Marantz Model 1180 (circa 1977)
The Marantz Model 1180 is a solid-state stereo pre-main (integrated) amplifier from the late 1970s, sold in Japan at ¥135,000. It was a DC-configured design built around a stated goal of low TIM (transient intermodulation distortion). It is sometimes called the Model 1180DC - the "DC" is for the direct-coupled amplifier topology.
Documentation on this model is thin. Most of what's recorded comes from a single Japanese specification source, with no period reviews or production dates confirmed. The circuit it describes is an ambitious one. The power stage is a pure complementary OCL parallel push-pull three-stage Darlington arrangement in Marantz's traditional DC configuration. The input stage is built around a low-noise FET in a differential cascode bootstrap circuit, meant to minimize the temperature and time drift that plague DC designs. It also carried over the ESP (error sensing protection) circuit from the Marantz P510M power amplifier. ESP instantaneously detects excessive output current, voltage, or DC at the output terminals and limits the signal to the driver transistors. That protection is continuous and doesn't interrupt the program. A four-second relay delay prevents turn-on thump, and the speakers disconnect automatically if a transistor fails.
The preamp section got real attention. The phono equalizer uses a five-transistor configuration with a differential input stage, buffer, and low-current class-A output. The tone controls include Marantz's "tritone" midrange control at 700 Hz, plus bass and treble shelving at 100 Hz and 10 kHz, each ±10 dB. The midrange control gives ±6 dB of adjustment. A ten-step loudness contour follows the Fletcher-Munson curves. The filters use Bessel alignments with sharp 18 dB/octave slopes at 15 Hz and 9 kHz to minimize phase distortion. A tone defeat switch bypasses the tone circuitry entirely. The tape copy circuit is independent, so you can monitor one deck while recording to another. A peak indicator helps set levels without clipping.
Frequency response holds within +0/−0.2 dB across the audible band, and RIAA deviation is ±0.2 dB. Damping factor is 60. It draws 240W and weighs 15 kg, measuring 416 × 146 × 316 mm, which is a big chassis for a 90-watt rating. The wooden cabinet was sold separately: a standard walnut version (WC-110) at ¥7,000, or mahogany (WC-110N) at ¥12,000. A DC/AC amplifier selection switch is also on the front panel.
Beyond these specifications, the record is largely silent. No production run dates, no owner reviews, and no market history have surfaced. The one piece of supplementary evidence is a lone Russian classified listing for a serviced, working unit.
Known specifications
- Rated output: 100W + 100W (8 Ω), 115W + 115W (4 Ω), 20 Hz–20 kHz, both channels driven
- THD / IM distortion: 0.03%
- Frequency response: +0, −0.2 dB (20 Hz–20 kHz)
- RIAA deviation: ±0.2 dB
- Damping factor: 60
- Inputs: Phono MM 1.8 mV/47 kΩ, microphone 1.8 mV/47 kΩ, high level 180 mV/25 kΩ, main amp 1.5V/30 kΩ
- Pre-out: 1.5V/200 Ω
- Tone controls: Bass ±10 dB (100 Hz), Mid ±6 dB (700 Hz), Treble ±10 dB (10 kHz)
- Filters: 15 Hz and 9 kHz, 18 dB/octave (Bessel)
- Dimensions: 416 × 146 × 316 mm; weight 15 kg
- Original price: ¥135,000 (circa 1977); optional WC-110 walnut cabinet ¥7,000, WC-110N mahogany ¥12,000
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