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Which is better?

05SRTguy

05SRTguy

Active Member
I have both a Marantz 2240 and a Technics SA-500. I'm wondering which is considered to be the better of the two. I don't plan get rid of either of them at this time, but the Marantz needs a bit of work. I am only asking for personal gratification.
 
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I'm a bit biased here, as I collect 70s Marantz, but for a reason.

That said, I've never heard a Technics from any era sound any better than OK, and pretty much anything Marantz from the era sounds really good to great, and has killer looks. On top of that, the prices of vintage Marantz tend go up, so it's also a good investment.

So unless your Marantz is in a really terrible shape, by all means put in the work, it will pay off.
 
Haven't heard both,so can't say which one I'd actually prefer listening to.But the Marantz is worth more and does look very nice lit up,so if I could only choose one it'd be the Marantz.
 
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Whichever one needs the less work is currently the best one ;)

From a visual perspective, I'd say the Technics is a much nicer looking unit.
 
Fidelity-wise, the Technics should be better. These Marantz receivers tend to color the sound a bit too generously. The Technics, not so much.
 
What I experienced over the years: all these Technics receiver do sound too clean, harsh and lifeless. My first receiver with 15 has been a SA-5170. After six months I got rid of her - too sterile/clean. I have been very disappointed, because it has been my first own Money - from a vacation job - that I invested. But fortunately my Dad at that time had the possibility to get a 25% discount and I sold without loss. Next receiver has been a Luxman R-1033 which has been gorgeous. In the following years I bought from time to time Technics stuff. SA-5160 up to SA-5560. Also SA-500 and SA-700. They have been slightly better in bass. But also the tuner sections, phono sections never could reach the level of their main competitors. Same with the separates (tuners, amps). Record player, R2R's, tape decks and speakers are another story. I made much better experience.
So although the Marantz is coloring sound more than others, it is the better choice.

But why don't you trust your ears? You have both of them and could easily gauge the differences between them.
 
The build quality of the Marantz is definitely better as for the sound I've never heard them side by side.But let your ears be the judge.If you like the Technics better, then it is better.
 
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Folks, This is not about which one I think is better. I already have my own opinion. This is just a forum for you to express your own opinion. You see, I don't rely on other people to make my decisions. I simply enjoy the conversation. So, to those who have already stated their opinion, thank you. It's nice to see what other people think and why.
 
Compared to Soundesign, they are both SOTA. Compared to high-end pieces, they are BOTL.

Trust your ears in your optimized space.
 
sax6 said:
I think the Technics runs on STK chips.... So, the Marantz for me.
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True, many of the later Technics units use STK chips but the older SA-x00 and SA-5x70 series are discrete.

For me, either is a nice piece. The Marantz definitely has a bigger following and command better prices. Since you said this comparison is for your own gratification and intend to keep them both, I think you are certainly justified in feeling good about both of them. :thmbsp:
 
Stick with marantz. Lower slew rate and lots of cappies will ensure the brown note lives on.

One cannot have STKs making marantz look bad. Leave those sets to those who prefer to listen to music over looking at an antique
 
I don't think that series of Technics used STKs at all. Certainly my SA-700 is all discrete. I haven't heard either of those exact models, but the Technics of that vintage sound a whole lot better than most credit them with. The tuner in the SA-700 is really, really nice.
 
I have worked on both the Technics and Marantz receivers and both have their signature sound. I find the Marantz to be more full bodied and warm sounding while the Technics is more clinical sounding. For rock, both sound great to me. but for jazz or orchestral music, I prefer the Marantz. As fro using a turntable,t he Marantz wins hands down. But that is just my opinion using my ears. You have to let your own ears decide this one. As for build quality, both are quite good. early 80's and 70's technics stuff was built quite well. Much better then similar stuff made today.
 
SVI2004A said:
Stick with marantz. Lower slew rate and lots of cappies will ensure the brown note lives on.

One cannot have STKs making marantz look bad. Leave those sets to those who prefer to listen to music over looking at an antique
Click to expand...

Love that sig :thmbsp:
 
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