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A Marantz 1550 is a nicely regarded vintage receiver, and at £14 this is a standout bargain against the recent used market. With a £164 median and a £89 lower quartile, the asking price sits dramatically below even the cheaper end of normal GBP comps, so it looks like an excellent buy if it’s basically complete and functioning.
What makes it appealing is the usual Marantz draw: solid build, a warm, enjoyable presentation, and enough power for efficient speakers or a second-system setup. The big upside here is obvious—at this price, even a unit needing some cleaning or minor servicing can still make sense. I’d only be cautious if the seller can’t confirm it powers up, switches cleanly, or if key parts are missing, since age-related maintenance is the main thing to budget for on a receiver like this.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Marantz originated in the United States, founded in 1953 by Saul Bernard Marantz, a music enthusiast and amateur musician born in Brooklyn in 1911. Dissatisfied with the audio equipment of the era, he crafted the groundbreaking Audio Consolette preamplifier in 1952 from his New York home, selling the first 100 units rapidly and prompting the formal establishment of the company in Woodside, Queens. Though production later shifted to Japan in partnership with manufacturers like Standard Radio in 1966, and the brand evolved through ownership changes including Superscope and eventual integration into larger groups, its heritage remains rooted in American ingenuity and a relentless pursuit of musical fidelity.
The brand excels in high-end audio components, particularly amplifiers, preamplifiers, and integrated systems that defined its golden era. Iconic models like the Model 7 preamplifier (1958), Model 9 power amplifier (1960), and Model 10B tuner (1964) set benchmarks for performance, while later offerings expanded to tuners, receivers, and CD players. Marantz briefly ventured into speakers under designer Ed May in the 1970s but focused primarily on electronics rather than turntables, headphones, DACs, or cables, emphasizing separates renowned for their "Most Musical Sound."
Marantz commands a premium position in the hi-fi market, revered as a high-end pioneer that shaped the audiophile landscape through the 1970s zenith. Today, it blends vintage allure with modern elegance, appealing to discerning buyers who value durability, innovation, and warm, detailed sound signatures over mass-market accessibility.
See all Marantz listings on RADAR.
