Integrated Amp

Integrated Amp

Why does my Marantz Integrated Amp Model 1060 manufactured in the early 70's sound better than...?

...anything comparable in cost today?

It's only 60 watts, not loud enough for a party, but loud enough for yourself in a room, or a small get together. And whatever the loudness doesn't cover, the sound quality makes up for it. It's got a nice warm room-filling sound. With the right pair of speakers it sounds like heaven.

http://www.classic-audio.com/marantz/1060.html

Why don't they make them like this anymore?

Im glad you discovered that classic quality built electronics have better sound. Marantz in its day was very hi-end and to this day in some areas is still considered some of the best. There 10b tuner which in its day sold for under $600 is now very much sought after and generally sells for over $3500.
Yes this was a tube tuner, but their solid state units again were very good in their day.

Their tube amplifers are also very much sought after.

When it comes to mid fi electronics, they must be manufactured at a certain price point in order to be profitable. So now days because of part costs and manufacturing costs, cheaper parts are having to be used and rather than being hand built and hand wired they use machines in most of the process to again keep cost down. Its not that manufactures cant build a good sounding product much of the hi-end industry is just that, but the mid fi electronics are compromised because of price point and costs. Not to mention most manufactures think consumers want features over sound quality. "Surround Sound" is all the rage sad to say, and not sound quality.

And as you've decovered its quality of power not quantity of power that matters.
So glad to hear you decovered higher quality sound. Enjoy

Kevin

35 years hi-end audio specialist

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