What is the best 70s Marantz receiver?
- Thread starter DirtyDog
- Start date
tater415
Active Member
I have the Marantz 2600 and the Marantz 2385. The Marantz 2600 is a ticking time bomb the Marantz 2385 would be the one I would suggest it sounds not quite as good as the 2600 but it's close.enough. when I buy my vintage stereos I like them untouched by so-called qualified repair techs. There's been too many times when I have purchased a freshly rebuilt stereo that has had problems.
Dswankey
Lunatic Member
Best for what? do you listen to your music loud or at reasonable levels? what speakers will you be using? are they efficient or power hungry?
DirtyDog
New Member
I don't listen to music too loud. My speakers are all 8 ohm relatively efficient speakers.
Dswankey
Lunatic Member
Yes (see link below), as posted earlier today, there's pics & specs too.
Dswankey
Lunatic Member
I had a Marantz 2230 several years ago, and the one thing I remembered about it was that it punched WAY above it's weight at 30 per channel. That's when I was into the more watts per channel the better state of mind. That little 30 watter changed my outlook on bigger is better.
grey_beard
Active Member
Two things to definitely take into consideration. First, mentioned already, is the speakers. You said 8 ohms and lowish listening levels, so you can consider the lower power models with that in mind. The next thing that I discovered is if you are using the phono stage without a phone preamp make sure you have a moving magnet not moving coil cartridge. Even the Denon dl-110 high output moving coil causes the smaller units to have to stretch a bit for volume.
Someone here could tell you if any of the Marantz's have a Moving Coil setting, but I've not run across any in my limited experience.
Someone here could tell you if any of the Marantz's have a Moving Coil setting, but I've not run across any in my limited experience.
Moby Dick
Active Member
My favorite are the 22xx series.
They just have the classic look and form factor.
The 2270 is the quintessential Marantz as it is the most popular in numbers I believe.
My personal favorites are the b series.
Particularly the 2265b and 2285b.
I admit I am biased as this 2265b is currently on display in my living room.
They just have the classic look and form factor.
The 2270 is the quintessential Marantz as it is the most popular in numbers I believe.
My personal favorites are the b series.
Particularly the 2265b and 2285b.
I admit I am biased as this 2265b is currently on display in my living room.
AnalogueBen
Well-Known Member
I'm listening right now to a superb sounding and completely original 2225. It's running a pair if custom Seas 3 way's (similar to A25 drivers) and let me tell you does this thing put out plenty of watts!! Clean and tight voicing.
I had a 2245 that was in need of recaping but still went okay once turned up, sold it in favor of my 1060.
I hear the 2275 is an animal, like the 2225 but grander, and correct me if I'm wrong but the 2250 sits in the middle of this line up.
I had a 2245 that was in need of recaping but still went okay once turned up, sold it in favor of my 1060.
I hear the 2275 is an animal, like the 2225 but grander, and correct me if I'm wrong but the 2250 sits in the middle of this line up.
Parallax982
Super Member
I have a 2235 and a 2270, both in wood cases. The 2270 is in its original case and was owned by one guy before me. Upon his death, it was sold off by his granddaughter. The power button is a bit funky. I'll replace it when I rebuild the amp and preamp boards and service the dial (light bulbs and velum paper).
I picked up the 2235 on ebay but it arrived in good condition. I paired it with a gorgeous wooden box I purchased from Vintage HiFi Audio. The owner, Aaron, is a true craftsman who does beautiful work. It's nicer than the original Marantz boxes. The African Paduak finish is to die for. My 2235 has a bit of a hum from the amp itself. I'll rebuild the amp and preamp boards on this one too. I'll also service the dial on this one.
To my ear, the 2235 has a slightly better sound. A bit more detailed and refined. But the 2270 has a real warmth that seems similar to the sound of the tube amps that came before. Not a huge difference between them. Both are incredible. I've heard other Marantz receivers but never had them next to one of mine or hooked up to the same input or speakers, so it's hard to compare sound. Not a ton of difference though. I think all the 70s models sound greats.
I also have a 2005 Marantz which I don't like nearly as much. I also have a 2007 Dennon which sounds real good. Not as warm as the vintage Marantz models but very rich, smooth and dynamic with its 110 watts per channel at 8 ohms. This surprised me, as I expected the vintage stuff to sound way better. Got it for one tenth as much as the vintage Marantz units.
I picked up the 2235 on ebay but it arrived in good condition. I paired it with a gorgeous wooden box I purchased from Vintage HiFi Audio. The owner, Aaron, is a true craftsman who does beautiful work. It's nicer than the original Marantz boxes. The African Paduak finish is to die for. My 2235 has a bit of a hum from the amp itself. I'll rebuild the amp and preamp boards on this one too. I'll also service the dial on this one.
To my ear, the 2235 has a slightly better sound. A bit more detailed and refined. But the 2270 has a real warmth that seems similar to the sound of the tube amps that came before. Not a huge difference between them. Both are incredible. I've heard other Marantz receivers but never had them next to one of mine or hooked up to the same input or speakers, so it's hard to compare sound. Not a ton of difference though. I think all the 70s models sound greats.
I also have a 2005 Marantz which I don't like nearly as much. I also have a 2007 Dennon which sounds real good. Not as warm as the vintage Marantz models but very rich, smooth and dynamic with its 110 watts per channel at 8 ohms. This surprised me, as I expected the vintage stuff to sound way better. Got it for one tenth as much as the vintage Marantz units.
Parallax982
Super Member
It's a matter of taste. Visual taste in this case but also auditory taste. In any event, the differences within that entire 22XX, 23XX and even 24XX series (which I think of as I) are modest. A 2215 doesn't look or sound all that different than a 2270 or 2325 (in my opinion). I suppose if someone really needs 125 watts of power, and has the money to pay what 2325s are going for these days, that's great. Nice thing about having money is the freedom to spend it as one sees fit. There are plenty of things one can buy that are of questionable morality. An old high school friend has become so obscenely rich, he flies on a charter jet. That's something I'd never do because I couldn't help but feel guilty over the ecological impact. But bidding up prices on old stereo gear isn't in that camp. In fact, by doing so, it encourages others to restore their old gear rather than sending it to the dump.
Parallax982
Super Member
That's quite similar to my experience. I have a 2235 and a 2270, neither of which has been recapped. I find the 2235 slightly sweeter but I don't know if the difference is one related to wear or slightly different internal design. Either way, both have a distinctive Marantz sound.
I have three sets of Original Large Advents. The 2235 drives a single set. The 2270 will drive a double stack when I finish refoaming the other two sets of speakers.
Now it may just be that what I experience as similarity is mostly owing to my limitations. I'm not a musician. I haven't been trained to notice subtle differences in sound. I'm 60 years old so there may be some hearing loss, particularly in the upper registers. I've not abused my hearing but age has its way nonetheless. So it could be that, for others, there are very real and significant differences between these amps.
This hobby is so subjective. I went to listen to a pair of Klipsch Fortes. The guy wanted $1,150 (he had recently dropped his price -- think he began around $1,500 and was working his way down). I was prepared to offer $1,000 if they blew me away. In all honesty, my Advents (the first set of which I picked up for $75 in excellent condition) sounded better. He was running them from a Marantz amp so that wasn't the source of the issue. I brought along an extra amp, a Dennon. I actually thought his speakers sounded better with my Dennon than his Marantz. Whatever. I didn't buy the Fortes. I'm keeping my mind and ears open while, at the same time, I'm perfectly happy with what I have.
I have my 2275 driving my New Large Advents. I liked them when I purchased them new while in university, and they suit me fine now.
I have a pair of second generation Klipsch Heresies which I like use with my Fisher tube receivers.
Parallax982
Super Member
Just picked up a third Marantz, a 2230, since some folks say it's the most like a tube amp. Figured I'd give it a try.
Haven't had any time with it as I got a flat tire on the way home, then spent half the night waiting for the tow truck, who took forever and then couldn't find me. Then spent the rest of the night in a Discount Tire parking lot. Not fun. Got to work late, tired and exhausted, and I'm doing my best to not be cranky. Ah, the things we do for love (if the term applies to this obsession).
Haven't had any time with it as I got a flat tire on the way home, then spent half the night waiting for the tow truck, who took forever and then couldn't find me. Then spent the rest of the night in a Discount Tire parking lot. Not fun. Got to work late, tired and exhausted, and I'm doing my best to not be cranky. Ah, the things we do for love (if the term applies to this obsession).
