Best ways to get a Marantz 2270 and prices?

[Lucas G]

I REALLY REALLY want a 2270 - they are so distinctive and if I can find one with the right price, it would make a perfect addition as the cornerstone of my new vinyl setup.

I already comb craigslist and eBay regularly but want other strategies. What yard sales should I be looking for to find high end audio? Is it really worth it to look in Goodwills and other thrift stores regularly?

How much is reasonable?

It seems like most good condition 2270s go for $600-800. Most recently serviced 2270s go for $1000-$2000. Most somewhat damaged 2270s (ie cosmetic issue or no cosmetic issue but FM out or similar) go for about $400. Does that seem reasonable? How cheap can I expect to get a 2270? I saw a thread on here where people were telling me that I could potentially find a 2270 for $250 in meh condition.

What do you guys think? There is a $425 2270 with a slightly damaged faceplate ("power" label fading off which will bother me) and without lights on the front but functional otherwise INCLUDING SHIPPING that I'm considering biting on. There is also a "recently serviced" 2270 in my local (Los Angeles) craigslist for $675 that I'm going to try to negotiate down.

Please advice! I'm a young audiophile (16) and want to add the 2270 because it really is an iconic and venerable piece of gear but am admittedly broke. Advice?

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

Remember, folks...you can make suggestions...BUT NO OFFERS TO SELL OR BUY!

 

[ScottFan355]

If you admit that the cosmetic issue will bother you don't get it. The CL deal is reasonable, not great, but reasonable the way prices are today. The only way to get a great deal (unless you get extremely lucky) is to be open to lots of different gear, then swoop when you see a good deal. I've also had luck using the wanted and barter forums on CL when searching for specific items. Good luck!

 

[EastPoint]

This will be challenging given your limitations. If you can repair these, if you have great networking skills, or if you have tons of cash, this will be easy. It doesn't sound like you have any of those, no offense intended, so finding a cheap 2270 will be up to luck and moving as quickly as possible when you see one.

You know you can get a new or gently used faceplate for the $425 one, right? I would buy that real quick. Cheap 2270s do exist, but the odds of you finding one and getting it are not good. A $200 2270 is like finding $400 on the ground, and not a lot of folks will turn that down.

 

[ScottFan355]

Also as some general advice, don't let this hobby empty your wallet! Patience and hitting up lots of yard sales can be a good thing. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I've rarely had just what I wanted, try to be satisfied with what you can find and afford.

 

[Audio Fan]

Good sage advice already given.

Fairly early when I started collecting vintage gear, I was making a trip to Florida to visit relatives, so I scanned Craigslist and found an ad for a "stereo". Turned out to be a Marantz 2270, Sansui SR-525 with a barely used Shure V5 III cartridge on it for $250 all with original boxes and near mint. That was about 7 yrs ago and I have not run across another 2270 and I have collected a LOT of gear since that time. I sold it some time later, but the point here, as suggested, be diligent in your search and enjoy what you can find/obtain. You may eventually run across one, but don't let not having one spoil your audio hobby, there is plenty of vintage audio to experience... like Sansui....

 

[Snow]

I REALLY REALLY want a 2270 - they are so distinctive and if I can find one with the right price, it would make a perfect addition as the cornerstone of my new vinyl setup.

I already comb craigslist and eBay regularly but want other strategies. What yard sales should I be looking for to find high end audio? Is it really worth it to look in Goodwills and other thrift stores regularly?

How much is reasonable?

It seems like most good condition 2270s go for $600-800. Most recently serviced 2270s go for $1000-$2000. Most somewhat damaged 2270s (ie cosmetic issue or no cosmetic issue but FM out or similar) go for about $400. Does that seem reasonable? How cheap can I expect to get a 2270? I saw a thread on here where people were telling me that I could potentially find a 2270 for $250 in meh condition.

What do you guys think? There is a $425 2270 with a slightly damaged faceplate ("power" label fading off which will bother me) and without lights on the front but functional otherwise INCLUDING SHIPPING that I'm considering biting on. There is also a "recently serviced" 2270 in my local (Los Angeles) craigslist for $675 that I'm going to try to negotiate down.

Please advice! I'm a young audiophile (16) and want to add the 2270 because it really is an iconic and venerable piece of gear but am admittedly broke. Advice?

Like anything else the more work you put in the better your results will be, If you want one cheap your odds are the only way that will happen is a yard sale or auction that the auctioneer has no idea of it's value, it is possible to get one cheap at a thrift store but only if your thrift stores do not do their research. The same goes for CL most on CL know exactly what their items are worth but every so often an stereo item will get posted for very little but you have to be fast and lucky lots of flippers out there hunting the same patch of forest.

There are yard sales auctions pawn shops CL Ebay recycle places estate sales repair shops music stores to look at and talk to, if you spend the hours and go to and talk to every single place you can think of that might have one eventually you will get one but WORK and PATIENCE is the key here.

I would also place an ad on my local CL saying you want to buy a Marantz 2270 and see what happens you never know one might just pop up cheap for you, unlikely yes but it can happen but only if you try.

I bought one a few years ago in mint condition for $5.00 at a yard sale so it can happen.

Not sure where you are located but I would become a subscriber and place a WTB/WTT listing there and explain your age and monetary situation and offer to trade labor for one in your area, there are lots of us old timers with lots of gear that would happily trade one for work done around the house.

As you can see from this pic this is just a small portion of the gear I have and there are a few Marantz receivers in this pic. I have others in other storage places and I would trade for labor if you were local and you posted a WTT listing in BT







Regards Snow

 

[Audio Fan]

Well said @Snow !

 

[markshan]

Since money is an issue, I would look at getting anything silverfaced that I could afford. Then when the cheap 2270 reveals itself, you can perhaps use the other as trade bait or flip it to recover some of your outlay. BTW, I have a 2230 through JBLs and don't miss the extra power at all.

BTW, what is your setup thus far? What speakers?

 

[markshan]

Great post Snow. I'd trade a receiver for a summer of lawn mowing.

 

[ScottFan355]

Great post Snow. I'd trade a receiver for a summer of lawn mowing.

I agree - I recently traded some Dahlquist dq8 speakers for 10 hours of labor. Don't underestimate how much people are willing to help a younger person in this way, especially if they have a piece of equipment just sitting around unused. But I also think being open to other equipment is a good idea and expands your chances to get something desirable. I had a 2252 for years and liked it a lot. However I now have a Sansui and prefer it's sound. A Sansui 7070 is almost as powerful as a 2270 and can be had for much less. A Kenwood would be even cheaper. There are many options out there.