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Marantz 4400

Capt.Beyond

Capt.Beyond

Active Member
Hi everybody,
I wanted to post a couple of pictures of something I'm getting tomorrow, or rather, potentially sending lots of money for tomorrow, but I can actually think about it for another day or two. I personally think Marantz 4400's are arguably the most beautiful of the whole line, and one in perfect condition is like a work of art. But I'm sure you know one in perfect condition can go for ridiculous amounts of money. I figured I could save lots of money by getting one that needs a little work, but I have the feeling it's possibly overpriced.

The 4 pics are of the one I'm buying.

I realize I have to replace some bulbs for the dial, and that the cabinet's not perfect, but the second receiver's case has been completely refinished, and I might give that a try. Is it a lot harder to replace lights in a quad receiver?

What do ya think?:dunno:

Oh yeah, one more thing, he is insistant at having UPS double box it and to get it insured, and from Arkansas to Mass. it will cost $200..:saywhat:.so the whole deal will be $950.00.
 

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Looks great and thats one of the best quads they made I believe they were about $1200 or a little more new. Hopefully it arrives in the same condition.
 
Still my favorite

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=172877

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZJXjPm2QD0&feature=channel_page

My restoration, this is still my favorite receiver without a doubt. Sweet musical sound, endless power, and the scope is fantastic.

The first one I bought had a failing diode, and blew its caps. It had a scope issue, and was just tired. Got it fully functional and it transformed into the a beast of a unit. It lives at my brothers place now.

The second unit I got was in perfect unmolested condition with a wood case and the latest iteration of the SQA adaptor. It needs a scope as the one on there has some burn in, but its otherwise ready for a full re-cap. The quad portion of these receivers can decode dolby surround quite well, and are definitely home theater friendly.

Check with jstang, HAL9000, SBMarantz, catrafter, or echowars if you have any problems with this unit. I can try to help, but they are the ones that helped me the most on getting mine back to spec.

You have a later blue scope unit that has some power upgrades, the green scoped units put about 197 watts per channel in 2 channel mode, but the blue ones push 200+. It definitely deserves a restore!

2730356701_ab1bba6aba_b.jpg
 
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My final receiver as well, and I've owned just about every vintage '70's Marantz, Pioneer, and HK that ever was. An incredible piece of audio engineering, and IHMO, the best looking receiver ever built! :thmbsp:
 
I certainly agree that it's the best looking, they're so tastefully designed, and essentially a work of art.:yes:
 
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Yes, it's a real PITA to replace the bulbs in a Marantz quad, at least in a 4270. But just take your time and be careful and you'll be fine.
 
Hi,
I have a great deal of vintage Marantz equipment all in great condition but for years I have been seeking a blue scope Chatsworth built 4400 receiver with a perfect faceplate.
I finally was able to get about a month ago and I paid the exact same amount but instead of using it, I instead sent it to a qualified person for service which I fully expect to cost me several hundred dollars but when complete it will be a collector's item that will be worth all I invested and more. There isn't a piece of 30 year old audio equipment that doesn't need service so I advise that if you are satisfied with the one you purchased to invest a few more hundred and have a collectors item of your own.
Good luck

Capt.Beyond said:
Hi everybody,
I wanted to post a couple of pictures of something I'm getting tomorrow, or rather, potentially sending lots of money for tomorrow, but I can actually think about it for another day or two. I personally think Marantz 4400's are arguably the most beautiful of the whole line, and one in perfect condition is like a work of art. But I'm sure you know one in perfect condition can go for ridiculous amounts of money. I figured I could save lots of money by getting one that needs a little work, but I have the feeling it's possibly overpriced.

The first 4 pics are of the one I'm buying for $750, and the last 4 are of one that's going for almost $2,000.

I realize I have to replace some bulbs for the dial, and that the cabinet's not perfect, but the second receiver's case has been completely refinished, and I might give that a try. Is it a lot harder to replace lights in a quad receiver?

What do ya think?:dunno:

Oh yeah, one more thing, he is insistant at having UPS double box it and to get it insured, and from Arkansas to Mass. it will cost $200..:saywhat:.so the whole deal will be $950.00.
Click to expand...
 
One more thing...

Hi, my 4400 is on the way, and should arrive Tues.! :banana:

But, I'd like to get some bulbs for the tuning dial, so once again, I'm asking for advice...
I remember a couple of people here know the best place to get them. Should I replace all of them at once, considering the apparent difficulty w/ quads?
Thanks, once again.
 
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I always replace the lamps from the front, you just remove the colored plastic dialface, and then you can replace that yellowed vellum paper with new vellum (or printer paper)

Just my $.02
 
Capt.Beyond said:
Hi, my 4400 is on the way, and should arrive Tues.! :banana:

But, I'd like to get some bulbs for the tuning dial, so once again, I'm asking for advice...
I remember a couple of people here know the best place to get them. Should I replace all of them at once, considering the apparent difficulty w/ quads?
Thanks, once again.
Click to expand...

whsh93a on AK can hook you up with LEDS for the input selectors as well as dial lights.

To get to the dial lamps, follow what Sir.Byrd said, and you can replace the vellum paper with parchment paper (same translucence)

To get to the selectors, its a bit more tricky, and you have to solder. But its just a matter of patience, and being careful.

LEDS will last forever, and give your Marantz a blue face instead of a green-blue face. They wont produce heat, which will help keep the plastics inside from ageing and cracking further.

2642144961_a1b3e671fa_b.jpg

2734135499_0951549ffc_b.jpg
 
You will also want to de-string the tuning string for the time being while you are soldering in the indicator lights.
I have burned through the string accidentally in the past and many expletives were muttered.
 
Sir.Byrd said:
You will also want to de-string the tuning string for the time being while you are soldering in the indicator lights.
I have burned through the string accidentally in the past and many expletives were muttered.
Click to expand...

Haven't had that happen....yet...

but yeah, if you want to be safe, and you have the stringing diagram, that is a good plan.
 
secondslc said:
Haven't had that happen....yet...

but yeah, if you want to be safe, and you have the stringing diagram, that is a good plan.
Click to expand...

If you are careful, you can just unhook it from one of the pulleys and just slip it back on when you are done.
 
secondslc said:
whsh93a on AK can hook you up with LEDS for the input selectors as well as dial lights.

To get to the dial lamps, follow what Sir.Byrd said, and you can replace the vellum paper with parchment paper (same translucence)

To get to the selectors, its a bit more tricky, and you have to solder. But its just a matter of patience, and being careful.

LEDS will last forever, and give your Marantz a blue face instead of a green-blue face. They wont produce heat, which will help keep the plastics inside from ageing and cracking further.
Click to expand...

I'm happy to say that all the other indicator lights work, it's just a few that illuminate the dial that are out. The front of mine looks pretty much exactly like your 4400 picture (except with a blue scope). Thanks to you and Sir.Byrd for the info. It sounds pretty easy to do from the front, and I'm so glad I don't have to solder. :)
 
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Some pre-restorative pics...

...before and after pics of my 4400...however, only "before" at the moment (incl. one w/ the junk pile)... :boring:

...actually the Yamaha on the bottom isn't junk, it rocks (bought it on eBay for $75 bucks), and I have a couple more Yammies, one of which I can't remember shutting off for at least 15 years. Does anyone else leave their equipment running 24/7 for years at a time?
 
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