A fool and his money... Marantz 4270

[Celadon]

Well, after I spent way too much on a really awesome looking Marantz 4270 in it's beautiful cabinet, original manual - I got's me a lemon

No more mention on the price please, suffice it to say I would never have paid as much if I knew it had issues.

I see the 4270 on CL and make a beeline for the phone, drive 20 miles out in the sticks. The guy seems like a real nice guy, so I do a quick demo, yep typical lights burnt out - but I notice no stereo light for the FM which I just attribute to the rural area.

The receiver sounded ok so I was on my way. Once I got home I played with it to see if I could get it to pull in a stereo signal and noticed that the right front amp was getting mighty hot.

I immediately powered her down and pulled the cover - First thing I see are 4 or 5 really leaky caps. Now I think it has an FM stereo problem too.

The caps issue seems pretty easy other than me not having a service manual yet, and this is one crowded receiver, but the FM stereo thing scares me.

I put the cover back on and sighed- At the rate I get around to projects it may be 6 months before she sees the light of day again.

Ugh, I didn't need the receiver in the first place, but need another project even less.

The thing is -- I know better- the need to check things out more thoroughly, Caveat Emptor and all.

If I could kick myself in the ass I would be bruised up one side and down the other right about now.

Ok I got my whining out for the day.... I'm all better now

She sure is pretty though...

 

[Robisme]

Don't feel bad. It happens. Are you sure the "leaking caps" is not glue?
Does the stereo light come on with other functions?
Listen when you tune in FM to see if sounds like stereo. Could just be a lamp.

Running hot, could be a simple adjustment.

Hopefully it's not as bad as it seems. Good luck.

Rob

 

[Celadon]

Don't feel bad. It happens. Are you sure the "leaking caps" is not glue?
Does the stereo light come on with other functions?
Listen when you tune in FM to see if sounds like stereo. Could just be a lamp.

Running hot, could be a simple adjustment.

Hopefully it's not as bad as it seems. Good luck.

Rob

Rob,

Yes, the caps are leaking and swollen even some of the "wrappers" have shrunk below the top of the caps.

I wasn't able to get it to sound like it was pulling in a stereo signal at all (just sounds like mono,) and didn't leave it fired up long enough to run any other sources through it.

I was just bummed and closed her back up, it will all work out in the long run.... I just had to get my whining out.

Thanks for the reply and good thoughts!

Richard

 

[Bigears]

Been there done that. I think sometimes we get so excited about making a score that we throw caution to the wind and once we have invested driving time and emotion, we tend to pull the trigger even when our senses tell us to pass.

Lately I've been trying to be more pragmatic about these purchases and have found the will power to pass. Also, ask the seller if they will stand behind a supposed good unit and take it back if there is a problem. You would be surprised how many sellers are convinced that their gear is in good shape will make such a guarantee. I bought a Concept 11 at a local swap meet after the seller made such a guarantee and told me it tested good. I come home, plug my test earphones into it and discover a dead channel. I pull the cover and see one output burned. I put it back together and took it back for a full refund. The seller than told me he hadn’t tested it and it was good to know there was something wrong with it!

 

[luvvinvinyl]

It is MUCH more difficult to find a pretty unit, than one that is electrically perfect. The good news is you, or another fine AK tech, can restore your beauty to full working order, and then some.

Then you'll have one of the nicest looking, nicest sounding receivers in your collection.

 

[tcdriver]

It is MUCH more difficult to find a pretty unit, than one that is electrically perfect.

Amen! Once you fix it up you will be very happy with what you bought. Beautiful Marantz with cabinet = priceless.