Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?

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rockadanny

Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« on: 22 Dec 2025, 11:24 pm »
I've used this unit to play the tuner and CDs, never any vinyl.
So, it works (tho not sure about turntable - I don't have one), is in pretty good condition (cosmetically), and even have the original AM and FM antennas.
Designed in US, made in Japan.
Is this a desirable piece? Do people still use these?







rockadanny

Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #1 on: 23 Dec 2025, 10:03 pm »
No opinions? OK, I've listed this for sale. I guess that will reveal how desirable it is.  :wink:

S Clark

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Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #2 on: 23 Dec 2025, 10:53 pm »
Well, those old Marantz receivers from the 70's are nostalgia pieces... and they do play music.  Many years back I took a big cardboard box into a record store that sold lots of vintage receivers. I made a big show of the "weight" as we set it in place.  The owners are friends, and  let me connect to  their best, efficient speakers.  Inside the cardboard box was a 5 AH battery and a very slightly modified $5 Chinese 7297 chip amp touted by one of our members.  We hooked it up to compare to the myriad Pioneer and Marantz receivers, and all picked the chip amp as best.
So, when you say desirable, I say in what  way?   
If you  are looking for sound, sell it.   

rockadanny

Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #3 on: 24 Dec 2025, 10:21 pm »
Doesn't sound like you're a fan of Vintage gear. I'm more interested in opinions of Vintage gear fans. Which is why I posted in the Vintage Circle.
« Last Edit: 24 Dec 2025, 11:30 pm by rockadanny »

AVnerdguy

Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #4 on: Yesterday at 12:08 am »
Not a fan of vintage gear per se but I've serviced enough Marantz gear over the years to give you some insight to the 1530 otherwise known as the silver tuner face versions circa late 1970s. The earlier 22XX black tuner face units circa early to mid 1970s are much more desirable for the nostalgia crowd and command much higher $$$ even though internally they are very similar. I service tens of them in any given year. Both are well built, use similar solid state devices, xfmrs, caps etc. The silvers use a stepped VOLUME control to replace the linear control that was a trouble spot on the black face and consolidated all the different dial lamps/bulbs to a single voltage and type.

The 1530 was one of the silvers before they started to economize the guts. The 1530 (and similar) used discrete output transistors and use of ICs was minimal except for the FM multiplexer circuits and the pre amp section. Later versions went with mostly ICs throughout the product and used STK20XX (SANKEN) series large scale integrated power amplifier output chips which are a high failure item and no longer available rendering the units not repairable. You can tell the cheaper units by the bottom cover being press board vs stamped steel on the higher end units.

Unfortunately the 15XX silvers will fetch less than 50% (or less) than the 22XX blacks even though they are basically the same internally. On the bright side they make excellent basement/garage/dorm room units. The 1530 might fetch a couple hundred $ but it will take awhile to shift. You could donate it or list as working/parts as the output transistors and certain trim items (knobs & buttons) that are no longer available and are in demand.

S Clark

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Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #5 on: Yesterday at 12:47 am »
Doesn't sound like you're a fan of Vintage gear. I'm more interested in opinions of Vintage gear fans. Which is why I posted in the Vintage Circle.
Au contraire.  Two of my primary turntables are 1980's gear, the Technics SP10-II, and the  Victor TT81.  I'm a vinyl spinner (which makes me a bit of a Luddite by  default).  I have a couple of 1950's tube amps.  But I just don't think old receivers stack up against better (and cheaper) gear today.  That could change.  I need to get an old Fisher 400 receiver from the  '60's up and going and put it into play.  It might change my mind. 
So I do qualify to opine here, and sorry if it came across as brusk.  That was not the intent. 

rockadanny

Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #6 on: Yesterday at 12:51 am »
@AVnerdguy Thank you for taking the time to explain. Very interesting and helpful. I had it in a workspace with some large vintage speakers and it served me very well there. But we've since moved I no longer have a spot for it. Since it works and sounds fine I hope someone will want to purchase it cheap. Think I'll lower the price to under $100, knowing what I know now.

rockadanny

Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #7 on: Yesterday at 12:52 am »
S Clark. Ok cool. Thank you.

FullRangeMan

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Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #8 on: Yesterday at 01:09 am »
On vintage equips I like analog receivers only like the Kenwood KR line, why they have the beautiful green dial. I like to listen AM/FM radio when the weather is shaping up to rain.


I.Greyhound Fan

Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #9 on: Yesterday at 01:44 am »
If you would ship I would consider buying it. I love vintage gear and still have a few pieces from the 1970's.

Doublej

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Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #10 on: Yesterday at 01:45 am »
Looks to be in better than pretty good condition. The back panel looks minty, the front very good. Your unit lacks the tuning wheel that vintage Marantz is known for.


SonicBless

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Re: Marantz 1530 Stereo Receiver - Desirable?
« Reply #11 on: Yesterday at 03:46 am »
@rockadanny - gorgeous receiver, hope you found a satisfying replacement.

There have been significant progress in high-audio Sonics at all price points, vintage Sonics do not compare to modern offerings.  So audiophiles trying to increase sonic performance within budget would typically choose newer gear.

There is definitely demand for quality vintage gear is good shape, Marantz included.

I have a vintage Kenwood L-02T tuner chosen from FM Tuner Shootouts: https://www.fmtunerinfo.com/standings.html .  Also, I’m struggling deciding on purchasing a vintage Sansui 9090DB receiver because I love the looks, but can’t justify the room (under water in boxes after move with 35 years of stuff) or the expense (other higher priority audio purchase).