Marantz Receivers (1970s)
“Model 2215B. Sexy. Sadly not mine, just borrowed until my (also very sexy) Tandberg is happy again.” — Nina Stössinger
Many of the control labels on these 1970s-era Marantz receivers are set in Metropolis, the typeface from which the custom Marantz logo is presumably derived.
The extra frilly type (by audio equipment standards) used for the model label and “Stereophonic Receiver” is Davison Spencerian, a script from the Photo-Lettering library that was recently digitized by Mitja Miklavčič and the PLINC team at House Industries. The digital version has a conventially cursive ‘r’ form but I assume there was an alternative romanesque ‘r’ available in the film type days.
The use of these two typefaces goes all the way back to the company’s founding in 1952 when Saul Marantz launched the Consolette.
Model 2220 “It not only sounds good, it looks good too. The dial and meter light are a GORGEOUS shade of blue. It weighs in at about 26 pounds. Back in 1973 it retailed for about 300 bucks, which in today's dollars is about $1400.” — Ron Davis of Revolver
![First Drop A/W [1/4]](https://assets.fontsinuse.com/static/use-media-items/98/97102/thumb/5d998e05/@2x/68957229_389865655053483_5937802137266279157_n.webp "First Drop A/W [1/4]")
7 Comments on “Marantz Receivers (1970s)”
Most all Marantz receivers of the ’70s were really nice looking and more importantly very nice performing. Somehow Marantz engineers managed to pull of a major feat, building solid state transistorized stereo HIFI equipment which delivered the warmth of tube type equipment. I’ve restored four of their receivers and have replaced surprisingly little doing it. Other than aged vellum behind the dial and meters, and ridding them of incandescent lamps, bringing them back to factory specs is relatively easy. A testament to their solid build and engineering quality. These are “keepers”.
Fantastic spotting this here. I’d recently purchased both a receiver, cassette deck, tuner and phono from Marantz and had a feeling that their logotype had been badly stretched. This confirms it. Despite this, It is one of my favorite hi-fi brands and they sound wonderful, indeed.
The 2270 must be my favorite receiver model design. Cool blue, with all of those perfectly aligned knobs, and just a touch of red for the stereo indicator.
Hi everybody,
I have a Marantz Model 2015 which I bought in the 70s and which is out of order. It does not seem to be something so bad. I quite appreciated it. Do you happen to know someone who could fix it…in France where I live. Thank you
Hi Claude,
If it’s not too late… in Montpellier, France : L’Atelier de l’Audiophile : www.hifi-atelier-audiophile…
in 2008 they fixed my Model 2220: very good job !
Si ce n’est pas trop tard… L’atelier de l’Audiophile, à Montpellier : www.hifi-atelier-audiophile…
Ils ont remis à neuf mon Model 2220, excellent travail par un technicien passionné et perfectionniste.
Hello,
have the third & the fourth fonts already been identified?
Input selector: “FM MONO STEREO …”
The model numbers (i.e. 2215) are not Davison Spencerian.
That would help me reworking a polished faceplate.
The fonts mentioned are close, yet not quite accurate. I’m trying to track down the font for “Stereophonic Receiver” for a reface of a vintage Marantz 2265B.
I’m pretty sure the numerals in the model number are Bodoni italic and the sans serif is Akzidenz Grotesk Extended, with a few random characters mixed in.