Legendary Marantz Model 500 Vintage Amplifier in the BOX!

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The Model 500 is one of the rarest and most collectible solid state amplifiers from Marantz. It's even more rare to find one in this condition, let alone in the original box!

This amplifier came to us from a very large collection and it's pretty evident it saw little action.

There are no visible signs of use or wear. It was definitely well taken care of.

The faceplate, knobs, and all markings are all intact, while the meters are even and responsive. Bulbs are bright and evenly lit (although compared to a McIntosh amplifier, Marantz by design used much lower powered back lighting).

We have tested this amplifier on our workbench where it passed with flying colors. All components were evaluated and checked for any signs of stress and the amplifier was biased to ensure proper operation. Due to its build quality and low use it did not need much else.

This listing includes the inner and outer box as shown in our listing photos.

At the time of writing, the only other 500 we could find in this condition is from Audioscope priced at 7,999 Euros / $8,650 USD.

SPECS:

RMS Power Per Channel 250 @ 8 ohms, 500 @ 4 ohms

Damping Factor @ Load Impedance

>400

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.1%

Power Bandwidth 20Hz to 20 KHz

Frequency Response 2 Hz to 100KHz at +/- 1.5 dB

Hum and Noise >106 dB below 250 watts

Signal to Noise Ratio 110 dB

Intermodulation Distortion (IM) 0.1%

Input Sensitivity for Full Output 2.25 volts

Gain Control(s) Yes, Separate Left & Right

Output Meter(s) 2, precision moving coil, jeweled bearings

Cooling Fan(s) Yes

Our Testing Process for Amplifiers (Solid State) at SkyFi:

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure there are no signs of stress or aging. Capacitors are checked for telltale sings of bulging or leaking, resistors are checked for signs of overheating or cracking, and transistors are checked for signs of stress or damage.

We then power up the unit carefully and run a simple 1k sine wave while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of distortion or noise. Finally, we run the amplifier to its full rated power into the appropriate resistive load provided by our Sencore amplifier tester. If there is an issue, it will usually be noticeable at this point. If everything reads clean, we will often test for THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) measured by our Keithley distortion meter, and compare it against the original manufacturers specifications. The amplifier then remains powered on to "burn in" on our test bench for a few hours to make sure there are no heat related issues. If there are balanced inputs available they will be also be tested.

Final testing involves pushing actual music thorough the amplifier. We've learned over time that some issues are only noticeable to a trained ear while listening to familiar source material. Our test bench has reference vintage KEF speakers that we're very familiar with which quickly reveal any discrepancies. Some amplifiers will then move into our listening room where they are tested with our in-house reference speakers of choice.

Please click here for detailed specifics regarding our specialized packing process that separates us from the rest.