My first vintage audio purchase was a Marantz 2270 receiver. I purchased the unit off Craigslist from someone selling off their father’s hi-fi collection. I wasn’t the only interested buyer and what sealed the deal was that I was willing to buy it along with two other vintage receivers.
People always seem impressed that I own a Marantz 2270 and even though I enjoy owning one, there are things people should consider before spending a lot of money on one.
In this article, I will discuss the features I like about the Marantz 2270 but also point out some of the common pains that come with owning one.
First, let’s talk about some of the good things…
Marantz 2270 Features:
Below is a list of the Marantz 2270’s features which I’ll discuss more in depth after the list:
- Two Phono Inputs
- FM, AM, Aux and Tape Inputs with Tape Monitor Button
- Four Speaker Connections
- Ability To Separate The Pre and Power Amp
- Three Tone Controls: Bass, Mid & Treble
- Balance Control Knob
- Mono and Loudness Buttons
- Low & High Filter Buttons
The 2270 receiver has two phono inputs allowing you to hook up two separate turntables into the one unit.
Along with the two phono inputs, the Marantz 2270 has inputs for Aux and Tape as well as allowing for AM and FM radio broadcasting.
The unit also contains tone controls for bass, mid and treble, along with a balance knob to help you better tune the sound for your room.
The Marantz 2270 also provides a variety of buttons for Mono playback, Loudness adjustment as well as High and Low filters.
I’ve written before about how to use a vintage receiver as a preamp only showing you how to remove the jumpers on the rear of the Marantz 2270, separating the preamp from the amplifier. This is one of my favorite features of the 2270 as it allows you to experiment with the sound by swapping in different pre and power amps.
How Many Watts Is A Marantz 2270?
The 70 in the Marantz 2270 model number means the receiver is rated at 70 watts per channel into 8 ohms which will power most speakers easily.
Knowing this, it’s easy to determine the power rating on other Marantz units starting with 22…whatever the last two digits are will be the rating. For instance, a Marantz 2215 is 15 watts per channel, a 2230 is 30 watts per channel and so on.
I have used many different sets of speakers with my 2270 and have yet to find a pair that the 2270 had trouble powering.
The Marantz 2270 Looks Outstanding
One of my favorite features of the Marantz 2270 is it’s outstanding vintage look. The receiver has the classic silver face look that everyone loves when showing off their vintage audio.
The radio dial has a black background with blue lights that really stand out, especially in low lit rooms. The knob to adjust the radio station is a big chunky fly wheel that feels great to the touch when moving around the dial.
The Marantz 2270 often comes with a wooden case that brings out the silver face on the front of the unit even more. Unfortunately my 2270 did not have a case, but they can often been found on eBay for around $250-300.
It’s these visual features of the Marantz that help contribute to their collectability and expensive price.
Now that we’ve discussed some of the good things about a Marantz 2270 receiver, let’s point out a few of the common issues that comes with owning one…
Common Marantz 2270 Issues
- Faulty Phono Preamp
- Preamp and Amplifier Boards Need Rebuilding
The 22XX lines of Marantz share a lot of the same issues, mostly around old components dying in the phono, preamp and amplifier boards. The capacitors and transistors in these units are approaching 50 years old and often need to be replaced.
One of the most common issues is a faulty phono preamp board. I’ve written about how to rebuild the phono preamp and if you are handy with a soldering iron, it can be a process that you knock out at home.
It’s also common to need to rebuild the preamp and amplifier boards in these units, replacing all of the capacitors and transistors for optimal audio playback.
My unit has a weak left channel and some crackling noises coming from the preamp. Again, this is common with 2270s and I will recap those boards and replace the transistors at some point to get her back up and running again.
These are the most common issues you should be aware of before buying a Marantz 2270. I tell friends owning a 2270 is like owning a classic car…expect to spend money on repairs.
Given that audio repair shops are getting harder to find in the United States, a full recap of a Marantz 2270 could cost upwards of $500, if not more. Personally, I’m fine investing money back into my unit, but if you are not prepared to spend that much, you might want to limit your vintage Marantz searches to refurbished units that have been recapped.
Now, let’s discuss some of the ugly things about owning a Marantz 2270…
The Ugly Side Of A Marantz 2270
There’s not a lot to complain about when looking at a Marantz 2270, but if there are two common complaints, it’s with the lights and the vellum paper in front of them.
What do I mean? Often you will see a Marantz 2270 and the lights look more green than blue. This is a common problem as the white vellum paper in front of the lights has aged, turned brown and needs to be replaced.
Also, it can be a challenge to decide on what kind of replacement bulbs you want to install in your unit, LED or fuse. LED lamps will last much longer, but often they are too bright.
To avoid the brightness, people often install the original fuse style lamps in their place.
I installed LEDs in my 2270 and to be honest, they are too bright and I wish I had used fuse lamps instead. Replacing the lamps isn’t easy so I’ll probably just live with my decision for now.
Below are some other frequently asked questions…
How Does A Marantz 2270 Sound?
Vintage Marantz receivers are known for their warm analog sound. They aren’t as warm as if you were listening to tube gear, but they sound much better than today’s modern surround sound 5.1 channel receivers if that is how you currently listen to music.
My Marantz 2270 provides plenty of volume…I rarely turn the knob above a quarter turn before I’m told the music is too loud by other members of my family.
The built in phono stage is adequate. If your unit has not had the phono stage recapped, I would advise doing so to improve the sound of your vinyl playback. Of course you could always hook up an external phono preamp, which is what I did with the Vincent PHO-8.
When Did The Marantz 2270 Come Out?
The Marantz 2270 receiver was released between the years 1972 and 1974.
What Is A Marantz 2270 Worth?
The price for a Marantz 2270 will vary depending on condition and if it comes with a wooden case, but if you average sold prices on eBay during March 2022, the average price is $1,350.
Are Marantz Receivers Reliable?
Yes, Marantz receivers are reliable units that will need to be recapped and serviced with age like all vintage gear, but once serviced, should continue to perform for many years to come.
Why Is Vintage Marantz So Expensive?
Like McIntosh, Marantz has always been a valued brand name in hifi audio. Units produced in the 1970s and older have a great vintage look and sound that collectors are willing to pay top dollar for and therefore cause units to be expensive.
How Long Should A Marantz Receiver Last?
A vintage Marantz receiver that has been recapped and serviced should last for decades. I find vintage models that have not been recapped will often start to show issues within 40 – 50 years after release.
If you enjoyed this article, please check out my YouTube channel where I also discussed this topic:
Before you go…
Please sign up for my mailing list below where you will receive 15% off my Etsy Store where I sell shirts designed for audio fans.
For instance, I have a shirt design of my Marantz gear that you can purchase:
Also, please subscribe to my YouTube channel for gear reviews, vintage audio, vinyl records and more.
Good job! I have owned a Marantz 2270 since early 1973. I have the early model with only the wooden cabinet. When you remove the walnut cabinet, there is not a metal cover. Also the face plate lettering is etched.
I had it recapped two years ago and I’m pleased with it’s performance.
Respectfully, Byron
Thank you for reading and the nice comment!
Am I ask what did the recap cost you?
I didn’t have this one recapped yet but I would estimate $500 or more.