Marantz 2240

[Marcsten]

I have located a Marantz 2240 with the Sq-A module installed. Its $100, and is currently working. I am curious about the qs capabilities. I presume that it has the usual Vari-Matrix circuit. Is this a setup that will work for qs? I have never been really clear on how Marantz handled qs. Is there a setting that works well? I'm sure alot of you are running marantz receivers out there. What do you do for qs?
Marc

 

[sqdave1975]

I don't think that any Marantz units were designed to support Sansui QS. The Vari-Matrix circuit is not to be confused with Sansui's patented Vario-Matrix technology. The Marantz Vari-matrix is a simple circuit which derives out-of-phase components from the normal stereo left-right.
Although moderately useful, for synthesizing quad from stereo sources, you nearly always hear what is in the rear channels duplicated in the front channels. It's a very simple circuit with no steering so to speak. So really it's totally useless as a QS decoder. I expect most Marantz owners discard the on-board SQ module and connect a Tate and a QSD-1 or 2. That's really the only way to go!

 

[Marcsten]

So Marantz units ignored qs all those years? That sucks. I'm guessing the sq isn't great either. Comparison to an SQD 2020?
Marc

 

[QUADNUTS]

If the amp is in good shape $100 is a good price. The SQ A module is front to back or half logic.

 

[sqdave1975]

I have an SQA-2B and I'd say it's pretty good. It is very good at moving sound around - "ping-pong" type effects in particular, but sounds a little lacklustre for "ambient" quad.
Overall, not bad. It uses a three-chip design, effectively the Motorola MC series, but they substituted the decoding matrix chip for a Sony one. Very odd!
I only just stopped using the module in preference to my new Tate II.