Marantz MODEL 2A (1959)

Name: Marantz MODEL 2A
Brand: Marantz

It hums to life like a sleeping lion—quiet, poised, and radiating a presence that few vintage mono amps can match.

Overview

The Marantz Model 2A Tube Mono Amplifier is not just a relic—it’s a ghost from the dawn of high-fidelity audio, a brief but significant mutation in Marantz’s early lineage. Built in a single year, 1959, it stands apart from the better-known Model 2, acting less like a successor and more like a fleeting experiment caught between catalog pages. Owners report it sounds wonderful and is very quiet when idling, a rare compliment for a tube amp of this era where hiss and hum often betrayed aging components. It’s a mono amplifier, designed for a single channel, which means you’d need two for stereo—assuming you could find them. And that’s the rub: the Model 2A is extremely rare, making it one of the most elusive Marantz amplifiers ever produced. Its scarcity isn’t just a rumor; it’s baked into the record. Before 1959, including in the 1958 Allied Radio catalog, Marantz wasn’t selling a “Model 2A.” Then, suddenly, it appeared in the 1959 catalog—only to vanish again by 1960, when the name reverted back to simply “Model 2.” What changed? The fact sheet doesn’t say. But the consensus among collectors is clear: this isn’t just rare hardware. It’s a moment.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Marantz
Product Type	Tube Mono Amplifier
Production Year	1959
Power Output	25WPC

Historical Context

The Marantz Model 2A appeared exclusively in the 1959 Allied Radio catalog, marking a one-year departure from the naming convention that had defined Marantz’s early amplifiers. Prior to 1959, including in the 1958 catalog, the amplifiers were not labeled as Model 2A. By 1960, the designation disappeared, and the amplifier was once again advertised as the Model 2. Despite the name change, in many audiophile circles, the Marantz Basic Amplifier known as the Model 2 is considered the sweetest and overall best sounding of the Marantz amps, which included the Model 2s, 5s, 8s, 8Bs, and the Model 9s. Whether the Model 2A shares that sonic crown is harder to confirm—its rarity limits listening opportunities—but its place in the timeline makes it a critical footnote in the evolution of Marantz’s legendary tube designs.

Collectibility & Value

The Marantz Model 2A is described as extremely rare and very collectible, a status backed by its appearance (and quick disappearance) from a single year’s catalog. A unit listed on HifiShark was priced at $4,499 as of February 14, 2021, while another undated listing on PicClick reached $5,999.99—prices that reflect not just condition but the sheer difficulty of locating one. One known unit shows cosmetic wear, including minor rust and partial repainting, with the tube cage completely refinished, suggesting restoration is common among surviving examples. For those attempting a rebuild, a restoration kit is available for $116, though no detailed information on common failures or maintenance procedures exists in the record. Original pricing has not been confirmed, and technical specifications beyond power output remain undocumented. If you find one, it’s less a purchase and more a rescue mission.