Marantz

In the simpler days before the internet, cell phones, surround sound, 1000 watt subwoofers in cars, back up beepers, big screen TV’s, motorcycles without mufflers, and all the otherdistractions of modern life, pure high fidelity listening was the scene.

Marantz produced some of the best audio equipment ever to exist on the planet. They certainly won the design contest with their brushed aluminum faceplates and blue instrument lighting.

Any Marantz built from 1954 – 1980 will produce noticeably better sound quality than your probably used to hearing.

Even my model 2015 “baby Marantz” can rock at just 15 WPC. If we had to choose the best overall Marantz receiver I think the 2270 would be the one. It has clean good looks and preceded FM Dolby (which was later dropped because it was not widely demanded by the public) so it is not cluttered with the extra controls and it has the beautiful star next to the Stereo indicator reminiscent of the Sheppard’s cross used in the sixties by Ford to promote their Autolite brand. The 2270 sure seems to have more than the advertised 70 WPC, this beautiful little puppy rocks.

The mid-seventies to about 1981 period is particularly interesting because there was an all out quality and high performance “power war” happening amongst the leading manufacturers. In an effort to obtain boasting rights for having the best specifications published in the many audiophile magazines of the time and to shed favorable light on the remainder of the product line participating manufacturers pumped their top units with the highest quality components and increased power output to new levels, it ended only when the units became so heavy they were physically unmanageable ! Some manufacturers approached 100 lbs or even split the receiver into two mating halves. The higher end units coupled with a good set of modern speakers like those available from Bowers and Wilkins will producing amazing transparent sound, something hard to find in today’s diluted audio products. Add a remote volume control from Placette Audio and you can even stay in your chair while changing volume or switching inputs. FYI, because these units have “power” does not necessarily mean they must be played loud ….. experts say it takes 1000 watts to properly reproduce the sound of scissors cutting paper.