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The Most Rare Marantz

W

Wagley83

New Member
Good morning audiokarma! I am brand new to the site and wanted to get your opinion.

I had the chance to purchase the most rare Marantz in perhaps the world! Why, because it is Marantz 2325 completely brand new, still sealed in the factory box!! I also have the original (nos) walnut case for it!

My question is this: To open or not to open!?
I am not concerned with selling at this point (but do have my own opinion on the potential value).

I have attached a few pictures for your reference.

thanks you!

Wes
 

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I am the type of person that buys something, opens the box and throws everything away except the item inside and proceeds to getting it to work. If you are not opening the box you may as well resell it and buy something you can enjoy.

Life is too short.

Great find BTW!
 
I totally get it! I have a setup now that I enjoy, which is why I’m not in a hurry to open this. It’s been in the box 45+ years...seems kind of odd to break the record. Haha!
 
Wagley83 said:
I totally get it! I have a setup now that I enjoy, which is why I’m not in a hurry to open this. It’s been in the box 45+ years...seems kind of odd to break the record. Haha!
Click to expand...
To be fair, there is a sense of joy in knowing that you have something unique, for sure. Like a time capsule. But in my case what I think is - will someone else down the line, like my kids, appreciate it the same way or will it end up on the street in a estate sale?

Anyway what a wonderful problem to have!
 
I would want to open it up and at least look at it to make sure there really is a 2325 in there.

Playing devils advocate here I too have an original box and it was sealed with clear packing tape just on the seams. That cardboard style tape all over your box does not look original to me but who knows. I could be wrong though but I am just saying. Receiver may have been used and put back in its box and sealed up.

If its still got the protective plastic on the faceplate then its probably never been used. But I would have to know. You got nothing to lose if you ask me as the box seems to have been opened at least once. But either way there should be a really nice 2325 in there so its win-win.

The case is awesome. A lot of us would kill for that alone.

Whats the story behind it?
 
Fairlane said:
I would want to open it up and at least look at it to make sure there really is a 2325 in there.

Playing devils advocate here I too have an original box and it was sealed with clear packing tape just on the seams. That cardboard style tape all over your box does not look original to me but who knows. I could be wrong though but I am just saying. Receiver may have been used and put back in its box and sealed up.

If its still got the protective plastic on the faceplate then its probably never been used. But I would have to know. You got nothing to lose if you ask me as the box seems to have been opened at least once. But either way there should be a really nice 2325 in there so its win-win.

The case is awesome. A lot of us would kill for that alone.

Whats the story behind it?
Click to expand...

I think I have to agree it's been opened. In this picture, see the round circles connected by a line, those were buttons connected by a string to keep the box closed if I'm not mistaken. My Lafayette equipment boxes of the 70's had a similar arrangement.

8ED6F185-659A-4739-B47A-70897E515836.jpeg

could also be another box with buttons was stacked on top of this box upside down, or vice versa and left these marks on this box:dunno:
 
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Chrisxo55441 said:
if i buy it i use it and i would want to know if i got a turd or a gem. electrolytic capacitor's dont do well in storage and that unit is slowly degrading and could already need servicing if its never been used
Click to expand...
Totally agree, and I would put it on a DBT before anything else. Last thing you want is for this thing to go up in smoke due to age.
 
Fairlane said:
If its still got the protective plastic on the faceplate then its probably never been used.
Click to expand...

I'm not well versed in Marantz. What kind of protective plastic are you speaking of? Like a plastic cling film applied to the face that gets peeled off before using?
 
I think just having it in new condition with all of the paper work and box is really enough. You should be able to take it out and enjoy it without impacting the value much if any. Just keep it covered when not in use
 
Ohighway said:
I'm not well versed in Marantz. What kind of protective plastic are you speaking of? Like a plastic cling film applied to the face that gets peeled off before using?
Click to expand...
It is a piece of hard, clear plastic that covers the faceplate and has all the proper holes for the knobs. Some people never removes them. It doesn't stick to the faceplate.
 
Ohighway said:
I'm not well versed in Marantz. What kind of protective plastic are you speaking of? Like a plastic cling film applied to the face that gets peeled off before using?
Click to expand...

Exactly. It will have the holes punched out for all the buttons and knobs etc. Basically protecting the face plate. We've got to know. :biggrin:
 
ocdecio said:
It is a piece of hard, clear plastic that covers the faceplate and has all the proper holes for the knobs. Some people never removes them. It doesn't stick to the faceplate.
Click to expand...

Ok..... I just wanted to make sure. Presence of that clear plastic wouldn't necessarily provide evidence of the piece not being used. I say that because I acquired 3 Marantz pieces several years ago , used, from the original owner. All 3 still had a clear plastic film as you described on them, but they were in fact used pieces.
 
The story is the fun part! I contacted the executors of an estate on an unrelated item. This piece came from an eccentric 80+yr old man’s collection. He mainly used McIntosh...(which I also picked a couple of those pieces up), so I’m fairly certain of it’s authenticity.

In regards to the tape, I believe it to be original due to the fact that if it was taken off, it would likely have ripped the thin, outer layer of the cardboard. If they had just cut along the seams and re-taped, there would be evidence of a second layer.

but, if my curiosity gets too great...I may open!
 
The irony of all this is that if you did take it out to use, the capacitors are well past their use date. You could actually blow it out?

Me - I would take it out just to look at on some sort of display.
 
ocdecio said:
Totally agree, and I would put it on a DBT before anything else. Last thing you want is for this thing to go up in smoke due to age.
Click to expand...
So, I just double checked everything and the circles and line are under the tape, which is uncut. :) You can feel them.

also, look at the “2/2” written on the tape and box. They match perfectly.

plus, the original packing list and company it come from overlap the tape.

it is certainly fun making these observations. That’s my favorite part about collecting!
 
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