Surfacetension
Well-Known Member
Pioneer 1050 or 1250 vs Marantz . which one ? 2385 or 2270
Marantz 2385
- Thread starter Surfacetension
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I would go with the 1050. I have two 1050's and a 1250, and prefer the 1050's by a small margin. I've had several marantz models above and below the ones you listed, and didn't like the sound of any of them before or after restoration. YMMV...
furious_01
Active Member
I think this is the popular vote from what i've encountered... now granted, i'm more of a marantz guy, and i've yet to listen to a 1050 and a 1250 side by side... but, nothing but raves i've ever seen when comparing those two directly. i do tend to agree that marantz is a bit more warm whereas pioneer is more accurate, but since i am a klipsch guy, it kind of evens things out to the point my ears are happy. my 2 cents.
2270
I'd go 1250 based on my experience, but if you don't need the power I'd look for what many of us consider the best sound from that era's Pioneer and that would be the SX-1010. Yes I've owned several of each (new and / or expertly serviced and restored).
marantz? I've had almost all of that series, and I have the same opinion of their SQ today as I did when new: meh. Sound quality vs "house sound" and preference is all personal however, so you very well might feel different than I or others here do.
If you're really hooked on a "monster receiver", look also at the big Sansuis, and big Yamaha, both of which IMO are great sounding units and last suggestion would be the big Onkyo receivers, much more reasonable price for excellent looks, power, and SQ.
The Japanese made some excellent receivers in that era.
marantz? I've had almost all of that series, and I have the same opinion of their SQ today as I did when new: meh. Sound quality vs "house sound" and preference is all personal however, so you very well might feel different than I or others here do.
If you're really hooked on a "monster receiver", look also at the big Sansuis, and big Yamaha, both of which IMO are great sounding units and last suggestion would be the big Onkyo receivers, much more reasonable price for excellent looks, power, and SQ.
The Japanese made some excellent receivers in that era.
I will say that the 2285 (non-A) was my favorite of the marantz receivers, seemed to have more detail. It just didn't have enough power to drive some of my inefficient speakers at 4 Ohms.
The big 2385 certainly has more presence, but like my current (last?) receiver the G-9000, they take a lot of space and are a lot to move around.
A 2280? That is apparently one that evaded my over-collecting clutches.
The big 2385 certainly has more presence, but like my current (last?) receiver the G-9000, they take a lot of space and are a lot to move around.
A 2280? That is apparently one that evaded my over-collecting clutches.
I'm partial to the 2270.
Hard to give a definitive answer as we all have different taste. Without knowing your end game hard to give advice.
I am with Jeff, Marantz is just not my thing. Have a handful of them that I will hold onto as they continue to climb in value (2220,2230,2252, 2275,4400). Have owned several other models over they years as well.
Have a 1250 that has been restored and it is more to my liking.
Off topic...... Jeff 1010 is on my list. Own 828, 737,626 currently (all restored). If I could only keep one receiver... would be the 828.
I am with Jeff, Marantz is just not my thing. Have a handful of them that I will hold onto as they continue to climb in value (2220,2230,2252, 2275,4400). Have owned several other models over they years as well.
Have a 1250 that has been restored and it is more to my liking.
Off topic...... Jeff 1010 is on my list. Own 828, 737,626 currently (all restored). If I could only keep one receiver... would be the 828.
Bone Yard
Super Member
I'm lucky and am able to look at a 2385 everyday KingBubba, my poor Pioneers are doing shop duty. I don't have a 1250 but Marantz's really smooth out the sound nicely for me, maybe it's my small office with obstructions everywhere and not a decent listening area. After reading this thread I'm beating myself up for selling a 1010, one of the only receivers I sold, I did it as a cleaning compromise, I pretty much gave it away.
Aren’t there 2 threads about this?
