Advice Needed: Marantz 2385

maskof

maskof

New Member
Hey everyone, I hope you’re all doing well.


I’m a bit hesitant about getting this Marantz 2385 amplifier. I’m still a fan of Sansui and Pioneer, so I’m unsure.


Has anyone here tried this monster receiver? How does it sound, and what’s the usual price range? I found one for $1,500 in mint condition. The owner was the original purchaser and still has the amplifier manual with the warranty papers—although the warranty is definitely expired, since it was bought a long time ago.


I’d really appreciate your advice before I make any bold decisions.


Thank you in advance!


Here are the specs:


  • Tuning range: FM, MW
  • Power output: 185 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
  • Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
  • Total harmonic distortion: 0.05%
  • Damping factor: 60
  • Input sensitivity: 1.8mV (MM), 180mV (line)
  • Signal-to-noise ratio: 83dB (MM), 98dB (line)
  • Output: 775mV (line), 1.5V (Pre out)
  • Semiconductors: 10 x IC, 122 x transistors, 106 x diodes, 4 x FET
  • Dimensions: 490 x 177 x 438 mm
  • Weight: 26.5 kg
  • Year: 1977
 
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maskof said:
Hey everyone, I hope you’re all doing well.


I’m a bit hesitant about getting this Marantz 2385 amplifier. I’m still a fan of Sansui and Pioneer, so I’m unsure.


Has anyone here tried this monster receiver? How does it sound, and what’s the usual price range? I found one for $1,500 in mint condition. The owner was the original purchaser and still has the amplifier manual with the warranty papers—although the warranty is definitely expired, since it was bought a long time ago.


I’d really appreciate your advice before I make any bold decisions.


Thank you in advance!


Here are the specs:


  • Tuning range: FM, MW
  • Power output: 185 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
  • Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
  • Total harmonic distortion: 0.05%
  • Damping factor: 60
  • Input sensitivity: 1.8mV (MM), 180mV (line)
  • Signal-to-noise ratio: 83dB (MM), 98dB (line)
  • Output: 775mV (line), 1.5V (Pre out)
  • Semiconductors: 10 x IC, 122 x transistors, 106 x diodes, 4 x FET
  • Dimensions: 490 x 177 x 438 mm
  • Weight: 26.5 kg
  • Year: 1977
Click to expand...
A very well regarded receiver. Price is quite fair compared to asking prices recently seen.
If you can hear it and test all functions, and everything checks out, go for it, if you want.
If everything is original, then also understand you could be in for some parts needing repair at some point.
My 2 cents.
 
Hi,

I am an owner of an SX-1980 and a G9000DB, and recently bought a 2385. You will not be disappointed by the 2385.
 
I had an SX1280 that was rebuilt and a 2385 that was partially rebuilt and between the two they had different characteristics but I regret selling the 2385 the most If I could pick a mint one up for $1,500 I think it would be a no-brainer.
 
trinhsman said:
A very well regarded receiver. Price is quite fair compared to asking prices recently seen.
If you can hear it and test all functions, and everything checks out, go for it, if you want.
If everything is original, then also understand you could be in for some parts needing repair at some point.
My 2 cents.
Click to expand...
Appreciate it. Yes, it’s all original and 100% functional
 
joel27 said:
I had an SX1280 that was rebuilt and a 2385 that was partially rebuilt and between the two they had different characteristics but I regret selling the 2385 the most If I could pick a mint one up for $1,500 I think it would be a no-brainer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for letting me know ^^
 
Yea, one of Marantz's biggest and baddest and maybe the best looking. If it has the wood cover, that might be worth a few hundred alone but the unit itself goes for 3x that on a regular basis, if it can be found. They only made 5345 of them according to that old website with the production run.

It's very heavy and needs a HD stand that's larger than normal, it can put out a ton of power so it will be speaker hungry but you won't regret the massive headroom.

If you want a statement piece that hasn't lost any value in the 25 years I've been tracking, this is the one. Honestly, if 200-300 certain members here knew about it, it would have been gone this morning.
 
Bone Yard said:
Yea, one of Marantz's biggest and baddest and maybe the best looking. If it has the wood cover, that might be worth a few hundred alone but the unit itself goes for 3x that on a regular basis, if it can be found. They only made 5345 of them according to that old website with the production run.

It's very heavy and needs a HD stand that's larger than normal, it can put out a ton of power so it will be speaker hungry but you won't regret the massive headroom.

If you want a statement piece that hasn't lost any value in the 25 years I've been tracking, this is the one. Honestly, if 200-300 certain members here knew about it, it would have been gone this morning.
Click to expand...
If more people new about it I don't think it would have made it 10 minutes at that price. :)
 
Years ago, i had 2 of these. I also had some other monster receivers at the same time. Sansui G9000, Pioneer 1250 and 1280, Sony V7, Marantz 2325, 2330, 2330b, and others. My favorite was the Sansui G9000. Always loved Marantz gear, but the Sansui was imo a little better balanced. Sold them all during a move. FB_IMG_1757817066002.jpgFB_IMG_1757817082020.jpg
 
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