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Marantz 2270 with a power amp and which one?

RunOutGroove

RunOutGroove

Addicted Member
I posted some time ago regarding a bit of frustration I was having with my 2270 combo and the set of Elac Debut 6.2 speakers that I was using. The combo sounded very good to my ears but lacked the juice that I was used to with the older, more efficient (but far less great sounding) speakers I've since moved the Elacs to the remote position in a smaller room where they're generally loud enough and gotten a set of Jamo c103 speakers for my main room. The Jamos are just 1 db more efficient but maybe because of their fundamentally more lively character they seem a fair bit louder than the Elacs in the same room...

Today though I've been cranking up some music (so far Neil Young's Live Rust LP) while I do some chores around the house and once again lamenting the fact that my system doesn't really do the really loud thing well (even with the somewhat louder sounding speakers). Before I got the Jamos (which I found for a great deal) I was considering some much more efficient speakers, but now that I'm kind of resigned to what I have (I really do like the fundamental character of the Jamos), I'm considering eventually trying out a setup where I would use the 2270 in conjunction with a far more powerful amp. I like the 2270 too much to just replace it with an integrated amp or an amp/premap combo... that I'd also want to get a tuner for as I listen to radio maybe even more than recordings.

There shouldn't be a problem running the 2270 as a preamp, no? Then the question then is what power amp should I be looking for? I'd want something at least double what the 2270 offers, so at least 150 watts, if not more (but I'm pretty sure I don't need something that's mega-powerful, like more than 300 watts). I like the somewhat smooth character of the 2270 and wouldn't want something that's going to too much harder/fatiguing sounding... and I don't want to spend too much. I'm thinking of maybe something that's a common and undervalued old thing that's known to be reliable and comes up used for good prices.... but might that be?

I'm figuring that a bonus of running such a system might be a fuller, fatter sound at low volume as well, even if I don't have any complaint with that now. I'll also be running my two sets of speakers through the switcher box that I have and I figure that I could run them together without the need of the protection switch (that I use now) that robs everything of a bit of bass. That might be a lot of fun, to run both sets of speakers together with full bass and no fear of blowing anything...
 
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I've been using a Marantz 1060 integrated as a preamp for a Marantz model 140 power amp, so it's not a problem to use a power amp with the 2270. Just remember you will need to go sorta big with the power amp to get what your wanting. Going from say, a 50wpc amp to a 100wpc amp will only get you a few db's louder.
 
In my case I like the preamp section of the 1060. The 30wpc cap coupled amp section is the weak point. I have the matching preamp or the power amp, but it sounds rather bland compared to 1060. The 2270's sound pretty damn nice too. Just adding a power amp is cheaper than having to buy both amp and preamp.
 
Lavane said:
In my case I like the preamp section of the 1060. The 30wpc cap coupled amp section is the weak point. I have the matching preamp or the power amp, but it sounds rather bland compared to 1060. The 2270's sound pretty damn nice too. Just adding a power amp is cheaper than having to buy both amp and preamp.
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Amp, preamp and for me tuner as well, since I listen to a lot of radio.
 
The 2270 is a great receiver, but what you are saying you what to hear is why you go to separates. There are good preamp/ tuners out there, and you're looking for a 200 watt amp.
 
daveg3588 said:
The 2270 is a great receiver, but what you are saying you what to hear is why you go to separates. There are good preamp/ tuners out there, and you're looking for a 200 watt amp.
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Well.... I really like the 2270 except for the power issue. I'm too attached to the thing to want to sell it to fund some other amp solution and without selling I don't have the budget to buy an amp, preamp, tuner or a similar quality receiver that's double + the power of the 2270. No doubt that the thing might be a little less elegant looking solution, but it would be something that's more in line with my budget and would allow me to continue to use the 2270. I still would have the option to move to a dedicated preamp and tuner at a later point. Really for me, if I can keep the functionality/interface of the 2270 as well as the sound quality and just have more power... It just seems like for what I want, it isn't necessary to make the kind of investment that would be needed for replacing everything I have.
 
Aaron Hayman said:
Well.... I really like the 2270 except for the power issue. I'm too attached to the thing to want to sell it to fund some other amp solution and without selling I don't have the budget to buy an amp, preamp, tuner or a similar quality receiver that's double + the power of the 2270. No doubt that the thing might be a little less elegant looking solution, but it would be something that's more in line with my budget and would allow me to continue to use the 2270. I still would have the option to move to a dedicated preamp and tuner at a later point. Really for me, if I can keep the functionality/interface of the 2270 as well as the sound quality and just have more power... It just seems like for what I want, it isn't necessary to make the kind of investment that would be needed for replacing everything I have.
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Go find an Adcom 555
 
Using an Adcom 535 to run the main speakers and the 2270 to run the sub, gotta be honest, 2-535 and a GTP 500 sounded better. Nelson Pass an 15 year newer tech win all the time
 
Aaron Hayman said:
Curious about the mkI and mkII versions of this... Is there a favorite and why?
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I don't own a 555, however I listen to one at a friends house, a mk1, I think. It drives his Altec 19's. Kick ass set up. I said 555 because you want more power, and seem to be on a budget. It will get you to the next step for reasonable money. I have an Adcom 2535 it my system for rear channel JBL 4301's and Center channel JBL 520C. Main amp is Mac 2200 at 200 wpc . Subscribe to AK to open Bartertown, much good and trusted equipment there. I bought the Mac 2200 from an AK member. However no shipping on a 94 lbs unit. Also look at B&K 4435? also 200 wps for reasonable money. Adcom preamps are also reasonable and sound great GTP500/600 have tuners.
 
Aaron Hayman said:
I posted some time ago regarding a bit of frustration I was having with my 2270 combo and the set of Elac Debut 6.2 speakers that I was using. The combo sounded very good to my ears but lacked the juice that I was used to with the older, more efficient (but far less great sounding) speakers I've since moved the Elacs to the remote position in a smaller room where they're generally loud enough and gotten a set of Jamo c103 speakers for my main room. The Jamos are just 1 db more efficient but maybe because of their fundamentally more lively character they seem a fair bit louder than the Elacs in the same room...

Today though I've been cranking up some music (so far Neil Young's Live Rust LP) while I do some chores around the house and once again lamenting the fact that my system doesn't really do the really loud thing well (even with the somewhat louder sounding speakers). Before I got the Jamos (which I found for a great deal) I was considering some much more efficient speakers, but now that I'm kind of resigned to what I have (I really do like the fundamental character of the Jamos), I'm considering eventually trying out a setup where I would use the 2270 in conjunction with a far more powerful amp. I like the 2270 too much to just replace it with an integrated amp or an amp/premap combo... that I'd also want to get a tuner for as I listen to radio maybe even more than recordings.

There shouldn't be a problem running the 2270 as a preamp, no? Then the question then is what power amp should I be looking for? I'd want something at least double what the 2270 offers, so at least 150 watts, if not more (but I'm pretty sure I don't need something that's mega-powerful, like more than 300 watts). I like the somewhat smooth character of the 2270 and wouldn't want something that's going to too much harder/fatiguing sounding... and I don't want to spend too much. I'm thinking of maybe something that's a common and undervalued old thing that's known to be reliable and comes up used for good prices.... but might that be?

I'm figuring that a bonus of running such a system might be a fuller, fatter sound at low volume as well, even if I don't have any complaint with that now. I'll also be running my two sets of speakers through the switcher box that I have and I figure that I could run them together without the need of the protection switch (that I use now) that robs everything of a bit of bass. That might be a lot of fun, to run both sets of speakers together with full bass and no fear of blowing anything...
Click to expand...
I use A Luxman R1070 for a pre amp, a Carver M 500t amp to power A/D/S L1290's. It started as a whim. The Lux did o.k. by itself.. but I wanted to test the Carver, i didn't have a pre available at the time...so I hooked it up and it sounded good...so it stayed...for now. Don't underestimate a Vintage receivers preamp section, some sound very good...others not so much....try it and let your ears be the judge.
 
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