• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Marantz 2240 for an APT Holman Preamp?

Would you trade a Marantz 2240 for an APT Holman Preamp

  • Total voters
    13
  • Poll closed .
Beefcurtanz

Beefcurtanz

New Member
Looking for some thoughts on a trade that was proposed to me that I am stewing over, my fully operational Marantz 2240 for a fully operational APT Holman Preamp. I am more of a separate component guy, but it just feels like I am trading down a little bit. Please give me some things to consider before i do something ill advised. Thanks!
 
Register to hide this ad
I voted yes because you say you prefer separates. I don't know the value of the two pieces (and that would be a discussion for the Dollars and Sense forum), but I say get what you want.
 
You are trading up in sound quality, down in current $ value because of the Marantz tax. The Apt was 680 new the Marantz 500. Can't talk more on price without this thread getting punted to the buck and change forum. Is the Marantz in wood?

What are you looking for sound quality and separates or a blue light special?
 
Only YOUR ears can tell what to do. What amp and speakers do you have to evaluate them. I would listen to a lot of material on both units before I made that trade. My guess that you will find a fair difference in sound.
 
I dont have the luxury of a solid sound test for the preamp, its more of a confirmation that its inputs are all good and buttons/knobs/switches are all operable. I will pop the hood and do a visual to see if any rework was done. I figure i have several days to make a decision. I think the preamp fits my home stereo situation better, I'm leaning towards making the trade. I expect to have to replace all the electrolytics and I am up to the task. I guess I just dont want to have traders remorse.
 
Blue Shadow said:
You are trading up in sound quality, down in current $ value because of the Marantz tax. The Apt was 680 new the Marantz 500. Can't talk more on price without this thread getting punted to the buck and change forum. Is the Marantz in wood?

What are you looking for sound quality and separates or a blue light special?
Click to expand...


I am for sure a separates kinda guy, love mixing and matching.
 
Maybe you can parley the Marantz tax into a six pack of nice beer or something for the trade.
 
I couldn't even get him to cough up a brick of .22 to throw in, I just needed to feel like I got something along with it.
 
My first real separate component was an Apt Holman. It was a great piece for a 16 year old's first foray i to separates and I bet it holds it's own today. It was feature rich and had some cool things you don't see today like a rumble filter, two phono inputs with cartridge loading, and contour for bass control... built like a tank.

I would be certain that all buttons work properly, they have a little colored flags that pop into view when pushed. I would guess they are near impossible to replace.

I replaced mine years ago with a PS Audio 6.2 , and sold that for a Mc C15 (mistake), but I regret selling the Apt it was a classic. I can't say whether that's a good trade but those Marantz are easy to find, Holmans are tough to find in nice shape. So if it's nice , go for it.
 
You are not trading down. The Apt/Holman preamp is a classic piece of American hi-fi. The phono section is its claim to fame. Just about all that show up on the big auction site sell. There was one on Barter Town the other day that didn’t last an hour.
The signal path is complex with many switches and push buttons. That said I’d insist on an extended test run. How is the face plate lettering?
Also, the yellow owners manual(a must have) would add value to this deal.
As for your post #6, leave the caps alone. If it sounds good,it is good!
Except for the mute relay early on mine has preformed flawlessly.
 
DOBIEGUY said:
You are not trading down. The Apt/Holman preamp is a classic piece of American hi-fi. The phono section is its claim to fame. Just about all that show up on the big auction site sell. There was one on Barter Town the other day that didn’t last an hour.
The signal path is complex with many switches and push buttons. That said I’d insist on an extended test run. How is the face plate lettering?
Also, the yellow owners manual(a must have) would add value to this deal.
As for your post #6, leave the caps alone. If it sounds good,it is good!
Except for the mute relay early on mine has preformed flawlessly.
Click to expand...



The schematic on the bottom is crisp and legible. Lettering is fully intact, and the push buttons "flip" nicely into place. The toggle switches are nice and straight. Slight dings on the face plate edges, like it was stacked on other equipment. I will be there when the place opens up tomorrow to go through it. I will certainly leave things alone if it sounds good, I think I am convinced. Great responses.
 
with the addition of an adcom or emotiva power amp, the holman will provide a BIG step up in quality and if a tuner is needed, there are many available. my preference is a tube preamp with a solid state power amp but i am sure i could tolerate the sound of the holman.
 
I pulled the trigger and made the trade. The APT Holman preamp is built like a tank, thick and heavy. The knobs look like they were milled from billet aluminum. I popped the bottom cover off and it looks pristine on this inside, some white "goo" around the input selector, but it appears to be 30+ year old white lithium grease maybe. I have not hooked it into my current setup, just been listening through headphones off the headphone jack and from the main out. Some weird front panel buttons regarding the stereo mode, not sure why I would use those. Currently reading through the user/service manual. I have no remorse, very happy!
 
I just posted in a different thread about a couple of Holman's that I own. Fabulous pre-amp. There are others I can and do use but the Holman always gets reinstated,

Other than it's known problem relay which has likely been replaced already, the only problem potential I can name is the input selector switch. Both of mine were intermittent. Spray cleaner worked for a short while but the effect "wore off" not too long after. I paid a tech a fair bit to fix one as he has a "special tool" he made himself and an involved method to tighten up such switches so they're good as new.

For the record, there are 41 electrolytic capacitors in an APT Holman pre-amp I know, I replaced 82.
 
Last edited:
62vauxhall said:
I just posted in a different thread about a couple of Holman's that I own. Fabulous pre-amp. There are others I can and do use but the Holman always gets reinsta
Other than it's known problem relay which has likely been replaced already, the only problem potential I can name is the input selector switch. Both of mine were intermittent. Spray cleaner worked for a short while but the effect "wore off" not too long after. I paid a tech a fair bit to fix one as he has a "special tool" he made himself and an involved method to tighten up such switches so they're good as new.

For the record, there are 41 electrolytic capacitors in an APT Holman pre-amp I know, I replaced 82.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! Good intel for sure. It looks like it came off of a Russian missile launcher. It doesn't really fit the form factor of my current stack, so that means I have to put together another one!
 
It's funny, I used my apt holman's 'weird' switches and dials yesterday to troubleshoot an issue I thought I was hearingfrom one speaker.

It's really awesome to be able to completely swap left and right channels with a flip of two switches, and it's even more awesome to mix l + R with a dial with the twist of the wrist to test db, so you're sure it's the same source side to side.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom