why are old school amps worth so much?

[tsmith1315]

Originally posted by tomtomjr
Any info on them would be appreciated. Maybe a brochure from back then? Car audio mag article? (Tim, can you see if you have any info in those old mags of yours?) ...

Man, where do you come up with this stuff???

The last I saw of Marantz car audio was an old cassette deck in a buddy's MGB-GT back in '81. Had the classic gold Marantz look.

But those separates are a mystery to me. Never seen or heard even a rumor about them.

Looking at the CSR product guide from early '87, no Marantz products are listed whatsoever. Looking at the CSR amplifier buying guide from Mar '91, there is still no mention of Marantz.

No advertisements, no mentions under the 'new products' sections... I'll keep looking.


The earliest mention of US Amps I've found is in the March '91 CSR amplifier buying guide, which shows model #'s US-100HC, US-500, US-250 ($569), US-50HC, and US-50. No pics, unfortunately.



And for jol50, here's a vintage Alpine someone was proud of.

[amc32]

As far as the new US Amps vs The Old US Amps,goes. After Jack sold the company to a California investor.They proceded to sell-out the old stock. Once old stock was gone,they proceded to buy-out RE Audio and Kove. I've heard that Rodney,the main desighner and Tech,is or was still with the company.And that US Amps still desighn and manufacture the torriods in there AX amps.How true this is I don't know. I'am no longer in the retail\install biz.
That being said,from what I can it appears that they attempted to keep things simillar as the old stuff with the High End line. Almost with Directed tried to do with the take-over of PPI. In my opinion the Exterminator and Merlin lines are nothing more than Chinese Cookie Cutter amps.Built to build up the market value of the company.
Now the High End Line,I believe its the AX line, it topolgy looks similar,but its definetly Chinese Born. Maybe its just offshore manufacturing.Haven't had a chance to use the AB stuff.But the High End Class D (DE) will clip hard as hell.And an O-scope should be used when setting the gain levels.
Based on what they money they want for the decent looking stuff.I would have now problem investing in the older stuff that was made in Florida.

All I can really say is good luck to the company as they have very large shoes to fill......

[amc32]

I have an original ad from I believe 1989 or 1990 that we had for POP its from US Amps KA-50 and KA-250. Need to dig it out and take photo.
Inshallah...

[jol50]

LP X02 for 60 buy it now, I don't need one I've never seen one this cheap on there. 120372114442

[jol50]

Originally posted by tsmith1315

And for jol50, here's a vintage Alpine someone was proud of.

I have one of those little amps, of course mine is black. Have not used it. Alpine was late to the game with larger amps it seems, don't think they even made any in the 80s...or in any quantity like others did. What were the first larger 50rms/ch ones the 3520s range? Have a 3527 IIRC is 4x25rms.

Someone should put together a family tree of amps...or an excel sheet . I did see one started on another audio site.

[ben04srt]

like this
http://www.phy6.net/downloads/PPI/Ge...PI_Lineage.pdf

[ppia600]

Originally posted by jol50
LP X02 for 60 buy it now, I don't need one I've never seen one this cheap on there. 120372114442

Haha, bought one of those at a swap meet in Goldenwest Community College's parking lot back when I was in school. I got mine for $15. Very well put together but sold it long ago.

[jol50]

Last year I saw a few go for around 100, maybe prices are going down. I know, couple years ago I bought a nice SS rub302 for $40 at a pawn shop, later paid 75 for a sister to make a pair. I had good luck with the x02s but I prefer a dash mount with knobs.

[ppia600]

Originally posted by jol50
Last year I saw a few go for around 100, maybe prices are going down. I know, couple years ago I bought a nice SS rub302 for $40 at a pawn shop, later paid 75 for a sister to make a pair. I had good luck with the x02s but I prefer a dash mount with knobs.

Forgot to mention I was in school in 1991.

[tsmith1315]

jol50:

I have one of those little amps, of course mine is black.

and thus my comment

What were the first larger 50rms/ch ones the 3520s range? Have a 3527 IIRC is 4x25rms

Your 3527 @25x4 is a direct descendant of the 3550 (25x4), from the paternal order of the 3530. I think.

Alpines 35xx # system wasn't very logical. I suppose there was logic in there somewhere. Here's the lineup from '87:

Model - W/ch - Min imp - notes - Price
3537 - 100x2? - 2(switched) - DIN/RCA - $470
3530 - 50x4? - 2(switched) - DIN/RCA - $430
3533 - 60x2 - 2(switched) - DIN/RCA - $370
3520 - 120x1 - 4 - DIN/RCA - $320
3521 - 50x2 - 2(switched) - DIN/RCA - $270
3519 - 30x2 - 2(switched) - DIN/RCA - $220
3211 - 18x2 - 4 - BTL sub amp, 120Hz LP - $130
3510 - 18x4 - 4 - BTL - $130
3505 - 18x2 - 4 - BTL - $85

Someone should put together a family tree of amps

Yeah, go right ahead.