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Conflicting info: Marantz 2270 and AR3A's

robertv

robertv

New Member
New here and no expert, but I'm hoping for some advice that will help me avoid an expensive mistake.

I have a Marantz 2270 that I love only a bit less than my kids, so whatever vintage speakers I choose will definitely need to pair well with it. I have a pair of Dynaco A25's, and they sound great in my 12X15 office. I bought a pair of JBL 4311's this summer to use in the much larger adjacent family room, mainly because I remembered lusting after them when I was in college. But now I realize that I must be an "East Coaster," because they are just too bright for my taste.

I recently heard a pair of AR3A's at an acquaintance's house and I was blown away, particularly by the deep, rich bass. I decided I had to have some, but as I'm sure most here have already guessed, when I did some preliminary research here and elsewhere, I immediately ran across numerous posts claiming that a "marriage" with my 2270 would never work out, and that I needed to stick to 8 ohm speakers. However, there are also many other posts, often sprinkled into the same threads, claiming that the 2270 does just fine with the 3A's. I've also seen a number of claims that it was the earlier 2270's that had a problem and that this was later corrected. My serial # is 46504, so mine is definitely not early.

So my question is a two-parter: first, do I just need to forget about AR3A's, or does my model's later production make a successful pairing possible? And second, if the AR3A marriage would indeed be destined for failure, what better matched vintage speaker might come close to giving me the AR3A sound I'm wishing for?
 
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Ran a 2270 for a few months. If I recall correctly the 2270 output dropped to about 40 wpc with 4ohm loads. Mine had no problems with 6ohm speakers but ran outta steam driving some speakers that dipped to 2.7ish ohm according to Stereophile measurements. There was changes to later production 2270s to improve 4ohm output and also there were a couple of posts here in AK that covered how to improve the 4 ohm performance if I recall correctly. If you dont push it hard it shouldnt be a problem, but not familiar with your AR loads. I will try to track down that article with 2270 measurements.
 
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, the Marantz 2270 with all black speakers terminals is the early version and the one with the red and black is the latest version. I ran a pair of AR3a speakers with a 2270 without no issues for a long while. They made a wonderful combo.
 
My first question would be if you like what you heard at an aquaintances house was what was he driving them with.
 
Thanks very much for the replies so far. The 3A's I heard were paired with a Pioneer SX-950, which is rated at 85 wpc into 8 ohms. I have heard that the 2270 actually puts out more than the rated 70 wpc, which is why I initially thought it would drive the AR3A's. Based on what I have heard so far I am leaning toward giving the 3A's a cautious try, but I'd still like to hear suggestions on 8 ohm speakers that might come closest to the 3A's sound.
 
It did put out more than 70 at 8ohms in the review I saw but was about 42 at 4 ohm if I recall correctly. I saw a graph for AR5 while looking through my stack and snapped a shot of the impedance chart. Notice that it drops to 5 ohms even though its nominal rating is 8ohms. Just run em at 9oclock on the volume for a while and check if it running hotter than it does when you ran the A25s. Increase it and keep checking for heat, also use your ears, if you start to notice instruments are getting congested and lose their own space back down the volume. Some folks just want to hear it loud without regard for clarity and thats where damage to components start to happen. 40 clean watts at 4 ohms will put out a decent amount of music.

Also if you post your serial # someone may know if its the updated version, change the last digit or two if you dont feel comfortable posting the actual #.
 

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Try some AR5s. I personally think they are a better balanced speaker to the 3a or the 2ax. Sacrilege, I know. But that's how I feel.
 
The KLH model Five was designed to compete with the AR-3A, and is 8 ohms. I have AR-3's and Model Fives. They both sound incredible. I'm driving the Fives with my JVC R-S77 @ 60wpc in a 18 X 22 room with 12 foot vaulted ceilings. This combination is spectacular and when cranked, you feel the air move.

I haven't had the 3's in the family room but will see how they sound there.
They are usually in the cave being driven by my A-X9 amp @105 spec. The AR's love the power and sound incredible.

So you have a real nice alternative with the fives, which go just about as deep as my 3's.
I wonder if the 3A's you heard were early or later. Early had the cloth surround alnico woofers like the 3, which go a bit deeper than the later ceramic magnet foam surround woofer.

Glenn
 
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You might think about finding a power amp that does better with 4 ohm loads and use your 2270 as a pre.and have the best of both worlds.
 
I ran my KLH Model 5's with a restored Marantz 2230 that I had for a while. The 2230 was only 30 per and had no problem driving the 5's. 5's will match up well with the 2270. You can pick them up for less than half of what the 3a's are bringing without giving anything away sonically. KLH Model 23's and OLA's (Original Large Advents) should also be in the conversation as well as a number of ADS speakers. Incidentally, the Model 5's recap and cloth surround retreatment is simple whereas the 3a does have problematic pots that sometimes have to be refurbished in addition to the recap. Welcome to AK and keep us posted on your speaker search.
 
I was going to mention ADS too. Find some L780/2 or L880/2 for less than the price of the AR3a and share your Sh*t eating grin with your buddy when he comes clambering over to your house with his music in-hand.
 
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I have a pair of AR5's & 3a's. The 5s are driven by a Kenwood KA-995 a/v 100wpc amp & it's a fine combo. The 3a's are driven by a MCS 3275 right now with 75wpc & they are mighty fine sounding. Don't play them much as waiting to get something with more power!

A power source with 100wpc & up should open the 3a's up pretty nice!

Rome
 
Thanks very much for all the suggestions. Based on what I've read on this thread and then further searches that took me into the wee hours, I'm leaning this way:

A) Trying the AR3A's is probably too risky (both as a purchase and to my receiver).

B) Investigating your suggestions in this priority order:
1. AR 5 (This seems like the best choice, but NOTHING out there right now that I can find, either here, on that auction site, or elsewhere online).
2. AR 2ax (Also seems like it would be a good choice, but I think I might rather wait a bit to see if some 5's turn up).
3. ADS L810 (a pair for a very good price on that auction site... VERY tempted).
4. KLH 5 (Compelling arguments for these, but again NOTHING out there that I have been able to find).

Don't want to transgress the rules here, but if you've got a line on anything from my list, please contact me outside the thread.
 
They'll turn up. You just have to be patient. AK member edroom had some AR5s but not sure if he's selling. You could PM him. I did the work on those.
 
I'd add Rectilinear III to the list of speakers to look for. I think I prefer them to my KLH Twenty Threes due to better bass, but I haven't had the opportunity to really give any AR3s or KLH Fives a thorough workout. They seem to fly under the radar compared to better known speakers like AR, Advent, KLH, etc.
 
baco99 said:
There's a set of EPI 200c in Roswell
Those are worth checking out for sure.
Click to expand...

Definitely a nice speaker, but I'm wondering if the OP thought that JBLs were too bright if he might not think the same of EPIs. I don't have any "big" EPIs but I do love my Genesis 1+ - so probably worth at least a listen if possible.
 
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