I’m falling into the Marantz rabbit hole. After recently acquiring the model 1060 to add to my 2226B, I’m now being offered a Model 15 power amp for $600. Looking at prices in ebay and other audio sites, this seems like a good deal. However, I don’t really have any use for this…unless I use the 1060 as a preamp. Will this combo even have a marked improvement over the 1060 by itself as an integrated amp? I’m running the 1060 with Dahlquist M905s. I’ve been reading how “legendary” the Model 15 is, I just don’t know if I really need it. Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
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I’m being offered a Marantz Model 15
- Thread starter mdc701
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Jonstigator
Super Member
Does it work? How are the cosmetics? Right now 600 is a really good price. I would probably grab it if just to clean it up and adjust so I could flip it.
But I might be the wrong person to ask. I am a Marantz junkie.
But I might be the wrong person to ask. I am a Marantz junkie.
it would double your power. im not familiar with M905's but the 1060 at 30wpc is on the lower end of their specs of 20 - 125wpc suggested, so giving them some more juice may or may not bring more life to them but you would be able to crank them up a bit more. it would give you the option of more demanding speakers in the future as well.
Jonstigator
Super Member
Where is it located. I might grab it now.
Yes, it’s in good working condition. The owner uses it regularly and he says it sounds excellent. It’s still in stock form though so that’s another concern for me. Here are some pics:
The wood cabinet doesn’t look original, looks ok though.
Where is it located. I might grab it now.
The item is here in Manila…
Jonstigator
Super Member
I just might wait before I take the drive
Jonstigator
Super Member
If it were up to me, it would already be in my living room.
Hehe…I’m thinking of following your advise. I can get it, use it, and just flip it if it’s not to my liking.
One last thing, the thought of having to recap this amp is giving me cold feet. Being in Manila, I wouldn’t have easy access to quality replacement capacitors. Would you have any idea as to which caps need to be replaced just to give this amp a good refurb?
Jonstigator
Super Member
I have never worked with this model. I hear they are quite nice. I would probably look for a thread where one was done and decide from there. Anything that old would most likely need caps.
Are you able to order online from mouser or digikey?
Are you able to order online from mouser or digikey?
Thanks for replying. Yes, I can order online from those stores. I’ll just need to know which caps to order and I can ask a local tech to do the recapping process for me. I have zero knowledge when it comes to those. I’ve seen a thread about a model 15 repair, not sure if it’s here in AK. Will have to do a google search on that again. I’ll have to do more research I guess.
I think my tech has those. Is it a complicated procedure though? I have ordered the caps needed to refurbish my 1060. Maybe I should just concentrate on that and see how it performs with the new caps. The current speakers I use are. Dahlquist M905s, rated at 20-125 watts. That’s why the idea of having more power via the Model 15 got me interested. That plus the good price that it’s being offered to me. Thanks for replying.
Not a complicated procedure, just different. Usually one would measure voltage between emitter resistors, the 15 and 16 you raise the voltage until 120V and check the power (the manual explains). If you are being offered at a good price I would get it, I only hear good things about how it sounds.
TimLaV68
Member
Thanks for starting this thread. Recently acquired a Model 15, and initial listening has my speakers sounding like I've never heard them before! My question to anyone out there that's familiar with this amp is: With amp and preamp on, volume down, how much "noise" should I expect to hear through the speakers. I'm getting a constant hum, both channels, that doesn't change if I turn the balance knob all the way left or right, or turn the volume knob up. With all the reviews and accolades I've read about this amp I'm a little disappointed by the hum. Side note. I've hooked this amp up to 3 different preamps. All results the exact same. Thanks for any input on this Audiokarma crew.
Hello, may I ask if yours has been recapped? If so, was there no hum before the recapping?
TimLaV68
Member
To answer your questions... Yes it has been recapped. The repair shop lists large caps and screw caps as having been replaced. As to it humming before that I can't say for certain. I hooked it up very briefly when I first got it in 2015 not knowing what to be listening for. Don't remember this hum.
Thanks. I’m gonna have the amp for audition over the weekend. I’m gonna look out for that hum. Hopefully other guys could chime in with regards to that problem.
I hooked up the Model 15 to my speakers and used my Marantz 1060 as pre amp. Guess what, I’m getting the same hum/noise from my loudspeakers. This wasn’t the case when I was using the 1060 as an integrated. It’s not really an annoying hum, just some “noise” as you said. It’s audible when you come very near the speaker. I plugged the Model 15 directly to my voltage regulator. As it powered on, the “noise” instantly became audible. It became a bit weaker when I switched the pre amp on. I know this “noise” is normal in tube amps and it’s my first time to experience this with a SS amp. The Model 15 sounds silky gorgeous by the way, definitely more robust than the 1060. I can live with this hum/noise. I just don’t know if this is normal with the Model 15. I hope others can chime in.