Anyone Familier with MARS old school amps?

Zero Cool · 15th August 2011, 02:45 AM

I recently picked up a MARS (Mobile Audio Reference) Reference 100 Car amp at auction. it appears to be new in the box but is definitely an old amplifier that has been sitting around for a long time.

I found a product card inside that List's an address of 14431 Chase St. Panorama City Ca, 91402 which appears to be an AT&T store now. One photo I saw showed a facade that looked like it was the same shape as the amplifiers distinctive heatsink. Obviously the company is long gone now.

The insides looked VERY well laid out for a car amp. high quality stuff! nicely done. Curious if anyone has any 411 on these guys???

Zc

DJNUBZ · 15th August 2011, 03:23 AM

Could you post some pics?

SPLAudioHz · 15th August 2011, 05:14 AM

Wow, I have only heard of those!!! A short lived company out of Cali. Mid to late 70s I believe. I am a member of more than a half dozen car audio forums. Get some pics up and I will spread the word. I will get you info for sure.

RiLoWa · 15th August 2011, 12:15 PM

I think the company folded in the late 90's, but I'm not sure. I have never seen the stuff, but I wanted to try it. They had a Reference 100 MKII listed in the 1996 buyers guide, MSRP $850. This was the lowest priced amp they had in their line and probably newer than the one you picked up. I would like to see pictures too.

Dr Zeus · 15th August 2011, 05:48 PM

What kind of auction were you at where they were selling amplifiers like this? I want in!

Zero Cool · 16th August 2011, 02:16 AM

Ok here are some pics. It appears to be brand new. I think the bottom cover had been removed only to see how it was made maybe?? it looks as if it has never even been hooked up!

Zc

Zero Cool · 16th August 2011, 02:18 AM

Pics 2

Look at the input caps! FILM CAPS in a car amp! rare to see that! Heavy duty wiring, nice heavy duty speaker post's, gold plated RCA jacks and not those cheap plastic crappy one's, the whole thing looks very nicely built.

Zero Cool · 16th August 2011, 02:22 AM

I think I count 10 transistors for the power supply, 4 diodes and 12 transistors for the amp sections. so probably 3 pos and 3 neg for each channel. all TO-220 devices.

RiLoWa · 16th August 2011, 03:10 AM

Nice find and rescue. I wonder if the serial number is an indicator of the year manufactured like other companies did. Will you be testing it or is it a shelf queen?

Zero Cool · 16th August 2011, 03:12 AM

At some point I have to get around to testing it if I am going to sell it. But at the moment it is way way down on the list of priorities. I may decide to keep it after testing it however LOL!

Zc

15th August 2011, 02:45 AM	#1
Zero Cool Audio Junkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: MN	Anyone Familier with MARS old school amps? I recently picked up a MARS (Mobile Audio Reference) Reference 100 Car amp at auction. it appears to be new in the box but is definitely an old amplifier that has been sitting around for a long time. I found a product card inside that List's an address of 14431 Chase St. Panorama City Ca, 91402 which appears to be an AT&T store now. One photo I saw showed a facade that looked like it was the same shape as the amplifiers distinctive heatsink. Obviously the company is long gone now. The insides looked VERY well laid out for a car amp. high quality stuff! nicely done. Curious if anyone has any 411 on these guys??? Zc __________________ It's not about what you can BUY...It's about what you can BUILD!

15th August 2011, 12:15 PM	#4
RiLoWa diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois	I think the company folded in the late 90's, but I'm not sure. I have never seen the stuff, but I wanted to try it. They had a Reference 100 MKII listed in the 1996 buyers guide, MSRP $850. This was the lowest priced amp they had in their line and probably newer than the one you picked up. I would like to see pictures too. __________________ Tools - 1. TPI Scope Plus 440 2. B&K 2125 20MHz Dual Trace 3. Sorensen DCR20-50B 4. B&K 4011 5MHz Function Generator 5. Weller WESD51

16th August 2011, 02:22 AM	#8
Zero Cool Audio Junkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: MN	I think I count 10 transistors for the power supply, 4 diodes and 12 transistors for the amp sections. so probably 3 pos and 3 neg for each channel. all TO-220 devices. __________________ It's not about what you can BUY...It's about what you can BUILD!

16th August 2011, 03:10 AM	#9
RiLoWa diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois	Nice find and rescue. I wonder if the serial number is an indicator of the year manufactured like other companies did. Will you be testing it or is it a shelf queen? __________________ Tools - 1. TPI Scope Plus 440 2. B&K 2125 20MHz Dual Trace 3. Sorensen DCR20-50B 4. B&K 4011 5MHz Function Generator 5. Weller WESD51

16th August 2011, 03:12 AM	#10
Zero Cool Audio Junkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: MN	At some point I have to get around to testing it if I am going to sell it. But at the moment it is way way down on the list of priorities. I may decide to keep it after testing it however LOL! Zc __________________ It's not about what you can BUY...It's about what you can BUILD!


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15th August 2011, 03:23 AM	#2
DJNUBZ diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago	Could you post some pics?

15th August 2011, 05:14 AM	#3
SPLAudioHz diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Indiana	Wow, I have only heard of those!!! A short lived company out of Cali. Mid to late 70s I believe. I am a member of more than a half dozen car audio forums. Get some pics up and I will spread the word. I will get you info for sure.

15th August 2011, 05:48 PM	#5
Dr Zeus diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010	What kind of auction were you at where they were selling amplifiers like this? I want in!

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