It's only within the past 3-5 years, I've paid attention to hardware. For almost 30 years, I had a really solid 25 watt receiver made by Craig, (which some believe it to be a Pioneer manufacture with a Craig nameplate, it is built along the same lines-tank like). But a it started to give up the ghost and I then I went through a Pioneer SX-9000, Pioneer SX-990, a Kenwood KR-4070 and a Kenwood KR-5150, all trying to find the best one. I finally snagged this 2230b off Craigslist for $150.00 (plus the guy threw in a turntable and a pair of speakers!). It pairs well with my DCM TF-400s in my office/listening room. I'm set...there is balance in the system and all my media plays through it sweetly. One last thing...the Kenwood Kr-5150 that I got at an Estate sale came the closest to the 2230b. I got them almost a month apart and it was touch and go before I committed to the Marantz. Now the real story is that I've got a stack of mid-range 70s receivers sitting waiting to go to good
homes. I just gotta figure how/who etc...I may keep the SX-9000 for my son, should he ever return stateside.