Marantz PM-78 (circa 1998)
The Marantz PM-78 is a stereo integrated amplifier from the late 1990s, introduced around 1998 at ¥65,000 in Japan (roughly ECU 500 in Europe). It has two personalities. In pure Class A it delivers 25W + 25W into 8Ω. Switch it to Class AB and you get 100W + 100W into 8Ω, 150W + 150W into 6Ω, and 190W + 190W into 4Ω. That switchable Class A/AB design is the PM-78's defining feature. One owner-reviewer noted it makes the amp a kind of predecessor to the better-known Marantz PM-7200, with very similar circuitry, though the PM-78 lacks the HDAM (Hyper-Dynamic Amplifier Modules) badge that later models wore.
The amp uses twin monaural construction, a four-string active volume control, and an active-filter NFB tone control circuit. THD is rated at 0.010% in Class A and 0.015% in Class AB (both at 10W output, 8Ω). Signal-to-noise ratio is 109dB at high level. Frequency response with Source Direct engaged runs 10 Hz to 50 kHz (+0/-1dB). It weighs 12.3kg and measures 439 x 156 x 375mm. Inputs are phono (MM), four line inputs, and two tape loops. There are two pairs of speaker outputs and a headphone jack. A wireless remote was included, and the amp came in gold and black finishes.
The record on the PM-78 is mixed. TNT-Audio was blunt about the internals, calling them "bog-standard, like you encounter in all mainstream Japanese amps whether they cost ECU200 or ECU2000." Another review site suggested the nearly identical PM-68, which lacked the Class A switching, would be a better buy unless you found the PM-78 at a bargain price. Still, enthusiasts have praised its smooth character, deep bass, and nice midrange, and one site called it one of Marantz's "upper midrange masterpieces." A used unit sold at auction for €300 in January 2026. No production end date, damping factor, or input sensitivity figures are documented.
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