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Marantz 2215b or Pioneer SX-780?

Lavane said:
Now get some plug in LED's to replace the bulbs in the 780. The original bulbs get hot and are close to the top of the cabinet. Over time the cabinet will show burn marks on the top. Mine was just starting to darken the veneer and looks burnt on the underside.
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What kind of size should I be on the lookout for? Is it really just a matter of clipping the replacements on?
 
the 780 has 3x the power, 1/10 the noise and is far better built, AND there is a real good path for new outputs over on the pioneer board. admittedly, Im a poineer bigot.
 
Ak1337azn said:
What kind of size should I be on the lookout for? Is it really just a matter of clipping the replacements on?
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There is an AK member that sells them. I forgot who. But they can be found on fleabay too. They just plug in like the bulbs. Red, green, blue, violet, white,etc.
 
I had a 2215b and thought it sounded pretty good driving some 50s alnico speakers.Of course we all eventually want more power and thats what the 780 will do for you.Personally I am not a fan of LEDs.They don't look natural to these units.
 
superdog said:
we all eventually want more power
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Really? Many folks go the opposite way and intentionally seek lower power for good reason. My main
system is just fine at 12 watts per channel and I'm looking at some amplifiers that come in under the
5 watt threshold. Many of us are simply searching for the magic beans needed to get us to the promised
land of Sonic Nirvana which can be different from one person to the next.
 
I have 2 second hand 780's. I am delighted to read al of these positive comments and know that I did right in the choice. HAS ANYONE ever made a custom solid wood cabinet for one of these to replace the old laminate?
 
darkblue94 said:
Really? Many folks go the opposite way and intentionally seek lower power for good reason. My main
system is just fine at 12 watts per channel and I'm looking at some amplifiers that come in under the
5 watt threshold. Many of us are simply searching for the magic beans needed to get us to the promised
land of Sonic Nirvana which can be different from one person to the next.
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I think so in the beginning.Perhaps not everyone but from my experience here it seems a safe assumption.I need powerful systems to fulfill my need.I also have a 12 watt Sansui 331 that I enjoy quite a bit and when I get my Electrovoice SP15-T35 setup going I am sure I'll only need 25 tube wpc.
 
superdog said:
I think so in the beginning.Perhaps not everyone but from my experience here it seems a safe assumption.I need powerful systems to fulfill my need.I also have a 12 watt Sansui 331 that I enjoy quite a bit and when I get my Electrovoice SP15-T35 setup going I am sure I'll only need 25 tube wpc.
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The only safe assumptions are those not made. Assumptions are in the same category as generalizations and blanket statements and are best to be avoided.
 
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darkblue94 said:
Really? Many folks go the opposite way and intentionally seek lower power for good reason. My main
system is just fine at 12 watts per channel and I'm looking at some amplifiers that come in under the
5 watt threshold. Many of us are simply searching for the magic beans needed to get us to the promised
land of Sonic Nirvana which can be different from one person to the next.
Click to expand...
I recently sold a SX-980. For me there was no advantage to the power. I often felt it wasn't playing all the music until it was to loud.
I'm doing better with 18 to 50 watts, but I will keep the 80 watt JVC-vr5660.
 
quiet said:
I recently sold a SX-980. For me there was no advantage to the power. I often felt it wasn't playing all the music until it was to loud.
I'm doing better with 18 to 50 watts, but I will keep the 80 watt JVC-vr5660.
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You brought up something that resonated with me. I too noticed that the Marantz sounded somehow "fuller" compared to the Pioneer at lower volumes (although could this be attributed to the warmth?). Whereas the Pioneer needs to be cracked up a little louder in order for me to get a complete sense of sound.

Any idea why this might be?
 
Lots of ideas as to why. Gee where to start. I'll keep it simple.
Warm low power Marantz units are good but limited in the speakers they will run without turning to mud.
I don't like them with OLA Advents for an example.
That Advent is bottom heavy and power thirsty. Your Marantz is maybe warm and not a lot of power. The result is Marantz and Advent in the shower.
On the other hand your new to you 780 will drive most any power hungry sealed box speaker very loud with all the warm full tight bass and clarity most could ever want.
The 780 is not picky about speakers at all. Your Marantz is, it needs the KGs, the 780 does not.
I would suggest you try one of the following "affordable" sealed box speakers with the 780 .....
Wharfedale 60 or 70
Advent (new large or old large)
Fisher xp7b.(not xp7)
Most but not all of the larger sealed box Realistic from the 70s
Skipp the Pioneer speakers, some are great, there's a learning curve.
Same with JBL and oh the $$$$ for the ones you want.
Dynaco Dynaco and more Dynaco
KLH 17 (and other KLH but more $ like the model 5)
The 780 can run these speakers with all but the best pre/amps.
Luci............................. you got some thinking to do.
 
quiet said:
Lots of ideas as to why. Gee where to start. I'll keep it simple.
Warm low power Marantz units are good but limited in the speakers they will run without turning to mud.
I don't like them with OLA Advents for an example.
That Advent is bottom heavy and power thirsty. Your Marantz is maybe warm and not a lot of power. The result is Marantz and Advent in the shower.
On the other hand your new to you 780 will drive most any power hungry sealed box speaker very loud with all the warm full tight bass and clarity most could ever want.
The 780 is not picky about speakers at all. Your Marantz is, it needs the KGs, the 780 does not.
I would suggest you try one of the following "affordable" sealed box speakers with the 780 .....
Wharfedale 60 or 70
Advent (new large or old large)
Fisher xp7b.(not xp7)
Most but not all of the larger sealed box Realistic from the 70s
Skipp the Pioneer speakers, some are great, there's a learning curve.
Same with JBL and oh the $$$$ for the ones you want.
Dynaco Dynaco and more Dynaco
KLH 17 (and other KLH but more $ like the model 5)
The 780 can run these speakers with all but the best pre/amps.
Luci............................. you got some thinking to do.
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Thanks, quiet. I'm not sure if this answers my original question but I could definitely use some guidance on what to look for to pair up with the Marantz (synergy and all that). I'll heed your words carefully in looking out for vintage selections. Any comment on modern speakers aside from seeking out high efficiency?
 
I have don't have a lot of experience with anything after 79. But just about everyone else here does.
Are you saying the KGs don't match well with the Marantz?
 
quiet said:
I have don't have a lot of experience with anything after 79. But just about everyone else here does.
Are you saying the KGs don't match well with the Marantz?
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No, they do. It's just that my impression is that the Pioneer needs to be cranked up slightly more in order to achieve a "fuller" sound as opposed to the Marantz. Maybe that's just attributed to the Marantz's low end, apparent tube-like sound, though.
 
Yep. I think you got it figured out. I think my perception with my SX-980 may have been due to my inability to keep my fingers off the go fast knob.
Particularly with the Mach 1s.
I'm not pushing Machs. They are what they are and one off those things is fun with a good Pioneer..
 
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