Marantz 23XX receivers vs. the 22XX line
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Lefty
Super Member
progger7 said:
Well it seems to me to be a apples and oranges comparision to me.
The 22XX series in any given model year offered many models from inexpensive entry level models to near TOTL models. The 23XX models were always always part of their TOTL offerings. Kind of like comparing all other GM auto offerings in any given year to just the Caddie models of that year....
Lefty
skibjr
Super Member
I've always thought of these as pretty much the same series; the model number is derived by adding the watts per channel spec to 2200. For example, a 2270 is a 70 wpc 2200 series receiver, the 2325 is a 125 wpc 2200 series, etc.
Now when you start adding a "B" to the 22XX, that's when you start seeing (and hearing) some differences... :yes:
Now when you start adding a "B" to the 22XX, that's when you start seeing (and hearing) some differences... :yes:
M Jarve
Audio Geek and NGE Freak
Directly comparing my 2385 to my 2230, there is no comparison; but which wins depend on the criteria.
For sheer power and features, the 2385 wins without qualification. For musicality and overall sound, my 2230 is clearly better. Others may hear it differently.
If put another way, to me, the 2385 is unimpressive only in that it sounds like it should. The 2230 impresses me because it sounds better than it should.
It also depends on years too. I think the 23xx’s came in the later 70’s, where as the 22xx’s were earlier and mid-1970’s. I know my 2230 is dated from 1974, where as my 2385 (I believe) is a ’78, power war veteran, by which time the 2230 (a mid-range receiver) was already 4 years old and had been replaced by the 2230B (an entry-level receiver).
For sheer power and features, the 2385 wins without qualification. For musicality and overall sound, my 2230 is clearly better. Others may hear it differently.
If put another way, to me, the 2385 is unimpressive only in that it sounds like it should. The 2230 impresses me because it sounds better than it should.
It also depends on years too. I think the 23xx’s came in the later 70’s, where as the 22xx’s were earlier and mid-1970’s. I know my 2230 is dated from 1974, where as my 2385 (I believe) is a ’78, power war veteran, by which time the 2230 (a mid-range receiver) was already 4 years old and had been replaced by the 2230B (an entry-level receiver).
skibjr
Super Member
They're very comparable, IMHO. I've owned and used both of them. They were manufactured in the same product line, and were Marantz's #1 and #2 receiver offerings during their initial production year, so internal components and circuit design were very similar. Very warm and musical, almost tubelike sound, compared to what seems, to me, to be the brighter, almost mechanical sound of later Marantz offerings (2285B, 2330B, 2385, etc.).progger7 said:
My guess is that what I'm hearing in these later Marantz receivers is actually more accurate, less distorted reproduction, but to my ear anyway, it just doesn't have the "warmth" of the older stuff (e.g., 2325, 2275, etc.). Perhaps this is one of the reasons folks love their old tube amps - they're used to that 'fatter', less sibilant valve amp sound - it may not be as accurate as solid state, but to many folks, it just sounds more natural...
BridgedToMono
low spark of hi watt toys
2325 =
width - 19 5/16
height - 5 3/4
depth - 15 3/16
weight - 49.5 lbs
2275 =
width - 17 5/16
height - 5 3/8
depth - 14 3/8
weight - 37.9 lbs
Rough estimates are quite unnecessary, sir..
width - 19 5/16
height - 5 3/4
depth - 15 3/16
weight - 49.5 lbs
2275 =
width - 17 5/16
height - 5 3/8
depth - 14 3/8
weight - 37.9 lbs
Rough estimates are quite unnecessary, sir..
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progger7 said:
The 2325 is much better in every respect. In fact, it's one of the best SOUNDING Marantz Receivers of all, made at a time when Marantz sought to be the world's best. The 2275 and 2325 are from the same period, the 2275 being the second from the top and the 2325 being the top. Comparing a 2325 to a 2275 would be unfair since the 2275 would come in second in every meaningful test.
As you most know I deal in dozens of them, and have played with several of most everything they made. I'm certainly no expert, just reporting on what sounds good, and works good for me.
I get real good, and clear, FM reception here, and these 2300s all have very good tuners, so they are very listenable. Most sound almost as good as LPs/CDs (when properly aligned)
The 2300 models (2325, 2330, 2330B, 2385) are all in another class above the 2200 models. Although the best in that class are the 2270, 2275, 2285, and 2285B.
The 2500 and 2600 are a step near to the limit in receivers.
In the 2300s I like the 2330. It's alot like the 2325. The 2330 seems alittle more refined if you know what I mean. Most of the 2325s I see need work. Not sure why, but very few come across the shop table, that don't need several things fixed.
The 2330B is a different model really, not anything like the 2325 in the way it's constructed.
The 2385 don't seem to be a ton different than the 2325-2330-2330B. Just more powerful of course.
As usual, it comes down to $$$ How much do you want to spend??
I get real good, and clear, FM reception here, and these 2300s all have very good tuners, so they are very listenable. Most sound almost as good as LPs/CDs (when properly aligned)
The 2300 models (2325, 2330, 2330B, 2385) are all in another class above the 2200 models. Although the best in that class are the 2270, 2275, 2285, and 2285B.
The 2500 and 2600 are a step near to the limit in receivers.
In the 2300s I like the 2330. It's alot like the 2325. The 2330 seems alittle more refined if you know what I mean. Most of the 2325s I see need work. Not sure why, but very few come across the shop table, that don't need several things fixed.
The 2330B is a different model really, not anything like the 2325 in the way it's constructed.
The 2385 don't seem to be a ton different than the 2325-2330-2330B. Just more powerful of course.
As usual, it comes down to $$$ How much do you want to spend??
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wesley1959
Active Member
Ok someone call me stupid but what does the "B" mean when attached to the end of the model number? I have a chance to get a 2230B in excellent condition. Is this a good deal?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
The "B" is just a later version of and an earlier model, but they're usually a bit different.
The 2230 was made for several yeras, then a 2230B was made. Somewhat similar... the same power, etc, but are actually built different.
A good deal is determined by knowing the condition, verses the price. They can be priced all over the map.
The 2230B is a respectible model. Will work well, if in good condition.
The 2230 was made for several yeras, then a 2230B was made. Somewhat similar... the same power, etc, but are actually built different.
A good deal is determined by knowing the condition, verses the price. They can be priced all over the map.
The 2230B is a respectible model. Will work well, if in good condition.
wesley1959
Active Member
The condition of the one I am looking at I would give it a 9 out of 10 in the looks department. Also there isnt any problems electronically. All the outs work and there isnt any scratchiness in any of the knobs. All the lights work and are bright. The meters work fine. I have tried to get him down to 75.00 but he wont budge from 100.00.
I just got a Marantz 2235B on the bay and I am waiting for that to get here. There are some issues with it but I got it for a BIN price of $29.95 thanks to Rich (HomerSimpson)
Thanks Again Rich.
Anyway would you drop a hundred on it or save up and add a little more and get a higher powered Marantz?
I just got a Marantz 2235B on the bay and I am waiting for that to get here. There are some issues with it but I got it for a BIN price of $29.95 thanks to Rich (HomerSimpson)
Thanks Again Rich.
Anyway would you drop a hundred on it or save up and add a little more and get a higher powered Marantz?
donoghue
AK Member
Well, I think if you're committed to the 2235b you already have, I mean if the "issues" aren't that big a deal, than I wouldn't bother having a 2230b too since they are about the same thing. The higher powered units don't have to cost a ton, here is a 2275 that sold for only $202. Sure it needs $10 worth of new bulbs and some cleaning but thats part of the fun buying the old stuff I think.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5870642409
If you want Marantz a lot of people think the best bang for your buck is in the 2270 to 2285b models so I would look there.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5870642409
If you want Marantz a lot of people think the best bang for your buck is in the 2270 to 2285b models so I would look there.
Kegger
R.I.P. 1/12/1966 - 6/1/2017
I think most of the reason why people believe the bigger models are better is just the
sheer power difference and because they were the top models/near the top so figure
they must be better. JMHO
If the lower power is all you "need" then I'd think a 2230 or so should be fine.
sheer power difference and because they were the top models/near the top so figure
they must be better. JMHO
If the lower power is all you "need" then I'd think a 2230 or so should be fine.
The bigger models do have advantages, ....more options, ....more controls, and more connection capabilities.
You can connect more types of inputs. Lots of options.
So more power alone isn't the only reason to get a top of the line model. As mentioned, the big units have substantially more sensitive tuners too, so do add a lot to the enjoyment. Put a 2220B next to a 2330 and listen.. no comparision to what you get for the money.
Don't get me wrong... I used a 2230 in my shop for a long time. Even the less powerful can do great things. :yes:
You can connect more types of inputs. Lots of options.
So more power alone isn't the only reason to get a top of the line model. As mentioned, the big units have substantially more sensitive tuners too, so do add a lot to the enjoyment. Put a 2220B next to a 2330 and listen.. no comparision to what you get for the money.
Don't get me wrong... I used a 2230 in my shop for a long time. Even the less powerful can do great things. :yes:
Kegger
R.I.P. 1/12/1966 - 6/1/2017
I hear what your saying but most units have more then enough inputs and if you
happen to live in a place that gets good reception and don't need all the extra
gangs/filters in the tuner the tunerinfo site has mentioned many times with less
gangs if it's got good enough station grabbing it may be more musicaly pleasing.
So yah if you need more power, more connections and a more powerful tuner then
the bigger closer to the top of the line receivers are probably what you want/need.
But if your needs are much less then one of the smaller ones may do you bettter.
happen to live in a place that gets good reception and don't need all the extra
gangs/filters in the tuner the tunerinfo site has mentioned many times with less
gangs if it's got good enough station grabbing it may be more musicaly pleasing.
So yah if you need more power, more connections and a more powerful tuner then
the bigger closer to the top of the line receivers are probably what you want/need.
But if your needs are much less then one of the smaller ones may do you bettter.
