I've seen a 'new in box' Marantz 8B for sale recently. But I think having some history/experience with a particular model/brand really helps take the mystery/risk away from buying older amps.
In 2009, I bought a Carver TFM-35 that was still sealed in the box. The only picture the seller posted was the box exterior. At the time good used versions of the amp were going for about $450. Since I had owned the TFM-15 new back in 1994, I thought what the heck and just bought it for the 'buy it now price' of $575.
Well, the sound of that amp really was great! The only thing it lacked was some bottom end. But it sounded so effortless and detailed...especially in the high end. All those years in the box didn't hurt it at all. The caps were shiny and new with no sign of expansion. I actually wondered if the aging helped it.
When I took deliver of my Don Sachs Kootenay, I compared them side to side. And while the Kootenay was the better amp...it was not so much in the high end...the Carver was pulling in a tad more detail there. Let's just say the Carver wasn't at all embarrassed by comparison. And with certain types of music, they sounded almost identical...very weird.
There are also services that will update and bring this gear up to current standards. Sometimes it's just nice to see old gear working so well in modern times.
In 2009, I bought a Carver TFM-35 that was still sealed in the box. The only picture the seller posted was the box exterior. At the time good used versions of the amp were going for about $450. Since I had owned the TFM-15 new back in 1994, I thought what the heck and just bought it for the 'buy it now price' of $575.
Well, the sound of that amp really was great! The only thing it lacked was some bottom end. But it sounded so effortless and detailed...especially in the high end. All those years in the box didn't hurt it at all. The caps were shiny and new with no sign of expansion. I actually wondered if the aging helped it.
When I took deliver of my Don Sachs Kootenay, I compared them side to side. And while the Kootenay was the better amp...it was not so much in the high end...the Carver was pulling in a tad more detail there. Let's just say the Carver wasn't at all embarrassed by comparison. And with certain types of music, they sounded almost identical...very weird.
There are also services that will update and bring this gear up to current standards. Sometimes it's just nice to see old gear working so well in modern times.