"b"

[MarantZappa]

As far as I know, the main difference between my 2220B and the 2220 is that mine has a midrange control. Other than that, I know very little. What was the relationship, as far as Marantz's logic was concerned, between a given 22xx model and it's 22xxB counterpart? Were the "B" models just slightly higher-end versions of the same wattage receiver? Slightly newer maybe? Thanks.

 

[thisOne]

Better

 

[fredmarantz]

No - But changed - sometimes to the better - sometimes not.

The "B" indicates that the model have had a change in technical design or cosmetics.

the 10B is an upgrade from the 10.
The 8B is an upgrade from the 8
The 1060B is IMO a downgrade from the 1060

So the answer is "changed" - sometimes for an upgrade.

regards
Freddy

 

[Arkay]

As these guys are indicating, there is no consistency to the nature of the changes made; it just means that some changes have been made. In some cases external; sometimes internal; often both, but not big enough changes (esp. in wattage) to justify an entirely different model number. In MOST cases (but, as fredmarantz said, not always) the "B" models are better. Sometimes they correct weaknesses that appeared in the original models, too.

With the 22XX receivers, there is usually another obvious difference in the faceplates: the basic model numbers have dark dial faces with thin "frames"; the "B" models have black dial faces, with aluminum plate "frames".

 

[Jailtime]

B model Marantz receivers were always released later than the corresponding model number without the B. For example, the 2226, 2238, 2252, etc. were before their silver dial faced counterparts, the 2226B, 2238B, 2252B, etc. But as Arkay said, there's really no definite pattern to the B updates. The B series does include one of the great Marantz receivers though, the 2285B. Try finding a plain 2285 sometime. Rare! :yes:

 

[jimbofish]

Marantz didn't change their model numbering system every year or two like most other makers. AFAIK, the B models were the next version of the non-B models with the same wattage. Ex... 2215 to 2215b. After the B model, they upped the wattage and changed the model # to reflect the new wattage without the B. Ex...2216. Then the next version added the B. Ex...2216B. Usually there were cosmetic changes in the B models as well as added features to keep up with the trends in the industry since the initial model intro... Ex...PLL tuning.
Of course, there probably are all kinds of exceptions to make my theory totally useless. :yes:

 

[MarantZappa]

"bl" & "bd"

I saw a few models somewhere that had "BL" on the end, instead of just "B". It seemed like for the 2220BL at least, that it was the same as the 2220B, except it was designed and built in Japan, instead of just built there. I also saw some "BD" models. What's the story with these "BL" and "BD" models?

 

[fredmarantz]

I'm sure that the "BL"-models were named that way, because the tuner section provided longwawe reception aswell: "L = longwave"

The "BD" - could mean, that there is a dolby-facility onboard. hence the "D"

regards
Freddy