AR-15 vs. AR-1515

[Joseph Filice]

I built the AA-1515 (the amplifier section of the AR-1515) about
20 years ago when Heath was selling off the last of their stock at a
discount.  Is the AA-1515 basically the same amplifier as the AA-15
except for cosmetic changes?

I still think it's a great amplifier.
It does have some annoying qualities though, like those little panel
lights which illuminate the meters and functions.  They have a very
short lifetime.  I also have to keep after the switches and controls
to keep them noiseless and operating.  One of these days I hope
to find the matching tuner.

Joe Filice
KQ6GL

Jack Crenshaw wrote:
>
> Doug, the AR-15 is one of the real sleepers of hi-fi audio, these days.
> Because it's not a tube amp,
> it doesn't get the attention that, say, a W-5M would.  You can get some real
> bargains.  I have several
> AR-15's and their amp-only equivalent -- AA-15?

> McIntosh was running a
> hi-fi clinic then, where you could take your amps and get them tested for
> free.  The general idea, of course, was to
> show you how much better a Mac was.  Though the clinic was free, the plan
> was to get you to upgrade.
>
> Well, when the tech did the tests on the AR-15, he did a double-take, and
> asked, "What _IS_ this thing?"  My wife
> said, "A Heathkit. My husband built it."
>
> The tech says, "He _BUILT_ it?"
>
> She said, "Yes. Why, is there something wrong?"
>
> He said, "No, it's just that this is the only amplifier I've seen that
> outperforms our McIntosh."
>
> He sent home the strip charts, which clearly showed the distortion levels to
> be below the Mac standards, over all
> frequencies and power levels, up to rated power.
>
> In short, the AR-15 is a gem, and a cheap one at that.
>
> Jack
>

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