This topic is somewhat related to Clint's recent power thread in that this is a comparo between two Marantz receivers with very different power ratings. The question is can the 2285B (85 wpc) compete with the 2500 (250 wpc)? The answer is surprisingly yes.

Both receivers are well known to vintage enthusiasts so I will skip to the listening impression. The 2500 is supremely powerful and you can immediately tell the difference by turning the knob. The sound is the familiar three martini smooth that we all like but the sound, like most high powered receivers, is slightly ponderous. In comparison, the 2285B is open and airy with nuanced vocals and instruments. It is engaging in a way the 2500 is not. Individually, these are great receivers that I am happy to listen to all day long. However, I have a choice and I prefer the 2285B.

So, coming back to Clint's recent "How Much Power" thread, I would say there is definitely a tradeoff for opting for 250 wpc. With the 2285B, I was able to fill my room with as much volume as I could stand. I suppose the 2500 will resist clipping better but by then, the neighbors are calling the cops! The 85 wpc 2285B is more than enough!!

nice looking receivers, I always wanted some marantz, just for the cool factor.

elroy

I've been a Marantz fan since I was a young'n in the 70's, my reintroduction was my chance in June of '06 when I bought a 2270 because I remembered the famous ad and came across it when searching for vintage receivers, I liked the darn thing so much I bought another one with the wood case. Even though they are a couple hundred units apart (according to the serial #'s) They are over 30 yrs old and have not been gone through. The sound is quite unreal in a good way. I honestly think I dropped my martini on the first song I heard through it, this was before I even got it warmed up.

Once it got nice and toasty, OMG to a differant level!! I've not heard a 2500 and I don't think the amp section would be a good match with my speakers, I would like to hear the pre-amp section though with my Yamaha MX-800U into the Martin Logans

Craig

Of course it is.
With the 2500 all you have is more 5 db's.

Stuwee: Glad you like your 2270. The 2270, as you fondly remember was a watershed model in that it represents the first truly modern Marantz receiver. The earlier 22 doesn't count and the 19 is from a previous generation. Glad you like your pair of 2270's. I also like to have backups of my favorites!

That's not a lot considering the huge price difference and my perceived preference for the lower powered model.

the 2285B is reportedly one of the best sounding receivers ever made (i havent had the pleasure of hearing one unfortunately).

i'll bet the 2500 would fare better with less efficient and more demanding speakers, but thats only because its got more in reserve. if i had my pick i would take the 2285B and put and build a sweet bedroom system around it.

Good choice!

I gave my 2500 an extended play today. (One of the channels was distorted on power up but I traced it to a dirty filter switch. Damn, these things give me a scare!) I boosted the mid and treble controls a single notch and it sounded livelier. I guess that is a demerit as the 2285B sounds great with tone controls set to neutral.

Yes my 2270's are quite sweet however, I've heard way too many Marantz owners say the 2230 is the swee-*test*-('") of them all. So many in fact, that I'm on the look out for a well cared for example to make a similair -*test*-('") like the one you've just done. With lower power of course, and just using the pre-amp sections.

Craig

Stuwee: Looking forward to your soundoff! Here is a preview.

I had a 2230 at the same time as when I had the 2270 but sadly, I didn't play them back to back. I did play them with the same speakers but a couple of weeks apart.

The 2230 seems smoother than the 2270, which is saying a lot. I thought it was more detailed in the mids and trebles but I wasn't expecting much bass from only 30 watts. IMO, the 2230 scores for being more musical and engaging. I suppose that is the cap coupling at work.

The 2270 has much more power and has the same family sound but seems slightly less cultured (if you subscribe to the bass is for kids theory.) I thought the 2270 was fuller but without retaining the delicacy of the 2230. There was plenty of bass and the impression it was opening up speakers but somehow, the nuances I like were not as evident.

Sadly, I can't re-visit my impressions as both are no longer in the collection.