value but if not selling it, I might as well try to get it to sound how I like. I now prefer the Fisher 400CX2 and McIntosh C22 but who knows once rebuilt. It's not a fair comparison as both the Fisher and McIntosh are rebuilt. I can carefully remove and keep the original parts.

Here's my 7c
View attachment 1316070

Well, if you think it is a piece of garbage you can sell it to me ! But Frankly, I don't think that this preamp is considered one of the best phono preamp of all time for nothing.

Check here for some restauration : http://mellowgroovy.blogspot.com/2016/01/marantz-7c-modify-Real-Sound.html and here : http://jeffsplace.me/wordpress/?p=11437

For me, the Marantz model 7 is definitely an ''end of the road'' product. I will own it one day, but for now, I will start with my modest H.H.Scott 130 and my Marantz 7t.
 
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