Using Marantz 1060 as Pre into newer (more powerful) amp.

[MowntinTime]

I'm new to the audiophile game and I have recently been presented with a dilemma. A little background...two years ago I acquired my first vintage components: a Marantz 1060, a Marantz 110 tuner and an AR turntable. A little later I happened upon a pair of Infinity WTLC speakers in my town. This little, modest system provided me great listening pleasure until the 1060 became overheated (long story) and I lost a channel. Taking a step back, the guy I bought the Infinities from recommended an amp of at least 100W to get the best out of them. Obviously the 1060 wasn't that, so I have always thought an upgrade would be coming along soon. Soon became now when it burned out so now I am on the hunt for a bigger, more powerful amp. After endless research, I have landed on the Adcom GFA 555 as the best bang for the buck with more power than I will ever use. Still, I really loved the warmth of my 1060 and the aesthetics of the little Marantz set up. My question is: can I use the 1060 as a preamp in front of the Adcom? The idea would be for the Marantz to be out front with the Adcom behind the scenes, providing the muscle. I know the Adcom represents a much higher level of tech and quality, but I love the sound and nostalgia value of the Marantz, I just need more power! I apologize if this question is naive. It's my first post.

 

[everettT]

Most speakers in the 60s and 70s were fine with very low watt amps, as not many were difficult loads. You could add an amp, but if it were me I'd just new gear as something else might go next.

 

[Leemix]

If you get a 2 ch integrated amp with home theater bypass you could have it both ways, old marantz pre amp through HT bypass or new through the other inputs on a new integrated amp. Might cost a bit more then a power amp though but will give you a lot of options.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Swerd]

My question is: can I use the 1060 as a preamp in front of the Adcom?

Yes, you can easily do that. Marantz integrated amps and receivers from the early 1970s were built to do that. I do the same with an old 2230 receiver.

On the back panel, look for the Main In and Pre Out jacks (see below). Remove the existing bridges, and run a pair of RCA stereo interconnects between the left & right Pre Out jacks to the inputs of the Adcom amp. Connect the speakers to the Adcom amp (obviously). Be sure to allow ventilation so the Adcom amp can't overheat.

 

[M Code]

The 1060 was the best selling integrated amplifier in its day a close associate who worked @ Marantz for many years told me they sold >225K of the 1060s... Very popular just to use the front-end as a preamp..

Just my $0.02...

 

[markw]

. My question is: can I use the 1060 as a preamp in front of the Adcom? The idea would be for the Marantz to be out front with the Adcom behind the scenes, providing the muscle.

Assuming the preamp stage of the 1060 is working, then yes.