marantz

[Tractorat]

Just wondered if anyone had any experience or opinion on a marantz stereo receiver. My Sony from the early 1990's broke. I just need it to be an am/fm radio, and to drive a cd player and a turn table. Wondered about their sound quality, reception, reliability, etc.

Thanks

 

[JJPage]

Used to be a very popular brand, never owned one myself but plenty of my friends had their products.

 

[jgillott]

What specific model are you considering? Marantz used to make some very high quality high end stuff. I haven't really kept up with the latest models, but years ago the quality was there. We have a TEAC AG-790 in our office at work and it has worked perfectly daily for the last 8 years or so.

 

[Tractorat]

Its an SR 4023. Not a lot of features, but Im more interested in sound and reliability. I did notice that it doesnt have a balance control. But Ill find out if I really need that when I hook it up. (15 day return policy)

 

[seafish]

In its day, Marantz made quality, well respected stereo recievers, I would say something between Sony and Onkyo, or kind of like Yamaha. I do NOT know if they managed to keep up this reputation, but googling reviews of the Marantz SR 4023, it looks pretty decent--

http://www.amazon.com/Marantz-SR4023-Stereo-Receiver/product-reviews/B001EMBKNO

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-5MEHSxyJLLT/p_642SR4023/Marantz-SR4023.html#customer-reviews-tab

 

[fest3er]

Since I got the Onkyo 7.1 A/V receiver, I cannot go back to plain stereo classical CDs sound so much better in surround. And the Onkyo has phono inputs and an AM/FM tuner.

 

[BarryG]

I still have a Marantz 2220 from the early 70's. Still works fine except the lights on the radio dial portion have gone out. Marantz still produces some great stuff or least they did just a few years ago as I was looking at getting a new one but never did. Onkyo makes some great stuff as well as fest3er mentioned.

 

[Tractorat]

Thanks,
I was looking at an Onkyo at Fry's. But the only one they had left was a display unit, and I didnt want that. The marantz is a little more money than the Onkyo. I didnt look at the higher end Onkyo's when I was at Fry's because they were more money than I wanted to spend. But, before I buy the marantz, I may take a drive down to Fry's and look once more at their higher end recievers (higher end than what I looked at).

The 7.1 Onkyo sounds like a nice system, but probably more than what I need. I only want a 2 channel model. It would be difficult to place more speakers around the room where I keep the stereo (to take advantage of the 7 channel). But I do need the phono inputs for my turn table. The marantz has that. I really dont want another box (external preamp) to drive the turn table. Not enough room left on the cabinet.

 

[RVTRKN]

Owned marantz receiver and speakers, top quality, great sound. Newer stuff from the 90's? Can't tell you that, but if the same quality as mine bought in 79, worth having.

BTW, if you run across a marantz 2385 receiver for sale PLEASE let me know.