Comparing Marantz 2015 vs Marantz SR4000 receivers

[kmagnuss]

Just bought this 2015 receiver (15 watts per channel) after reading how it was one of the best sounding receivers Marantz made at the time. I'm going to compare it to the SR4000 (50 WPC), which doesn't have much of a following but seems to sound pretty great to my untrained ears.
I'm going to build a simple switch box to A/B the receivers with one pair of Klipsh Heresy IV's. I'll probably try them out with the ol' NLA's also.
It's going to be a purely subjective test as I don't have any worthwhile testing gear. Probably the most technical I'll get is max volume with a db meter. Otherwise I'll be listening for bass response, any changes in imaging/soundstage, detail and just the overall experience. My gut tells me I won't be able to tell much of a difference between them other than volume, but we're gonna give it the ol' freshman try.
Here's a pic of the two receivers side by side for size/looks comparison. I know everyone loves the blue backlighting on the 2015 but there's something about the looks of the SR4000 that does it for me as well.
Anyway... I should have it wrapped up this weekend and will update then.
Any requests for testing you'd like me to try?

-Mags

 

[jayvis]

Just bought this 2015 receiver (15 watts per channel) after reading how it was one of the best sounding receivers Marantz made at the time. I'm going to compare it to the SR4000 (50 WPC), which doesn't have much of a following but seems to sound pretty great to my untrained ears.
I'm going to build a simple switch box to A/B the receivers with one pair of Klipsh Heresy IV's. I'll probably try them out with the ol' NLA's also.
It's going to be a purely subjective test as I don't have any worthwhile testing gear. Probably the most technical I'll get is max volume with a db meter. Otherwise I'll be listening for bass response, any changes in imaging/soundstage, detail and just the overall experience. My gut tells me I won't be able to tell much of a difference between them other than volume, but we're gonna give it the ol' freshman try.
Here's a pic of the two receivers side by side for size/looks comparison. I know everyone loves the blue backlighting on the 2015 but there's something about the looks of the SR4000 that does it for me as well.
Anyway... I should have it wrapped up this weekend and will update then.
Any requests for testing you'd like me to try?

-Mags

You might get more responses if you move this thread to the Marantz Audio forum.

 

[kmagnuss]

Yeah, you're probably right.

Mods.... would you mind moving it over?

Thanks.

 

[Blue Shadow]

I would expect to hear differences in these and it appears you have heard some, too.

 

[rickl]

I just had a 2015 across the bench. I had to replace the bulbs and FM and AUX selector bulbs.

I thought it was nice. Easy to work on. Smaller than a 22xx series.

 

[Bone Yard]

The little Marantz probably weighs 3x the bigger newer model. I've been very selective with the marantz 80's components, some I love, some I walked by over the years. Everyone says these are Philip's Build, and they may be, but Marantz of Japan was still cranking out some really nice equipment under the Marantz, Superscope and UNIX Brands. The downsizing is very clear when you start opening up the equipment, good luck with your project!

 

[kmagnuss]

Ok I finally got around to testing them out. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but they sound identical to me.
I only tested them with Heresy IV's, and neither my wife or myself could hear any sort of difference whatsoever. We tried with Sirius and youtube through my phone wired into an aux jack. We also tried playing a couple records which I thought for sure would show some differences in sound between the two built in phono preamps, but it all sounded the same. The only time you can start to hear a difference is as you get REALLY loud on the volume... at levels I'd never be comfortable listening at.
So overall... I'm a little disappointed since the interwebz reports how amazing the 2015 sounds... but maybe the SR4000 sounds equally good and people just don't realize it because it's not from the heydays of Marantz. Who knows.
But either way... I'm still happy with both of them.

 

[stereofisher]

Have spent with decades getting the sound right. Got a 1030 Marantz amp. No one was paying attention on Eprey. Sounded really nice. Sold off as a turntable customer begged for it. Two years ago I sold off a 4270 four channel receiver and a 2270. I like low powered Marantz. Picked up a 2010 for the LR replacing the 4270. Using JBL Decade 26s in place of JBL100s with small Pioneers on the back. This is my dedicated turntable set. Best sound ever.

Don’t have a SR4000. Several years ago I got a SR5100. While Marantz’s quality wasn’t all that great the 5100 isn’t bad. Years ago I wired the Mrs’s house. Office,workroom,diningroom, and bedroom/livingroom. Did over 30 yrs ago. The 5100 is the third vintage receiver. The sounds not bad. Her Infinity speakers match well. Never liked them but match well. Running Dynaco A25s in the dining room with Radio Shack Min 7s. This isnt as good as my 2010 these weren’t bad. For the right price these aren’t bad. Keep both.

My other two sets have a 4415 four channel in my work room. With a 2020B in the bedroom. Happy with both. Do have a Marantz amp from that period. Specs aren’t bad on it. it’s my test amp. Not sure of its model.

 

[kmagnuss]

I decided that I wanted to use them both for some weird reason, and I still like listening to the NLA's so I just have them both set up in the same room now lol. The 2015 is on the more efficient Heresy IV's and the SR4000 is on the Advents. The 2015/Heresy combo also has a little slim mount subwoofer (Earthquake CP8 'couch potato') on the b channel that I can turn on/off as needed with that switch.
I just ran some RCA's from the tape out of the 2015 to the AUX in on the SR4000 so I don't have to mess around with swapping wires behind them and I can use the same record player and streamer for both. So far so good.