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Restored Marantz 2238B Receiver. This receiver is in awesome condition. Need LED's, pots cleaned, caps that were suspect changed and is ready for another 40 years of great tunes. The Marantz 2238B is a classic stereophonic receiver produced between 1977 and 1980. It is highly regarded by vintage audio enthusiasts for its "warm and musical" sound profile and iconic silver-face design. Key SpecificationsPower Output: Delivers 38 to 42 watts per channel into 8.Frequency Response: Ranges from 10Hz to 40kHz (some sources cite up to 60kHz).Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): Very low at 0.1% at rated power.Damping Factor: 40 to 45, providing solid control over speaker drivers.Inputs: Includes dedicated connections for Phono (MM), Aux, and two Tape decks.Tuning: Features the signature Gyro-Touch tuning wheel for smooth FM/AM station adjustment. Notable FeaturesTone Controls: Offers independent adjustment for Bass, Mid, and Treble, along with high/low filters and a loudness switch.Aesthetics: Known for its brushed-aluminum faceplate and blue-illuminated dial. Many owners upgrade the original incandescent lamps to LEDs for more vibrant, cooler operation.Build Quality: It uses high-quality internal components, including large power transistors and a robust transformer, weighing approximately 27.5 lbs (12.5 kg). Current Market & AvailabilityAs of April 2026, restored or well-maintained units typically sell for between $800 and $1,350. Prices can vary significantly based on whether the unit has been recently serviced or includes the original WC-122 wood case.
US$1,000 is ambitious for a 2238B unless it’s been recently serviced, recapped, and comes with desirable extras. Typical used-market evidence here clusters more like the US$400–US$800 zone for working examples, with a serviced/restored unit around US$850 and a clean but as-is example sold for US$550; that puts a plain, unknown-condition listing at US$1,000 above the usual range.
The 2238B is a well-liked vintage Marantz for its warm, musical sound and classic build, and the 38-watt power rating is plenty for efficient speakers in a smaller room. If this one is genuinely serviced, cosmetically strong, and includes the wood case or original pieces, the premium can make sense; if not, at this price you’d want proof of recent electrical work, stable channels, and quiet controls before paying up.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Marantz originated in the United States, founded in 1953 by Saul Bernard Marantz, a music enthusiast and amateur musician born in Brooklyn in 1911. Dissatisfied with the audio equipment of the era, he crafted the groundbreaking Audio Consolette preamplifier in 1952 from his New York home, selling the first 100 units rapidly and prompting the formal establishment of the company in Woodside, Queens. Though production later shifted to Japan in partnership with manufacturers like Standard Radio in 1966, and the brand evolved through ownership changes including Superscope and eventual integration into larger groups, its heritage remains rooted in American ingenuity and a relentless pursuit of musical fidelity.
The brand excels in high-end audio components, particularly amplifiers, preamplifiers, and integrated systems that defined its golden era. Iconic models like the Model 7 preamplifier (1958), Model 9 power amplifier (1960), and Model 10B tuner (1964) set benchmarks for performance, while later offerings expanded to tuners, receivers, and CD players. Marantz briefly ventured into speakers under designer Ed May in the 1970s but focused primarily on electronics rather than turntables, headphones, DACs, or cables, emphasizing separates renowned for their "Most Musical Sound."
Marantz commands a premium position in the hi-fi market, revered as a high-end pioneer that shaped the audiophile landscape through the 1970s zenith. Today, it blends vintage allure with modern elegance, appealing to discerning buyers who value durability, innovation, and warm, detailed sound signatures over mass-market accessibility.
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