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How do the various Marantz preamps stand up?

winters860

winters860

Super Member
I'd love to hear a 7C, but seeing as how I'll probably never get a chance, I was wondering how the various solid state Marantz preamps stand up.

I like how the 3800 would match my amp, but is it the best one sonically? How do the various Marantz preamps and receivers with pre-outs shake out? Should I be looking elsewhere brand-wise for a better value per dollar spent, or even past the 2238 I've already got on tap for preamp duty?

BTW, my preamp choices (all needing work) are the 2238 receiver, a Dynaco PAS-2, and a Phase Linear 4000. Would you look for a Marantz preamp? If not, which one of the ones on hand would YOU get operational first with the 510?
 
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I'll be able to tell you in a couple of days. Got a 3200 pre on the way. :smoke:

It's gonna drive my Audiosource 7t, which I am hoping will be a great match. I am also jazzed to finally hear some vinyl again, as I have a new stylus on the way as well.

Additionally, I hear these pre's have a great headphone amp as well.
 
Other than preamp stages built into 22xx receivers and integrated amps, the only separate Marantz solid state preamp I've heard is the 3650. While I cannot compare it with other separate pres, I can confirm that it sounds very, very nice. :music: Sweet, warm yet detailed and clear - everything one expects from the TOTL "two martini" Marantz gear. Can be a bit hard to find and expensive, though. Essentially the same pre is inside the 1300dc, but that is even rarer and can be ridiculously expensive.

Probably nothing in SS can compare directly with the tube gear: tubes and SS are fundamentally different, and the difference is usually audible. However, the 3650 --paired with a suitable power amp (perhaps a tube amp, if you want more of that sound) should satisfy anyone but the most snobbish "golden ear" audiophile, IMO. So far, it satisfies me! :yes: :D

Haven't heard the 3800 to compare it with. The 3800 is considered the last of the "vintage era" Marantz pres, but it looks to me a little more like the later (cheapened) units, so I'm not sure if it is as good as the 3650 - I suspect not. Someone else wth firsthand knowledge of it may be able to clarify this.

One caution: I've heard several Marantz preamp stages in receivers/integrateds that sounded a bit harsh or metallic. IN EVERY CASE they were vintage units that had not been restored (recapped). Whatever you get, make sure it is properly gone over. The difference between an aging Marantz and a restored one is often quite dramatic.
 
Arkay said:
The 3800 is considered the last of the "vintage era" Marantz pres, but it looks to me a little more like the later (cheapened) units, so I'm not sure if it is as good as the 3650 - I suspect not. Someone else wth firsthand knowledge of it may be able to clarify this.
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Actually, according to Legendary Audio Classics, the 3800 predates the 3650 by five years, with both ceasing production in 1979.

Regardless, I'm going to have a tech go through whatever I settle on as a first choice (unless we're talking about the PAS, which I intend to be an entirely hands-on resto). After everything's been brought up to spec by someone who knows what they're doing, I'm going to start prophylacticly replacing capacitors. That's the same approach I'm taking with the amp.
 
I have a 3800, and it is early enough to be US made. VERY nice sounding preamp.
 
I'd recommend the 3300 over the 3800 any day. Don't like early IC's in a pre-amp, and never use the dolby stuff. Most Marantz pre's don't use a separate head phone amp, you hook the output of your amp to the to the pre for speaker switching the headphone output is tapped off that. So can't be used as a stand alone headphone amp.

X
 
Punker X said:
I'd recommend the 3300 over the 3800 any day. Don't like early IC's in a pre-amp, and never use the dolby stuff. Most Marantz pre's don't use a separate head phone amp, you hook the output of your amp to the to the pre for speaker switching the headphone output is tapped off that. So can't be used as a stand alone headphone amp.

X
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Thanks for the info.
Do you have any suggestions for IC upgrades?
I never use headphones, so for me, the other part doesn't matter.
 
I would be interested to know how the 7T stands up. It can be had for under $400. I think with the right mix SS preamp and tubed amp can be very sweet.
 
Do you listen to a lot of vinyl? If so then the added time and cost of tracking down a 3650 may be worth the patience. As far as I know the 3650 is the only pre 1980s Marantz console that will accept both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges as well as have variable loading. I can atest that the Phono stage is very nice. Other than that I would bet you could not distinguish between any of the other SS units in a blind listening test.

Steve
 
I repaired a 3800 few years ago for a customer. Needed a new regulator. Maranatz used an odd ball "IC", really 2 regulators in one package. Hard to find. I sourced one for the customer. $70!!
I had the customer order the part. I didn't want them to have any doubt as to its cost.

The 3650 is a discrete transistor pre. Parts are fairly common and easy to get.

Ron
 
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