Catrafter
vintage-electronics@bresnan.net
(406) 861-2885
| Big thanks goes out to... |
Catrafter..After many years in storage, my Marantz 2330B is back
in all its glory at or above spec thanks to catrafter (Tom) it truly looks
and sounds beautiful  If any of you are in need of assistance, I highly recommend Tom. Very experienced and loves Marantz  .. thanks again
Tom |
| Handlebar |
Rockin' Again!
|
|
After trying
to get my 3800 and 170 DC repaired fifteen years ago I regretfully boxed
them up and stashed them away in my garage. Due to lack of good repair
shops and raising a family I gave up trying to get them repaired. Then
last year we bought a new house and when I moved the gear out of my garage
I thought... I've got to see if I can get this stuff fixed. Well to make a
long story short I found AK and knew I was in the right place. Fellow
AK'er catrafter came to my rescue and now they are crankin' away in like
new or better than condition. Thanks catrafter.
|
| Bluesdog |
| Awesome Marantz 1200! |
| It sounds beautiful and you've transformed the dog's lunch inside to a work of electronic art. Anyway, it hasn't been turned off since. Absolutely great job, Tom I couldn't be more pleased, it sounds better than when I got it and that was good enough for me to pack it around through many moves, hoping to get it cured one day. Thank you for a taste of real craftsmanship, rare these days. |
| Aardvarq |
| Hi Tom, |
| Finally
hooked up the 4300! Oooooohhhhhh . . . so sweet! Works
beautifully, sounds -- well, utterly awesome! Thank you again for all your hard work, help, and the repairs! |
| Andre |
| Marantz 2285B |
| In my last email I said I was "very pleased", but that was a major understatement. I'm ecstatic with it! It sounds and looks amazing. The power supply filter caps look even better in person!! Excellent work! |
| Polarbear |
| Marantz resto complete |
|
I joined AudioKarma a few weeks back, mostly
to find someone to restore my 3800 and 170DC.
It didn't take long to turn up a person qualified to do the restoration. Another member pointed me to Catrafter. Since he is relatively close to me geographically and has a good rep on here I took the plunge and sent my gear off to him. I got my previously tired gear back yesterday. Catrafter did what he promised - restored everything to meet or exceed original specs and cleaned up the gear cosmetically, very nicely. His communication before, during, and after the restoration was excellent. The well organized before and after spec sheets are a wonderful idea. Very meticulous work. My preamp and amp were packed so well for the return trip home they looked like they might of survived if the Fedex plane fell out of the sky. Thanks much. |
| 2much2soon |
| Restored Marantz 2265! |
|
My 2265B was in sad shape. The cosmetics were OK, but the guts were a mess. It had been sitting in a hot attic for more than 20 years in its original box. Upon plugging it in, I found a hum on every setting, volume or not. Reception wasn't too good either. I asked AK member CATRAFTER if he thought he might be able to look at it for me. What I received back was nothing less than a miracle! It picks up stations I never knew existed. I am so grateful for his extreme efforts to make this the finest receiver I ever owned and a dream come true. After all this he even included a performance report, a parts list, and tips how to care for it. When I opened the box and connected it up to listen, I actually felt like it was 1976 and I was 25 years old again. How can you put a price on that? Thanks, CATRAFTER! |
| Switchblade |
| My 2230 |
| Arrived in perfect condition, and it looks -- and
sounds -- fabulous. I just had time for about 30 minutes of listening last night and again this morning; I'm pleased and very impressed by your work. |
| Rootpusher |
| Marantz 2275 |
| The unit looks and sounds sensational.
Clean, crisp power! It looks brand new! From blues to jazz to internet radio, the sound and separation are superb. I did not need to turn the volume control much past 10 o'clock. That is a noticeable difference, since before restoration, I could turn to 12 o'clock before loudness became irritating. Thanks! |
| JG |
| Thanks, Tom! |
|
I did however get the 2230 yesterday and when I turned it on it
was pure bliss. My biggest fear was that it may not sound like a 2230 with
the refurb, but it does. I love the attention to detail, I couldn't
imagine someone out there doing any better on a receiver. And now I also
have peace of mind that it's not going to blow up on me or anything. Can't
wait to hook up a turntable!!
Thanks again! |
| Polarbear |
| Hi Tom, |
|
My
2275 arrived yesterday. It looks and sounds fabulous. You are a master. I think you'll be
seeing my 1200B before long.
Best wishes, |
| EM |
| Hello Tom |
|
I just wanted to drop by with an update about my
2230 that you so completely restored.
I've been running it 24/7 over the last week and today I did some more critical listening. Since the excellent out-of-the-box performance I wrote to you about, the bass tone has become more rounded and prominent, and the highs have softened just a tad; the sound is wonderfully full with good soundstaging besides (three martinis?). I don't think I can blame my ears for the developments, so am instead deciding that this can be attributed to some break-in...it's glorious.
In any event please know that I'm
simply delighted with the receiver. |
| JO |
| Thanks Tom |
|
A BIG MAHALO to Tom (aka catrafter) for
a complete restore/rebuilt of my Marantz 2235B. He did a fabulous job and great
communication during the process. It sounds and looks just like new...as they say.....just right off the
assembly line as of yesterday.......
If you haven't used
his services, you're missing out.....
Thanks again Tom! |
| 'Cisco |
| Hi Tom, |
|
The 4230 sounds and looks fantastic, thank you
so much for doing this and also thanks for the cleaning tips, it will help
me keep them looking great.
It was a pleasure dealing with a professional like you, many thanks and if you ever need any references I'll be happy to give them.
Best Regards, |
| RM |
| Hi Tom, |
|
I received
the receiver today and it looks and sounds great! I should have the
wood case by friday so it will all be put together. Even my wife
thought it sounded great (she hated my other stereo). Feel free to use before and after pictures
if you like.... it was very ugly to start
with.
|
| ZS |
| 2285B !! .... The Power & The Glory Courtesy of Catrafter... |
|
I truely can not say enough about the Outstanding
Workmanship Performed on my 2285B by A/K All
Star Member in good standing , Catrafter ( aka Mr Tom Williams ) ... The
Sonics are Incredible not to mention its beauty ( Tom used mostly
panasonic caps & Don's LED's ) Catrafter has managed to retain that
Signature Marantz Sound !! we all love so much . If your looking to
get a piece Professionally!!! restored , take it from a half decent hobby
tech and trust me on this CATRAFTER is the MAN !!! Absolutely Stunning !!! inside and out . Mega Thanks Tom .... You da Bomb !!! |
| AudioPuppet |
| Quad was dead! |
|
That's what I thought until CATRAFTER restored my
4240 about 2 months ago. Cowabunga, this
thing sounds great! Another incredible job by Tom. Not only does it
look new but it really pumps out the sound, and bass is amazing on this
thing. I had to say something about this, as CATRAFTER'S work is
becoming legendary. The original rating for the quad mode was 17
watts per channel but Tom's restoral has it up over 20 watts per. I
don't know if it's the 4 channels but it sounds like a
whole lot more power
than 20 watts/channel. I can't turn it past 1/3rd without hearing "Turn that damn thing down!".
And that's from the kids. |
| Switchblade |
| Tom, |
|
I also wanted you to know that the receiver does seem to work
just fine (I hope it stays that way after the jolt it had)... and when I
say "just fine", I mean this thing is pretty awesome! It sounds great!
(and I'm simply using my laptop to play some MP3s at the moment!) It
definitely has that warm Marantz sound. I'm impressed with the
power-output as well - This thing really is a beast! Prior to the
restoration, I noticed some background noise, but all that seems to be
gone now and the tuner seems to work much better as well... I'm able to
tune-in more
stations.
|
| JB |
| Tom, |
|
I've got it set
up and the sound is unbelievable, I've got some Clarence
Carter cranking it is just great. I will always be indebted to you.
You are the best, thank you. Anything I can ever do for
you just let me know, I am so happy with the results I can't begin
to express
myself!
|
| FM |
| Tom, |
|
I was stunned that the
2325 sounded so good, and had so much spare power. I know the KHorns are
really efficient, but wow. We gave 'er a real workout
Friday and Saturday night, it was on for several hours both days without
breaking a sweat. I'm sure the 2325 will outlive me, my grandkids
will still be able to enjoy it 30 years from now. I couldn't be happier
with the
job!
|
| Mike S. |
| Tom, |
|
Tonight was the first opportunity I have had to do
an audio test with the Marantz 2285B you just restored for me.
I had powered it up previously just to see the magnificent Marantz dial
"BLUES" with the LED's........it looked magnificent.
Prior to sending you my Marantz 2285B, I had tested
it thoroughly side by side with my Marantz 2270 with different genres of
music. The 2270 came out on top no matter what genre of
music I selected, even though I could tell the 2285B had way more
reserve power. It is a reversed role now, hands down, after
testing them side by side tonight. I could not believe the
difference I was hearing as a result of your magic your performed on my
unit. The difference in sound after the rebuild was remarkable and
noticeable instantly.
I can see why so many of my Marantz
buddies highly recommended you. They told me the wait time
might be long, but once serviced/restored it would be well
worth it. I concur with them 110%. Thanks again for the
extreme care you took in dismantling, re-assembling and refurbishing
my 2285B while "under your wings". It was returned to me looking
like it had never been removed from its original packaging when it was
produced in 1977.........it looked that good and probably sounds better
than it did originally with all the new improved electronic components
that were replaced. Many thanks
Tom!!!
|
| BR |
| Tom, |
|
I have the 2270 paired with a
Rega P3, and an old Marantz CD player driving a pair of Paradigm Studio
20's V4 speakers. I am so impressed with the sound from the 2270 and the
sensitivity of the FM section. I have had probably a dozen people
over since I got it back from you. All have been impressed
with the sound. It is far better than I had expected could be pulled
from a restored 35 year old piece of electronics. I find
myself listening to it more than my five figure Bryston and B&W
setup! You truly do work magic with these units.
Thanks again! |
| TW |
| Tom: |
|
I got the 4300 back today and
carefully opened it up, followed your instructions, and I have been
listening to it for over 3 hours now.
I ran through the FM dial with a really cheap antenna and it works great [there are no decent am stations in range]. Then I put on a cd that is a mix of my favorites that I have listened AT many times before and WOW. I say listened "AT" because I'm now hearing subtleties in the music and even instruments that I just wasn't hearing. I know that all stereo gear degenerates over time but I guess I really never knew just how much. I have the same cd and cd player, the same speakers - entirely the same setup - it just sounds so much better. I am literally sitting here with chill bumps listening to that GREAT MARANTZ SOUND AGAIN! You are THE MAN!
OH YEAH - IT LOOKS GREAT TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Rusty |
| Tom: |
|
I just finished putting the 2325 through its
paces. It looks and sounds wonderful! Tested AM,
FM, Aux (CD), Tape and Phono. All seems well so far. The LEDs
look good too, much better than I
expected.
|
| Ron |
| Hi Tom |
|
I'm actually listening to it as I write this
email. It sounds, looks and is simply amazing. All of my expectations were
exceeded. I am especially greatful that there are a few people out there
like yourself who are making it possible for youngsters like my children
to hear what real audio equipment should sound and look like. It arrived
back in perfect condition. Thanks again and I'll keep in touch.
|
| Taylor |
| Hi Tom |
| The 2270 arrived today! I already have it hooked up and I am listening to it as I write this. The sound is fantastic and has retained the Marantz warmth that I love. It looks like it is brand new, I was really surprised with how great it looks once powered up. I can't say thank you enough for doing such a great job on my prized receiver. You are a true craftsman!!! |
|
Thank You,
Richard |