Marantz 2240B (1978–1980)

It powers up with a soft relay click and a slow glow of green tuning meters.

Overview

Slide the power switch on a Marantz 2240B and the front panel lights up. The tuning meter sweeps, the signal strength needle creeps to life, and the heavy chassis sits there like gear built to outlive its owners. This is mid-tier Marantz from the golden age of solid-state receivers. It is not the flagship 2270 and not the stripped-down 2230. It is the 2240B, where performance, features, and price met in 1978. It delivers 40 watts per channel into 8 ohms. That sounds modest today, but it was plenty to drive the era's efficient speakers. The phono stage is quiet and detailed, the FM tuner section has dual analog meters, and the overall sound leans warm without smearing detail, which is Marantz's house voicing.

Compared to the original 2240, the "B" revision brought a redesigned power supply, updated relay logic for speaker protection (which eliminates the turn-on "pop"), and a slightly refined circuit layout to reduce crosstalk. It wasn't a ground-up redesign, but it made the 2240B the preferred version among collectors and restorers. It shares the minimalist faceplate of other 22xx-series receivers - brushed aluminum, large rotary knobs with crisp detents, and a layout that puts function first. No digital displays, no microprocessor. You get direct analog control over bass, treble, and a surprisingly effective midrange control that lets you dial out nasally vocals or boost presence on acoustic instruments. It has two tape loops, AM/FM tuning with an analog dial, and a muting switch that actually works, so you can flip between stations without blasting your ears.

It is not as powerful as contemporaries like the Pioneer SX-1980 or as luxurious as a McIntosh, but the 2240B holds its own in build and sound. It was built when Marantz was still engineering its own circuitry in-house, before cost-cutting and shared platforms. The chassis is steel, the circuit boards are point-to-point wired in critical sections, and the power transformer is substantial. It is not a brute force amplifier, but it is dynamic, with a damping factor of 30 that gives respectable control over 8-ohm speakers. Paired with vintage AR, KLH, or Advents, it drives them with clarity and composure. With 4-ohm loads it holds up reasonably well, though sustained low-frequency passages make it work harder than a higher-powered receiver would.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Marantz
Production Years	1978–1980
Original Price	$449.95 (1978)
Power Output	40 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo, both channels driven)
Frequency Response	20Hz – 20kHz (±0.5dB)
Total Harmonic Distortion	0.25% at rated power
Intermodulation Distortion	0.3% at rated power
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	86dB (A-weighted, IEC-A)
Input Sensitivity	1.8mV (MM phono), 180mV (line level)
Input Impedance	47kΩ (line), 1MΩ (MM)
Output Impedance	4–16Ω speaker load
Damping Factor	30 (8Ω, 1kHz)
Tuning Range	FM: 88–108 MHz, AM: 530–1620 kHz
Tuner Sensitivity	FM: 1.8µV for 26dB SNR, AM: 25µV for 20dB SNR
Inputs	2 line, 1 phono (MM), tape 1
Outputs	Tape 2, preamp out, FM/AM antenna
Headphone Output	1/4" jack with level control
Dimensions	17" W × 6" H × 15" D
Weight	31 lbs (14.1 kg)
Power Consumption	280 watts (max)

Key Features

Discreet, Musical Circuitry Without the Hype

The 2240B doesn't rely on exotic parts or over-engineering. Its amplifier section uses discrete transistors, with no IC op-amps in the signal path, and a complementary symmetry output stage that delivers smooth clipping and low distortion. The preamp includes a dedicated, low-noise phono stage with RIAA equalization that is well-regarded for pulling detail from vinyl without harshness. Some receivers of the era used cheap switching circuits for input selection. The 2240B uses high-quality rotary switches that maintain signal integrity. The midrange control, often a gimmick on lesser receivers, is useful here, with a ±12dB range centered at 1kHz. It allows real tonal shaping without muddying the sound.

Tuner Section That Still Outperforms Modern Radios

FM reception is where the 2240B shines. The dual analog meters, one for tuning and one for signal strength, make dialing in a station a tactile job. The tuner's selectivity and sensitivity were competitive with standalone units at the time. Even today, with a decent outdoor antenna, it pulls in weak stations with clarity that most modern digital tuners can't match. The AM section is also capable, with good image rejection and minimal background hash.

Build Quality That Invites Hands-On Use

Every control on the 2240B feels made to be used. The volume knob has a smooth, damped rotation. The source selector clicks positively into place. The sliding balance and tone controls glide without wobble. The power switch has a slightly heavy action. The front panel is thick aluminum, the knobs are knurled metal, and the rear panel uses screw-terminal speaker connections - no flimsy spring clips. The internal layout is clean, with generous spacing between components and clearly labeled test points for technicians.

Historical Context

The Marantz 2240B arrived in 1978, when the integrated receiver was the centerpiece of the average high-fidelity system. Home audio was booming, and Pioneer, Sansui, Sony, and Kenwood were locked in a wattage war, pushing power ratings higher every year. Marantz took a different path and focused on refinement over raw specs. While competitors touted 100+ watt monsters, Marantz stuck to balanced, musical design. The 2240B sat in the middle of the lineup, above the 2230 and below the 2250B and 2270. It wasn't the most powerful or the most feature-laden, but it offered the full Marantz experience - excellent tuner, solid phono stage, and a warm sound - at a price that didn't require a second mortgage.

Its main competitors included the Pioneer SX-2550 (45WPC), the Kenwood KR-5090 (40WPC), and the Sansui AU-D307 (42WPC). All were competent, but the Marantz stood out for its superior tuner and more refined looks. Pioneer leaned into aggressive styling and high power, and Sansui offered deep bass and flashy meters. Marantz focused on coherence. The 2240B also fit into a modular ecosystem: it paired with Marantz's own CD players, turntables, and speakers, and many came with the optional WC-22 wood cabinet.

Collectibility & Value

Today the Marantz 2240B sits between affordability and desirability. It's not as rare or coveted as a 2270 or 2250B, but it's far more common than those flagships, which makes it a practical entry point into vintage Marantz. In excellent working condition, with clean meters and no chassis corrosion, it typically sells for $400 - $600. Units with the original wood cabinet can command an extra $100 - $150. Non-working or cosmetically damaged examples go for $200 - $300, often as donor units for restoration.

Common failure points are predictable for a 45-year-old receiver. The most critical issue is electrolytic capacitor degradation, especially in the power supply and audio coupling stages. If a 2240B has never been recapped, assume it needs it. Old capacitors can cause hum, low output, or even damage to output transistors. The relay that protects the speakers can also stick or fail, leading to no sound or delayed turn-on. The tuning meters are delicate and can become sluggish or stuck if the unit was stored improperly. The rear panel's phenolic terminal blocks, which hold the speaker and antenna connections, are brittle and prone to cracking, especially if the speaker wires were overtightened. Replacements are available, but removal takes care.

For buyers, the rule is simple: never buy a 2240B "as-is" without testing. Look for units described as "recapped" or "serviced by a technician." If it powers on and the meters respond, that's a good sign, but full testing under load is ideal. Cleaning the controls and switches with DeoxIT is recommended, as decades of oxidation can cause scratchy pots or intermittent muting. Belt-driven tuners aren't an issue here. The 2240B uses direct-drive tuning, so there are no rubber parts to worry about in the front end.

Restoration is straightforward for a skilled technician. A full recap, relay cleaning, and control pot cleaning will run $150 - $250. Unlike some receivers that need rare or obsolete parts, the 2240B uses standard transistors and op-amps that are still available or easily substituted. Service manuals are readily found online, and the circuit layout is logical and well-documented. Once restored, it's reliable for daily use, and many owners report running theirs for years without issue.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MARANTZ 2240B                                                   Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $2,799                                  Latest            $995 │
│ Median    $851                                    Trend                — │
│ Low       $112                                    Volume           ~2/mo │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ $3,000 ┤                                                                 │
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│ $1,757 ┤                                                                 │
│        │                                                                 │
│        │.                            .                                  .│
│        │.                   .                                            │
│   $100 ┤                .                    .   ..                      │
│        ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│    vol │█               ▄   ▄▄       ▄       ▄   ▄▄                     ▄│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2026-02                      2026-05                      2026-08│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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