VA50 Posted September 2, 2012 Posted September 2, 2012 (edited) I have these two Marantz amps and i am going to sell one and keep the other as my bedroom unit. The SR325 i fully refurbished a few years ago and it works a treat and has never let me down. The Pm140 i collected recently and it was dead so i repaired it but haven't done it's caps yet, works fine though. They both sound pretty much identical but the Pm140 is a bit more powerful. Marantz sr325 30w RMS ch@4-16 ohms Way over sized transformer Recapped with Nichicon gold caps Nice solid dials with no scratchy pots STK4833 IC Marantz Pm140 40w RMS ch@8-16ohms Average size transformer Original Elna caps Slides with almost no scratchy noise solid state with Toshiba Transistors. I'm having a hard time choosing one but i'm leaning towards the SR325, It's more solid, fully refurbished, looks nicer, has dials instead of slides and i have had it a few years. Edited September 2, 2012 by vintageaudio50
Vintage_Hi_Fi Posted September 2, 2012 Posted September 2, 2012 I'd go with the PM140 as it uses proper transistors - the STK chips can be unreliable and more expensive to source. The PM-140 is definitely more servicable and should sound nicer with the same level of restoration - good luck
Batty Posted September 2, 2012 Posted September 2, 2012 I agree I have just scored a Technics that has a STK chip and probably will move it on.
Sub Sonic Posted September 2, 2012 Posted September 2, 2012 Forgive my ignorance here, is the STK a chip amp? Regards, SS
Batty Posted September 2, 2012 Posted September 2, 2012 (edited) Forgive my ignorance here, is the STK a chip amp? Regards, SS Yes here is an example, in this case an SVI 3205 Edited September 2, 2012 by Batty
Addicted to music Posted September 2, 2012 Posted September 2, 2012 I'd go with the PM140 as it uses proper transistors - the STK chips can be unreliable and more expensive to source. The PM-140 is definitely more servicable and should sound nicer with the same level of restoration - good luck Agreed with this 100%
VA50 Posted September 2, 2012 Author Posted September 2, 2012 I replaced the STK chip when i got the amp, $15 with free shipping from Brazil. Also it's not a PM140 i meant to write SR140, same as a PM140 but with a inbuilt tuner. I like the PM140 but i don't like it's flimsy slide volume and it's plastic face. The sr325 is defiantly better built with aluminum face plate, solid dials and huge transformer. Just as others said the STK chips are bad and i have to agree. I've had one blow in a onkyo amp before. The result was 90v to the left speaker!
Vintage_Hi_Fi Posted September 2, 2012 Posted September 2, 2012 mmmmm.. the volume control knob/slider can be a deal breaker for a lot of enthusiasts - the feel of it alone is a means for many to depict its supposed quality! If you can fix them yourself maybe refurb both and do a shoot out and report back which sounds better
VA50 Posted September 2, 2012 Author Posted September 2, 2012 (edited) The sr325 already is refurbed and broken in, When i got it i replaced the STK for safe measure and replaced all the caps with nichicon caps, It made a big difference. The amp use to distort at a volume of 3 and now it seems to handle up 6 which is as far as I've pushed it. I might refurbish the sr140, I'm not sure. I payed $5 for it and it's tape player planning to hopefully fix it and sell it for a profit to put money towards my drums. I know of a good supplier in Hong Kong who i can get genuine nichicon capps from really cheap. Cost me about $20 in capps to do the whole entire SR325. So if they quote me cheap for the SR140 i probably will do it. We'll see Edited September 2, 2012 by vintageaudio50
oldrose Posted September 3, 2012 Posted September 3, 2012 I'd keep the SR325 on usability alone. Those linear volume sliders are awful unless you only listen at one volume level..
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