Marantz 2230

[jemrey81]

Anyone have some info they can share about this unit, personal experiences? I found one, original owner, purchased in '72, comes with manual and had some of the bulbs replaced... He's asking $75, is it worth it? Would it be worth asking less for? He was running Infinity Quantum JRS with it. I googled it a little, but couldn't really find much info about the price... what I have read has been good reviews though.

Thanks!

[sk1939]

The 2230 retailed in 1972 for about $350. It's not light (weighs about 32lbs), and may not have a good noise floor (caps age and may be noisy creating white noise). Marantz for some models made quality products but after certain models (can't remeber which ones, the Model 28?) they declined after being bought out. Today they are pretty good though ( I think). About the 2230

RMS Power Per Channel: 30
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.5%
Frequency: 30 Hz to 20 kHz
Intermodulation Distortion (IM) 0.5%
Single Bass Adjustment Yes
Single Midrange Adjustment Yes
Single Treble Adjustment Yes
High Filter Yes
Low Filter Yes
Loudness Yes
Number of Tape Monitors One
Auxillary Input Source Yes
Phono Input Source Yes

The tuner isn't the worlds greatest but it will do, the gyro tuner is cool though. On ebay they seem to be going currently between $100 and $200. Since it's the original owner it's probably in decent shape, but like all things try it for yourself if possible....

[schwarcw]

The Marantz 2230 is a fabulous vintage receiver. It has a warm sound and is surprisingly powerful. I owned one from 1972 until 1997. I bought another one off the pay two years ago for about $125. For that price from an original owner in good condition, it's a no brainer, go for it.

What kind of speakers are you going to power with the 2230?

[jemrey81]

Well, right now I just have a set of Monitor 5's and am using an old Sherwood S7300 (pretty sure).... always looking for different stuff though.

Thanks for your input guys!

[jimmydep]

I bought my Marantz 4240 in 1973 and still own it today. Marantz was considered higher end equiptment at that time and had a very warm uncolored sound with great power.

I would highly recommend the Marantz especially if it's in good shape. It should do a good job with the Monitor 5's

Jimmy

[schwarcw]

It would sound great with the Monitor 5's. Better with the Monitor 7's. Go get it now! Good luck!

[sk1939]

The monitor 7's are moving up a class though....

[dkg999]

And there's a lot of places to get a vintage Marantz receiver repaired or upgraded, so for $75 it's a no-brainer.

[jemrey81]

Sounds like I should get it :-) I am going up to see it Friday if he still has it, no time until then for either of us... I will let you know how it goes!

[debussyj]

I remember the 1970's and drooling over the classic Marantz receivers I could never have because I didn't have the bucks and my parents certainly wouldn't fork out money for something like that. But I never forgot them! Always wanted one. I picked up a Marantz Model 22 receiver (roughly 40WPC) a few years back on E-Bay from an audio nut for $275.00 and considered it a bargain! It is built like a tank and they were very conservative back in those days with WPC ratings. The thing is not only beautiful, but sounds so SWEET! I have it matched with a pair of classic Polk RT-5 bookshelf type speakers, which, in my humble opinion, were some of the finest smaller speakers Polk has ever made. The sound is warm, and bass extension still amazes me. It's my bedroom system! Also the AM/FM gyro tuners on those old Marantz units can hold a station like nobody's business. I've owned a lot of audio equipment in my day and most tuners can't hold a candle to it. This receiver obviously is a real gem for me! Hope you buy the one you found! DJ

[schwarcw]

I remember the 1970's and drooling over the classic Marantz receivers I could never have because I didn't have the bucks and my parents certainly wouldn't fork out money for something like that. But I never forgot them! Always wanted one. I picked up a Marantz Model 22 receiver (roughly 40WPC) a few years back on E-Bay from an audio nut for $275.00 and considered it a bargain! It is built like a tank and they were very conservative back in those days with WPC ratings. The thing is not only beautiful, but sounds so SWEET! I have it matched with a pair of classic Polk RT-5 bookshelf type speakers, which, in my humble opinion, were some of the finest smaller speakers Polk has ever made. The sound is warm, and bass extension still amazes me. It's my bedroom system! Also the AM/FM gyro tuners on those old Marantz units can hold a station like nobody's business. I've owned a lot of audio equipment in my day and most tuners can't hold a candle to it. This receiver obviously is a real gem for me! Hope you buy the one you found! DJ

Amen! My sentiments exactly!

[sucks2beme]

I had a Marantz integraded back in the 70's. I've owned another integrated
since, and also found a quad 4270 for $5. The trip down memory lane
has it's good points and bad points. Both me and classic Marantz gear have
seen better days. Be prepared to drop some coin on a good tech to check it
out.

[average_guy]

I had a 2238b that I bought in 1977 or 1978. I ran some Infinity Qa with it and man, I have some wonderful memories of that system.

I agree that it would be worth getting checked out by a tech that knows vintage equipment.

[gidrah]

Get it and use it to drive some Dynaco A-25XLs.

[ken brydson]

Still have a 2252B in my office rig. Bought it around '77 I think........

[jimmydep]

This thread has brought back memories of my late teen years. I've been rumaging around in my storage room wanting to pull out my old Marantz 4240...yep the ol quadraphonic system, that hasen't been hooked up in 20 years. Well while I was looking for that I found all kinds of old time goodies, a Marantz model 250 amp which I used as a backup in my recording studio and some almost brand new Teac ME-80 microphones...I can see some old reel to reels and a mixing board that I haven't been able to reach yet.....still have more clearing to do.........My wife's happy though, you know getting the storage room cleared out and such....... until I hook it all up again.

Jimmy

[jemrey81]

Speaking of Quadraphonic, anyone have experience with the Pioneer QX 949? I would be using it in 2 channel though... A guy I met has one of these, and it is available if the Marantz sells before I can check it out. The QX 949 looks like it has some good specs, but I don't know vintage Pioneer...

[sk1939]

Speaking of Quadraphonic, anyone have experience with the Pioneer QX 949? I would be using it in 2 channel though... A guy I met has one of these, and it is available if the Marantz sells before I can check it out. The QX 949 looks like it has some good specs, but I don't know vintage Pioneer...

Personally, I would stick with the Marantz, the 2230 is I believe among some of their best units of the period. If your running it in stereo, quality wise the Marantz would sound better than the Pioneer. About the Pioneer, it is the top of the line for Pioneers x49 line and had a cool looking built in oscilloscope, and is considered to be among the best of Pioneers Quadraphonic receivers. It's 40wpc in 4 channels and 60 wpc bridged. The difference btw between the 949 and the 949A is that the "A" uses IC's while the 949 uses transistors, just something to be aware of due to the age (came out around '74 or so). My vote is for the Marantz

Here's a link to the data sheet http://www.classicaudio.com/value/pio/QX949.html

[TroyD]

I've got a 2215 driving a pair of Dynaco A-25's in the garage rig.....love 'em.

Yeah, 75 bones for the 2230? allday, allabout

BDT

[George Grand]

The QX-949 is one of the heaviest pieces you will ever lift. It is 40wpc x 4, or 60wpc x 2. It has a weird module on the back that you have to remove and re-insert 180 degrees out to switch from 4 channel to 2 channel and vice-versa. Not really great sounding, not really collectible, and too freakin' heavy. I've found perfectly functioning ones that the owners didn't know still worked. The four little input controllers around the scope are the key.

That and no "U" jumpers are some of my true loves.

You can't get that boy down to a dollar a watt huh?

[mhardy6647]

I am not a big fan of the 1970s, Japanese-made Marantz receivers, but even I'd buy a 2230 for 75 smackoleums if it were in good shape.

[George Grand]

We both know the only way you'd part with $75 for that thing is if you knew that there was a $100 bill or two inside it.

[mhardy6647]

OK, $50, if it had the wooden case.
I am not cheap, just protective of my marriage. Mrs. H is a wonderful woman, but she has her limits in terms of hifi expenditure tolerance.

[jemrey81]

Well, I guess he had time earlier than Friday... he just sent me an email that he sold it tonight (the Marantz that is). Oh well, keep searching ;) Any other words of wisdom in regards to the Pioneer?