The Marantz 2270 debuted in 1971 and was manufactured for four years. This one came with the optional walnut cabinet. I love the Marantz "punch" that the receivers give to music. To me they provide a more 'colorful' sound than Pioneers of the same vintage, but this also helps them sound great at low volume. I got this one at an estate sale. It was the last one left after a collector grabbed three others, including a 2325! That's okay - I got my 2325 about two years later. Got more info, photos, video links, stories about your Marantz 2270? Please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.
Along with the Harman Kardon 930 the Marantz 2270 is one of the most beautiful sounding vintage receivers I've heard. But condition is key to that sound. A parts upgrade works wonders. When this is done those both receivers sound closest to a good tube amp as I've heard from solid state. Warm and sweet but also punchy, transparent and airy. An iron fist in a velvet glove.
ReplyDelete(Also under the 2275 rubric, slightly modified here)
ReplyDeleteI was quite surprised to find out that of all three top receivers in the Marantz line of the good vintage (blue on black and silver, not the depressing various latter shades of off-white), only the 2270 offers TWO phono inputs. Not the 2275, not the 2325, and none of the quads to my knowledge. As I plan to hook up at least six true vintage turntables, having two 2270s (I only have one now, and one 2275) would take care of most of the hook-up conundrum. Wanna know what TT choice I have in store? A 498, an HW19, a 160 MK2, a 4002 AND 1000, a DP52F AND 55K, a Zero 100, a 50H (four speeds, unlike the 50-H2), an SL1200 Mk2, at least those I consider keeping.
Most handsome? Zero 100 in its walnut base. Most elegant? 4002. Cutest? 1000. Rarest (and most stunning, tied with the 4002)? 498. Sturdiest? HW19. Most practical? DP52F. Most flexible? 50H. Hardest to love? 55K (hey, the DP52F helps disparage all the manuals), even with an SME III which can easily be relocated... Best all around? Thorens 124 which I am still hunting for and would take that SME III to, with a very slightly damaged Dynavector unless I determine that stylus compliance and arm mass are mismatched!
But this was about Marantz, wasn't it? First about the 2270: to label it (implied by association in the 2275 comments) as mass-produced is a bit unfair. So was the 1971 Mustang Mach 1, but still a beauty, never mind its American engineering warts. I always wonder why I never loved the Marantz turntables. Too much schmaltz perhaps, unsavory 1980s variety. All the Marantz, Pioneer, Kenwood, Sansui turntables seem a repetitive hodge-podge without much distinction, with perhaps Pioneer hanging onto its legitimacy earned with its early 70s belt-drives and Kenwood really trying on the sheer merits of one granite-base model, but ubiquitous Technics DD technology. All those turntables were mass-produced - my Zero 100 too, but it has a very original design!
Hold on to your tomatoes!
P.S. if you couldn't figure out the brands that go with the models I listed, here is the whole paraphernalia:
Empire 498, VPI HW19, Thorens 160 MK2, Bang and Olufsen 4002 AND 1000, Denon DP52F AND 55K, Garrard Zero 100, Miracord 50H, Technics SL1200 Mk2. I left out the Projects and the MMF, they are for my kids so they learn how to use a turntable, now that they finally figured out my rotary phone!