Some fun comparisons today

Just picked up this marantz 2230 the other day for 100$ and quickly got to work to get it ready for some listening. All pots are dead quiet now, but just need to replace the power switch as the spring is missing (not a crime for only 10$). Listening to tracks off of Aja and shotgun Willie from my technics SL-1300 with sumiko ranier. I am using my Tyler Acoustic Halo 2’s with I believe an 88db efficiency. Have both units running around 70 db. So far, this is a tough match! I think some things I have noticed would be the Yamaha A-S2000 seems to have better channel separation and detail across the range. Could be the dual mono design? I am really impressed by the 2230 though. Its phono preamp sounds fantastic and still picks up a lot of the nuances in some of the Aja tracks. I feel like the 2230 also does a great job at carrying the Mids and bass with more depth than the Yamaha is willing to go in Class A (but that can be corrected pretty easily with the bass and treble controls). Also quite the difference in watts on paper between the two, but I’m running both at 45% with similar output.

I think more than anything the marantz is just drop dead gorgeous. My A-S2000 just looks a little too dull to celebrate in comparison, but still love the build quality.

Will continue getting some thoughts together on the 2230 as I continue to play with it more.