Marantz 1030 Integrated Amplifier:

This is my 1971 Marantz 1030. A quick internet search says these were produced from 1973 through 1978, but mine is factory stamped “Feb 71,” and I think I have a 1971 issue of High Fidelity advertising this amp as well. This was Marantz’s lowest-powered integrated amp, rated at 15 WPC into 4 or 8 ohms. If you want to use it as a power amp, aim for speakers with 90+ dB sensitivity. My 1974 Sansui 551, rated at a humble 16 WPC, will blow this little Marantz into the weeds. Still, that usually isn’t the way I use it.

I bought this many years ago used and had it recapped (that should be a story in itself — what a nightmare). I’ve really mostly used this as a preamp. It’s an early version, serial number 1471 (the 471st produced), and it has the rare preamp/amp out along with the lovely engraved face. The cabinet is an early one as well — especially well made and heavy.

As a preamp the 1030 shines. It’s exceptionally smooth with no fatigue whatsoever. If you love classical, solo instruments, or a jazz trio, this could be for you. Calling it “laid back” is an understatement; it soothes rather than pushes. I still use it, and when it isn’t doing office duties as an integrated amp, I’ll put it into my main system when the mood calls for its particular character.

I’ve paired the 1030 with a variety of power amps over the years: a Phase Linear 400, a SUMO Andromeda, a Nikko Beta ONE, and a Crown XLI 1500. The Marantz was happiest with the SUMO — a fabulous amplifier by any measure.

One of the things that attracted me to this little Marantz was its size and its just-right set of basic controls. I’ve always thought it looked better than the busier, more powerful Marantz 1060. For those seeking a compact, elegant preamp with a warm, relaxed presentation — especially for acoustic, classical, and small-ensemble jazz — the 1030 remains a excellent choice.

Welcome:

I have been and audio nut since I was maybe 11.  I cut grass and saved hard to buy a stereo.  Looking through catalog houses and retail department stores at what I thought were amazing stereos.  As you can imagine, being 11 in the early 70's when everyone had a cool stereo there was much to learn.  I ended up saving my hard-earned money and buying a Soundesign component system.  An am/fm stereo receiver with built in 8-track tape player, two 'air suspension' speakers and a BSR ceramic cartridge turntable.  I even bought a stereo stand to complete the look.  (Yeah, I am going to write about it too.) 

About a year or so later, I was talking to my 2^nd cousin Clifford who was maybe 15 years older than me.  Clifford had the first real hi-fi I had ever seen.  Pioneer speakers, a Kenwood receiver, Garrard turntable/changer and a Sony 7" reel to reel.  I was blown away by not just the sound, but how amazing everything looked.

To my shock and dismay, Clifford sold his hi-fi.  Why I asked.  'Cause' he said. 'I am going to get the new Sansui 9090'.  I had never heard of Sansui.  Then he showed me a magazine ad and that was it.  I knew one day I would own a Sansui 9090, and so my journey began of reading magazines of all the reviews, finding hi-fi shops looking at all the gear, working hard and saving my money.  I sought out and found others who were also into hi-fi.  

 

That was more than 50 years ago.  When I look back at all the gear that I have owned it is almost embarrassing.  Especially now, my tastes have matured I am stunned at what I have in my stereo cabinet today.  I think many my age has all gone through the same treadmill of trade in and up, only to find years later, that it was never really a trade up.  But we will get to that another time.

 

For now, this blog is basically for anyone who loves vintage hi-fi and of course music.   Don't take anything here too serious.  It's just me talking about what I have had and learned.  I will welcome comments and thoughts, but remember this is a hobby.  It's fun, enjoyable.  There are really no right answers.  If it sounds good to you, then it is good.  That's what matters most.

 

I will talk about various systems and components.  What has worked for me and what hasn't. The people I've met in audio through the years and just how small a network it is of us who just love our vintage hi-fi's.  I still listen every day and it's just the best time ever.  So please, forgive the crummy cell phone and iphone shots of some of the gear I’ve owned.  I never really planned on doing this, and I would rather show crummy photos of what I actually owned, as opposed to sourcing photos on line.  You can do that yourself.  

 

One thing you will notice as I talk about music and gear, is my stereo stand.  It’s will be the most consistent thing you see.  I purchased it back in 1995, as my wife insisted that if the hifi is staying in the living room, that it has to look nice.  

I also want to say that I am not an audiophile.  I am a music lover.  I am also a musician and at one time early in my life worked as a studio musician.  So, I know how music should sound, how it is recored and have extensive knowledge of working in recording studios.  This has really benefited me when it comes to selecting components.  I don’t particularly care about the way something looks, I care about the way it sounds.  I don’t look at it, I listen to it.  

So, welcome to Vintage Listening and thanks for stopping by.

 

Norman a.k.a “oldhifinut”