The Marantz Model 15 Amp

Recently: NAD C316BEE amp and very pleased matched up with Bluesound Node …SVS Micro 3000 SUB, and Cornwall HERITAGE IVs

… a slight TURNBACK of the Treble knob on the NAD amp is amazingly effective t to the warmth and smoothness of the Treble…no listening fatigue.

I was blessed to sell my Heresy IV’s, and now I have my Cornwall IV’s. I guess it’s time to let my Marantz 2226 go. 

Waytomuchstuff-

i wish I had the gumption to do this BUT it’s playing so well recently received… the bias was set… I wish I could but it’s an endeavor… hoping I can get my 2226 RED STEREO LAMP wire in there safely. Never done it. Blue LEDs have been successfully replaced. 

Yes. I have the Heresy IV for sale, and enjoy Cornwall IV now. For amps I’ve used Cary XAI-1 SS as well. Cary CAD-808 ,(sold it), Marantz AVR, but I’m more into Marantz sound so far. I’ve got a DecWare ordered but who knows when that’ll be ready. 

Dave are your “ Heritage IV “ speakers Heresy IV’s ? I went on a vintage gear binge about 8 years ago. I had a Sansui 9090 already. I acquired a Sansui 6060, a Marantz 2226B ( like yours ), and a pair of reproduction Dynaco MK III’s. For speakers I acquired Klipsch Heresy II’s, Klipsch KG 1.5’s, and JBL 4312a’s. I also had a Schiit Loki, and a Schiit Bifrost, and Oppo 105. I then played “ Let’s hook everything together in every possible way. The Marantz was great with the KG 1.5’s. Today it’s at my sons house with a Bluesound Node 2i, Belden speaker wire, and 30” metal speaker stands. Also during my experiments, I used the 2226 for a preamp powering the Dynaco MK III’s. This worked better than the Oppo, Loki combo. Today I don’t use any of the above. I have a Schiit Yiggy, Thorens TT, Rogue pre. I rotate a Had Inspire and a modded Akitika SS to Zu speakers.  I had fun as you are now.  I would recommend new gear over vintage as you will eventually find out. I would suggest looking at Schiit and Quicksilver for gear that represents good value and a definite improvement in sound quality. Everyone here has been where you are and most are well beyond where I’m at. Enjoy the journey, Mike B. 

Thanks! 
I bought this unit off eBay with the wooden cabinet, and it said working so what risks are involved if I just hook it up turn it on and everything is playing? Do I really need to check the bias and what risks are involved if I don’t?

Nice amp.

After the dust settles and you’ve become nice and comfortable with the amp, you may consider upgrading the "captive" power cords with something better. I have a fair amount of handson experience wtih vintage Marantz, and your Heresy IVs will thank you for it.

This can be accomplish by purchasing a pair of complete cords, slipping off the connectors at the amp end, feeding them thru the chassis (might take a slghtly larger opening -- be sure to use a proper grommet!!) and soldering them in place. If you want better sound with an OEM appearance that can be converted back to stock, this is a fairly untechnical approach. If you are okay with modifing the back panel, you might consider, cutting out the sheet metal and installing EIC sockets, then use quality power cabling internally. This will allow you to change your power cables as you feel the need to do so. Whacking the chassis of older gear is always at the owner’s descretion. I can fully understand the sensitivities of you are hesitant to do this.

Oh. My preamp is a Bluesound Node. Excellent!

I have a Cary SLI-80 tuber. Sounds great. Just love the older Marantz stuff which keeps my Mancave cooler in the Summer. Cary in the Winter. Maybe I’ll send the 15 through my 2226 preamp? What do you think?

How fresh is the rebuild? Old solid-state gear will lose its smoothness when the caps dry out. Why bother with old gear, there is very good new stuff out there that will sound better. Rogue and Musical Fidelity come to mind. 

I don't think it will be that much different then the receiver you already have. You don’t need the power of that amp (or your receiver for that mater) with any of the Klipsch heritage line.

If it was me I’d find a nice low powered Tube amp, personally I’m not a fan of SS with Klipsch heritage speakers.

But if you own it, try it, you may get different results . And if you already have the receiver then why do you need an amp that you will also need a preamp for? using the receiver as a preamp is not ideal either as most preamp sections of revivers were not as good as separate preamps.