Change from Marantz 1200 B to Marantz 510 and preamp??

[dantay]

I currently have a 1200b integrated amp running JBL 4411. I am considering a change in favor of more power and came across a 510 and a Marantz 33 preamp. Is a change in this direction worthy of the effort as far as sound quality or is it more of a lateral movement?

 

[Lavane]

I have a model 33 preamp with matching 16 power amps. Unless the 33 has been properly restored, or you plan to yourself, it's a nice preamp with plenty of flexibility. The Problem With this pre Is it takes more disassembly than some others. Seperate boards for everything. Phono, filter, headphone, power supply, and a line stage board for each channel. Then there are all those sliders that will need cleaning and lubbed. I'm not trying to scare you off of the 33, it is a very nice preamp. It just takes more time to restore. The 3300 has fewer sliders and is built with easier access when restoring. It sounds very similar to the 33.

 

[dantay]

My 1200B at 100 watts has mostly enough power but I want to try pushing with 200 watts for comparison. I am not a fan of the slider for volume
on the 33.

 

[Lavane]

I have Marantz amps and integrated amps ranging from 30 to 80wpc and a Sony power amp rated at 100wpc. The 75wpc Marantz spec'd out at close to 94wpc once restored. With speakers around 93db efficency or better seem to work well, plenty of headroom with the 75 to 100wpc amps. I guess it would depend on the speakers and how much headroom you need. A 200wpc Phase Linear amp I used to have had plenty of headroom for those sudden spikes. I never felt the need to get anything bigger. If I had the chance to get a 510 at a decent price I would be all over it though. You could use the 1200B as a preamp for the 510. I use a 1060 integrated amp as a preamp for my model 140, and its a nice combo. I set my son up with the same. I felt it a better match than the matching 3200 preamp.