clean clear bass, sweet delicate highs, looks like a piece of art.

kind of big. it is old so some maintainence is probably around the corner.

i have loved listening to music for as long as i can remember. i think it started when i first heard thunder and rain in a song on a family friends high-end stereo. anyway i started my own quest for great sound in college with a polk/techniques set-up for my dorm room with pretty good results. that was all stolen a few years ago but turned out to be a blessing in diguise. I started looking for a replacement system after a few years of only an alarm clock radio to listen to. i fell in love with a pair of alon lil rascals. better than i have ever heard in a bookshelf for under a 1000 dollars. well i was using a free kenwood reciever to power them and the sounded so good, but i knew i wanted something much better. i trolled the forums and read reviews and desided instead of spending a thousand plus on a new reciever, i would look for a vintage marantz. i found one, made sure it worked and took it home. some people say the you need a sub woofer if you have bookshelves to get rich bass. whatever. first song i played there it was, deep and rich and so clean. sparkleing highs, perfect mids, and clean, clean lows. some say as well that there is no difference between any given reciever. again, whatever. it was clear as day. my alons were great with the 1990's kenwood, but now they sing! it's beautiful. i'm done searching for the next peice of equipment. why spend that much when for under 600 total i have such clean, perfect sound? anyway, thats my two cents. if you are looking for great sound and beautiful looks you can't go wrong with a marantz. if you have descent speakers they will sound better, if you have great speakers they with positivily sing. no bones about it.

Similar Products Used:

techniques, kenwood

Build quality. Sounds great after 25 years. Cool look. Oooooh.. It's blue.

Aside from needing new resistors and caps... None.

I actually have a 2220B that I bought from a customer about 6 years ago. I had it cleaned and had all the bulbs replaced (love that blue). I hooked it up to my Advent sub/sat speakers and was duely impressed. I have an Onkyo "100 watt" receiver and the Marantz trounces it in sound quality can hang with it volume wise as well. I do plan on having a full electronic refurbishment in the near future. This entails replacement of the carbon resistors (which drift over time)with metal film (in the audio section) and RF nuetral (in the RF section) resistors and also putting in fresh filter caps. Anyone thinking of this take note. Do NOT under any circumstance replace the transistors. They were specially matched to each other and if replaced the unit will not perform the up to original specs. This unit is fantastic. Wish someone would build something of this quality and not charge $2000 for it. Marantz was the cream of the crop in the '70's.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo TX V940, Pioneer SX-3700

Power, Looks, Sound & reliability.

No remote.

I have had all sorts of HIFI equipment in my lifetime from real high end to starter systems. I brought this 2025 off of ebay for $100.00 as a backup receiver for a 2275 that I also brought off ebay, OK If I would have brought the 2025 first I would not have brought the 2275. The 2225 pickes up stations with out an antenna and sound good. The stereo that the 2225 replaceed had 75watts per channal but needed a sub woofer in line to fill out the sound on the bottom end I am going to sell it now it is not needed. FM&AM sound supper as does CD's on the 2225(lots of depth and sparkel)and this thing is 25to30 years old. And it look's cool to and is easy to use. Sometimes new is not better just different. the 2225 is a 5+ by to day standards.

Beautiful to look at. Most powerful 20 watts I've ever heard. Works nearly flawlessely after 30 years. Drives speakers that CLAIM to be out of its power range. Inexpensive (find one on eBay for 100-150 dollars American) and free for me!

You will NEVER drive a digital 5.1 speaker system with this receiver. It's 30 years old. Probably deserves better speakers than you (and I) am letting it play with. Makes you think twice about dropping 400 dollars on a black plastic box with a digital display.

I'm a 19 year old college student. My mother (ex-hippie) got this very same 2220 in 1975, given to her by a former boyfriend who bought it in 1973. It has traveled to every house she's lived, and has been in storage for about 5 years (retired from my father's work-room after their divorce). I had been using a Philips/Magnavox bookshelf system, but when my mom offered to give me the living room speakers (1972 Pioneer 3-ways with 12" woofers) I snapped them up like that and dragged out the old Marantz. I brought the setup down to college, hooked it up to the minijack output on my iMac, and promptly put the Philips system on the shelf! I would love to be able to put some really great speakers on this system, but unfortunately I'm on a college student budget. Even with the old Pioneers, it cranks out loud, clear sound. The machine is gorgeous like NO other receiver (brushed aluminum and that beautiful blue glowing face). Reliable (in 30 years, about 3 of the faceplate bulbs have been replaced). The best 20 watts I've ever heard out of a receiver. It outperforms other amps with 60-100 watts/channel, and does it with style! Listened briefly with my friend's newer Pioneer 3-ways (10" woofers) and it sounded a good deal better. I think I will replace the speakers LONG before I even THINK about getting rid of this wonderful machine. Smooth controls, crisp buttons, and Gyro-Touch Tuning. I'm an Industrial Design student. I wouldn't want anything else sitting on my desk. Except maybe a Marantz power-amp for it to sit atop.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Yamaha, Marantz 2250b

Bullet-proof reliability, very clean sound, great pre-amp unit, attractive styling.

None when used as designed.

I bought this receiver used in 1973. It has been in near-daily use since then. I personally replaced the panel lights and on/off switch. Have cleaned the volume control and input selector switch several times but the unit has never been in the shop. The pre-amp is exceptionaly clean and I have used it as a pre-amp for years (hooked to a Hafler DH-200 power amp). I now use a Sony ES-series receiver for home theater but it does not sounds nearly as good as the Marantz/Hafler for music.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DA50ES

It sounds great, it has a good tuner, it has conservative power rating. Classic Marantz sound all around.

None really, I guess I am not really fair with it comparing to to other manufacturer's high end stuff

This is one of my 5 vintage receivers. I also have a 2215 (aside from a burned out dial light mint with original boxes (yes, both boxes inner, outer and styrofoam). It sounds well enough in my opinion but I guess I am comparing to stuff somewhat out of its class. My other 3 recievers are as follows, 3 somewhat forgotten ones at that, the Fisher RS1058, Olson RA250 and MCS Series 3125. The Olson is by far the best sounding reciever I have ever heard, just compelling to listen to it makes you want to listen and has the most sensitive FM tuner I have ever seen (I can get stations from Chicago in Buffalo). The Fisher was a lucky find at a thrift store, opening the cover to see its 2 giant 15200uf capacitors and clean straight signal paths makes you just want to hear it. Its powerful as one could hope for. The MCS 3125, a forgotten early 80s receiver from JC Penny, these were made by Technics so I am told but this was truly the best they delivered. Its also huge, heavy (65lbs), powerful (rated to 135 watts per channel at .05% THD, the manual makes no hesitation to say it is capable of over 200 watts). Triple differential triple darlington single ended push pull output capacitor less amplifiers with giant external heatsinks like the SX1980, its truly a sight to behold and unfortunately no one seems to know much about it. I guess its a good reciever, just a bit down the line from my top stuff. Maybe someday I will find that Model 2500....

Similar Products Used:

Marantz 2215, MCS Series 3125, Olson RA250, Fisher RS1058

Nice and sweet sounds. High quality construction. Steel face, and BLUE lights!

For its age, probably none.

I actually have the 2220B model, but I guess my review can go here. This reciever has been with my family for about 26 or 27 years and is still the center piece of my main home stereo. Marantz back then (pre-1981) built their products so high in quality, that my receiver never required service, except for last year, when I changed the dial lights. The sound from this unit is very clear and sweet. The only amplifiers today that can slip past (barely) the Marantz's clarity, (consumer products) would be a $700 + Denon. Funny enough, that the Marantz today don't even come close (stereo reciever) this old Marantz. All I have to say is that this unit is well worth the money for the sound quality and reliabity.

Similar Products Used:

(reference, not mine) Denon AVR-2802, in direct mode stereo.

Tuner provides an excellent balance between selectivity and sensitivity, as well as low distortion and above-average musicality. Natural, balanced audio quality. Superb build quality and craftsmanship. Awesome appearance. Above-average AM tuner sound quality. 2230 has pre-amp/main-amp input/outputs.

Only 1 tape monitor and 1 auxiliary input on 2230 (2220 has only 1 tape monitor). No true subsonic filter for phono ("low" filter cuts out audible music frequencies below 80hz).

I just acquired the 2220's big brother, the 2230. These receivers were from the 1972-75 Marantz product lineup and feature exceptionally heavy-duty construction and workmanship. As I live in a condo I do not need a high-octane powerhouse, but I can vouch for the fact that the 2230 provides very fine musical detail and a surprisingly accurate overall performance.

As a high school student, I purchased a 2230 from a teacher for $150 used (I believe the unit retailed for about $350 new, and seldom was offered at sale prices at the time as a "status" brand). Of the receivers I had, this one had the best overall FM receiption and even pretty good AM tuning quality. The amplifier and preamplifier are very neutral, precise, yet have plenty of impact and reproduce the depth present on many recordings. I bought this as a second receiver for my bedroom but frankly, the Marantz really brings my old sound system to life and looks really special sitting up there with the blue lights glowing.

I am sure you can find the 2220 or 2230 in thrift stores on occasion, but I was very happy to buy this 2230 for $99 at a shop as it is exceptionally clean condition with no rust, mildew, or obvious signs of neglect or abuse. Wonderful equipment which was built to last and provide years of pleasure, it's great to have one of these beauties back in my home after all these years! I feel really sorry for all the people who spent a thousand bucks or more on a fancy home-theatre rig at the mall stores this weekend, I'm probably much happier listening to tunes through my vintage Marantz!!

Similar Products Used:

Harman/Kardon hk560, NAD 3020, Harman/Kardon 330c, Mitsubishi DA-R5, Sansui 661, Marantz 2230, Marantz SR-840

25 years and still going strong. sounds a lot more than 20 watts. The design is like no other. Good sound quality also.

none

This thing is amazing! it even gets good sound from my poor quality speakers! I also tried it with B&W 602's and the sony (5*70Watts) which normally drive those was totally blown away by the Marantz. and it's stable like no other. I had two 4 ohms speaker hooked up parralel and it played just like no other. Great design I just LovE those nice blue glowing lights.

But I'm really disappointed in the stuff they make today. I abused a 22 year old Philips and it just won't break down! I shorted the speakers several times, just put a new fuse in it and yep it keeps on playing. hooked up a couple of 200 Watt speakers on it put a screw where the fuses must be and it didn't broke down while playing very very loud! normally it boosts about 15 watts.. But when you have a modern Thing.. just turn it on twice and it breaks down.. -->read my review about the $1500 costing jvc tha-10<--

Similar Products Used:

sony surround reciever, technics, philips, etc.

Solid build quality (kinda like a tank!), conservative power rating, warm sound, very reliable.

None if you consider its age.

I am very impressed with this receiver. As with most other Marantz receivers of a similar vintage, this is a really nice looking piece. Solid faceplate, gyro tuning, solid-feeling switches. Very nice. I have found its tuner section to be better than any other receiver or tuner that I have ever owned. Also, it drives my Boston Acoustics A-100's quite well. It really is conservatively rated.

The 2220 can be found on eBay periodically. if you're looking for a nice vintage receiver, you won't go wrong with one of these.

Similar Products Used:

Many