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Amp Recommendations for Marantz 7c

Hey All,

I recently acquired a Marantz 7 with intentions in setting up a second system that would be more or less a vintage set up. While I await work to be completed, I was looking into amplification options. The obvious choice would be it’s mate, 8 or 8b amps, however trying to keep this system budget friendly. Wondering what some of amp the owners out there have matched their 7c with positive result. Anyone try a restored or modded Dynaco st70 or a SS? Should be noted, I am up in the air with speaker match...Guess that will depend on what amp I purchase.

c_cocobean
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,272 posts
 

Fred’s Sound Of Music in Portland Oregon has the 7C/8B combo for sale. I don’t know if they’ll separate them, but a call to them will get an answer.

Roger Modjeski of Music Reference/RAM Tubes said he considered the 8B superior to the Model 9, and didn’t much care for the Citation amps at all. But Roger was (R.I.P.) a very opinionated SOB ;-) .

Ya know, for the price of modified/updated Dynaco Stereo 70’s, you can get the wonderful little Music Reference RM-10 Mk.2, a far better amp (I’ve had both). If you do want an ST-70, the redesign Frank Van Alstine did is a good one.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,164 posts
 

Roger Modjeski of Music Reference/RAM Tubes said he considered the 8B superior to the Model 9, and didn’t much care for the Citation amps at all.

I think the 8b was a better amp than the model 9 as well. But the Citation 2 was better than either; one way that it was better was better output transformers. I do prefer some of the construction of the Marantz power amps but the Citation is no slouch in that regard- most of its circuitry is built up on turret boards.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,272 posts
 

And of course there is no output transformer as good as none, so if you have the $ and the "right" loudspeaker (the higher and most even its’ modulus of impedance the better, and relatively sensitive) and room (small-to-medium), look into Atma-Sphere’s fantastic S-30.

c_cocobean OP
20 posts
 

Appreciate the feedback. I am leaning towards Quad 2 mono amps or an Eico HT87. Challenge is finding one of these properly restored. 

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,272 posts
 

@c_cocobean: I have owned and enjoyed the Dynaco Stereo 70, a pair of the Quad 2 mono’s, an early 50w ARC (the Dual 51), and have heard (admittedly briefly) VTL’s, Jadis’, New York Audio Labs Moscodes, Conrad-Johnson’s, a modified (by Robert Fulton) Stereo 70, and numerous other smaller tube amps.

If I was now looking for a small tube amp to buy it would be the Music Reference RM-10 Mk.2. Since it was introduced in the 1990’s and it’s designer/builder is no longer with us, I guess it can be considered a vintage piece ;-). Occasionally available for around $1500, it is a beaut!.

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