Review for 2385 Receiver: Sound so dynamic, musical, detailed and forceful that I've never heard before.

You might have a hard time finding one, or paying the price. I really wanted it though, and it was worth every penny.

REVIEW FOR THE MARANTZ 2385:

This receiver is insane. To begin with, it outputs 185 watts/channel, weighs between 60 and 70 pounds, and has capacitors that are the size of a 12-oz. beer can. I play it against my other equipment that may cost more now-a-days, and it beats the stuffing out of them. It's no contest. I have this receiver hooked up to some 40-year-old Acoustic Research speakers that I have had re-foamed and the crossovers rebuilt, and it sounds absolutlely sick. It can really make you forget where you are. I'm a really big fan of the Pioneer SX receiver line, as well as McIntosh's big amps, but this receiver is just crazy-good: a freak of the audio world.

The AR's really like lots of power to sound good, and this receiver is able to drive them like they were stock cars on nitro. There is a lot of dynamic quality in the music, fast punches in the gut of very big sound when the orchestra kicks up its heels, followed by sweet, delicately handled interludes. It really delivers the punch with dynamic force, clarity and control, and softer moments with delicacy, excellent tone and detail. The tonal quality is extremely nice and accurate, and sound stage is superior. The space between the instruments is definitely more defined in the music than in any one of my other amplifiers or receivers.

When you have warm sound though, you compromise a little bit of precision. But this give-and-take situation of warmth vs. detail is very well balanced in this receiver. The loss is not really noticable, but the benefit certainly is. The absolutely un-rivaled, superior quality of sound really identifies this receiver. You've got to try it. God in heaven, try it. 5 stars all the way.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz 2226B and 2285B, McIntosh amps, Sansui receivers, Pioneer SX receivers. Tube amps, etc.....

High Power, Much greater than rated. Warm Tonal characteristics. Produces a deep and wide sound stage. Excellent Fm tuner and solid am reception

None

This review is for the Marantz 2385 black faced reciever. Conservatively rated at 185 watts per channel. This reciever has a t.h.d. of 0.05%. It sold between 1977-1980 for $1095.00. This reciever is awesome. The tonal characteristics and sound stage capabilities are top flight. The tone is warm. The sound stage is deep and wide. This is good as it gets for solid state. I was compelled to get this after auditioning the current crop of available stereo recievers[which is a very limited selection] and home theatre. What they have out there for $750.00 or less is shocking. Incredibly poor sound for stereo. One word-raspy. I could not believe it. My assumption was that things had gotten better not worse. The reality is that the companies have put the money into the home theatre capabilities and not into the musical reproduction aspects. All of them are extremely light. The 2385 weighs close to 80 lbs. The FM tuner section is excellent. Very good capture ratio and excellent sonics. The gyro touch tuning is super smooth and in my opinion superior to any digital set-up. In closing they don't make them like they used to. If you are in the market for music and don't give a damn about home theatre like I do. I would highly recommend one of these.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz 2245, Pioneer xs-1280

Super, clean sound love the blue glow, pushed the 901 series 2 great

Not sure at this time see review summary but I have had 3 marantz's 2245,2270, 2500 all failed to produce sound at lowest volume level, any thoughts.

Even though I had my marantz 2270 since the mid seventies I traded it in for a 2500 model used, I had trouble getting the 2270 repaired and when I picked up a pair of Bose 901 series 2 I needed more power so I traded in the 2270 for a 2500 rated at 300 watts per. After 6 days it went kaputt except the ocilliscope, pardon my spelling, I wonder if this model is a lemon, I love marantz especially the blue glow, nothing like it anywhere. I need input from anyone out there. Its under warranty but it bums me out I cona't use it at this time.

Similar Products Used:

marantz 2270