For you Marantz lovers... here's a lovely 2265B

[Pacific Stereo]

I haven't had time to write anything up lately, as I have just been buried in work. But I did find the time to photograph another beauty, this time a 2265B. I know y'all like to see the glamor shots, so here's what she looks like now.

As usual, we start with the power supply. And as usual, I forgot to take a "before" photo. But here's a look at it afterward.

These are nice, because there's nothing terribly dangerous going on here. It gets some new semiconductors, new caps of course, and the relay gets serviced as well.

Next is the power amplifier stage. Here's a look at it before.

Some cooked caps, but again, nothing dangerous except perhaps the really dirty bias and offset pots. This gets new caps, new differential input transistors, new pots and some general service. I like this section because it's easily removed, like the Concept products.

Next up is the line stage.

It's full of those old electrolytics we're so fond of, so we change those out.

The filter section also gets some work, but it's pretty boring... so no photos.

The phono stage needs attention next, so let's look at it.

It gets new caps, and some semiconductors get changed to quieter devices.

The tuner in these is full of fun. For one, there are a zillion electrolytics in it. Also, this particular board does not match the board documented in either my paper, fiche or PDF versions of the manual. Ugh.

This gets new caps and a full alignment.

Here's a look at the top of the unit, all done.

And the bottom.

The vellum was also changed in this sample. On the bench, all lit up purdy!

And here she is enjoying a sunbath.

I know someone who is going to be very happy with his new girl; she sounds and looks great!

[ke4mcl]

As usual, amazing work!

[Boomchild]

In the phono stage why are there transistors and resistors in a condom?

[Pacific Stereo]

Well, I wish I could tell you exactly, but I don't know. The phono section also does not match the published schematic, and that area is precisely where it does not. I presume that they wanted physical strength in that tack-on.

[stefan1973]

Great Pictures Pacific .
Love that first Picture .
Middle out in nowhere

[Boomchild]

yeah waiting for a hawk to land on it!

[Skywavebe]

The parts are combined in such a shrink to stabilize them either thermally or that the associated part is heating the transistor. In this case I think the bias and transistor are being kept at the like temperature.

[Pacific Stereo]

Could very well be. Could also simply be for strength. I'll often glue or heat-shrink kludges.

[Trekmaster]

You the man! Someone indeed is going to be very happy!

[Gatorman082]

Great job! She's as pretty as a bride waiting to be married. Love the way you elevate your work to an art form. Monet and Manet would be proud.

[Scorpion8]

Hard to tell which is more impressive, the work or the photography. Beautiful!

[MarkC]

OK Pacific, one of these days your lovely mountainous green screen backdrop is going to fail you. Then we will see what the back room of your shop really looks like.

BTW, nice work!

[Pacific Stereo]

Hah! You know, it's occurred to me that folks might think it's chroma-keyed (it isn't). Thanks, everyone. That unit is on its way back, looking forward to a report from her owner. Got a few more Marantz pieces in the pipeline, including one I know everyone is going to love.

[stefan1973]

something like this Pacific ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MARANTZ-2325...-/261675964025

[catrafter]

Originally Posted by Pacific Stereo

Could very well be. Could also simply be for strength. I'll often glue or heat-shrink kludges.

This is what's under the shrink, it is then installed in place of Q405 and Q408. This was done on some 2265B, 2285B and 2330B models, I don't have a clue as to why. I haven't noticed a performance change between the ones that have it and the ones that don't.

[BrantBob]

Grasshopper, when you can restore a piece of vintage stereo perfectly without tearing the rice paper on the laboratory bench, you have reached true enlightenment. BTW, where did you buy the backdrop? I want one to hang in my lowly lab, master.

[Pacific Stereo]

Thanks, Catrafter. I hadn't looked at what was under the shrink-tubing. It certainly would be simpler to make a bunch of assemblies prior and then drop them in, rather than do them one at a time. I would guess that for whatever reason, they discovered they needed more gain there. A little odd that they're not identical devices, though.

@Bob: Well, the backdrop doesn't fit inside the house, I don't think they make them lab-sized!

[Pacific Stereo]

Normally I wouldn't do this, but I just heard from the owner and this just feels so good.

"My God, you do beautiful work. I'm at work today and tired as heck because I couldn't quit listening to it last night."

This is exactly why I do this, so everyone can have that magic. Love it.

[ddeangelo]

Pacific, sorry I took so long to reply. I can't describe how amazing my 2265B looks and sounds after you performed your magic on it.
Actually, I've been listening to it for 3 months and couldn't find time to post a reply!
I really can't say enough about your work. I'll have another one coming your way soon.
Thanks, Darrell.

[Boomchild]

Not only that PS, your packing is a work of art!