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A Marantz PM4 dating from the early eighties. Although a buget model and not badged so, it was actually part of the Esotec range.

Switchable between 15WPC pure class A or 60WPC in class A/B it dates from the pre digital days and I love it all the more for it! Two phono inputs, one MM and the other MM or MC, very confusing tape monitoring facilities, tone controlls (defeatable) a sub-sonic filter and even a friggin loudness button. A propper mono button, headphone socket and the facility to run a second pair of speakers, its got the lot!

Been trying it out with the built in phono stage and the class A button pressed in, the result? A huge sound stage, real bass and loads of flat earth shit. Ohh, and heatsinks to hot to touch.

Paul.

A lovely bit of kit. I've very nearly taken a punt one one in the past.

Tony.

I once saw one of these in the office of an A&R manager, between a cassette deck (forget which one) and a pair of Lowthers. Nice!

How much did you get it for?

Lefty

Paul , should keep you warm this winter:D

How much did you get it for?

Lefty

Paid £185 off Ebay. They were £299 new in 1980, and Marantz "found" 200 of them in a European warehouse in 1985 and floged 'em for 250. Kept its value better than most I would say.

Its funny, but it is just one of those things that have stuck in my mind for years for some reason. Ken Kesler waxed lyrical about it in some magazine or other and I realy fancied getting one then but went down some other path.
I saw this one on ebay and stuck a bid on with a few days to go and won it with less than two quid to spare. The amazing thing is, the seller has included that very same KK review! Its from HFN&RR, May 1985. Spooky.

Playing some Miles Davies at the momment and feel a long night comming on!

Paul , should keep you warm this winter:D

To right! Actually, I switched it over to class A/B an hour or so ago and it cooled of in a matter of minutes, so those massive heat sinks seem upto the job!

That is seriously sweet - like it, lots :)

One cool mofo.

Niiiiiice.

what?

2009 posts?

I've yet to say ANYTHING...

Yeah, cool... er I mean HOT... ouch.

Mr Tibbs

Nice one Paul, will look forward to hearing that

Andy

Love the look of it, love to hear one.

I often see Marantz Esotec SCM-600's and 1000's in Tokyo...maybe i'll bring some back next time!!

Richard

OK, a quick recap. I bought this amp a couple of years ago now. Plugged it in, liked it a lot, waxed lyrical about it then it threw a strop. It kept cutting out on one channel in the pre amp section so it went into the spare room and was replaced by a Rega Mira 3, and it has been there until a couple of days ago.

Wife is away for a week so I decided to have another look inside. Not sure why I missed it the first time round but it has actually been re-capped at some point. There was also evidence of the volume pot having been sprayed with some cleaner at some point so with nothing to lose I gave all the switches and pots a really good clean, put the covers back on and hooked her up.

Well, a couple of hours later we still have stereo so fingers crossed.....

And how does it sound with the Tannoys and the new TT? Well, the Mira will be making a one way trip to Ebay land thats for sure. My initial impressions have been reinforced on the qualities of this amp, only it seems to have fallen in love with the Tannoys. Both amp and speakers can be described as "vintage" but there sure as hell isn't anything old or woolly about the sounds they make. A valve like midrange with startlingly realistic vocals is the first thing that hits you, but throw in smooth extended treble and deeeeep well defined bass and I am well impressed. Ohh, and this is all in class A/B, I have yet to hit the magical class A button.

Time will tell if the missing channel has returned for good and Wife wont be happy as she hates the looks, but as I sit here listening to some Jackson Browne I am a well happy bunny.