• 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 During the 1980's

V

vintagestereo

Addicted Member
Banned
I know many people think that Marantz took a nosedive during the 1980's, but they may not be aware of the Marantz Esotec gear that first launched in 1979-1980 and continued after that. It is surely some of the most gorgeous gear I have ever laid my eyes on. It looks like Marantz, now owned by Philips, split its product line in two: one line for the mass market and the Esotec line for the "hardcore" Marantz lovers. I'd love to add some Esotec to my collection but it is almost impossible to find. Any Esotec owners here?

Here's a nice web site which will make you drool (or so I hope). Excuse me, I have to get my bib.......

http://www.thevintageknob.org/ESOTEC/esotec-main.html
 
Register to hide this ad
Esotec Marantz is beautiful brand. Too bad I've never owned one because it is kind of rare.
 
Marantz has bought back from Philips all of its trademarks, name, badges and (probably) patents in 2002 and joined in partnership with Denon.

It is true that the lineups sort of split in two a little after Philips took over (or even three if you count the pro stuff, still under some Superscope distribution to this day I believe [?]).

But it should be remembered that Philips' high-end CD players were... Marantz all through the mid 90s! Marantz in Japan fairly quickly took some independence and continued the ESOTEC series until the earlly 90s (without the Esotec tag). These units unfortunately weren't distributed elsewhere :-(

What made it feel really split, perhaps, is that the regular lineups were directly under Philips design AND that the takeover (the visible part of it) coincided with the beginning of the 80s' real horrible looks - Marantz didn't look like Marantz anymore!

Esotec's are very very easy to find and for fairly cheap prices at hifido - there must be at this moment at least a couple of SM-6, SM-7, some PM-5s and even the later SC/SM-11...

[I must learn to make short posts, I know I must :-)]
 
Grumpy has some Esotec monoblocks IIRC. I'd love to score the Esotec TT. The high end Marantz seems to be more prevalent in Europe than here in N.America.

Mike
 
A few years back I grabbed Esotec SC-7 or 8 preamp, and SM-8 power amp, both in gorgeous shape with original boxes. I sold them to Shain right here on this forum. He's a big-time Marantz collector. I thought they were nice items, but I had a little too much stuff at the time and something had to go.

In fact I still have too much stuff and a lot has to go.
 
Wjat's Going?

Toasted Almond said:
A few years back I grabbed Esotec SC-7 or 8 preamp, and SM-8 power amp, both in gorgeous shape with original boxes. I sold them to Shain right here on this forum. He's a big-time Marantz collector. I thought they were nice items, but I had a little too much stuff at the time and something had to go.

In fact I still have too much stuff and a lot has to go.
Click to expand...

What's going?
 
TA

I still have the units I got from you. NICE !

Also have a PM-6 intg amp, both gold and black ST tuners, and a couple of the SM7 amps, another intg amp... forgot the number

I have a whole garage full of too much stuff, but the Esotec gear will stay.

I want the TT :worried: :yes:
 
Shain

Just hope I dont find the TT at the same time :)
 
I've only seen one Esotec TT for sale. It was on Ebay about a year ago, maybe less.

I think it was in Europe. Don't recall what it sold for ??
 
they sell for way more money then i can ever afford :(
 
There were two - a mkII that went for 2000€ in Germany (SME SeriesV and Ortofon MC-something included) and a mkI located in Denmark but listed in the US that had a... 2400$ buy-it-now (argh) and a 2000$ starting price (aaaargh)...
It didn't sell.

I really don't know how many were made during the (astonishingly long) lifespan of both the mkI and mkII... 500? 1000?
Does anyone have Mr. Ishiwata's phone number at hand ?
 
Hey Shain. I have sold you some things before myself on Ebay. Since you are a big time collector/seller of marantz items, have you commented before on the differences in sound, not just power, between the various popular marantz receivers, like the 2270, 2285b, 2325, and separates, etc? I figure you should know.
 
The discussion, between a receiver and using separates can be long, windy, and involved, as we all know.

Everything being equal, all units in top condition, ...... an over simplification could go like this.

You'll get nice results from one of the TOTL receivers like a 2325, 2285B, 2385, etc They have excellent tuner sections, good power, etc, etc
Good sound no question.

Using separates offers more opportunities for "customizing" your system, and changing out any one piece. Can pick pieces that may fit your speakers of choice. May have more connection capabilities for adding other components.

Which you use also dependes on the budget. Components with the same approx. specs may cost more than a receiver.

Sound difference ?

Hard to say, but maybe with components because of some reasons as stated.

But, a nicely set up 2325 will do about everything one could ask, for normal home stereo use.

My two cents anyway...........
 
Last edited:
Shain said:
Sound difference ?

Hard to say, but maybe with components because of some reasons as stated.

But, a nicely set up 2325 will do about everything one could ask for normal home stereo use.

My two cents anyway...........
Click to expand...

I have never agreed with anything said here more! I just love listening to the Marantz 2325 and Dual 721 on some Quatra 8000 Series II 10" 3-ways. This stuff all comes from the same year, 1975, which makes it extra special to me. My wife gave me a B.B. King "The Blues" 180 gram LP for Christmas and every day is a revelation.
 
VintageNut said:
180 grams of what now? is that legal where you are? Probably is in Dripping Springs, Texas
Click to expand...

Sorry VintageNut! I love your Avatar. Where did you find that???

What I meant to say was "180 gram virgin vinyl". Sorry for the confusion. I'd hate to get a bad reputation. As for Dripping Springs....never been there and never plan to be there.

Here's a pic of my setup:
 
Gotta love that 2325, I got 2 of them. One needs minor repair, I got it real cheap from my buddy. Huge power. I remember reading where someone tested the output at close to 190 watts a channel. Can you hear me now?. One good thing abot the 2325 is the power caps are easily replaced, where my 2285B has dual power caps, since it's a dual power supply design, 2 caps per can, with 3 terminals per dual cap. They don't make em anymore. I challenge anyone to find a dual cap to fit the 2285B. I ended up using a used cap in one of my 2285B out of desperation. I guess you could wire together 2 caps and shove them into each of old cans, provided you can find 2 caps to fit in the can. I got the avatar somewhere on the web, it's a dude in Dripping Springs, Texas. It's a hoot..
 
Last edited:
axel said:
There were two - a mkII that went for 2000€ in Germany (SME SeriesV and Ortofon MC-something included) and a mkI located in Denmark but listed in the US that had a... 2400$ buy-it-now (argh) and a 2000$ starting price (aaaargh)...
It didn't sell.

I really don't know how many were made during the (astonishingly long) lifespan of both the mkI and mkII... 500? 1000?
Does anyone have Mr. Ishiwata's phone number at hand ?
Click to expand...

For that much money you could get a new Scoutmaster.
 
My collection mostly contains the 70's products but i owned a SC-7 for some time and thought; There must come a SM-7 and ST-7 to complete the set!
The SM-7 was found in Germany.

I talked to Ken during the VAD show in Holland (Eindhoven)

That guy has alot of old Marantz gear!

I also own a PM-6A.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom