Marantz 2230 Receiver / Imperial 7 find

Visiting my older brother this week while picking up a set of SDA2-A’s. Got to talking about the Polk speakers and he mentioned he thought he still had his old pair of Marantz speakers somewhere. Come to find out, he still had his old pair of Marantz Imperial 7 speaks and his Marantz 2230 receiver along with the original packaging. Purchased in the early ‘70’s he hasn’t had them hooked up for over 30 years and probably never would . Well, couldn’t let them just sit there and never be appreciated again so now I have a Marantz 2230 receiver and pair of Imperial 7’s. I know they aren’t some of the sought after models of Marantz but I think its worth getting the 2230 ‘refreshed’ and may need to go through the speaks crossovers. Any recommendations on where to send the receiver to? Not finding much about Marantz ‘vintage’ repair online.
Carver M4.0t, M1.0t, M200t, TX2, C1, C2, Marantz 2230, 2010, 4070, 1030, APPJ 2013, Rega Brio, Marantz Imperial 7's, Klipsch Heresy III, Quartets, KG4's, KG1's, 'The Sixes', R-12SW, Polk SDA 2a's, Monitor 7cTL's, SDA CRS's, 4a's, Zu Audio Dirty Weekends, Pro-ject Acryl TT, Cambridge 851N, 351C, Panamax 5300PM

Comments

  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    Most anything in the 22xx B line is worthy of a refresh, they were solid pieces. Need to post some pics. Congrats.
  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,138
    My son is this rocking the 2235b that I gave him. Still holding onto the 2385 .
  • ThomasD
    ThomasD Posts: 260
    He thinks he originally had the WC22 wooden surround for the 2230 but it's long gone for some reason. I see that pretty nice surround replicas can be had. The Imperial 7's foam grill is also long gone. Guess they rotted fairly quickly. Trying to find out if replicas of the original sculpted grills are available. I know the 7's were suppose to compete with the JBL L100's of the day and from everything I can find out about them it was a 'failure'. Too big a wooof in too small an enclosure, something about putting the woofer of the Imperial 8 into the enclosure of the 6. But the fact that they are all original and I guess I'm keeping them 'in the family' must mean something. Oddly enough it's this very system that first peaked my interest in music back in the '70's. Use to visit my brother as a little kid and he would have me listen to his 'latest' vinyl finds such as Gordon Lightfoot, BTO & Crosby Stills & Nash among dozens of others. All his vinyl has disappeared over the decades too, unfortunately. He's in his early 70's now and doesn't seem to enjoy much music anymore. I was quite surprised he kept his old equipment. Glad he did. Still looking for Vintage Marantz restoration shops. I'll post some picks once I get it all together.
    Carver M4.0t, M1.0t, M200t, TX2, C1, C2, Marantz 2230, 2010, 4070, 1030, APPJ 2013, Rega Brio, Marantz Imperial 7's, Klipsch Heresy III, Quartets, KG4's, KG1's, 'The Sixes', R-12SW, Polk SDA 2a's, Monitor 7cTL's, SDA CRS's, 4a's, Zu Audio Dirty Weekends, Pro-ject Acryl TT, Cambridge 851N, 351C, Panamax 5300PM
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,420
    I've heard good things about this guy.
    http://www.irebuildmarantz.com/contact.html
    I like to find people who specialize in certain product restoration. You could also ask our own @westmassguy for info. The 2230 is highly regarded vintage stuff. Not a power house but they have a good sound once restored. I once thought about going this route... Glad I didn't.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)


    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
  • ThomasD
    ThomasD Posts: 260

    Now why didn't I think of that? @westmassguy is TLing my 7c X/O right now. Thanks

    Carver M4.0t, M1.0t, M200t, TX2, C1, C2, Marantz 2230, 2010, 4070, 1030, APPJ 2013, Rega Brio, Marantz Imperial 7's, Klipsch Heresy III, Quartets, KG4's, KG1's, 'The Sixes', R-12SW, Polk SDA 2a's, Monitor 7cTL's, SDA CRS's, 4a's, Zu Audio Dirty Weekends, Pro-ject Acryl TT, Cambridge 851N, 351C, Panamax 5300PM
  • ThomasD
    ThomasD Posts: 260
    Oh, and yes unfortunately the 2230 is only 30 wpc. Won't be using them for my SDA 2A's but should work well for the Marantz Imperial 7's. Some of the older reviews I read described it as almost 'tube' like, so guess it's on the 'warm' side. I'll be comparing the Marantz Imperial 7's to my upgraded M7c's when I get them back. I don't expect much comparison. But should be fun anyway.
    Carver M4.0t, M1.0t, M200t, TX2, C1, C2, Marantz 2230, 2010, 4070, 1030, APPJ 2013, Rega Brio, Marantz Imperial 7's, Klipsch Heresy III, Quartets, KG4's, KG1's, 'The Sixes', R-12SW, Polk SDA 2a's, Monitor 7cTL's, SDA CRS's, 4a's, Zu Audio Dirty Weekends, Pro-ject Acryl TT, Cambridge 851N, 351C, Panamax 5300PM
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,420
    I think you would be surprised how those Imperial 7's will sound with the crossovers refreshed as well
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)


    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    "only 30 wpc" :p
    Only about 9 times what we rock at my house. Just sayin'.
  • 55LS70
    55LS70 Posts: 184
    I bet that 30 watts sounds pretty good. Back in the mid-70's I bought new a Marantz 1060 integrated and when hooked up to a pair a Pioneer HPM-60's it sounded great. Also it had exceptional build quality. My cousin has it now and I believe it still up and going. Marantz's of that era are tanks.
    Decware CSP3 Preamp, RCA 6DJ8, 2 X Rocket 6N1P-EV's, Cary SLA70B Signature V2 Amplifier: 2 X Mullard GZ32's, 2 X RCA/GE 5691's, 4 X Tung-Sol 6550's

    Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC

    Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
    upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand

    Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's

    H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor.
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,481
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    "only 30 wpc" :p
    Only about 9 times what we rock at my house. Just sayin'.

    yes but your hearing aids go to 11
  • ThomasD
    ThomasD Posts: 260
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    "only 30 wpc" :p
    Only about 9 times what we rock at my house. Just sayin'.

    Seems the 2245, 2270, 2275 & 2325 are some of the more sought after, higher wattage amps. Not dissing the lower wpc rating. I appreciate the quality not the quantity. Just don't know if it will have the headroom for the SDA's.
    Carver M4.0t, M1.0t, M200t, TX2, C1, C2, Marantz 2230, 2010, 4070, 1030, APPJ 2013, Rega Brio, Marantz Imperial 7's, Klipsch Heresy III, Quartets, KG4's, KG1's, 'The Sixes', R-12SW, Polk SDA 2a's, Monitor 7cTL's, SDA CRS's, 4a's, Zu Audio Dirty Weekends, Pro-ject Acryl TT, Cambridge 851N, 351C, Panamax 5300PM
  • ThomasD
    ThomasD Posts: 260
    audioluvr wrote: »
    I think you would be surprised how those Imperial 7's will sound with the crossovers refreshed as well
    Hope so, I do like pleasant surprises.

    Carver M4.0t, M1.0t, M200t, TX2, C1, C2, Marantz 2230, 2010, 4070, 1030, APPJ 2013, Rega Brio, Marantz Imperial 7's, Klipsch Heresy III, Quartets, KG4's, KG1's, 'The Sixes', R-12SW, Polk SDA 2a's, Monitor 7cTL's, SDA CRS's, 4a's, Zu Audio Dirty Weekends, Pro-ject Acryl TT, Cambridge 851N, 351C, Panamax 5300PM
  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    I have a 2220 and it is surprising in it's output.
  • ThomasD
    ThomasD Posts: 260
    kharp1 wrote: »
    I have a 2220 and it is surprising in it's output.

    Can not find anything really negative about any of the 22xx series of Marantz receivers as far as sound quality. @kharp1 Do you have the WC22 wooden cabinet? I have looked on 'fleabay' and they seem to be popular and expensive when available. I'm thinking my wife will let me leave this receiver out in the open if I can find a wooden cabinet for it. Trying to find plans somewhere to build my own. Too many projects and not enough time !!!
    Carver M4.0t, M1.0t, M200t, TX2, C1, C2, Marantz 2230, 2010, 4070, 1030, APPJ 2013, Rega Brio, Marantz Imperial 7's, Klipsch Heresy III, Quartets, KG4's, KG1's, 'The Sixes', R-12SW, Polk SDA 2a's, Monitor 7cTL's, SDA CRS's, 4a's, Zu Audio Dirty Weekends, Pro-ject Acryl TT, Cambridge 851N, 351C, Panamax 5300PM
  • ThomasD
    ThomasD Posts: 260
    I did find a place that will make replica's of the original foam grills for the 7's. http://www.foamspeakergrilles.com Not cheap, may take weeks but looks authentic. Apparently they started out making the vintage JBL sculpted look grills and found quite a market for other brands as well.
    Carver M4.0t, M1.0t, M200t, TX2, C1, C2, Marantz 2230, 2010, 4070, 1030, APPJ 2013, Rega Brio, Marantz Imperial 7's, Klipsch Heresy III, Quartets, KG4's, KG1's, 'The Sixes', R-12SW, Polk SDA 2a's, Monitor 7cTL's, SDA CRS's, 4a's, Zu Audio Dirty Weekends, Pro-ject Acryl TT, Cambridge 851N, 351C, Panamax 5300PM
  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    I don't thin so...I have one with a wood cabinet, but, I think it's an older Scott. Not 100% certain. I know you can buy remakes of them for somewhere around $120.