Marantz 2265 (1977-1979)

Name: Marantz 2265
Brand: Marantz

At 15.9 kg, it lands in your arms like a promise—solid, serious, and ready to sing.

Overview

The Marantz 2265 is a solid-state stereophonic receiver from 1977. It belongs to a generation of high-fidelity gear known for performance, presence, and blue-lit meters. It wasn't the flashiest receiver of its era, but it carried Marantz's reputation for warm, musical sound and sturdy build into the late 1970s. Owners report it was built when receivers were more than amplifiers with tuners - they ran the whole living room, and the 2265 did that quietly. The design is fully solid-state but still analog in feel, with a front panel laid out for real use.

Unlike later models with digital displays or synthesized tuning, the 2265 leans into the tactile—knobs with resistance, switches with click, and a tuning meter that glows with a deep, even blue. It became one of the cultural icons of 1970s audio, celebrated not for specs alone but for the way it made people feel when they turned it on. The receiver includes inputs for phono, auxiliary, and tape sources, with front-panel dubbing jacks that made tape copying a breeze—a small but meaningful convenience in an analog world. Its fully backlit meters distinguish it visually from the later 2265B, where only the gauge cutouts are illuminated.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Marantz
Product Type	Stereophonic Receiver
Year of Production	1977-1979
Power Output	65 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency Response	from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
THD	THD and Inter-modulation under 0.05%
Tuning Range	FM, MW
Dimensions	440 x 137 x 365mm
Weight	15.9kg
Channels	2
Inputs	inputs for tape, phono and auxiliary

Key Features

Fully Backlit Tuning Meters

The 2265's tuning meters are fully backlit, so the whole meter face glows a smooth, deep blue. On the 2265B, only the gauge markings are lit. That makes the 2265 look a bit fancier on a dimly lit shelf. The meter tracks signal strength accurately and gives FM tuning a visual rhythm that modern gear rarely matches.

Front Panel Dubbing Jacks

The 2265 has front-panel dubbing jacks, so you can connect a second tape deck directly and copy cassette to cassette. There's no reaching around back and no reconfiguring inputs. You plug in and record.

Variable Turnover Tone Control

The receiver has a variable turnover tone control, which was an innovative approach at the time. It allowed finer shaping of bass and treble response. Instead of fixed frequency points, it gave listeners some adjustability to tune the sound to their room or preference. That made it a modest upgrade over standard tone circuits.

Collectibility & Value

Listings show restored units and working examples trading around $300, which suggests modest but steady collector interest. Spare parts such as wood cases, faceplates, and internal components are still available through niche vendors, which helps keep units running. Owners often note failure of the power switch. It's a known weak point and often needs cleaning or replacement. Units described as "restored" tend to inspire more confidence, given the age of the electrolytic capacitors and mechanical switches. It isn't the most powerful or feature-rich receiver of its time, but its reputation for musicality and solid construction keeps vintage audio enthusiasts interested.

Market Value

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MARANTZ 2265                                                    Nov 2026 │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ High      $2,965                                  Latest             $65 │
│ Median    $1,183                                  Trend                — │
│ Low       $65                                     Volume           ~3/mo │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ $3,000 ┤                                                                 │
│        │                                               .                 │
│        │                                                                 │
│ $1,736 ┤                                                    .. ..        │
│        │                                           .           .   .  .  │
│        │                                .                 .  .           │
│        │                              .                      . .     .   │
│    $50 ┤.                                                               .│
│        ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│    vol │▂                             ▂ ▅          ▂   ▂  ▂ ▂█ █▂  ▂ ▂▂ ▂│
│        └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│
│         2025-12                      2026-04                      2026-07│
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘