Marantz built its 22xx stereo receivers from the early 1970s to about 1980, and they are still among the most searched vintage receivers on eBay. They share a family look: brushed silver faceplate, blue-lit dial, the horizontal flywheel "Gyro-Touch" tuning wheel, and an optional WC-22 wood cabinet. Under that shared look the models differ a lot in power, weight and build era. This guide covers the seven receivers in our catalog, in order of rated power, and then explains how to read a listing.
The models, smallest to largest
2215B: 15 W per channel
The 2215B (c. 1973–1977) is the smallest receiver here, rated at 15 W per channel into 8 Ω. It has a signal-strength meter and an FM center-tuning meter, the gyro tuning wheel and a PLL multiplex decoder, with bass and treble controls rather than the three-band tone section of the larger models. Pair it with efficient speakers in a small room, a bedroom or office system, or a turntable-plus-bookshelf setup played at moderate levels.
2230: 30 W per channel
The 2230 (c. 1972–1975; sources differ by a year or so at each end) is rated at 30 W per channel into 8 Ω. It is the model most buyers start with: it has the three-band bass, mid and treble controls, a phono stage for magnetic cartridges, automatic speaker protection and the gyro tuner, and it was built in large numbers, so listings are plentiful. A later 2230B revision exists with cosmetic and circuit changes, including a slider balance control.
2238: 38 W per channel
The 2238 (c. 1976) is rated at 38 W per channel. It keeps the bass, mid and treble controls and gyro tuning and adds a dual-gate MOSFET FM front end and a PLL stereo decoder. The later 2238B (c. 1977–1980) carries the same 38 W rating but moves the balance control from a slider to a knob and changes the dial face. If a listing just says "2238", check the faceplate to see which one you are looking at.
2245: 45 W per channel
The 2245 (early 1970s; sources give production from 1971 to somewhere between 1973 and 1976) is rated at 45 W per channel into 8 Ω. It has the mid tone control, high and low filters, loudness and FM muting. It is the sensible step up from a 2230 if your speakers are less efficient or your room is larger. Black-faceplate 2245s do turn up, but at least one reference describes them as aftermarket faces, so treat a black 2245 as a modified unit unless the seller can document otherwise.
2270: 70 W per channel
The 2270 (introduced in late 1971; end dates in the sources range from 1973 to 1976) is rated at 70 W per channel into 8 Ω and weighs about 38.5 lb. It has blue-lit signal-strength and tuning meters, three-band tone controls, two tape monitor loops, a magnetic phono stage, loudness, filters and FM muting. Faceplate variations exist: early engraved faces, later silk-screened ones, and differences in face color and small hardware. For many buyers it is the best balance of power, features and size in the family.
2325: 125 W per channel
The 2325 (c. 1974–1977) is rated at 125 W per channel into 8 Ω and weighs close to 50 lb. Its distinguishing feature is a built-in Dolby noise-reduction circuit that can decode Dolby FM broadcasts and process tape recordings. It also has a signal meter, a combined center-tuning and multipath meter, and three-band tone controls with selectable turnover frequencies. Black 2325 faceplates are offered as reproductions, so a black-faced 2325 is very likely refaced.
2385: 185 W per channel
The 2385 (c. 1977–1980) is the most powerful receiver in this group at 185 W per channel into 8 Ω, and at about 58 lb it is also the heaviest. US units have a socket for Marantz’s optional plug-in Dolby FM decoder; European units dropped it in favor of a second aux input. Serial-number surveys suggest far fewer 2385s were made than 2230s or 2270s, which is part of why they draw so much attention. It only makes sense if you need the power: most 1970s bookshelf and floor-standing speakers run happily on a 2245 or 2270.
Integrated amplifiers from the same era
If you already have a tuner or never use radio, the 1060 integrated amplifier (30 W per channel, early 1970s) and the 1090 (45 W per channel) give you Marantz amplification without the receiver's tuner and dial.
Which one to buy
- Small room, efficient speakers, lowest weight: 2215B.
- First Marantz, typical bookshelf speakers: 2230 or 2238.
- Less efficient speakers or a bigger room: 2245 or 2270.
- Want Dolby FM/tape processing or real headroom: 2325.
- Large, inefficient speakers and a sturdy shelf: 2385.
What wears out on a 22xx
- Dial and meter lamps. Burned-out lamps leave dark patches on the dial or unlit meters. Ask whether the lamps are original incandescent bulbs or LED replacements, since LEDs change the color and look of the dial.
- Dial string. The gyro wheel drives the pointer through a dial cord. A slipping or broken cord means the pointer does not move when you spin the wheel.
- Dirty controls. Fifty-year-old switches and potentiometers crackle or drop a channel until they are cleaned. Channel dropouts are a commonly reported symptom on these receivers.
- Electrolytic capacitors. The original capacitors are decades past their design life. Not every one needs replacing, but a receiver that has never been serviced should be expected to need some work.
- Protection circuit and output stage. If the speaker relay never clicks in, or one channel is dead, the fault can be anything from a dirty relay to failed output transistors. Price that unit as a repair project.
How to read an eBay listing
- Ask for photos of the unit powered on, dial and meters lit, with a station tuned so you can see the meters move.
- Ask for a short video playing music through both speakers, sweeping the volume knob and switching inputs, so you can hear any crackle.
- "Powers on" is not "tested". A lit dial says nothing about whether both channels play cleanly. "As-is" means you are buying a repair project.
- "Serviced" should come with details: what was cleaned, which capacitors or lamps were replaced, and whether DC offset and idle current were set to the service manual. Our receiver restoration guide explains what those terms should mean.
- Check the faceplate and cabinet. Look for scratches, missing knobs and replaced faceplates. Confirm whether the WC-22 wood cabinet is included or just shown in the photos.
- Insist on proper packing for the big models. A 2325 or 2385 weighs about 50 to 57 lb. Ask how it will be packed (double-boxed with solid foam, not loose peanuts), because a heavy chassis can break its own mounting points in transit.
For current listings and asking prices, check the live eBay snapshot on each model page linked above.
