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Caught the vintage bug - Marantz 2270 or Pioneer SX?

nickdinatale

nickdinatale

Active Member
So about four months ago, I really started to catch the bug that is the vintage audio world. At the time, I bought myself a pair of Boston Acoustics A70 II's and a Marantz SR-2000. I was super happy with those for about an entire month, then I started to read AK and everything went downhill (not really). Fast forward to today and I'm trying to decide which to keep - a Marantz 2270 or a Pioneer SX-828.

The 2270 was a purchase I made a month or so ago. I found it for $100, only about an hour and a half away from me, so I went and purchased it. It was in rough, but (sort of) working shape. I spent the past month or so gathering the necessary parts, and then replacing the power switch, all the lamps, one of the speaker selection switches, and straightening the bent faceplate, in addition to cleaning a lot of contacts. The inside still looks like it was pulled out of a dumpster (something I'd like to at least clean up a bit more in time), but it works flawlessly

As for the SX-828, I picked it up a few weeks ago at a yard sale for $60 with no intention of keeping it. However, I brought it home and set it up right away since the 2270 was still being worked on anyway. Unfortunately, I really enjoyed listening to it. On top of that, the previous owner took fantastic care of it - the thing is virtually brand new looking.

I guess it's also worth noting that I haven't recapped either one, but plan on it. (Any other recommendations on other maintenance to perform is very much welcomed).

Does anyone else on here have experience with both of these? Would love to hear some experiences and opinions. Thanks!
 
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The old Pioneer or Marantz deal?I had neither model but similar models and personally I preferred the SX sound to the Marantz.To me it was a more detailed sound.It is really just a matter of preference and forty year old electronics.
 
nickdinatale said:
So about four months ago, I really started to catch the bug that is the vintage audio world. At the time, I bought myself a pair of Boston Acoustics A70 II's and a Marantz SR-2000. I was super happy with those for about an entire month, then I started to read AK and everything went downhill (not really). Fast forward to today and I'm trying to decide which to keep - a Marantz 2270 or a Pioneer SX-828.

The 2270 was a purchase I made a month or so ago. I found it for $100, only about an hour and a half away from me, so I went and purchased it. It was in rough, but (sort of) working shape. I spent the past month or so gathering the necessary parts, and then replacing the power switch, all the lamps, one of the speaker selection switches, and straightening the bent faceplate, in addition to cleaning a lot of contacts. The inside still looks like it was pulled out of a dumpster (something I'd like to at least clean up a bit more in time), but it works flawlessly

As for the SX-828, I picked it up a few weeks ago at a yard sale for $60 with no intention of keeping it. However, I brought it home and set it up right away since the 2270 was still being worked on anyway. Unfortunately, I really enjoyed listening to it. On top of that, the previous owner took fantastic care of it - the thing is virtually brand new looking.

I guess it's also worth noting that I haven't recapped either one, but plan on it. (Any other recommendations on other maintenance to perform is very much welcomed).

Does anyone else on here have experience with both of these? Would love to hear some experiences and opinions. Thanks!
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Keep them both... each is a time piece. Too bad the Marantz isn't as pristine as the Pioneer.
 
Keep them both . You made need a backup if problems happen with one or the other.. Both are great examples of 70's receivers I think if I were to pick one it would be the Marantz. I have a 2275 that I've had for close to 20years. Nothing ever done to it , but sounded great. A year ago it starting sounding alittle off so I took it to my repair guy. When I got it back I couldnt believe how good it sounded. The fm is amazing.
 
I have a problem parting with any piece of gear I've invested time in rehabilitating and I've not got the space to keep much as I live in a 780 SF suite. I don't fix to flip (although that's usually the idea when a project starts out) because if I assign a value to time spent, there is no way I am going to recover my investment, However, that feeling dissipates over time - it must.

If it's only two receivers, I too would say keep them both. Since both brands have their followings and assuming the interest in vintage stuff continues to grow, chances are that both will be worth more later. If you're not so inclined, and spicer already mentioned it, keep the one that's in the best outward condition.

Oscar23 has a good point too about not investing time in one that's going to go out the door. I'm not sure how attractive a non-professionally refurbished receiver would be to the average Craigslist (or whatever) buyer. It's not happened to me yet except for turntables, but I keep thinking I'll encounter someone personally that wants a piece of electronics or pair of speakers and I can help them out. I'd rather turn a known working piece of gear over to someone I know rater than just anyone. My kick is making something old work again and I count the cost later - when the sting has subsided.
 
I would keep them both since I like collecting different brands of receivers. I have Kenwood, Realistic, MCS, Pioneer, Marantz and Sony vintage receivers and I like them all. I dont judge vintage units just on one thing, I have to like how it sounds (of course, but most of the vintage stuff sounds just fine), how it looks, the features it has and how the controls feel when used. I keep the ones I like and sell the ones I dont like. You already have a great start with two really nice receivers. I have lower powered versions of the Pioneer (SX 680) and Marantz (2220B) and between those two, hands down the Marantz is a better sounding, looking and feeling receiver. But I still really like the Pioneer, it is my computer receiver and I use it every day. The point is that it is fun to see and experience the differences in vintage stuff.

All that being said out of all my receivers the Marantz, even though it is only 20 watts, has emerged as my favorite. It replaced a 35 watt Kenwood KR 4600 in my front vintage system and simply has more punch (I dont have a big audiophile vocabulary) and sounds more powerful. All of my receivers sound great to me, there are small differences but they all sound really good. I bet you will like seeing what all the brands offer over time. I sure have. I still want to try out Onkyo and one or two other brands. The only one I simply was not impressed with at all was a JVC, I wont be getting another. I also bought a Sansui 881 but even though it sounded great, I was not impressed with how it "felt" so I flipped it quickly. I would however like to try another Sansui model. That is the fun of this hobby, there are TONS of different models and brands to explore.
 
Technical stuff aside, I think the point here is that BOTH of these devices are good and rare. You are lucky enough to have found both.
 
The build quality is very nice with both. It really does come down to what house sound you like. I'm more of a Marantz guy sound wise. Nothing bad to say about Pioneer, I have a SX-780 that sounds very nice also. As others have stated, why not keep both? With older equipment having a nice backup is pretty handy. If one developes a problem you have something to use until your daily driver is repaired. And both are worth repairing if something goes wrong. The "Marantz tax" is high right now, well worth a repair. And there is nothing wrong with having two complete systems also.
 
Get the one you like the looks of, and with the higher WAF. This will make it easier for you to support your burgeoning audio addiction. Eventually you'll own both, and more, so it's really a matter of planning ahead.
 
All this keep both talk. Just think, you are still on the hunt and keeping both every time you get another unit leads to a bit more gear than you can handle. I would enjoy one find more and move the lesser condition units on to keep the slush fund available to grab something else when it is presented. That means the 2270 goes when you are ready to let go and hopefully a much better looking 2270 with a nice walnut cabinet will take its place or some other unit in great shape.
 
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loudnoises said:
Get the one you like the looks of, and with the higher WAF. This will make it easier for you to support your burgeoning audio addiction. Eventually you'll own both, and more, so it's really a matter of planning ahead.
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Wow how asleep was I? :crazy:
 
For me, it would be a tough choice in trying to decide between those two receivers. Right now, at my house, the 2270 sits in favor of the SX-828, as I've fallen in love with how the 828 sounds with Dynaco A-25 speakers. I also think a Nikko NR-815 sounds better than the 2270 with "stacked" Original Large Advents. But throw some different speakers in and the Marantz could very well win out.

One thing about the 2270, with the way prices have been rising on vintage Marantz gear, you might consider keeping it as an investment.
 
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