Marantz Model 5 Monoblocks

charles hidalgo

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Does anyone here own a pair or have heard a pair? I'll say for right now I'm staring at a pair that are the easiest 9 out of a 10 that I personally have ever seen. That's all for now.

:think
 
Whoa, now those are something you don’t see everyday..or any day for that matter. Hope you get them!
 
Wow! I’ll bet you are excited to get those up and running.
Well yes and no. I have not purchased them yet but a friend called me over last night and he showed them to me. He deals a lot in vintage furniture, gear, etc..... I'm looking at it two ways. As stock mint they are a very desirable pieces if not legendary to many as we all know commanding from 6-9,000.00 from the sold prices I have seen and many not in this good of condition. For a collector stock is a no brainer but then do they sound that good stock? As higher end audio listeners we tend to like modifying things to our liking (many of us anyway) with non OEM parts to the sound the way we might like but doing that would kill the value for these particular amps. I have first shot before he even will mention to others and he's notified me first in the past and I have brought home Klipshorns as a result of him only living 20 minutes from me. Not sure what I'll do but he also dropped a hint on me yesterday he has a bead on a Garrard 301 so F*ck me I know I'd probably get that if offered. I'm not sure about the amps though. It is a rare opportunity that has been dropped in my lap though and I definatly realize it.

SilverGreedyFinch-size_restricted.gif
 
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That is a dilemma. I went through a similar thought process with my MC240, but ended up doing a full rebuild. It’s my amp and I want to listen to it.

If it were me and the price was doable, I would probably buy them and at the very least update the electrolytics. But then, it’s easy for me to spend your money. ;)
 
In my conversations with Jeffrey Jackson (EMIA) over my Western Electric 124 he's noted at many points how far capacitors have come. In his experience, there's merit to the earliest capacitors (sometimes electrolytics) and original film coupling caps, but as a whole this equipment is better served by the best of our current technology. Looks like there are only two electrolytics in there, should be minimally invasive.

I speak from experience here: yes, you might take a hit if you were to sell it since overseas markets prize purity in their original pieces (you're right in prizing the dust) - but if these things are as good as we say they are, then go through the effort of making them excellent again.

I'd say go for it. Only one way to learn.
 
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Well yes and no. I have not purchased them yet but a friend called me over last night and he showed them to me. He deals a lot in vintage furniture, gear, etc..... I'm looking at it two ways. As stock mint they are a very desirable pieces if not legendary to many as we all know commanding from 6-9,000.00 from the sold prices I have seen and many not in this good of condition. For a collector stock is a no brainer but then do they sound that good stock? As higher end audio listeners we tend to like modifying things to our liking (many of us anyway) with non OEM parts to the sound the way we might like but doing that would kill the value for these particular amps. I have first shot before he even will mention to others and he's notified me first in the past and I have brought home Klipshorns as a result of him only living 20 minutes from me. Not sure what I'll do but he also dropped a hint on me yesterday he has a bead on a Garrard 301 so F*ck me I know I'd probably get that if offered. I'm not sure about the amps though. It is a rare opportunity that has been dropped in my lap though and I definatly realize it.

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If the 301 passes you by, please send my way! :over:
 
Those are cool. Coming after the gucci-factor of my Fairchild 275s!

I agree with @old_borg ... I had my Fairchilds pimped out by Dave Gillespie with quality modern stuff because I wanted "Hot rods" that I could drive every day without worrying about them. I doubt you'd take a huge hit over original if you flipped them. Lots of guys that want to RUN them and not have museum pieces.

I'd grab them if the price was fair.

- Woody
 
I am completely ignorant about the vintage audio market, so this may not make any sense. But what about carefully desoldering and removing without cutting the parts one would like to upgrade and keeping them so that they can be reinstalled?

cheers, Derek
 
It all depends on what you want to do with it. I wouldn't power those on in my workshop with the original caps; to me it's too risky. I also know a person or two who wouldn't buy or use a vintage amp like that without all the original parts still inside.

(They do sound better when they are refreshed)
 
Cool amps with a lot of wow factor.
A lot of "patina" so to speak, I agree with Paul's comments.
Sketchy to power up and not restoring properly with hurt their value.
 
Sorry been away. If i get them I planned to save every part I replace or upgrade. If I get them they will be used as I am not a collector (though many would disagree) I like to run my stuff. :)

These are in fine working condition and were last listened to this last year. Nothing will get powered up though until they go to my friend Jim's shop.

Cheers guys I will definatly let you know soon as I'm sure he's itching to sell them if I do not take them. In a few hours I turn 51 so tonight and I promised my other half I'd just go have some fun.

Charlie
 
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