Hmmm, you do realize as was pointed out more than once, upstream. That the company that Saul Marantz founded in 1954/55, and built most, if not all of the listed above models. Was sold by Saul in 1967, IIRC. And most if not all the original engineering staff was gone by the early 1970s.
And was in no way the same company that built the 22xx receivers of the 1970s.
Indeed. I addressed the post as written, and stand by it.
Saul did not design the 500, 18, 19, 7T. And yet they are excellent.
As are the 2245/2270, and so many others...
Yes, they are not Mark Levinson, or Pass Audio, or...
So???? Who here owns a Mark Levinson???
Oh, yes. That would be me. And yet I don't feel the need to be needlessly condescending of another manufacturer, especially an excellent one like Marantz.:nono:
By the way, I also love the Yamaha B-2 and CT-7000.
In the end, be it Yamaha, Marantz, McIntosh or Luxman, etc. they make good, better, and "Best", within brand.
To generalize about the 'SOUND' of a manufacturer will only get you into trouble. It is a moving target; and, depending on the condition of the specific piece being compared, your conclusions may likely be compromised.
"If it sounds good to you", may be one guideline when making a purchase. It does not, however, address accuracy, musicality or fidelity to the original source.
One may find it beneficial to keep this in mind as tastes may change over time... even mine and yours, too.