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How good/bad are these phono stages? I've heard decent things, and have a few of the smaller wattage amps. Will I be impressed or disappointed? I have a 2220 and a 2235. How do these compare to other lower cost options?
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I run a Marantz 4270, the phono stage is definitely better than my Harman Kardon 110+, and the HK outboard cd-4 demodulator sounds the same. I use a Marantz CD-400B demodulator for discrete albums and regular stereo, same warm open soundstage as the 4270. I hooked up the HK demodulator on the Marantz a while back, just flat, no imaging to it at all. The Marantz has an "exciting" sound.I also have a Pioneer qx-949 4 channel receiver, the phono stage isn't bad there either, have not really had the time to play anything really worthy through it.
I have heard the smaller Marantz receivers carry a pretty good punch for the rating!
a Marantz 2238b as my pre-amp. The phono stage is very robust, and sounds a bit more 'musical' than others I've tried. (Pro-ject Tube Box) I say give it a whirl.
I found the 2220 to have a superb phono stage, easily on a par with the excellent ASL Mini Phono (different strengths and weaknesses). I in fact prefer the 2220 to the higher-powered 2230, though perhaps this is explainable by different rates of wear, but a friend says the best one of all is the even lower-powered little 2215 (and I hear rumours of a 2210). Of course, not to be thrown against state-of-the-art phono stages, but you will likely be pleasantly surprised. Why not try it out and report on it? I find these old receivers sound their best once powered up and playing for a couple of days, just leave the tuner (also superb) on.
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