Marantz 
Marantz/Superscope Technologies
1508 Batavia Avenue,
Geneva, IL 60134
The company was founded in New York, but is now based in Japan.
Saul B. Marantz was fascinated by electronics from his boyhood days in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York. His passion for music led to his first attempts at building audio components in the 1950's. 1952 Saul Marantz sells his first audio product, the "Consolette" pre-amp.
In 1964, Marantz was acquired by Superscope Inc. In1966 Beginning with the Model 25, and then 22 and 28, Marantz starts manufacturing its products in Japan through a partnership with Standard Radio Corp. In 1975 Standard Radio Corp. changes its name to Marantz Japan Inc.
After the sale to Superscope, Marantz stayed as president until 1968 and then retired -- briefly. 
In 1972, he co-founded the Dahlquist Company, a maker of high-quality loudspeakers, serving as president until his second retirement in 1978.
1974 A Marantz manufacturing plant is opened on the Péronnes-lez-Binche site, Walloon Region, Belgium
Superscope pursued a strategy of marketing Marantz as a premiere brand of quality consumer audio products, and Superscope consumer audio products as its budget line "made by Marantz."
In 1980 Superscope sells the Marantz brand, dealer network, and all overseas assets (except U.S. and Canada) to Philips Electronics.
In 1983 Marantz's audio enhancement technology (Marantz Enhanced Digital Stereo) is introduced
In 1987 the Marantz Company was purchased by Dynascan Corporation (today's Cobra Electronics Corp).
By 1990, Cobra had sold the Marantz brand to Philips Electronics. In 1992 Philips acquires U.S. and Canada trademarks and dealer network.
In 1993, Superscope Technologies, Inc. was formed by acquiring rights to the Superscope brand and distribution rights for Marantz Professional audio products.
In 1997 Saul Marantz dies aged 85.
In 2001 Marantz Japan Inc. acquires the brand and all overseas sales subsidiaries
In 2002 Marantz Japan and Denon merge to form D&M Holdings, to later be joined by other higher-end audio equipment brands such as Boston Acoustics
In 2008 Philips sells its remaining stake in D&M Holdings, ending a 28-year relationship between Philips and Marantz
In 2014 Marantz Professional acquired by inMusic Brands
Marantz PMD-660 is a portable, solid-state, compact flash audio field recorder. (right)
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This
is our original Marantz 5420 and was used for cassette masters
and also used on location for a mixer (utilized the 4 channel input
and "pan" capabilities).
  
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- Freq Response 30-17,000
- Signal to Noise .60
- Speed 1.875 ips
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Motors 1
- Timing accuracy .07%
- Weight 20.6 lb
- Price $399.95
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It looks as though Marantz was looking to enter the reel to reel market just as it was winding down.
Year 1978
$2500.00 (as reported in the
May 1979 Stereo Review)
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Dual-capstan transport Reel to Reel, Full logic, live switching from any mode to any other mode
Heads - 6, two 4-track record, two 4-track play, two 2-track erase
3 3/4, 7 1/2, and 15 ips
Reel switch Electronic, 7 or 10 inch settings |
As this unit appears to be a a one-off production, a Marantz special project, we may never know what the specifications were supposed to be. |
The P at the end of the serial number probably means "Prototype". If I learn of any production units (or other prototypes), I will add that information here.
All I know for sure is, it sounds great, and it mates with my other gear perfectly both sonically and visually. The find of a lifetime!
Contributed by Ben
on February 7th, 2001
- ClassicAudio.com |
This is a couple of photos of the Marantz 7700 reel tape recorder built in 1978. It was reviewed in the April 1979 Stereo Review - "...with impressively smooth tape handling, three speeds, and a comprehensive array of controls for bias and equalization, servicing adjustments, and editing.".
Third party photos
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