Marantz 2230 replacement

[Bluzefan]

Good morning all,
I currently own and enjoy my Marantz 2230 receiver and use it for mainly vinyl played through my Polk SDA CRS+ speakers on my Technics SL-1700 turntable with ortofon red cartridge/stylus, I enjoy predominantly classic rock and some jazz.
My questions to all is this...
Am I at any advantage to sell my 2230 and replace it with a pre-amp/amp setup? Well I notably enhance the sound quality of my vinyl records? Like I said before I enjoy my 2230 (never use the tuner) but wondering if I'm missing something by not having a dedicated pre amp/amp
Thanks for any input

 

[Bodyblue]

You are going to get about a zillion different responses to your questions. If you want to spend some money and get some new equipment that is your choice. Did you want something new or used?

 

[darkblue94]

Good morning all,
I currently own and enjoy my Marantz 2230 receiver and use it for mainly vinyl played through my Polk SDA CRS+ speakers on my Technics SL-1700 turntable with ortofon red cartridge/stylus, I enjoy predominantly classic rock and some jazz.
My questions to all is this...
Am I at any advantage to sell my 2230 and replace it with a pre-amp/amp setup? Well I notably enhance the sound quality of my vinyl records? Like I said before I enjoy my 2230 (never use the tuner) but wondering if I'm missing something by not having a dedicated pre amp/amp
Thanks for any input

Well that would depend on the particular amplifier and preamplifier you are considering. I hesitated making the change from receiver to separates for many years and when I did it I lamented that I hadn't done it long before. That being said, there have been some receivers that I've experienced over the last few years that blur the line. One example would be a Nakamichi TA3A Stasis receiver that I found recently, crazy good sound. I was originally considering giving it to one of my sisters but changed my mind after I played around with it for a few days.
One thing I'm real sure of though is that your Polk SDA's will definitely appreciate having more power than your 2230 can provide.

 

[Bluzefan]

You are going to get about a zillion different responses to your questions. If you want to spend some money and get some new equipment that is your choice. Did you want something new or used?

i suppose i am open to any suggestions...not wanting to spend more than $500-$700

 

[Bluzefan]

Well that would depend on the particular amplifier and preamplifier you are considering. I hesitated making the change from receiver to separates for many years and when I did it I lamented that I hadn't done it long before. That being said, there have been some receivers that I've experienced over the last few years that blur the line. One example would be a Nakamichi TA3A Stasis receiver that I found recently, crazy good sound. I was originally considering giving it to one of my sisters but changed my mind after I played around with it for a few days.
One thing I'm real sure of though is that your Polk SDA's will definitely appreciate having more power than your 2230 can provide.

thanks for your reply, not wanting to spend more than $500-$700, do i guess i prefer something "vintage" but am always open to any recommendations
you may have

 

[wmgwizard]

Hold on tight.....this could be a bumpy ride !!

The Marantz 2230 is highly regarded as one of the better sounding receivers of all time. There are MANY fans.

Is there something that you feel is "missing" ?

What would YOU hope to gain by making a change ?

If you don't find yourself running out of power then maybe spending the money on having the Marantz restored could be the answer.

Maybe spend whats left over on a different/better cartridge and phono pre amp ?

Try different speakers ?

 

[Bluzefan]

Hold on tight.....this could be a bumpy ride !!

The Marantz 2230 is highly regarded as one of the better sounding receivers of all time. There are MANY fans.

Is there something that you feel is "missing" ?

What would YOU hope to gain by making a change ?

If you don't find yourself running out of power then maybe spending the money on having the Marantz restored could be the answer.

Maybe spend whats left over on a different/better cartridge and phono pre amp ?

Try different speakers ?

Thanks for your input...I really don't feel I'm missing anything, just wondering if there was any advantage to having separate units...i don't have thousands of dollars to spend, lot of people think i should upgrade my cart.... do you feel a phono pre amp would help?

 

[wmgwizard]

The general belief is that there are fewer compromises made in the design and manufacture of separates than in receivers.

That does not mean that separates will always sound better, especially in units of about 50wpc or less. Higher power systems may benefit from each item having it's own power supply like you would have with separates.

The Marantz has a pretty nice sounding phono preamp built in but due to age may not be up to spec. The same could be said about the rest of the unit. Perhaps a restoration would be your best option.

An outboard phono preamp could make a significant difference. Wether that difference is good or bad depends on your ears. Prices range from a few dollars up to Holy $hit. YMMV

 

[Bodyblue]

Thanks for your input...I really don't feel I'm missing anything, just wondering if there was any advantage to having separate units...i don't have thousands of dollars to spend, lot of people think i should upgrade my cart.... do you feel a phono pre amp would help?

You have a very nice receiver right now. Have you thought about some sort of digital player? Jazz is superb with a good CD player because of the low noise floor....the quiet passages are dead quiet, even at substantial volume. I am not knocking vinyl at all but there are some good reasons to look at some sort of high quality digital sources. With your budget you could get a nice CD player and a pretty decent set of speakers. Speakers are the one thing that has the biggest influence on sound. If you like the sound you have now, try some new sources. If you feel like a change then speakers and a new CD or DVD player will give you some new sounds.

 

[darkblue94]

You have a very nice receiver right now. Have you thought about some sort of digital player? Jazz is superb with a good CD player because of the low noise floor....the quiet passages are dead quiet, even at substantial volume. I am not knocking vinyl at all but there are some good reasons to look at some sort of high quality digital sources. With your budget you could get a nice CD player and a pretty decent set of speakers. Speakers are the one thing that has the biggest influence on sound. If you like the sound you have now, try some new sources. If you feel like a change then speakers and a new CD or DVD player will give you some new sounds.

OP already has a better than pretty decent set of speakers and jazz is also superb with a quality analog set up which is where the OP indicated his/her interests lie.

 

[lukiedog]

The 2230 was made to play records. That was the medium of the time. You would be hard pressed to find a modern amp and preamp with a phono stage that would be more satisfying. A good amp would run you a couple of thousand and a good preamp about a grand. And that is a budget audiophile system. So no, you are in pretty good shape as is. Now, if you want to go digital and get SACDs and DVD-As, yes, there would be something to be gained by forking over larger amounts of cash for better sound. And you will need to go ahead and ditch whatever speakers you are using for some Thiels or Vandersteins. But I don't think that is what you're after.

 

[wlhd1610]

I think the 2230 might be a little light on power for your Polks.
That being said your 2230 has preamp outputs so you could find a Marantz 140 or 170DC to stay within your budget or even go off brand .
Then you could always get a separate preamp to go with your power amp when your funds replenish or not.

Bob

 

[darkblue94]

There are plenty of excellent amplifiers and preamplifiers on the market for a lot less than suggested above especially when you look at the used and vintage markets. The assertion that you must have expensive and fancy gear and speakers to enjoy listening to hi-resolution media is patently ridiculous. I would recommend that you recap your Polk Audio SDA's if it hasn't been done already, it's not terribly complicated nor does it have to be expensive but the crossover capacitors, if original are way past their expiration date.

 

[benricci]

For a $500 budget, I'd say no. Stick with your 2230. It's a helluva unit and the phono preamp is very nice. You should be served just fine with that receiver.

I'd put that money towards a better cartridge, personally. You have a $99 Ortofon right now, and not one I'm fond of. You'd getter a bigger upgrade out of your system with a line contact or Shibata type of stylus. Something like the AT440mlb or its replacement (I forget the new model number at the moment) would make a much bigger difference in your vinyl playback than ditching a perfectly good 2230 for some random separates.

 

[bluescat]

IMHO, I would use that money to have the 2230 restored, and if you "must" have more power add a power amp as suggested above. I use a Crown XLS 1500 with a restored 2245 as a preamp and it sounds great, and I will never be lacking for power. I had a 2230 back in the 70's and early 80's and wish I never got rid of it, for whatever " thats" worth.

 

[Bodyblue]

OP already has a better than pretty decent set of speakers and jazz is also superb with a quality analog set up which is where the OP indicated his/her interests lie.

Jazz does indeed sound fine with a TT, but it can sound better with a digital source as well. He said nothing about wanting to stay analog. His speakers are also fine, but if he wants to change the sound of his system, some modern Polks would be a great way to do it. The ones he has are probably a bit underpowered at 30 wpc. A modern set of 89db RTiA1 Polks could really make a difference. I love Marantz receivers and Polk speakers but the OPs current combo does not bring the best out of either items.

 

[Bodyblue]

The 2230 was made to play records. That was the medium of the time. You would be hard pressed to find a modern amp and preamp with a phono stage that would be more satisfying. A good amp would run you a couple of thousand and a good preamp about a grand. And that is a budget audiophile system. So no, you are in pretty good shape as is. Now, if you want to go digital and get SACDs and DVD-As, yes, there would be something to be gained by forking over larger amounts of cash for better sound. And you will need to go ahead and ditch whatever speakers you are using for some Thiels or Vandersteins. But I don't think that is what you're after.

I'm sorry but those are some really silly assertions. One does NOT need to go SACD or DVD-As to get better sound. Even so, for example, I just picked up a Marantz DV 6001 DVD/SACD player for less than $50. And the 2230 was not just "made to play records". It was made for excellent FM reception as well as RTR and Cassette tape decks besides the phono section.

 

[Jayrosc]

I had a 2235B until a couple months ago. What I learned with that unit is that one does not need a tremendous amount of wattage to get great sound. I used it with a variety of speakers, all good ones mind you, and never found it lacking. I think you've got to reach pretty far to find something better.

 

[Bruno Primas]

Enjoy the 2230 while slowly saving/deciding what new equipment to purchase. Then after buying the new equipment, A/B test them against each other. You'll find out what you enjoy more at that point, and sell the other.

Of course, keeping both would also be an option.