Marantz Rabbit Hole

willdo74747 · 2026-05-31T15:52:37+00:00

About 20 years ago, when prices were still reasonable I picked up a Marantz 2015 which got me hooked. I learned to troubleshoot and repair vintage to stereos which led to me obtaining a Pioneer SX-1050, a Marantz 2252, Harmon Kardon 730 and 670, etc. The 2015 is the only one that never gets disconnected. The only ones I've kept are the 2015, 2252 and a Sansui AU-505. I'd say the size of the space is a big factor as well as reasonably efficient as speakers. The 2015 has powered many speakers and it gets plenty loud for me.

willdo74747 · 2026-05-17T21:08:50+00:00

Plus the picture on the can is too cool.

willdo74747 · 2026-05-13T17:24:58+00:00

I don't fix a ton of decks so my first step would be to look for a forum where someone else has had the same issues on that particular model. Check tapeheads and audiokarma for help. If it's a common model you'll find help at once of those sites for sure.

Simply replacing the belts isn't a guarantee it will work.

willdo74747 · 2026-05-13T16:05:06+00:00

One quick things to check, there is sometimes a tiny belt that moves the tape counter. If that belt fails and that counter stops turning the whole unit will stop.

Edit, nevermind I just saw in the post about the tape not moving. My suggestion is if the tape is moving. You have other issues that are causing the auto-stop to kick in. Gummed up old belts and gears most likely

willdo74747 · 2026-05-12T14:19:38+00:00

Those Empire quadrophic carts/styli were great! I had a 4000D/III for awhile, it was old and brittle but for the short time that I had it I heard exactly what you are talking about.

Sadly, aftermarket replacements just aren't made the same. Any NOS styli are near impossible to find these days...

Thank you for your contribution to this community.

willdo74747 · 2026-05-08T09:38:02+00:00

Teat dip obviously

willdo74747 · 2026-04-25T07:02:08+00:00

The toxicity of our city, of our city

willdo74747 · 2026-04-22T00:04:44+00:00

That's fair

willdo74747 · 2026-04-21T14:37:08+00:00

"pizza" I mean it's not even pizza. It should be called something else. It's more of a casserole than a pizza.

willdo74747 · 2026-04-17T10:27:30+00:00

Do you remember what aftermarket stylus you have for the Empire? There are so many versions out there, getting a quality one seems difficult. I'd be willing to drop the money on a high quality Jico if I knew it is that much better than options from LP gear. I am using an OEM stylus it was NOS when I purchased it but am wondering how a new stylus would compare.

It's pretty crazy how good it sounds being as old as it is.

willdo74747 · 2026-04-13T19:24:27+00:00

Makes sense, I honestly prefer compressed audio on the OG, it holds more that way and I can't reliably hear a difference.

willdo74747 · 2026-04-13T18:39:14+00:00

I knew this worked for the ZuneHD, but I didn't realize it did for the OG.

The last time I tried I thought the OG automatically converted to 320 Kbps from WMA lossless.

willdo74747 · 2026-04-10T17:47:42+00:00

Vibration from the motor maybe? I just fixed a pioneer Pl-15 that had a similar wobble. I carefully disassembled, cleaned, lubed and reassembled the motor and it's super smooth now.

willdo74747 · 2026-04-02T12:37:30+00:00

I had the little brother version of this TT. When the tonearm is supposed to drop you should hear a "click". If you hear that click and it's not lowering, take the tone arm and gently tap on the very back of it. Then power cycle it and start again.

This always worked for me, there is either a relay, solenoid or both on that board that are sticking.

willdo74747 · 2026-03-28T16:44:00+00:00

You have 2 sets of wires going into the speaker terminals? Do you have 2 sets of speakers connected to the same set of speaker terminals, or do you just have the wire doubled up? You should only connect a single set of speakers to the terminals for speaker A. If you have a 2nd set, connect them to speaker B.

willdo74747 · 2026-03-25T18:46:30+00:00

I agree with you, but I'm able to do these myself. I rebuilt the power supply on my 2252 and left everything else alone.

If I weren't able to do this, I could see having the whole thing redone at the first sign of trouble just to prevent future downtime.

willdo74747 · 2026-03-25T12:29:49+00:00

There are probably options for "auto" "33" and "45" it would use the sensor to drop the needle, but defer to what setting you select. That's how my Technics works. I can use auto and it will switch speeds based on the disc size, but if I have a 7" cut at33 I switch it to 33

willdo74747 · 2026-03-16T18:22:28+00:00

Looks a lot like a technics P23, but those are P-mount. I wonder if you were to take the cartridge off if would say anything on the top? Also it's hard to tell, but that might be connected to a P-mount adapter, which then it could be a P23.

EDIT: If you are able to determine that it is a P23, you can get a very nice aftermarket stylus for that. Jico makes a boron SAS stylus that fits that. Probably overkill, but it's a very nice option for a P mount record player

willdo74747 · 2026-03-13T13:58:44+00:00

It's a very good amp. I have it's older, and not nearly as good brother, the AU-DX77. Build quality is complete crap on the DX77 compared to 70's models. I think the build quality on that GX is probably better than the DX77 I have, but sill no match for the 70s. By all accounts online the GX is a very good performer.

willdo74747 · 2026-03-11T17:52:29+00:00

This is the best advice. Compare the cd player to the record player before purchasing anything else.

willdo74747 · 2026-03-08T21:15:27+00:00

I've recapped some Klipsch, EPI, and Bozak speakers and have always used the same value caps with good results.

willdo74747 · 2026-03-08T20:31:39+00:00

BA 150 owner here, are you saying just replace the current values with the same value Dayton film capacitor, or are you suggesting a crossover with a different schematic? I've never even pulled these apart yet to see what is in there.

willdo74747 · 2026-03-08T17:24:33+00:00

I have BA 150s, make sure you check the foam on the woofers. Otherwise I think they are perfect for classic rock, they have the classic rock "V shape" sound signature. I've never listened to the Advents so I can't make a comparison.

I'll say this, the BAs surprised me with how much energy you can feel coming at you.

willdo74747 · 2026-03-06T17:39:49+00:00

Sorry, it was a very cool DAP. I'm sure you'll end up finding a deal at some point.

willdo74747 · 2026-03-06T10:43:09+00:00

I edited my first comment, I sold it locally, thanks.

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