Why This Vintage Marantz Receiver Is Still a Modern Hi-Fi Icon

Half a century after its debut, this vintage Marantz is still a bestseller.

Published October 9, 2024

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Updated October 9, 2024

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Once upon a time, circa 1970, there was no such thing as “hi-fi.” It was just audio. And every household had a system, likely built around a solid-state stereo receiver or amplifier.

Names like Pioneer, Kenwood, Sansui and Sherwood dominated the market throughout the ’70s but few have endured as well as Marantz — the benchmark in sound, power, style, reliability and price.

Even today, Marantz models like the 2270 are highly sought after by hobbyists, audiophiles and everyone in-between.

“Marantz sold a ton of 2270 receivers and it became an icon.”

“If any marketing team wants to see a successful campaign from the mid-1970s, they can check out the brilliant ads for the Marantz 2270,” said Mike Garry of Hudson Valley HiFi in Cornwall, NY. “Marantz sold a ton of 2270 receivers and it became an icon.”

Here’s why it remains a relevant piece of hi-fi gear half a century after its debut.

Marantz Ad — A 1974 advertisement for the Marantz 2270 receiver.

A hi-fi powerhouse

The Marantz 2270 was an absolute unit, delivering 70 watts per channel. When it came out near the end of 1971, it cost upward of $550. That made it one of the Marantz’s most expensive (and most powerful) receivers.

Several features made the Marantz 2270 immediately recognizable. Its silver faceplate and beautiful wooden case contrasted beautifully. Then, there was the signal strength meter, tuning meter and dial scale — all illuminated by a blue backlight.

And in lieu of a traditional tuning knob, Marantz opted for a large horizontal wheel tuner — known as the “Gyro-Touch” tuning wheel — that was located on the right side (adjacent to the dial scale) and used for navigating AM/FM stations.

Blue lights, vintage vibes

Today, Marantz continues to produce some of the world’s best-sounding — and best-looking — hi-fi gear. For example, the Model 60n integrated amplifier is beautiful in its own right — thanks to a steel chassis and LED display.

But the old adage of ‘they just don’t make them like they used to’ definitely holds true with the 2270, where a combination of metal and wood — not to mention the funky Metropolis font — made it look retro yet futuristic. And its signature blue glow and copious tactile knobs could lure listeners in.

“The aluminum faceplate with beautiful dashed knobs, three sets of four buttons below a blue backlit dial, has such appeal even [55] years after it hit the market,” Garry said.

Worth the hunt

Like with many pieces of vintage audio equipment, it can be a challenge to procure a vintage Marantz receiver in working order. That hasn’t stopped it from becoming a bestseller, if even just for parts.

“With seventy watts per channel, this vintage powerhouse is the bestselling [Marantz] model on Reverb,” said Drew Brown, the former merchandising manager there.

“The blue lights, horizontal tuning wheel and WC22 wood case give this amp the look everyone seems to want,” he added.