• Please note that there are a few updates and clarifications made in the Audiokarma Rules, mostly relating to advertising and the addition of the new "Paying it Forward" & "Giving back" forums in the AudioKarma Audio Marketplace section.

A "smaller" 22xx Marantz with 2285B's sound?

Mike_KR1

Mike_KR1

New Member
Happy Friday AK'ers!

I happen to own and thoroughly enjoy a beautiful, recapped 2285B as my main system, and would like to pick your infinitely more experienced minds, if I may, about acquiring another one. Building a simple system for my office and want to pair a vintage Marantz to Klipsch RP600M speakers so I don't need a lot of power.

Question: is there a less powerful (and most importantly less expensive) Marantz in the 22xx lineup that has a sound profile close to 2285B? I've trawled the forum and it seems like the 2285B has the most modern sound of the lineup with everything else being on the warmer / more tube-sounding side. But to be honest I don't really know what that would mean to me and have no opportunity to audition any other Marantz receivers.

I'm particularly fond of 2285B's bright and silvery mids. Do you think I get that in a cheaper package?

Thank You!

P.S. Also, if you have non-Marantz receivers in mind that sound similar that I should be on the lookout for, I would appreciate your education.
 
Register to hide this ad
You might want to check out the 2226B. I used to have one (with the optional wood case, which made it look much cooler). It had some warmth, but was brighter than the Marantz 1060 integrated I had, and brighter than other early/mid seventies Marantz gear I've heard. Like you, I prefer the more modern "B" sound. The 2226B also has an overbuilt amp section and sounds much bigger than its power rating. The tuner was just average (if that's important to you). Phono section was decent, IIRC.

My 2226B was displaced by an Onkyo TX-2500, another excellent sub-30 watt receiver.
 
If you are not "brand loyal" meaning it has to be Marantz, which I read in your post you are willing to accept other brands, I would suggest something in the Sansui line-up. There are a bunch of lower wattage receivers that would fit the criteria you mention. Examples off the top of my head would be the xx1 series, x0x0, and the single digit series (Six, Seven, Eight, and the Eight Deluxe). There is more, but these are the ones I have experience with. My particular fave is the single digit models then the xx1's. Of course this is my opinion.

If you look into the earlier models you will be touching on the cap-coupled models which have a bit more warmth, and you stated that's not what you're after. But I will add this about the cap-coupled offerings, they are waaay sweet sounding, almost addictive.

Good luck.
 
Thank you, Playittwice! I'm definitely open to other vintage receivers. Do you have a favorite Sansui in the lineup you describe, something in the 20-60wpc range? I had the privilege of auditioning the mighty 9090db many years ago, and while I would love to own one, fully restored (and even all original) - it's out of the price range I have in mind for this setup... unless someone wants a trade for my Denon separates.
 
montrecott said:
You might want to check out the 2226B. I used to have one (with the optional wood case, which made it look much cooler). It had some warmth, but was brighter than the Marantz 1060 integrated I had, and brighter than other early/mid seventies Marantz gear I've heard. Like you, I prefer the more modern "B" sound. The 2226B also has an overbuilt amp section and sounds much bigger than its power rating. The tuner was just average (if that's important to you). Phono section was decent, IIRC.

My 2226B was displaced by an Onkyo TX-2500, another excellent sub-30 watt receiver.
Click to expand...
The 1060, 1030 and 2230 are capacitor coupled. So you may notice a warmer tone. Especially as you turn up the volume. Marantz didn't produce many cap coupled receivers or integrated amps. Most are direct coupled. I've restored Marantz gear from the early 70's to around '76. I noticed the house sound seems to have changed after '74. From '75 on the Marantz equipment sounds less and less like the earlier equipment. Not that it sounds bad, just different.
 
The Sansui stuff is great. I prefer it over all the others. All the ones that playittwice suggested are excellent examples. To my ears, the 5000x is the best sounding receiver I've ever heard. I have a 5000x, a Marantz 2030, and a Pioneer sx535. The Marantz sounds really nice, but you pay for it. In my opinion, if you want the best sound quality, it's Sansui. I wouldn't, however, suggest Sansui for you. If you like a bright sound, then this is not the brand for you. Sansui sound is "fat", warm, and deep. Marantz and Pioneer can't match it, to me(opinions vary). They shine at punch and power and tend to push large speakers a little better maybe. If you want the best bang for your buck, and the look, and the closest to "Marantz-Lite" sound in a small unit, I would go with Pioneer. People are so busy chasing sx838s, sx939s, etc. that they forget about the sx535(15w), sx636(25w), and sx737(35w). They, like all the good receivers of this era, sound more powerful than their specs suggest. You can still pick up a nice example of one of these for $125-$250 if you are not in a huge hurry. I have seen them a lot in my area. On this lower end I feel like they are, more or less, on par with the Marantz in looks and sound.
 
I have made the following short-list of receivers to look for:

Marantz 2226B
Marantz 2265B
Sansui 661
Sansui 5000x
Pioneer SX-737
Luxman R-1050

Pricewise they're all more or less in the same ballpark with the exception of 2265B. Also, reading the comments it appears that Sansui is richer sounding while Pioneer and Marantz are similarly bright, but it would be interesting to conduct a bake-off so I'll probably post a WTB and see if anyone wants to sell. I doubt that I will end up upside down to much if I shop smart. Thank you everyone for your suggestions!
 
How about a Sony something like a STR-7055 35wpc or STR-7065 60wpc. They both sound nice to me(I own 2 7055's also a V-4). For some reason I have noticed that '70's Sony receivers tend to be in better cosmetic condition than other brands, at least the ones I have looked at.
 
Mike_KR1 said:
I have made the following short-list of receivers to look for:

Marantz 2226B
Marantz 2265B
Sansui 661
Sansui 5000x
Pioneer SX-737
Luxman R-1050

Pricewise they're all more or less in the same ballpark with the exception of 2265B. Also, reading the comments it appears that Sansui is richer sounding while Pioneer and Marantz are similarly bright, but it would be interesting to conduct a bake-off so I'll probably post a WTB and see if anyone wants to sell. I doubt that I will end up upside down to much if I shop smart. Thank you everyone for your suggestions!
Click to expand...
What about the 2252B? I have no way to compare it to the 2285B though.
 
Mike_KR1 said:
I have made the following short-list of receivers to look for:

Marantz 2226B
Marantz 2265B
Sansui 661
Sansui 5000x
Pioneer SX-737
Luxman R-1050

Pricewise they're all more or less in the same ballpark with the exception of 2265B. Also, reading the comments it appears that Sansui is richer sounding while Pioneer and Marantz are similarly bright, but it would be interesting to conduct a bake-off so I'll probably post a WTB and see if anyone wants to sell. I doubt that I will end up upside down to much if I shop smart. Thank you everyone for your suggestions!
Click to expand...
The later 70's Marantz sound is different from earlier models. They seemed to have moved on from the big fat round sound as some called it. The equipment they produced especially after around '76 started sound more like some of the other brands. That original house sound was gone. I've restored Marantz separates from '70 to '74 that had a less fatiguing sound to them. Nothing was rolled off, just maybe some midrange bloom to warm the tone some?
 
Lavane said:
The later 70's Marantz sound is different from earlier models. They seemed to have moved on from the big fat round sound as some called it. The equipment they produced especially after around '76 started sound more like some of the other brands. That original house sound was gone. I've restored Marantz separates from '70 to '74 that had a less fatiguing sound to them. Nothing was rolled off, just maybe some midrange bloom to warm the tone some?
Click to expand...
The Marantz 22 is a mighty fine sounding receiver once restored properly. Before a certain serial number, some 22r mods need done. Latter serial numbers were already factory done. The "r" isn't on them, it's by serial number only. The 40WPC "rating" sounds bigger that you would think. :thumbsup:
 
Skywatcher said:
The Marantz 22 is a mighty fine sounding receiver once restored properly. Before a certain serial number, some 22r mods need done. Latter serial numbers were already factory done. The "r" isn't on them, it's by serial number only. The 40WPC "rating" sounds bigger that you would think. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Marantz was conservative with a lot of the output ratings. The model 140 power amps I rebuilt were rated for 75wpc. I got just a bit over 96wpc out of one, around 93wpc out of the other. My 1060's measured in the low 40wpc range.
It takes less power than some folks think for normal listening levels.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom