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SuperScope!

A

andyc

Member
I recently picked up a Superscope R-340 Receiver really cheap that wasn't working. I have since had it fixed and must say that it's sound is equal to my Marantz 2220B. I'm aware that Marantz made Superscope, but apart from the fact that it doesn't bear the Marantz badge or look as appealing is there really any other quality differences with the Superscope range.
Also does anyone here have any SuperScope gear? I would love to get an intergrated amplifier to run with my either the R-340 or 2220B (as I would like a little more power than the 20 watts a channel), is there any superscope amps that anyone would recommend?
 
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Welcome to AK, andyc! I too have a soft spot for Superscope stuff, and have R-340 and R-350 receivers. Gotta love the pink lights, and their blue models were nice as well. As you've noted, sorta a poor-man's Marantz.

AFAIK, Superscope amps and receivers all topped out at about the R-350's 25w/ch, so if you're looking for higher power you are going to have to move on to another brand. Marantz is the obvious next choice if you are interested in keeping it 'in the family'.

Congrats on a couple of nice receivers, and have fun!
 
The Superscope R-330 is what got me into vintage gear, I picked one up for $3 at SA and one channel was dead. A couple of trannies and caps and I was good to go. I did not realize it had pink velum until I replaced the lamps, very unique and cool. I also have a R-230 as well, they are very easy to work on and dont take up much space. You can pick them up on the bay pretty cheap because not many people know they were made by Marantz.
 
I love my little Superscope R-340 receiver!
They were called "a poor man's Marantz" back in the day.
In my opinion, they very much sound like the lower wattage Marantz gear.
I've been running mine with a pair of recapped KLH 17 speakers.

Steve
 
andyc said:
I'm aware that Marantz made Superscope
Click to expand...

I think a more accurate way of describing the setup as it was then was that Superscope was the US distributor for Marantz, and they (Superscope) also had another line with their own name on it.

It wasn't the same factory that made both marques...
 
Aage said:
I think a more accurate way of describing the setup as it was then was that Superscope was the US distributor for Marantz, and they (Superscope) also had another line with their own name on it.

It wasn't the same factory that made both marques...
Click to expand...

Joe Tushinsky of Superscope owned Standard Radio of Japan who made both Marantz and Superscope branded electronics.

The Marantz brand was also owned by Tushinsky. He bought it from Saul Marantz himself as part of the takeover deal signed in 1964.

This means that Superscope actually made Marantz, not the other way around!
 
The Tusinsky brothers owned Superscope that owned both Marantz and Standard Radio of Japan and Standard Radio of Japan made Marantz Products and Superscope except for the Superscope tape units that were outsourced to Sony. The 2x series appears to be nothing more than Standard Radio units modified to appear as Marantz. The later units appear to have had more US r&d or at least marketing department input and the Superscope appears to have come from the same group and voiced to transition into the market as the lower end Marantz. The r&d group in the US may have more of a hand in the integrated amps, tuners, separates and probably the totl tier 1 and 2 receivers such as the 2500, 2600 and 2385.
 
My 9 year old daughter is using my R-340. She loves the pink lights and hooked up to some wood Minimus 7's, I'm surprised how good it sounds. For the compact size and sound, you can hardly beat it with today's craptacular choices.
 

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crooner said:
Joe Tushinsky of Superscope owned Standard Radio of Japan who made both Marantz and Superscope branded electronics.
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I'll take your word for it, but from what I remember, they sure didn't look like the same factory inside. In fact, IIRC, a lot of the SScope stuff was from Taiwan (or Korea?) whereas all the Marantz-branded stuff I saw was from Japan.

Bu that's about 30yrs ago, I was just a kid, what would I know? :D
 
Aage said:
I'll take your word for it, but from what I remember, they sure didn't look like the same factory inside. In fact, IIRC, a lot of the SScope stuff was from Taiwan (or Korea?) whereas all the Marantz-branded stuff I saw was from Japan.

Bu that's about 30yrs ago, I was just a kid, what would I know? :D
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Well, perhaps Superscope outsourced some of their low end stuff to Korea or Taiwan, just when they started to have financial problems (late 70s). :scratch2:

I do know the early Superscope stuff was made by Standard Radio of Japan. The Tushinskys bought a stake in this company to produce lower priced Marantz components and eventually their "Superscope" branded line.

Joe Tushinsky was particularly impressed with the skilled Japanese labor and craftsmanship of Standard Radio.

As a matter of fact, Standard was the first foreign brand to beat McIntosh in distortion Vs power measurements during their famous amplifier clinics!
 
Superscope R 350

I recently bought a Superscope R 350 receiver at a flea market for $15.00. The unit is in great shape, just needs some deoxit on the volume control. I was impressed with the sound quality of the unit. It has a warm sound even when connected to Minimus 7 speakers. I have it connected to my video system for the audio. I was wondering from all the Marantz fans out there, is this true with all Marantz amplifiers and receivers?
 

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AnalogDigit said:
I recently bought a Superscope R 350 receiver at a flea market for $15.00. The unit is in great shape, just needs some deoxit on the volume control. I was impressed with the sound quality of the unit. It has a warm sound even when connected to Minimus 7 speakers. I have it connected to my video system for the audio. I was wondering from all the Marantz fans out there, is this true with all Marantz amplifiers and receivers?
Click to expand...

replace those purple caps!!:thumbsdn:
 
I know I'm doing some serious thread archeology here, just a newbie looking around, but I thought I'd add something. The insides of my R-340B sure look like a 22xx series, but yes, made in Taiwan. The Marantz connection couldn't be clearer, though:
IMG_6299.jpeg
 
I had the superscope BLA-530, the PCB was 95% identical to the PM-30(I think) the only changes were budget main filters, MIC inputs and plastic faceplate.
They probably save USD15- on the mods, times 100k units...
 
I have a R-1240 Superscope. It's a nice little receiver. Probably underappericiated.

I do have the service manuals (pdf) for the R-1240 and the R-330. Also have the owner's manual for the R-1270 if anyone is interested in getting them.

Paul
BTW- I paid $30 for a two years ago. It had a bad volume switch (one channel had a lower volume than the other channel) and a inoperative signal meter.
R1240 Complete.jpg
 
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Bargain! I got my R-340B from a guy I was only buying a little Sansui AU-101 from. He took me into his basement and told me if I wanted the amp I would have to take the rest of what he had. I said sure! I did very well that day.
 
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