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Unicorn Marantz Model 9 Prototype, value?

soundmotor said:
Hey new guy, read a few more of his posts before popping off. It was either sarcasm or a typo.
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Why would I need to read more of his posts to understand how he types?

Anyways, its a ridiculous valuation, the fact that its a test mule is what makes it so attractive to a hardcore collector not what devalues it.
 
There are lots of known blackface 240's. Blackfaces were very common in the European market. I've seen at least 5 for sale in the past couple years, one just sold on epray that was owned by Frankie valie. Great find on a NOS face though.

An 8 tube Model 9 has never been seen before. If one had been, the hard core Marantz 9 owners/enthusiast would've known about it and so far not one has surfaced to the public eye. Furthermore, there is alot of info and articles about Sid Smith's struggle to get the 9 to the public. His quandary was regarding finding or making the "perfect" transformer which prompted Saul to bring in the help of Mr Sequerra. This unit is indeed a pre production prototype with a non potted transformer which ties right in to all the public articles about this struggle.

I wouldnt just say they are "out there", they're not.

We will know soon. Ive already been in touch with a few folks at D&M about it and have sent them all the info. They seemed very interested.
 
Umm... Yeah but, NOT with the finish like the one on my prototype black faceplate. The ones that went into production had a texture more like the original silver faceplate. This one was bought from a Marantz tech who worked for Marantz during that time period. It is NOT NOS. It IS a prototype black faceplate that they didnt go with. You know, sort of your prototype 9...

If stuff isn't out there, then how come I found this one? Stuff like this is out there, but they're very rare.
 
Anything is possible I guess. It does seem to be spray painted though. I'd love to see some high res images of it. Maybe they were experimenting with different finishes at the time however if this was a one off, I hope you didn't mount it.
 
It does look to be spray painted somewhat with maybe a little bit of some form of texture. I'm no paint expert so... The paint job isn't perfect either. Sort of has an orange peel finish. There is no lettering.

And that's exactly what it was. They were experimenting with different black finishes at the time. And this type of finish didn't make production.

My point was to the naysayers (not to you) that there is some of this stuff around albiet theyre rare. And it's not something you'd buy at the Marantz dealer as you know. In my case, I bought it from a Marantz tech of that time who would of had access to something like this. Sure, it's significance is not nearly as great as your proto 9, I realize that. I've read your thread in the Marantz forum and it's a real nice find.

BTW, Wanna trade? JUST KIDDIN'...
 
Fantastic find Bryan12V!

I wouldn't change a thing on it. Its kinda like a rare early American piece of furniture.....on the Antiques Road Show....where the guy says, "if it still had it's original finish" it would be worth triple....or more.

I would take your time and let word of this discovery seep out into the Marantz collectors grapevine. Its a once in a lifetime discovery.....and you have it....and you are in the drivers seat.

Your plan to make a Plexi display case and protect it is great....

Enjoy it.

Who knows, in twenty years.....it might pay for a couple years of your "future" kids college......or be a down payment on your first home.
 
Given that this Model 9 is probably unique it's current FMV is what the OP paid for it. To insure it for greater than the purchase price would mean getting a separate rider (?).
 
I disagree. The fmv is established by an educated and knowledgable appraisal, provided with the known history and working condition.

When I purchased a Garrard 301 Tt with an SME arm at a garage sale for $48, that price in no fashion established its value, nor it's worth, at that level for insurance purposes.

Get a rider for replacement value + historical value, and you are set.
 
Value and insured value are 2 different things. Insured value of wedding rings is almost always more than what you could actually sell it for. This Marantz 9 unicorn, goat, mule or whatever is in the same boat. Insure it for $20,000.00, knowing it's worth less.

If you want a value, put it on ebay with a $50,000 reserve and see where it goes.
 
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Karmices said:
Value and insured value are 2 different things. Insured value of wedding rings is almost always more than what you could actually sell it for. This Marantz 9 unicorn, goat, mule or whatever is in the same boat. Insure it for $20,000.00, knowing it's worth less.

If you want a value, put it on ebay with a $50,000 reserve and see where it goes.
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I'm with this guy. I think 20k is reasonable. There is a guy close to me who has serial # 5 & 6 of the reissue Model 9s and he was asking 40k for the pair.
I had mentioned in the other thread that it might be worth north of 30k... maybe that was an "in the moment" celebration over-inflation.... but I sincerely think that if you sold it, you would have enough to buy a pair of "regular" 9s....
 
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