Marantz model 8B. Worth Buying?
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Nyjblbob
Hooked on Horn's and Tubes. Go big or go home
I see in general the entire vintage market as well as gentler used late model high end Audio is quite down
in recent years. This even considering New brands as well as old reliables, McIntosh, Klipsch JBL’s ,
vintage Marantz Always a safe bet to keep pace with massive Inflation.
Not so much anymore .
Every one is spending their money more wisely!
but if you want a sweet tube amp Long regarded as the standard,
Its hard to better a Well rebuilt 8b for 3K$
bobhorn
ps. If you have horns an 8b in triode is Liquid europhia
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
There are plenty of nice tube amps of that power range available for less. The Marantz tax touches this one as it should it is part of the reason for the brand’s mystique?
I have a set of heresy’s. Paired with a Scott 299 I rebuilt few years ago. Sounds great with that. I just got some gear from a brand called beveridge. Which sounds incredible. But yea I’ve noticed more and more vintage audio selling for less
What does this mean . It’s gonna buy me dinner first?
I have an Hh scott type 299? Is it worth upgrading from that?
No. It has a somewhat subdued bass, a bit rolled off tremble and a luscious midrange. No unsightly bulging muscles. So it wound't ever offend the listener with a boomy bass of tizzy treble. In a word, it's polite. If it could, it would have a butler deliver your dinner to you on a sterling silver tray.
damacman
Resident Psycho
In a world full of depreciating assets, vintage tube amps continue to hold their value - both long and short term. If you buy it and don't like it, you likely won't have difficulty getting your money back.
As I've never owned an 8B (just 2s), I can't comment on its sonics or actual value . . . but these are very well built amplifiers.
As I've never owned an 8B (just 2s), I can't comment on its sonics or actual value . . . but these are very well built amplifiers.
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
I haven’t had an 8b but at 35 a side it is twice the power you have and probably a different sound from other tube units which is normal. I don’t know how much family sound two amps from the same company will have but company to company can be a good bit.
not losing money is probably true making it acceptable to try it if you want. For tube amps of which I don't need too many, I have a pair of 50 monaural power amps, very well built, using normally available tubes now that they have been converted and from 1976 so still in nice shape.
Give it a try, you have lots of time to enjoy the journey and can try a good bit of gear if bought right and it holds value.
not losing money is probably true making it acceptable to try it if you want. For tube amps of which I don't need too many, I have a pair of 50 monaural power amps, very well built, using normally available tubes now that they have been converted and from 1976 so still in nice shape.
Give it a try, you have lots of time to enjoy the journey and can try a good bit of gear if bought right and it holds value.
Nyjblbob
Hooked on Horn's and Tubes. Go big or go home
And Good Luck trying to find a Name brand,High Quality High Current SS
Amp suitable for the Beveridge Speakers, for under 3K$.
That don't require Expensive Updates!
My money says the 8b and Altec Magnificents or 604's
will outperform the SS Bev system in an equally Large Room.
Amp suitable for the Beveridge Speakers, for under 3K$.
That don't require Expensive Updates!
My money says the 8b and Altec Magnificents or 604's
will outperform the SS Bev system in an equally Large Room.
8b
thanks but I do not have to worry, the beveridge system is a model 2sw and it came with the beveridge rm1/rm2 amp and preamp
Megaladoink
Active Member
Being the owner of an 8b/7c , if you are looking and asking about thisb hi I’llthen I can assume the price is at least doable.
Nyjblbob
Hooked on Horn's and Tubes. Go big or go home
The model 9’s are Imho are the best example of beautiful Shelf Jewelry! With just about the best Resale value of all the Marantz models! Bar none!
The best in SQ not as far as I’m concerned!
I’ll take a pair modded Fisher55a’s
And either a pair of Fairchild 260’s or 275’s
For the best vintage amps for SQ only
In fact even the Marantz model 5’s sound better!
Bobhorn
The best in SQ not as far as I’m concerned!
I’ll take a pair modded Fisher55a’s
And either a pair of Fairchild 260’s or 275’s
For the best vintage amps for SQ only
In fact even the Marantz model 5’s sound better!
Bobhorn
If you have efficient speakers, maybe look for a Fisher EL84 amp. SA16, SA100. Pair of 30s. Great transformers, very well built.
The best tube amps I have owned with Marantz 8B and SA100. But, any Fisher amp is good.
8B I got was in bad shape. But the transformers were good and meter worked. Everything else can be fixed. Easy to update, driver tubes were GE, mil spec so not expensive. EL34s are whatever you want to pay. I had a set of Mullards, but used Russians also, both fine. Pre was a 7 (tubes) but sold an bought a 7T (transistor). Honestly could not hear a difference, but I was using CDs and not a turntable. Likely did not even need a Pre. IMHO, $3K for a 8B is way high. The reproductions from VTL were actually better. Had the same transformer vendor as original. Even same potting compound. Better passives and new speaker/power connections. Likely much cheaper that an original. All just my opinions of course.
The best tube amps I have owned with Marantz 8B and SA100. But, any Fisher amp is good.
8B I got was in bad shape. But the transformers were good and meter worked. Everything else can be fixed. Easy to update, driver tubes were GE, mil spec so not expensive. EL34s are whatever you want to pay. I had a set of Mullards, but used Russians also, both fine. Pre was a 7 (tubes) but sold an bought a 7T (transistor). Honestly could not hear a difference, but I was using CDs and not a turntable. Likely did not even need a Pre. IMHO, $3K for a 8B is way high. The reproductions from VTL were actually better. Had the same transformer vendor as original. Even same potting compound. Better passives and new speaker/power connections. Likely much cheaper that an original. All just my opinions of course.
Hi all, reviving this. I have the opportunity to buy a stock 8b for 2500. Stock pair of 5s for 5000 or a 9120 (model 9) for 4500. I’m a bit in decision paralysis. The 9120 I Probably won’t find another but I’m also a huge space nut the 5s I think are pricey. The 8b I think is a really good deal
