I think that the single channels are still more popular because they are traditionally more Marshall? Master Volume amps are not the ideal in the mind of a purist but then again it is more appealing than the abortion that a split channel reverb type head is. Single channel heads have less that can go wrong with them but they also have less going on with them to begin with. To be perfectly honest even a single channel head is still a 2 channel head. If you look at the design of the 2203/2204 it has two inputs. These inputs are selected manually at the insertion of the input but not switchable by any other means. This goes for the 4 holers too that are so coveted. With the Non Master Volume heads 1959/1987 types (not to discredit superbasses, supertremolos, JTMs, whathaveyou, but it is commonly understood that while talking about 4 holers that same holds true most of the time when generalizing these heads) you again choose the channel you want to run. These are even more complicated in a way too because of the bridging that you can run. Hmmmm.... that seems a little assbackwards but it is thought of as simpler? Ok let's move on here... So even in the onset Marshall had a way to cascade gain and channel switch. This might not be as big of a concern as the mode of clipping that was started amongst the Master Volumes with their diode clipping. I sure see a lot of Super Lead players snubbing their noses at diode clipping. I don't see rectifiers in their amps though. Shame on them. So the Master Volume amps and their brethren of the 800 line began to use more diode clipping. This is where things become less organic in nature but noless the prevailing popular tone. The 2203 went through changes that involved losing caps. Well, the amp still mathematically was correct but sounded slightly different. This is what makes many choose the earlier 800s. Though the early 800 had merit it still was not the classy amp that the JMP version was... give me a break. It has just a slight bit more gain than the JMP version did big deal. The JMP version does classic rock better. Woohoo... :roll: Ok, so I am getting a little sarcastic here but I am becoming more and more annoyed by the stigmas everyday. If you want an amp that stayed true look at the 2204. This amp though receiving PCB mounted pots retained its design. It never lost caps and stayed consistent. I think that of the 2203/2204 it is the real winner. Though the 2203 has a better bottom end and more headroom with a few DB's more output, I would rather play the 2204 and push it to power tube saturation sooner. The 2204 is the clear bargain even in horizontal inputs. How does this all relate to the 2205/2210? Don't worry about the stigmas attached. Play what you like to hear. If that means getting a certain amp that makes a certain sound. Do it.... Do it.... Do it.... <---Starsky and Hutch flashbacks of Ben Stiller in that bad wig 
Let the masses have their mediocrity. You know what you want. Buy it for cheaper than a 2203/2204 and absolutely crush the guy playing the other amp. I would.... and do.
Nomad100 is right on that a good condition 2205 is around $750 with the 2210 pricing within a couple hundred more. I just was speculating pricing on a relatively collectable specimen in near mint condition in my last post. I just thought I would vent on the note that 2203/2204 amps tend to fetch more because it seems silly to me. In some reasoning simpler is better. In this case, you just get so much more at a more reasonable price.
Let the masses have their mediocrity. You know what you want. Buy it for cheaper than a 2203/2204 and absolutely crush the guy playing the other amp. I would.... and do.
Nomad100 is right on that a good condition 2205 is around $750 with the 2210 pricing within a couple hundred more. I just was speculating pricing on a relatively collectable specimen in near mint condition in my last post. I just thought I would vent on the note that 2203/2204 amps tend to fetch more because it seems silly to me. In some reasoning simpler is better. In this case, you just get so much more at a more reasonable price.
