monkboughtlunch
Super Member
I have a later Model 18 (6000 serial circa 1969) and the transformer, scope and original black power switch all perform as designed.
But I read here about the high voltage winding on the transformer being prone to failure and the on/off switches dying.
This got me wondering:
But I read here about the high voltage winding on the transformer being prone to failure and the on/off switches dying.
This got me wondering:
- How common are these failures? If you have an 18, have you experienced this?
- What is the cause or causes?
- Did Marantz silently fix the issues in later production models?
- In the case of the power switch failures, would adding a current inrush thermistor prevent arcing and prolong life of the original switch? (It's common for folks restoring Fisher and McIntosh 1960s gear to use a thermistor to preserve the power switch).
- Should one not use the power switch and use a powerstrip on/off instead?
- To what extent does using higher capacity main filter caps than the original value (5450uf) stress the transformer and power switch with excess inrush current?
- And how much safety margin was built into the transformer and switch design by Marantz if extra filter capacitance is used as part of a recap?
