Examples of the Marantz Tax

[H2oman7.62mm]

I doubt I would have anything near as nice as what I have today if I hadn't inherited the 2238B that is the heart and soul of my system, I guess I would have something less nice - or nothing at all.

Since I already have a vintage Marantz I was wondering what sellers were asking for them and wanting to compare asking prices for all vintage Marantz receivers across the USA - it's not about what you like or dislike.

 

[titanstats]

If properly and entirely restored these are fair prices, I restored and sold them around these figures.

If not restored these are outrageously high.

They’re almost never restored tho, mostly someone opens the lid and shoots some sort of liquid on the controls.

 

[H2oman7.62mm]

They’re almost never restored tho, mostly someone opens the lid and shoots some sort of liquid on the controls.

That seems to be the trend, and they claim it's either serviced or restored.

If I was shopping for any vintage receiver I would require documentation supporting the sellers claims of service or restoration.

 

[troika]

...don't need a blue light for my ears!

Yeah, my ears led me to British mid-fi, which aesthetically is very plain. Like a city hospital building or an eastern bloc housing project, but I love the sound.

That blue dial, though...come on! Makes my heart flutter every time. Like seeing a classic car.

 

[ocdecio]

They’re almost never restored tho, mostly someone opens the lid and shoots some sort of liquid on the controls.

...or worse.

 

[SmitterDave]

Seems that many here complain about the price of Marantz gear on this thread... Yet if they picked up a 2275 at a yard sale for $75 bucks you would hear about it until you see the same item listed at ebay pricing somewhere?

No one seems to bring up the McIntosh Tax, much of their solid state gear does not sound great IMHO.

If you want real Marantz gear this is a starter

 

[Lucky Pierre]

Gotta admit I have a Marantz stack of separates for sale for which I am certainly asking top dollar. If it doesn't sell, no biggie.

 

[petes'picks]

I like Marantz, Pioneer and Sansui but at todays prices?, I can think of a couple dozen high end brands I would rather spend that kind of money on.

I had a 2245, brought it for $100 then sold it for $125 after fixing it up. Had a beautiful 2220 in a wood case I sold for $120. I love playing with vintage gear but I have set limits on how much I think they are worth and wont spend a penny more for one no matter what kind of money other people are throwing at them. Just because someone jumps off a bridge......

 

[EPMiller]

Current listings in Marketplace for my NE Georgia location (2/27/2025)


Model ~ Asking price

2226B ~ $875
2238B ~ $1,195
2252B ~ $1,200
2270 ~ $2,000
2275 ~ $1,800
2330B ~ $1,700

What are you seeing in your area?

I bought a nicely restored 2270 recently for $1,400, but that was the price for members of an audio club. Non-member price was $1,750. I'm in the Birmingham area.

 

[mrswakka]

Okay, but what Marantz are you seeing available in your area?

In So Cal they’re crazy expensive.

 

[Sansuiman]

I see virtually no Marantz for sale locally (judging by Craigslist, I don't use Facebook). Very little Sansui, a small bit of Pioneer on there. Of the latter two, both are usually seeking near eBay pricing for anything decent (i.e., not broken junk or 80's plastic rack system crap) and tends to sit a while before the ads disappear (whether the ads are expiring or the stuff is selling, I couldn't say with certainty).

I'd say that while Marantz and McIntosh appear to be the two brands the command the highest premiums, Sansui and Pioneer aren't far behind, and certainly have a tax of their own. And I seldom see anything from any of the above brands I consider even a remotely good deal anymore.

I will say the greatest inflation in values is clearly on receivers. Separates still usually commands decent money, but are almost fairly priced by comparison to receivers, especially TOTL models. As much as I enjoy receivers, and have many nice ones in my collection, I haven't been buying them at recent valuations, and have focused more on tube gear and rare solid state separates that interest me in the last few years.

 

[Robisme]

Local CL.

1040 $700
2325 $2800
1152DC $1200
4300 $1800
Model 150 $1000
2226B $750
6300 turntable $1500 yikes
6100 $500
1180DC $1500
2285 $1500
2275 $2000
2270 engraved $2500
4270 $1400

And it goes on and on.

Rob

 

[E2]

I feel the same. Not paying big money for receivers.

I paid $43 for this day before Halloween 2008....Euro model with real wood and voltage selector (Needs lamps, I have not used it in over two years)

 

[Sansuiman]

@E2, that was a hell of a score, even back in 2008. I really like the look of that Yamaha line. I got my first Sansui QRX-9001 (their biggest quad receiver) in 2000 for $25 at a local electronics surplus shop. Fixed all the usual problems and still use it today. I wish I'd kept a detailed tally of my greatest scores back in the day, some of them were obscenely cheap (or even free) and nobody who is a more recent collector of this gear would ever believe the pocket change I shelled out for some of this stuff back in the good old days.

Some I distinctly remember, like the above example. Others are faded memories (even if I still own the gear, recollection of how little I paid escapes me now on a lot of it). I've had hundred of piece of gear through my hands since 1996, and after a while it all starts to become a blur.

 

[tarior]

@E2, that was a hell of a score, even back in 2008. I really like the look of that Yamaha line. I got my first Sansui QRX-9001 (their biggest quad receiver) in 2000 for $25 at a local electronics surplus shop. Fixed all the usual problems and still use it today. I wish I'd kept a detailed tally of my greatest scores back in the day, some of them were obscenely cheap (or even free) and nobody who is a more recent collector of this gear would ever believe the pocket change I shelled out for some of this stuff back in the good old days.

Some I distinctly remember, like the above example. Others are faded memories (even if I still own the gear, recollection of how little I paid escapes me now on a lot of it). I've had hundred of piece of gear through my hands since 1996, and after a while it all starts to become a blur.

I know what you mean. In 2007, I picked up at a yard sale a Concept 16.5 receiver and a pair of JBL L212 with sub for $160.

 

[E2]

@E2, that was a hell of a score, even back in 2008. I really like the look of that Yamaha line. I got my first Sansui QRX-9001 (their biggest quad receiver) in 2000 for $25 at a local electronics surplus shop. Fixed all the usual problems and still use it today. I wish I'd kept a detailed tally of my greatest scores back in the day, some of them were obscenely cheap (or even free) and nobody who is a more recent collector of this gear would ever believe the pocket change I shelled out for some of this stuff back in the good old days.

Some I distinctly remember, like the above example. Others are faded memories (even if I still own the gear, recollection of how little I paid escapes me now on a lot of it). I've had hundred of piece of gear through my hands since 1996, and after a while it all starts to become a blur.

Surprisingly that receiver sat in the back room of the thrift for a few months. One of the workers wanted it but couldn't get it home. They knew I wanted it , but I did not have the right combination of people working. It came together in late October, and I bought it. Outside of the lamp issue the 2040 is a very reliable unit.
I had A Sansui 9090 that I bought on New Years Day 2009 for $10......I never cared for it. I should have kept 10 more years.....I marvel at some of the prices spent on here for 40-60 WPC receivers from the Silver era. Just does not make sense.

 

[E2]

I know what you mean. In 2007, I picked up at a yard sale a Concept 16.5 receiver and a pair of JBL L212 with sub for $160.

These were $30 in 2021...They are sitting on top of a pair of JBL 4311's that were $40. Still have the Totems. The 4311's were excellent. If I didn't have the Yamaha NS 1000's that I paid $30 for in 2010 I might have kept the 4311's. When I finally get the tweeter for the ProAc 2.5 Clones next week I may move the Yamaha's. I really like the clones that much.



These were $17..

 

[ernieb1536]

I've been paying

2226B ~ $300
2238B ~ $350 - $400
2252B ~ $550
2270 ~ $700 ($1000 if mint)
2275 ~ $700 - $900
2330B ~ $1,000 (if in good shape, mint a bit more)

Are they being sold for more on ebay/reverb? Sure. People will always pay more for units in these sites and always pay more if they don't want to wait. But for people like myself that have no hurry in buying the prices above are attainable.

Again, these are prices I paid and I would be hard pressed to pay anything more for these.

Right now on Craigslist in my area a 2252b with a weak Chanel $400 needs work a 2226 working good $400 but a 2270 $2200 !

 

[Omegaman]

Marantz 2500 - $6500

Marantz 2500 receiver - electronics - by owner - sale - craigslist

If you’re looking at this monster, you probably know what it’s capable of. Clean inside and out. I bought it in Japan, already serviced and fully functional. If you have questions or concerns feel...

phoenix.craigslist.org

 

[ernieb1536]

It was a friend's 70s Marantz receiver that sucked me into this hobby, but my ears and fruegel ways led me in a different direction. I still get a warm feeling when I see that blue tuner dial light up.

I have no experience with Pioneer, but love the apparent build quality of those metal toggle switches that many models seem to have.

How does Pioneer compare sonically to Marantz and Sansui?

Consider Realstic sta lines example pioneer sx780 60 wpc with power pac modules sold new $699 vs sta2080 all ic 80wpc has tone , bass and midrange controls ! More inputs classic style sound fantastic ! Sold new $499 and excellent build quality often go for much less than pioneer and Marantz ! Also sta2290 early digital with classic style go for even less !