speakers/turntable for Marantz 2325

06-10-08: Chicagodrummer
...I need bookshelf speakers because of space restrictions. ...

Are you planning to put the speakers on actual bookshelves, or on speaker stands? If on stands, then there are many small footprint floor standing speakers that would occupy about the same space as a mini-monitor on a stand. For example, the Gallo Reference 3 or 3.1 has a footprint of 8"w x 14"d. The Totem Hawks are less than 7" x 10", but 34" tall.

If you go with small speakers, there are so many good ones at reasonable prices. I saw a review of a $500 pair of PSB Image B25 compacts that had astonishing smoothness and linearity.

But again, Totem has quite a lineup of compact speakers that produce surprising bass and power handling in the 100-150w range (a good match with the Marantz 2325).

Another candidate would be the Paradigm Reference Studio 20.

As for turntables, you said,

The search has been kind of intimidating. I want something I can set up, not have to mess with often and get a lot of mileage out of (Leaning against the Linn for that reason).

Given that you want something rugged, reliable, dependable, and non-fussy, you may want to consider something from the Technics SL12x0 family or the Denon DP500M. Yes, they're direct drives with removable headshells, but that makes cartridge installation and swapping easier. They have smooth, silky controls, are built to really close tolerances, have speed accuracy you won't find elsewhere for anything near the price, and the tonearms are not too shabby.

If you go for the Technics, I suggest you order from www.kabusa.com, and get the tonearm rewire, tonearm fluid damper, Isonoe feet, and possibly the fluid damper. If you get the SL1210 M5G, you don't need the tonearm rewire.

As for "audiophile" belt drive turntables, it seems that the Regas are the least fussy. You could get a Rega P5 and put on a Rega Exact cartridge, and alignment would be automatic. I heard the Exact cartridge on a P7 and was very impressed. Incredibly listenable.

Would a phono pre-amp running through the built in Marantz phono pre-amp cancel out the impact of a good, dedicated phono pre-amp?

Actually, since the Marantz already has a phono section, if you got a low-output moving coil cartridge, all you'd need is the stepup transformer, and Denon's own AU-300LC transformer is a perfect match for the DL-103 or Zu-103. You would plug that into the Marantz's phono input.

If you use an outboard phono preamp, however, you'd plug that into the Marantz's "Aux" input, or you could plug it into a tape input and listen by activating the corresponding "Tape Monitor" button.

I have a 2325 which I too got from my father. I recapped the power supply, relamped and replaced the main filter caps. It sounds none too shabby.

The Marantz is used primarily for listening to FM radio or to monitor needledrops. It's in the same rack space as my main system and is front-ended by the same analog and digital as the main system. The 2325 uses Spendor 3/5 mini-monitors. As I can A/B the 2325 against a BAT pre/Ayre amp/Harbeth in my main system, the Marantz still compares well if kept at moderate volume.

In the spirit of the vintage vibe, I'd simply get a Technics SL-1210 and run a nice MM like an Ortofon 2M Black into the 2325 phono section. For speakers, any BBC-type mini monitor like the Epos and you will have nice music. The Technics and the 3/5s have been (In my old neighborhood, they would say "Not for nuthin'") around for as long as the 2325 is old. For example, a new 1210, 2M Black and used Spendors will cost approx. $1.5K. Lot's of budget left for vinyl purchases! The sound won't be skewed to ultra-detailed as some modern hi-fi gear but at the time the 2325 was made, that sonic signature wasn't invented yet.

For fun, I had run a MC cart into the Marantz phono with a K&K stepup transformer and it was OK too. But putting a MC cart into a 2325 was the the first step across a philosophical divide that I didn't want to pursue - I'd use the 2325 to simply make music rather than chase hi-fi.

Good advice, Carbonti. The Technics is period correct for the Marantz, and I agree that a good MM cart would keep the resolution level uniform, which promotes musical cohesiveness and prevents constant "leapfrogging" of various components.

Other cartridges to consider are the new Ortofon 2M series (probably Blue), the Denon DL-160 (really great with the KAB fluid damper and a Sumiko headshell), or the Goldring 10x2 series. kabusa.com has the best prices on the Goldring carts that I've seen anywhere.

Carbonti and Johnnyb53 have it right on turntable and cartridge and the OPPO 980H is a steal from Amazon at $169.95 with free shipping. The only other recommendation I want to insert is Reference 3a Da Capo speakers. Or Zu Tones.
This system is going to be screamingly good for relatively small money. If you have any bucks left over the Technics upgrade path will justly absorb them.

I concur to perhps take the least painful, and expensive path, yet will provide solid sound, and enjoyment. The Technics 12XX series has all the bells, and whistles built in, strobe, pitch, light, etc.
KAB would be the source, and there's a plethora of beneficial mods-upgrades to this Table. With care, the table will last literal decades without a hiccup.

No, this is not actually a cheap route, as a fully modded KAB Technics will run you close to $1000. One does not have to opt for every mod, and the one most important Mod I would opt for, would be the Cardas Tonearm Rewire by Kevin at KAB. Items like Arm Damper, Strobe Disabler, seperate Power Supply, different, better Headshells (such as the Sumiko HS-12) can more easily be added over time by the end user.

A very good Cartridge for the money, which will be compatible with the built-in Marantz Phono Pre, would be the Audio Technica AT150MLX, about $260 from LP Gear. This Cartridge could also take advantage of a better, external MM Phono Pre in the future if one desired, or felt a need to attain better sound. At least with many MM Cartridges, they are end user friendly-re-tippable, with Stylus Assemblies that are easily replaced.

As for speakers, keep in mind that many smallish speakers will not fully showcase the powerful brunt that the Marantz 2325 can provide. Being the nostalgic that I am, and if it was me, I'd probably try to pair the Marantz with a mint pair of JBL L-100 Speakers.
Yes, they're a bookshelf, but a large one, (12" 3-Way) and could of course be placed on Stands of one desired.

Of course there were countless other vintage JBL Speakers that might fit your criteria, and sound likes.
(L-26/L-36/L-56/4311/4312/4425/etc)

Generally, finding a really clean pair of these JBLs I mention, will provide you a speaker that will not lose value, should you decide to later sell them.

You could easily go the route of a Base Stock Technics 1210 from somewhere like musicians friend, and still have a very enjoyable piece of equipment. Also save mucho money, versus going to a VPI Scout, which will run you list of $1800.

I hope this, and some other ideas from other forumites will help you select-decide the right path for yourself. mark