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The History Of Marantz

Rectilinear1

Rectilinear1

Professional Record Restorer
Hey all! I came across this epic video on YouTube which outlines the detailed history of one of the most iconic brands in audio history, Marantz. Please watch and enjoy! :)
Feel free to comment!

 
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Rectilinear1 said:
About "Just audio"? I'm sure I have NO idea what you mean. My research shows prices have dropped in recent months. Go grab a Haterade zero and get hifidrated.
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just audio is the name of the store and youtube channel. they have stupid prices and alot that i have seen are still original, not restored or refurbed.

i understand that it costs money to have a brick n mortar store and employees but their prices are still stupid. it's not hate, it's reality.
 
I know the channel name. I fail to see how this store has anything to do with the prices of Marantz. I wouldn't blame Footlocker for the high price of Nike shoes, that's all I'm saying. I see your point though. There are much better ways to spend our money in the audio realm however, Marantz prices are commanded due to their collectability and stunningly gorgeous looks IMHO. That being said, I was trying to post a video which sheds light on the history and future of a brand which has become a household name. Nothing more. Did you watch it?
 
Rectilinear1 said:
I know the channel name. I fail to see how this store has anything to do with the prices of Marantz. I wouldn't blame Footlocker for the high price of Nike shoes, that's all I'm saying. I see your point though. There are much better ways to spend our money in the audio realm however, Marantz prices are commanded due to their collectability and stunningly gorgeous looks IMHO. That being said, I was trying to post a video which sheds light on the history and future of a brand which has become a household name. Nothing more. Did you watch it?
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nope, i won't watch his videos anymore.
 
I thought he gave a great presentation here. I was under the mistaken impression that Marantz sold out to Superscope in 1980. Not the case at all. It was interesting finding out that it actually happened way back in 1962 which makes my Marantz equipment Superscope gear. I also like the ending where he tells where the industry is going. Where brand new receivers will use AI to pick the perfect song custom tailored for you and your current mood. How revolutionary is that?! I know he sounds like a used car salesman. I just wanted to share the video I thought was cool. Nothing more, nothing less. Cheers! :)
 
Rectilinear1 said:
I know the channel name. I fail to see how this store has anything to do with the prices of Marantz. I wouldn't blame Footlocker for the high price of Nike shoes, that's all I'm saying. I see your point though. There are much better ways to spend our money in the audio realm however, Marantz prices are commanded due to their collectability and stunningly gorgeous looks IMHO. That being said, I was trying to post a video which sheds light on the history and future of a brand which has become a household name. Nothing more. Did you watch it?
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marantz prices are commanded by stores like his that jack up the price and everyone else does the same. that's why it's so difficult to find good deals anymore. people think their unrestored gear is worth a fortune because someone else sold one for a ridiculous price. the same thing happened to muscle cars in the 90s. i remember when you could buy the carcass of a muscle car for a couple hundred bucks. hemmings and barrett jackson took that away.

full disclosure: it's not just his store that does it

thxdave said:
He reminds me of a used car salesman shouting at me.
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yup
 
Rectilinear1 said:
way back in 1962
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1964. In 1980 Superscope sells the Marantz to Philips. Details are here:

www.whathifi.com

Home

Marantz is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and the story behind the founding of one of today's best-known hi-fi and home cinema companies is a familiar one: Saul B Marantz – music lover, amateur musician and photographer – started making hi-fi products in the early 1950s simply because he was...
www.whathifi.com www.whathifi.com
 
I had lunch with Saul Marantz in 1975. He was touring some audio shops in the SF Bay area and stopped into a small shop I used to hang out at in Redwood City. There were four of us and Saul; he was the nicest old guy you could ever meet. He regaled us with stories, especially about the 10B tuner, which two of us owned at the time. I think the original designer was Dick Sequerra, and Saul said he went WAAAAY overboard with the design to the point they were losing $100 for each one they shipped. Saul then asked Sid Smith to go in and "keep cutting out parts until it stops working." He was very open about the beginnings, the tough times, the good times. A wonderful guy to talk with.

A memorable afternoon back in the Golden Era of audio.
 
radiokom said:
1964. In 1980 Superscope sells the Marantz to Philips. Details are here:

www.whathifi.com

Home

Marantz is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and the story behind the founding of one of today's best-known hi-fi and home cinema companies is a familiar one: Saul B Marantz – music lover, amateur musician and photographer – started making hi-fi products in the early 1950s simply because he was...
www.whathifi.com www.whathifi.com
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Sad days indeed for the Marantz brand after 1979. Except for some speakers and the Marantz Japan Esotic line.
 
Lavane said:
Sad days indeed for the Marantz brand after 1979. Except for some speakers and the Marantz Japan Esotic line.
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Yes, I have experience with Marantz PM710DC from 1980 (still have it) and this is perhaps one of the last good amplifiers Marantz produced. Manufactured in Japan, but inside is classic design. I has some experience with late 90s and early 2000s Marantz premium devices and decided they are wrong design, at least amplifier input impedance - any interconnection cable changes sound as in modern "Hi-End".
 
I see all of your points guys and to be honest, I was waiting to hear opinions on the "future of receivers" as quoted in this video. I don't know if I want A.I. spitting out "the perfect song" for me and the mood I am in although this seems to be the way things are going in the Spotify world. I want to hold onto the old ways of sifting through my collection and being pleasantly surprised to hear an album I haven't heard in a while. I guess I am just old fashioned but this A.I. algorithm driven song selection seems like it may just open us up to being propagandized by ads and further the narrative of the collective hive mindedness. For now, I will hold strong to the classic ways of curating and selecting music which takes me back to a better place in time mentally and not focus on the cutting edge so much.
I believe this is what the musicians intended on releasing to the world, "free-will" which is anything but if songs are chosen for us. I deeply respect what you guys do as hifi curators and want to share with the world the fact that AK has given me all the support that I need to build my own hifi system which is the greatest gift one can receive. This hobby has turned into a way for me to express myself and relax after a long hard day at work and if works for me, it can work for others. Keep doing what you do guys because it is God's work. That being said, I love my Marantz receiver with all of my heart and soul and it is and will continue to be the heart of my hifi system. Cheers!:)
 
painttoad said:
the only thing epic about just audio are their ridiculous prices.
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Don’t know of anything not going up in price these days. Vintage audio is simple supply and demand and nothing you can do about it. But thing to do if your not willing to pay avg prices is not complain about it.
 
dgunnr said:
But thing to do if your not willing to pay avg prices is not complain about it.
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that place does NOT charge average prices and i'm not buying the over-rated, over priced price stuff that is absolutely not worth it anyway so if i feel the urge to complain about these stores over charging people for gear that is totally not worth it, then i will.

i buy , refurb/repair and sell gear that someone with a 5 figure job can afford. you shouldn't have to have a 6 figure job to be able to afford a vintage system.
 
The best part of capitalism and competition is that if the price is high, nobody will buy, it will have to go down. Personally I think the shop has done a great service for the hobby by promoting vintage audio equipment (they also have some nice new stuff as well).

Are the videos a little in your face, yep but that's the YouTube Way to get more views, they all have to do it now. The shop is putting in a lot of leg work to find, buy, fix and promote the equipment, if your equipment is less expensive, then you have a leg up and should be able to outsell them. Most retailers like to find that sweet spot of good profit margin and steady sales.

I do think some of his facts are off (and I might be wrong). Since Marantz has such a fascinating story and was creamed by global capitalism, it would have been more interesting to dive into the different facets. As far as I know, Philips bought distribution rights, and maybe some manufacturing (43%) around 1980 but Superscope and Marantz of Japan kept some products for their markets like the PMD Portables. I think Marantz of Japan made most of Philips Marantz Equipment but I'm not 100% sure. They did make a ton of equipment for the home market under Marantz and UNIX (by Marantz) Names during the 80's. The JDM Units seem heads and tails better then the Philips Component Lines.
 
I’m 63, grew up in the golden age of Marantz. But could not afford their receivers or amps back then. When I turned 50 I began my journey of assembling my ‘new to me’ vintage system. 1974~1976 power amps, preamps, tuner, all Marantz and I’ve had everything restored because I could afford it.

I think that after I expire, interest in that era of gear will drop. Unless you were exposed to it in your teens or twenty’s, it seems no one else knows what that stuff is.

But until then, expect prices on that era of gear to continue to climb.
 
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