Marantz 2265b

$1400

Examples of interior restoration results (click on photos to expand)

Exterior photos

Wood sleeve option (included - click on photos to expand)

Restoration notes

Beyond the list of standard restoration steps detailed on the main page, here are some added notes for this unit :

I bought this receiver from a collector on eBay who stated it was fully functional.  Exterior condition was very good except for the optional 3-piece wood sleeve which has issues (keep reading). 

Some original documents are included (including the bill of sale from 12/20/1980 for $403.52).  I am guessing this was a Christmas present.

While this is the 3rd Marantz 2265b I have recapped, it is the 1st to include the optional Marantz 3-piece wood sleeve.  This veneered wood sleeve fits over the black metal cabinet.  It is held together with a long tongue and groove along the top of each side (securely joined when the side screws are tightened). 

I decided to emphasize the metal cabinet version as it is totally clean.  I added a separate photo gallery to show how the wood sleeve looks (installed and in pieces).  The last 2 photos show the issues (one side has a bad patch along the top edge while the other has a large gouge in the lower left hand corner).  Someone with better tools and woodworking skills could restore this sleeve.  If the unit is placed on a shelf where the front is prominent, it actually looks pretty good.

I am including the longer screws that came with it for the wood sleeve plus the correct shorter screws if choosing to go with the metal cabinet look.

The initial inspection otherwise went fine.  This unit was exceptionally clean inside and original Marantz output transistors were in place (which tells me this unit has avoided serious issues in its first 45 years).  I noted 2 blemishes (please see the last 3 photos in the exterior gallery).  These are pretty minor, IMHO.  The Tone Mode knob scratch needs the right angle/lighting to see.  The small dial scratch is at the very top of the visible field and is easily missed.

Initial functionality testing went perfectly. The recap process was uneventful as this is one of the most serviceable Marantz models I have encountered.  I was happy to see how new LEDs for the dial and meters improved the overall appearance and readability.

Functional testing complete/passed.  This is a fine example of a classic Marantz amplifier combined with a sensitive tuner with excellent FM stereo presentation.

Bench measurements

The 2265b amplifier is specced by Marantz at 65 watts per channel under standard test conditions (both channels driving 8 ohms, from 20 – 20,000 Hz and less than 0.05% harmonic distortion

My results under the same conditions was 69 watts per channel with the caveat that my test equipment can only reliably measure distortion under 0.5%

Scope observations showed no sign of clipping before 69 watts per channel, so I am confident this unit is meeting/beating the original Marantz spec.

Some reference links

hifiengine  :  https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/marantz/2265.shtml

(2265 and 2265b discussed on this page)

Classic Receivers  :  https://classicreceivers.com/marantz-2265b