Marantz PM-630 is a Sanyo?

[Ric Harris]

I saw one for sale and judging from the champagne color my instincts say it's a Sanyo. That aside it's such and odd looking piece. It has all the charm of an Amanna Radar Range. That's a microwave for the younger folks. 80's "computer controlled" units was certainly a low point in design. Pioneer and Sony had the market cornered on ugly square buttons back then. Anyhow is it worth 30.00?

 

[stereoguy70]

Yes, that most definitely is a Sanyo in disguise. Both Marantz and Fisher were owned by Sanyo at the time. (1980's)

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Marantz then was not owned by Sanyo, they never owned Marantz. Likely from the description it is B&K/Dynascan era Marantz, and Sanyo sourced.

 

[blhagstrom]

GTS

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marantz

When was B&K/ Dynascan involved?

 

[1tumbleweed]

1987 to 1990, after which Philips regained the rights to the name for North America (which they already owned everywhere else).

The problem with that Wikipedia entry is that it makes no distinction between Marantz worldwide, Marantz Japan, and Marantz North America, all separate entities.

You'll find this much more accurate and thorough:

http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/marantz_the_man_and_the_company/

The period from 1980 to 1990 is sometimes referred to as "Marantz' Lost Decade" - for North America, anyway - due to the deterioration of the NA product line and then Dynascan's further descent into mediocrity. Meanwhile Marantz Japan and Philips continued to develop and market worthwhile components - some of which were sold in the USA as Philips brand.

All else aside, if that PM630 works, it's still likely worth $30, even if it is a Sanyo.

Cheers,
Larry B.

 

[Ric Harris]

1987 to 1990, after which Philips regained the rights to the name for North America (which they already owned everywhere else).

The problem with that Wikipedia entry is that it makes no distinction between Marantz worldwide, Marantz Japan, and Marantz North America, all separate entities.

You'll find this much more accurate and thorough:

http://www.dutchaudioclassics.nl/marantz_the_man_and_the_company/

The period from 1980 to 1990 is sometimes referred to as "Marantz' Lost Decade" - for North America, anyway - due to the deterioration of the NA product line and then Dynascan's further descent into mediocrity. Meanwhile Marantz Japan and Philips continued to develop and market worthwhile components - some of which were sold in the USA as Philips brand.

All else aside, if that PM630 works, it's still likely worth $30, even if it is a Sanyo.

Cheers,
Larry B.

I didn't realize Phillips had there hands in the whole Marantz deal. As for Sanyo I rip on them but I owned a Sanyo receiver as a teen and they made some decent stuff bur they also made some really lousy stuff too.

 

[SoCal Sam]

The 1980's were not a complete wasteland for Marantz USA. The TA-165 and TA-170AV were true old school power houses with heavy transformers and sound comparable to the classic 2500. Yup, incredible as it may seem, the TA-170AV sounded just as good as a 2500 in a blind test. However, eyeball the plastic all-in-one TA and you would swear it sucked. It even boasted separate model numbers for the faux stacked components.

 

[Ric Harris]

The 1980's were not a complete wasteland for Marantz USA. The TA-165 and TA-170AV were true old school power houses with heavy transformers and sound comparable to the classic 2500. Yup, incredible as it may seem, the TA-170AV sounded just as good as a 2500 in a blind test. However, eyeball the plastic all-in-one TA and you would swear it sucked. It even boasted separate model numbers for the faux stacked components.

Just saw a TA type listed on goodwill's auction sight for 5.00 + shipping. Nobody's bid on with a day to go. The "Faux Stack" is unloved. It's a better unit than looks would suggest but I need another receiver like I need another hole in the head.

 

[SoCal Sam]

Just saw a TA type listed on goodwill's auction sight for 5.00 + shipping. Nobody's bid on with a day to go. The "Faux Stack" is unloved. It's a better unit than looks would suggest but I need another receiver like I need another hole in the head.

IIRC, the 170 is loaded with Toshiba T03P output transistors so they did put a little effort into it. If it had a proper face plate and case, it would be valuable today. Instead, it is a good "organ donor" as real Toshiba outputs are hard to come by.