Marantz 500 Vintage Hi-Fi Power Amplifier Amp RARE
Marantz 500 Vintage Hi-Fi Power Amplifier Amp RARE
Current Price: 255.00
Current Bids: 6
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Marantz 500 Vintage Hi-Fi Power Amplifier Amp RARE!!!!! Complete Professional Rebuild!! The Best Vintage SS Amp
Marantz 500 Amplifier
Original Owner’s Manual
**Amp was fully and meticulously rebuilt by a very experience tech**, power supply capacitors, 34 transistors, and many other time weary components were replaced. Amp was then tested on an Audio Precision ATS-1 Test Set and exceeds the manufacturer’s specifications. Print out of results will be provided
The accomplishments of Saul Marantz in the 50's & 60's have forever changed the world of Hi-Fi. His line of audio components opened a new era of audio fidelity that many feel is still unrivaled today. Despite his design success, his fiscal success did not follow suit; ultimately his quest for perfection was to the detriment of his bottom line. In 1964, in an effort to stave off extinction of his company, Saul Marantz came to an agreement with Super Scope of America, they would be the new owners and the dream team of designers (Saul Marantz, Sid Smith, & Dick Sequerra) would remain intact. . This arrangement was successful in the short time that it lasted, yet the new ownership insistence on appealing to a broader population base and the old owner's unwillingness to put his heart into anything less than perfection caused an inevitable split. In order to ensure the continued existence of the company that bore his namesake, and maintain product integrity that wouldn't disgrace the family name, Saul Marantz assembled a very talented team of design engineers as a parting gift.
The post Saul Marantz era of the Marantz corporation was actually more successful than the pre. The company was well suited to compete with the influx of Japanese imports and they had the necessary resources to bank roll costly research and development projects of transistor technology. Arguably, the crowning achievement of this 2nd Marantz golden era was the Marantz 500 Power Amplifier.
Released in 1973 with a short 2 year production run while Marantz was in Sun Valley, California. The 500 was the flagship amplifier of Marantz’s product lineup and one of the most powerful Hi-fidelity amplifiers of tis day. It was Marantz’s most expensive amp, very few were sold. Total production run of this amp is approximately 1000. Today it is viewed by many as the best sounding vintage solid state amplifier of all time, and it is very hard not to agree. Sonically the 500 is a masterpiece that puts to shame many of today’s finest audiophile amplifiers. It has an obscene amount of power, yet not at the expense of musical fidelity. Unlike the competitors, the 500 output was not about numbers on a paper, its power is pure and effortless, music from all sources is natural and thoroughly musical. It is truly a joy to listen to. Your only regret with this amp is that you didn’t own it 35 years ago. Some of the many features and functions of the Marantz 500 include:
Power Level Adjustment The Model 500 is provided with a Power Level switch which provides three power level settings by limiting the output voltage. The output level of each channel is controlled by a separate Power Level switch. For stereo operation, both channels should be limited to the same power level. The Power Level switches automatically adjust the sensitivity of the meters to a range most suitable for monitoring the loudness level of the output at the power level selected. The Power Level switch has three positions, each marked to indicate the level of maximum undistorted output power available for a given load impedance in that switch position.50/100: - The undistorted output power is limited to 50 Watts RMS into an 8-ohm load or 100 Watts RMS into a 4-ohm load.150/300: - The undistorted output power is limited to 150 Watts RMS into an 8-ohm load or 300 Watts RMS into an 4-ohm load.250/500: - The full output is applied to the output terminals of the Model 500. Caution should be observed to ensure that this level of power will not damage your loudspeakers
2 Precision Moving Coil, Jeweled Bearing Meters The two meters in the Model 500 monitor the average output level of each power amplifier channel. Each meter indicates the average level of output power in relation to the limit selected by the Power Level switch.
2 Gain Controls The Model 500 is equipped with a Gain control for each audio channel. This control attenuates the input signal from maximum to the desired level. Since each channel is independently adjustable, these controls may be used to compensate for unbalanced program material, differences in loud- speaker efficiencies or unequal sound levels caused by speaker location
Voltage Conversion Special tapped primary allows easy conversion to 100VAC-to-220VAC
2 Input Provisions Inputs on the rear and the front are provided
2 Speaker Pair Provisions Binding posts on the rear and the front are provided
Complete Professional Rebuild The Marantz 500 has a reputation of not aging well. It was usually put in high demand situations and when passive components fall out of spec disasters can happen. To make matters worse, specific parts and transistors were exclusively made for the model 500, leading to improper repair by even the best intention techs. This Model 500 was completely overhauled by a very experienced tech with knowledge of vintage audio equipment. All the transistors in the output and driver stages were replaced with high grade modern replacements. All transistors were hand matched and are of superior quality to the originals. The 4 large 22,000 mdf 85v power supply capacitors were replaced with 24000 mdf 100v modern capacitors, also of superior quality. Other time weary components were replaced. Vu meters were calibrated; fan was completely overhauled, all lamps were replaced all switches were cleaned. Both channels were aligned in accordance with factory specification. Amp was tested on an Audio Precision ATS-1 Test Set and exceeds the manufacturer’s specifications in all respects. Amp sound is amazing, still true to the original Marantz 500 sound, no magic was lost.
Input Amplifier The input signal level to the input amplifier is determined by the setting of the Gain control. Within the input amplifier, the signal is a-c coupled to the input of an emitter follower (Q101) and a constant current source (Q102). The output of the emitter follower is a-c coupled to the inverting input of an unbalanced differential amplifier (01O3, Q122) whose gain and roll-off slopes are controlled by the feedback network from the output of the input amplifier. The other input to that differential amplifier is derived from a potentiometer which is adjusted for proper d-c operating point. Signal feedback to this input is from the output of the output power amplifier and sets the gain and roll-off slopes for the entire amplifier circuit. A constant current source (Q104) is provided to the emitter circuit of the differential amplifier to improve the common mode rejection ratio. The differential amplifier output is applied to an transforming, level shifting circuit (Q105) which provides the input to a single ended voltage amplifier (Q106) which, in turn, supplies the input to a complementary voltage follower (Q108, Q1O9). Q107 is a current source for Q106. The voltage followers isolate the voltage amplifier from outside impedance variations. The output of the input amplifier is the combined output of the voltage followers.
Voltage Amplifier The input amplifier output is directly coupled to the non-inverting inputs of complementary balanced differential amplifiers (Q110, Q111, and Q112, Q113). The output is applied to complementary voltage amplifiers (Q1 17, Q1 18). A portion of the voltage amplifier output is returned through an internal feedback loop, to the non-inverting input of the differential amplifier to set the gain and roll-off. The other input of the differential amplifier is referenced to ground
Output Power Amplifier The output of the voltage amplifier is applied to the input of a current amplifier pre-driver stage (Q301). The output of the pre-driver is applied to a current and voltage amplifier driver stage (Q302), which supplies the input to the power output stage. The power output stage is a current amplifier utilizing four, unity voltage gain, power transistors (Q303, Q304, Q305, Q306) in parallel, and provides the output power to the system loudspeakers. Bias regulation for the output section of each audio channel is provided by five diode junctions (CR301, CR302) and one transistor (Q201), which compensate for temperature variations and prevent thermal-runaway.
Output Limit Protection Circuit The output level is limited by a complementary circuit (Q116, 01 20, and Q119, Q121) which continuously samples the output of the amplifier. The ratio of the sampled signal to the actual output is determined by the setting of the Power Level switch. As the output is driven beyond the selected level, a voltage limiting circuit is activated which restricts the output level of the high voltage amplifier.
SOA Limit Protection Circuit The SOA (Safe Operating Area) limit circuit (Q114, Q202, and Q1 15, (2203) monitors the current and voltage level in the output transistors. The circuit limits the instantaneous output current as a function of the voltage across the transistors to a safe level and protects against overload or short circuit conditions
Thermal Switches A temperature-sensing switch is installed in direct contact with the case of one of the power output transistors in each channel. Any condition which causes the transistor case to reach an unsafe temperature will open the switch, disconnecting the load from both channels of the amplifier. Power will continue to be supplied to the entire unit including the fan on the output transistor heatsink assembly. The speakers will remain disconnected until about 10 seconds after the transistor case temperature is reduced to an acceptable level
Speaker Protection Circuit The speaker protection circuit includes a relay, a time delay circuit, and a solid-state sensing network. The time delay circuit delays the energizing of the relay coil until all circuits within the amplifier have stabilized (usually about 7 seconds). Should large amounts of low frequency (below 5 Hz) or a d-c level greater than 6 volts appear on the output of the amplifier, the relay is de-energized, disconnecting the load from the amplifier.
Line In-Rush limiting Circuit When the Model 500 is turned ON a special relay and a cur-rent limiting high power resistor are activated to limit the line current surge at "TURN-ON" to a value which will be easily acceptable by any standard AC outlet in the home
And Much More!
Actual 500 in Video****Please view in full 1080p by checking appropriate resolution in settings box****
Power Output Three power Output Settings:50/100: - The undistorted output power is limited to 50 Watts RMS into an 8-ohm load or 100 Watts RMS into a 4-ohm load.150/300: - The undistorted output power is limited to 150 Watts RMS into an 8-ohm load or 300 Watts RMS into an 4-ohm load.250/500: - The undistorted output power is 250 Watts RMS into an 8-ohm load or 500 Watts RMS into an 4-ohm load Power at Clipping (250/500 RANGE) 250 Watts RMS per channel, both channels driven into 8-ohm loads, 20 Hz to 20 KHz. Typically greater than 300 Watts. Total Harmonic Distortion Less than 0.05% at rated power output from 20 Hz to 20 KHz with both channels driven. Intermodulation Distortion Less than 0.05% at rated power output with both channels driven (S.M.P.T.E.). Channel Separation Greater than 60 dB, 20 Hz to 20 KHz. Frequency Response 20 Hz to 20 KHz at rated power output +/-0.1 dB. Power Bandwidth 5 Hz to 35 KHz. 5 Hz to 45 KHz @ 0.1% THD Damping Factor Greater than 400 Sensitivity 2.25 Volts for 250 Watts into 8-ohm load with Gain Controls fully clockwise. Hum & Noise Better than 106 dB below 250 Watts. (8-ohm load) Input Impedance 33K ohms with Gain Controls fully clockwise. Square Wave Response Tilt: Less than 20% at 20 Hz. Undershoot: NoneOvershoot: NoneRise Time: Less than 2.5 microseconds.Slewing Rate: Faster than 11 Volts per microsecond Phase Shift Leading 9° at 20 Hz. Lagging 9° at 20 KHz. Meter Movement > Precision moving coil, jewel bearing meter movement. Turn-On 5 to 10 seconds delay prevents transient surges at turn-on from reaching output terminals. Input current limiting circuit reduces line inrush current to 50 amperes. Power Supply 2.2 Kilowatt transformer; high current, silicon bridge rectifiers, and computer grade energy storage devices capable of energy storage exceeding 280 joules Voltage Conversion Special tapped primary allows easy conversion to 100 VAC or 220 VAC operation Protection Built-in circuits, together with line and supply fuses, provide protection against overload. Controls Independent front panel Gain Controls and Power Level selector switch. Power Consumption 300 W Power Requirements Switchable to accept90 to 110 VAC 108 to 132 VAC 198 to 242 VAC 50/60Hz Front Panel Standard 19" x 7", with RETMA mounting hole spacing. Dimensions 19” x 7” x 18 ¼” D Weight 62 lbs unpacked
As mentioned above amp completely overhauled by a very experienced tech with knowledge of vintage audio equipment. All the transistors in the output and driver stages were replaced with high grade modern replacements. All transistors were hand matched and are of superior quality to the originals. The 4 large 22,000 mdf 85v power supply capacitors were replaced with 24000 mdf 100v modern capacitors, also of superior quality. Other time weary components were replaced. Vu meters were calibrated; fan was completely overhauled, all lamps were replaced all switches were cleaned. Both channels were aligned in accordance with factory specification. Amp was tested on an Audio Precision ATS-1 Test Set and exceeds the manufacturer’s specifications in all respects. Amp sound is amazing, still true to the original Marantz 500 sound, no magic was lost. Cosmetically there are some nicks on the top & bottom edges of the faceplate. Handles have some scratches. There are a few minor scratches variously located.
This is a No Reserve Auction so it will go to the highest bidder. 
I specialize in shipping large delicate items and I know what it will take to pack this right. All you have to pay towards shipping, insurance, packaging material, and expert packing is $63.75 to anywhere in the continental U.S. I will also ship this unit World Wide and will only charge the Actual Shipping cost. Please note: the item pictured is guaranteed to be the actual item you will receive. None of my pictures are taken off other peoples pages or web sites, so bid with confidence - what you see is what you get! PayPal and any other eBay approved payments gladly accepted! (please email for details) Never a handling fee, buyer pays actual shipping as stated above.
International bidders welcome.
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Click here to purchase Marantz 500 Vintage Hi-Fi Power Amplifier Amp RARE on eBay!
This auction is valid until 2011-02-22T02:45:13.000Z
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