I've got a marantz 2230 here that I would like to get working. There are no visible signs like burned components or circuit traces, and it doesn't blow any fuses. However on power up, both channels have in excess of 35vdc on the speaker outs. After 5 minutes, this drops to about 30 vdc on the right channel and 34 vdc on the left. In addition to this, there is 74.5 vac on the left and 64.5 vac on the right with no input. What's the best way to begin fault-finding? Currently I have only a dmm to test with, and pretty basic electronics knowledge but would like to use this guinnea pig to learn more about amplifiers. I am building a dim bulb tester.
Find/Buy/Steal a complete schematic & study it. A Marantz 2230 is a "poor" choice offered up as a Guinea Pig for experimentation....It's like messing around with a classic car. A 2230 is considered classic, vintage, something best to be restored.
Take your time fixing/restoring you 2230......find that schematic, do it right.....any money (within reason) you put into getting this Marantz up & running is worth it.
I would bet 'Harleyjon' has this schematic on-hand.....that's how he referred you directly to a suspect component, plus an intimate familiar knowledge of the Marantzs' functioning.
_______________________________________________________Rick.....
Take your time fixing/restoring you 2230......find that schematic, do it right.....any money (within reason) you put into getting this Marantz up & running is worth it.
I would bet 'Harleyjon' has this schematic on-hand.....that's how he referred you directly to a suspect component, plus an intimate familiar knowledge of the Marantzs' functioning.
_______________________________________________________Rick.....
I know that my 2220 uses an capacitor coupled to the output. Not sure if the 2230 uses the same design, but that might be the culprit.
Yes, they are highly regarded by many, I guess. I just don't have a lot invested in it ($25) so I thought I'd fool with it a bit. I might take your advice though, and have someone with more knowledge do a proper service of it.
You're right...it is capacitor-coupled. 😱
I'm already learning from it...ie) don't look for dc offset on a 2230!
I added a 10 ohm resistor across the outs and voila!, no dc or ac 😱
I think it's probably functioning fine, though it need the power switch replaced.
Thanks!
If you do think you might be in over your head & lean towards sending it in to a service shop......ask amongst your choices of shops & see if you can "Sit in" with the Tech. Some will say outright "NO"........some are more personable & will talk your ear off while perusing thru your amp.
Don't be discouraged or put off by the seemingly low power of your Marantz...It can be a very competent hub of your 'system to be'.
Yeah, some individuals will brag up one side and down about their Two-Hundred watt amps & all, bragging they can rattle windows next-door, blah, blah, blah.
All you have to do to get house pounding volume is your selective choice of efficient speakers. Either build (preferred) or by commercial stuff...choosing a 98+db speaker system will keep you up with those Big-Watt systems.
________________________________________________Rick.........
Don't be discouraged or put off by the seemingly low power of your Marantz...It can be a very competent hub of your 'system to be'.
Yeah, some individuals will brag up one side and down about their Two-Hundred watt amps & all, bragging they can rattle windows next-door, blah, blah, blah.
All you have to do to get house pounding volume is your selective choice of efficient speakers. Either build (preferred) or by commercial stuff...choosing a 98+db speaker system will keep you up with those Big-Watt systems.
________________________________________________Rick.........
Well, you heard it here! your amp is worthy to fix it and I agree too. I had a Marantz 2238B a 38 watts R.M.S per channel. Those old 22XX series were very well build. and if you fix it the right way...it will last you for another 20 years or so without any hiccups. Those amps are not like most of todays plastic, disposable toys.😉
I'll throw in my 2 cents...
Like other members have stated, you can't go wrong with restoring a classic like a Marantz. Capacitors, transistors, resistors and diodes are relatively cheap and plentiful. If you are handy with a soldering station (if you don't have one and plan on doing some DIY soldering, they are a MUST) you could replace every one of these components in your Marantz (using a good accurate schematic and a service manual (sometimes available at hifiengine.com), of course) with very little money. Think of it as an investment financially and sonically. I have a 4300 that is waiting in the wings for a complete recapping and transistor replacement, as well a tuneup. We have 3 Marrantz receivers in the house: a 2230, a PM84 and the 4300 (which does turn on and play but has some leaking caps in it). Mouser Electronics on the web is one place you should bookmark. They have a wealth of components for the DIY'er. Best of luck, and enjoy that classic!
Like other members have stated, you can't go wrong with restoring a classic like a Marantz. Capacitors, transistors, resistors and diodes are relatively cheap and plentiful. If you are handy with a soldering station (if you don't have one and plan on doing some DIY soldering, they are a MUST) you could replace every one of these components in your Marantz (using a good accurate schematic and a service manual (sometimes available at hifiengine.com), of course) with very little money. Think of it as an investment financially and sonically. I have a 4300 that is waiting in the wings for a complete recapping and transistor replacement, as well a tuneup. We have 3 Marrantz receivers in the house: a 2230, a PM84 and the 4300 (which does turn on and play but has some leaking caps in it). Mouser Electronics on the web is one place you should bookmark. They have a wealth of components for the DIY'er. Best of luck, and enjoy that classic!
I cleaned it up and connected some old speakers I didn't care about up to it and it played fine on both channels, so I tried it with my Paradigms and wow! I was pretty impressed with the sound.
It does have some issues. The am section doesn't seem to work- only static, and I can't get any fm below about halfway down the dial. The tuning meter also isn't very responsive. All the other inputs are fine though. The only bulb that still lights is the "Stereo" bulb. Someone also Macgyver'd an incorrect power switch into it. The left channel output transistors are Hitachi and the right channel are NEC, so I guess one side has been replaced at some point?
Replacing capacitors is something I could probably do, but fixing the tuner sounds like something out of my league...am I right?
It does have some issues. The am section doesn't seem to work- only static, and I can't get any fm below about halfway down the dial. The tuning meter also isn't very responsive. All the other inputs are fine though. The only bulb that still lights is the "Stereo" bulb. Someone also Macgyver'd an incorrect power switch into it. The left channel output transistors are Hitachi and the right channel are NEC, so I guess one side has been replaced at some point?
Replacing capacitors is something I could probably do, but fixing the tuner sounds like something out of my league...am I right?
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The dial lamps also a correct power button can be found on E-Bay & elsewhere. The dial lamp bulbs are very specific to the Marantz & possibly others......some shops will "convert" the specific bulbs into a modern LED illumination arrangement. The LED conversions make for a slightly "bluer" blue color. The Marantz is extremely pleasing to the eye at night & low-light conditions..........not at all like todays gear with the random colored dots & invisible controls.
Try to find the correct Wooden case for your Marantz to round things out.
___________________________________________________Rick.......
Try to find the correct Wooden case for your Marantz to round things out.
___________________________________________________Rick.......
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