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View Full Version : Two questions re Marantz 22XX series


Arkay
10-05-2006, 10:37 AM
I've been looking closely at pics of 22XX series Marantz receivers online, and also at the ones I have. Two things I can't quite figure out, that I'm hoping someone here can answer:

(1) I know from reading here and from looking at 22XX units that earlier units had different speaker-wire attachments than later ones. Sometimes, the same model number may have one type or the other, apparently depending on the date/year of manufacture. In general, the earlier units (with all black and no red connectors) are more valued. Presumably this was a single change made by Marantz at a given time, while the various numbers had different and overlapping years of manufacture. My question is: Does anyone know the particular year in which Marantz made this switch? And if so, are there model numbers in the series where ALL units of that number have the old type connectors, because that model was not produced after the change-over? Are there models for which ALL units made have the newer type of connector, because the model wasn't introduced until after the change-over to the new type connectors? And then, which models had units produced with both types of connectors, some before and some after the change?

(2) I keep seeing 22XX receivers on eBay and elsewhere online that have the usual silver (aluminum) front panels, with brown woodgrain metal sides and top. I'm not referring to the separate wooden cases they slide into, but the actual metal covers. The 'woodgrain' ones look like they are painted with a wood-grain paint job, but it might by a vinyl Here is an example of what I'm talking about: http://www.andale.com/imgserver/img/imageTemplate.html?img=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.andale. com%2Ff2%2F127%2F118%2F7685141%2F2006%2F10%2F2%2FH PIM0164.JPG . I have the same model (2265) sitting beside me, and it is black, not woodgrain. In fact, EVERY SINGLEMarantz 22XX receiver that I have seen in Hong Kong has a BLACK metal case, with the sole exception of the 4025 "Casseiver" which has a different construction entirely, without a metal cover at all. I've never actually seen a real 22XX series receiver (including 23XX) with 'woodgrain', although cases made like that are common enough with other brands. Are 'woodgrain' Marantz 22XX units common in the States? Is this a US -vs- European model difference, like the silver-faced vs black-faced ones, or was this a customer option? Only for certain years or models?

I've spent a little time looking at examples and trying to figure out "patterns" to answer these questions, but have yet to figure out obvious or conclusive answers. Hoping some of the more knowledgable experts here can enlighten me (and anyone else who is interested). Thanks for any info.

onepixel
10-05-2006, 11:01 AM
Hey Arkay,

That's a lot of questions. I myself prefer the newer recievers with the red/black connecotrs. I can't help you with the dates when these things started changing. Hopefully the other guys can.

I have both metal cabinets that are all black and with vinyl wood grain veneer. I never thought about it but I think all the silver faced ones have black cases. The ones with black/blue faceplates have the the wood grain. The same applies to their amps and tapedecks. But I'm not 100%.

I know that both silver faced and black/blue faced ones were produced concurrently through out the years.

ruesselschorf
10-05-2006, 12:43 PM
Hello Arkay,

if you look at the audio-classic.com page you will find more than 40 70ies Marantz receivers! There is not a single 22xx - series. receivers with a 22xx number came out every year between 1970 - 1980.

My coarse classification: 1970/71 the 2270 and smaller bros. 2245,2230,2215 wood grain, Older units with all black spkr. connectors, later black/red. Also the smaller models had smaller connectors(2230, 2215)
The 2270 was build until 1975 later units had the fully isolated spkr. connectors of the new 2275, also slightly different knobs of the 2275.
1974 or 5 came the new 2275 and 2325 (2250 2235...), still woodgrain decor (btw. it is a plastic decor foil on the sheet metal hood, all plastic connectors and new knobs with a short line on the frontface.
In 1976 came the 2285 and 2330 still silver face black/blue dial, black decor foil (Now there was a choice of real wood cabinet or black sheet metal hood in the years before you would buy the real wood cabinet as an accessory). In Europe this series was available with black anodized face/ silver knobs.
In 1977 everything changed: 2285B and 2330B (also 2385, 2265B 2252B, to name a few) champagne face and dial, blue scale also in Europe with black face. Knobs different, wider spkr terminals.
2500/2600 also belong to that last 22xx series, never seen them with black face!
Helmut

Arkay
10-05-2006, 12:53 PM
Onepixel, thanks for the reply. Sadly, I don't think it is qutie that simple, because my 2265 is black and blue (and not from my beating it up, honestly! :D ) and it has the black case, not the woodgrain. So does the 5020 cassette deck I team it up with, whose face matches the black-and-blue look. I've seen both faceplate types here a-plenty (regular black-and-blue and the silver types (usually on "B" models), but ALL meatl cases that I've seen locally (Hong Kong) were black. Why so many wood-grain ones pictured online? :headscrat

ruesselschorf, Thanks for all the info. I think I'll need a little time to go through it carefully and digest it all! At first glance, I think you may be all correct, except when did the 2216 and 2216B models come out? I've seen several of them, and for sure at least the 2216B had a black case, and I THINK the regular 2216 did, too. I'll double-check that. Thanks again! :D

onepixel
10-05-2006, 01:49 PM
Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Maybe the woodgrain and black case is a market difference. Asia and the US? A lot of stuff did come over with service people stationed in Asia.

ruesselschorf
10-05-2006, 04:30 PM
...all I know, the receivers built until 1975 had the woodgrain. The 2285 from 1976 usually had black, but I'seen some early 2285 with woodgrain. This is true for the receivers on the German market and I think for the American too.
But I guess clever salesmen adjust to local taste, maybe black was more in style in Hong Kong ?
Forgot to mention, early 2270/2245 had a superior faceplate with engraved lettering and a better stainless steel-like touch to it. Seems this face was to expensive for the pea-counters...

Helmut

onepixel
10-05-2006, 05:07 PM
I have several receivers and an amp that came during and after 1975 that have wood grain. So that blow that theory. It's kinda like what the heck is the "B" stand for in their model numbers.

It's a mystery to me.

ModernClassic
10-05-2006, 05:21 PM
My 2250B has "wood grain" top. All metal tops are covered with vinyl, black or "woodgrain".

dgwojo
10-06-2006, 11:04 PM
I personally don't care for the units with all black connectors, I beleive those had the older thermal tracking on the transistors, I believe the tracking was improved at the same time the connectors went to red/black, just my $.02 based on what I read in my 2270 owner manual. :scratch2: