What is the best receiver Marantz put out?


I am putting together a vintage system in my bedroom. I have a pair of KLH 24 speakers and am looking for a deal on the AR3a classics ( they are auctioning off for around $450.00 pr.) I have read that the Marantz 2200 series ( from early to late 70's) were the best Saul Marantz put out. I currently have a 2220B and 2245B but wanted some more feedback from 70's sentimentalists re: Marantz receivers. Thanks for your input.
sherod
I had a Marantz 2270 (1973-1994). A great reciever, probably the best Marantz. It was built like a tank. Sounded very clean, powerful. It had a great tuner.

I sold the reciever with a pair of large Advents (1978 model year) for $200 to a friend. BTW I had recently replaced the Advent woofers. My friend got a great deal. I wish I had it all back.

Cheers.
My favourites were the Model 18 and 19, both with that famous Marantz 'scope. I always felt (perhaps incorrectly) that after these units, Marantz went downhill for a while.

Both of the above are still in my collection.
Saul Marantz had nothing to do with the 2200 series. He had long since sold the company and its name.
Muzikat, a buddy of mine had that exact set up with (I believe) a BSR turntable. This was, in my world at the time, a very nice set up and is what whetted my appetite for a better sound system.

Thanks for reminding me of this wonderful memory!
Thanks, TheDuke, for letting me know about Marantz leaving before the 2200 series. One of the things I've noticed when comparing any of the 2200 series receivers with some of the later series in their line as well as most of the other Japanese receivers is the 2200 receivers had a more relaxed and listenable sound ( although a little reticent in the upper registers). The only thing I can attribute to this relaxed sound is the proper( read: not too much ) of negative feedback. During the 70's and early 80's most of the mass- produced receivers had way too much negative feedback to get those ultra low distortion figures at the expense of a sound that was restricted and caused for me anyway severe listener's fatigue.At least there were some folks at Marantz that actually listened to their receivers and didn't play too much with the triple and quadruple digit distortion figures.
I HAVE PWNED TWO MODEL 2285 RECEIVERS NEITHER OF THESE WERE THE LEAST BIT IMPRESSIVE. THEY WERE ESPECIALLY WEAK IN THE AMPLIFICATION DEPARTMENT. I WOULD NEVER ADVISE ONE OF THESE TO ANYONE.
CHRIS
Xpuk, you are right. The 2200 series were not big in dynamics, but they were better than most mass-produced receivers of the time. I personally have a 2220B in a little bedroom system and matched with a highly modified pair of AR-2ax speakers they make some very good background music.Who needs dynamics when that takes place in the bed...That's right. I'm the Macho Man...