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Choose 2220 or 2220B?

S

Sax & Guitar

Active Member
I have been offered a choice of 2220 or 2220B. I love my 2230, so I am looking for more of that kind of sound, if that helps any.

What distinctions are present between the two, and why might I choose one over the other?

Looking forward to discussion with Marantz owners!

Sax & Guitar
 
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That's a tough call between those two models. The 2220 is old school...early seventies design. As is your 2230. More importantly, both models are "capacitor coupled". Vs "direct coupled" which is what most of the 22xx series are. So, if you are looking for sound closest to your 2230, you might find it in the 2220.

For me it's a tough call because the 2220B is a favorite of mine. Easy to rebuild, and sounds great when you are done. Very little work for the sonic rewards it gives. The 2220 takes more time to rebuild, as does the 2230.
 
Also, some versions of the 2220B include a relay (the opaque plastic cover) that doesn’t have a modern equivalent. Not impossible to clean or replace but some don’t find it easy or are surprised when the commonly discussed replacement doesn’t work.

That said both are low powered Marantz receivers and fans generally agree the lower end of the line really brings out the Marantz warmth. For me the choice would be which one is in better physical condition, especially the face.
 
@runningdog,
I know what a capacitor is, and what it does, but not what "direct-coupled" and "cap-coupled" mean.

Is my 2230 direct-, or cap-?
I also have Pioneer SX-950; is it direct- or cap-coupled?
Likewise, is my Kenwood KR-3200 direct- or cap-?
What is the advantage of one over the other? How is the sound affected by these design choices, if at all?

Thanks for your patience with a retired musician and lifetime hi-fi enthusiast with only minimal electronics knowledge.
Sax & Guitar
 
I had a 2220B pass through here recently and it surprised the heck out of me. Does everything well.
 
Sax & Guitar said:
@runningdog,
I know what a capacitor is, and what it does, but not what "direct-coupled" and "cap-coupled" mean.

Is my 2230 direct-, or cap-?
I also have Pioneer SX-950; is it direct- or cap-coupled?
Likewise, is my Kenwood KR-3200 direct- or cap-?
What is the advantage of one over the other? How is the sound affected by these design choices, if at all?

Thanks for your patience with a retired musician and lifetime hi-fi enthusiast with only minimal electronics knowledge.
Sax & Guitar
Click to expand...
My minimal understanding of cap coupled vs. direct coupled: In Marantz design, the large capacitor goes between the output and the speakers. This gives a lot of protection to the speaker against DC voltage that could damage it. If an amp fails in a cap couple unit, the speakers are likely to be spared. In direct coupling, the output goes directly to the speaker. A failure in terms of high DC at the output can take the speaker coil with it. Also, not being an engineer, I don't understand why, but cap couple designs generally have one filter cap and one power rail that is about double what you would see in a direct coupled design. For instance, the 1060 (30 wpc) has a single rail with something like 80V. The 2245 receiver (45 wpc) is direct coupled, has two large filter caps, and it has two power rails with roughly +45V and -45V. From a listening standpoint, most people feel the cap couple design has a "warmer" sound than the direct coupled amps. For some reason, cap coupling is generally used for lower power units - 30 wpc or less.
Here is a link to a thread where they have accumulated a list of many cap coupled units. Your 2230 is cap coupled, your other ones apparently are not. Hopefully, someone more knowledgable than me can expand on this or correct me if I am wrong.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...e-receivers-and-integrated-amplifiers.912075/
 
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I have found 2220B relay's at one point, same as certain model Luxman's. Available on that auction site from time to time.
 
I know you can get either a 2220B or 2220.. I like the sound of the direct coupled ones of the higher wattage Marantz.. that said if you could find a 2225 that would be much better as they test out closer to 30W/channel and have dual power supply rails and are not cap coupled..IMHO I believe the 2225 is the best sounding in the lower powered 22XX line. So with you having a 2230 cap coupled you'd have a direct coupled same power - then you'd have the best of both worlds.
 
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