Vintage

It's 'pick a number' time when trying to interpret Marantz's rated output for the Model 2226B – 44W/8ohm and 53W/4ohm (1kHz, DIN) or 26W/8ohm and 33W/4ohm (20Hz-20kHz, FTC), all with a specified harmonic distortion of 0.1%. In practice, our sample achieved 2x45W/8ohm and 2x63W/4ohm (re. 1kHz/<1% THD) with sufficient headroom in that regulated PSU to support 59W/8ohm under dynamic conditions, struggling slightly thereafter to deliver just 65W, 23W and 10W into 4, 2 and 1ohm loads respectively [see Graph 1, below]. Tested via its Aux input, overall gain was just +38dB – relatively low for the era but far better placed for use with today's 2V line-level sources. The A-wtd S/N ratio is a few dB below modern contemporaries at 82dB (re. 0dBW) while distortion proved only a little higher than advertised, climbing from a very respectable 0.01%/1kHz/1W to 0.085%/10W and 0.2%/40W, all into 8ohm. Versus frequency, there's a slight increase at the extremes to 0.014%/20Hz and 0.023%/20kHz (re. 1W/8ohm), and a more general increase with level [see Graph 2], but a much more significant increase when driving tougher 4 and 2ohm loads [again, see Graph 1].

There's 'colour' from the default frequency response too, our sample showing a –0.5dB/300Hz dip followed by a +0.5dB/40Hz boost and a subsonic –6dB bass roll-off of 4Hz. The top-end shows a broad +0.35dB boost from 2kHz-20kHz (the tone controls cannot be defeated), reaching out to –1.5dB/100kHz. Meanwhile, the 'Low Filter' invokes a broad sub-1kHz slope of –0.5dB/55Hz, –3dB/125Hz and –6dB/65Hz while the 'Hi Filter' rolls the treble off above 2kHz to –3dB/5kHz, –10dB/20kHz and –15dB/100kHz. Plenty here to keep you entertained! PM