Our Top 5 Vintage Stereo Receivers You Can Score For Under $300!!!
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- Опубликовано: 20 авг 2022
- As a business that specializes in vintage stereo equipment and services hundreds of pieces of gear every year, we made a list of our favorite budget pieces. Did your favorite make the list?
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Almost all "vintage receivers" were under $100 not that many years ago. The internet has made every trendy thing an expensive thing.
Facts, I could find a lot of pioneer units at garage sales for less than $50 & that was around 2012-14
True that! Shits out of control nowadays, especially post covid.. Sickening prices. :/
Unfortunately
Agreed, it is out of control, everything is expensive
I got my Technics SA500 at goodwill for $20. Deals are out there, you just need to constantly be looking.
The golden era, YOU BETCHA! The absolute BEST for stereos and speakers.
We had a Marantz in the 80's my dad bought in the 70's, we used up till late 90's. It sounded awesome and was built to last.
Finally, some love for the H/K! My first vintage receiver, also was a 330c. In 1983, when I was born... My father bought it new in 1977, and it has been in the family ever since. We listened to it as kids, then I had it in my room as a teenager. After that it went to my sister for a few years, and then returned back to me.
A couple of years ago, after amassing a collection of different kinds of 70s receivers myself, I set up the 330c for my parents to use. I also restored their original pair of AR-7x speakers, and a Connoisseur BD2 turntable for them too. The 330c put me on the path, into the world of vintage receivers. It's in great shape, and nothing has been done to it ever. I think I'll put it on the bench next, and recap it.
My 16th birthday present, too ...1978
I remember the stereo wars with my friends in the early 70s. It was a constant battle for who had the best sounding system and the honor of hosting the next album release party.
ten yrs ago resale shops often sold vintage working receivers for a buck a watt,now its like a dime to 20 cents
I WAS THERE WITH YOU MAN, AND BESIDES MUSCLE CARS, putting together a "HI-FI" system a kid could afford was a HUGE PLEASURE./. Remember the research. my fav Cartridge the SHURE 91MED?? We had the "4 Channel Beauties, The best cars and music, THINGS SO TRUE, as I approach 70 I have an 07 Shelby (Because they did it right, - ) these Harman Kardon Citation 200 speakers I just linked to stereo- OH WHAT HAVE I BEEN MISSING. A few nights ago I found a receipt for an Hitachi Reel ro REAL!! Of \course I wanted a TEAC(K?), as my best bud had the Sony . $89. PS- My older bros picked the Gold plated Empire turntable, and a gorgeous 4 channel Marantz with 4 blue guages- THINGS OF UNCHANGING BEAUTY..
You are a classic!! The best time to live. I did it too!!!0
DY-NA-CO!!!!! In my garage is the gold plated "4 channel simulator" HEY GUYS- WHAT $20 item was ther most valuable add o to a 65-73 car?? THE "FM" converter- Phila: WXPN (88.5 UPenn's hip station, 93.3 WMMR- one of the Best in the country and 3) WDAS S O U L / and earliest rap.106.5?
@@kennethbrettel8762 Takes one to know one! b-r-o
I liked this video alot, brought back some memories. I bought the Sony STR 6055 in 1972 when I was stationed in Germany from the Stuttgart PX. Worked so well I brought it back to the states with me and still have it and in perfect shape. I have it in my recording studio now as a comparison vintage sound source for mixes and it is my AM/FM radio when I want to listen to the radio in the studio. Good to see it make the list. Another one that was even more popular in the barracks was the Marantz 2270 with the horizontal tuning dial. There were more of those than anything else.
What a great, cool video to put together. Awesome to see “real” items remembered.
One I would add to your list is the Zenith MC7051. I picked mine up for $20 thinking I would sell it for a profit, but it’s really an incredible unit. I liked it too much to sell it. It has a good vintage look and came in just under the limit in 1980. It’s 40 watts. One of the big advantages it offers is 2 phono stages, so you can DJ in your living room, if you choose to. Down side is it’s no wood veneer. It’s currently my favorite receiver.
Loving my Sansui 9090 for almost 50 years! Magnificent piece of equipment
I still have mine from the 70's!
I grew up in the 70's 80's era and love the audio. I just started my collection and I thank you so much in helping me make the right choice for my systems. Excellent videos and information.
Thanks for watching
Your videos are fascinating I grew up in the seventies and people took their music listening seriously back then, everything now usually doesn't even meet the advertised power levels and not meant too last. I recently sold a rack mount stereo from Nikko rated at 100w per side minimum for a song that will probably still be working another twenty years later
I remember all my dad’s stereo equipment. He always had the best stereo equipment out of all our family and close family friends. He had a Sony STR-6055 which was a pretty awesome receiver! I remember this unit with fondness but the upgrade to this unit was so so much better and the unit he upgraded to I still have and it’s one of my most prized possessions. That receiver was the Pioneer SX-1050!!!
Kevin, I'm new to your channel and I just want to THANK YOU for your honest and thorough reviews and comments on vintage audio equipment. It's not often on RUclips can you find transparency and good info on vintage stereo equipment. I own Marantz, Sony, Sanusi, Rotel and Pioneer....and enjoy them all. So keep the good info coming and, above all, have a Happy Holiday! Thanks!
Thank you, John!
I always love these videos. It's like a trip down memory lane. And finally some love for the always under rated HK 330c. I bought one back in '77 on clearance. I needed it to upgrade my bedroom setup. I remember grooving out to the local rock station when my Dad came in. Now, keep in mind, my Dad was a real audiophile. Down in the living room he was rocking a Fisher tuner, Macintosh amps with a Mac C11 pre-amp driving a pair of AR speakers, oh, and a Thorens turntable. He listened to my new HK 330c, turned a few knobs, nodded his head and gave it his blessing. Then said; "Your next purchase is a decent set of speakers so you can really enjoy it." So noted. I still have it, out in the garage in a box just waiting for it's time to come again.
I've had a lot of vintage home audio gear over the years, it was my main hobby as an early teen around the millennium. Sold off a lot of it but still held on to my Onkyo TX-2500 MKII, a $20 Salvation Army score over 20 years ago. It has such a nice sound and great little receiver
Excellent assessment and bang-on. I was a preteen when these things were sold at local Hi-Fi shops and ended up with a Kenwood integrated amp and tuner - I since went on to McIntosh, EV Patricians, etc..
Excellent information, thank you. I've had this experience with relamping incorrectly, good points all around.
Kevin, love your channel… It takes me back! I’m now 62 years old and still love my classic rock.
In the late 70’s I had a Phillips 30 watt receiver that was black in color and had the best sound. It was paired with a Phillips turntable and Pro Audio speakers that brought the cops a time or two! Can you do a segment on the history of the Phillips equipment, their quality and are they still around today. I really enjoy listening to your commentary. Thank you and be well..
Thanks for posting this. I've held onto my HK 330A for decades, it was just such a good receiver. Guess it's time to give it some love and fix the switch contacts.
I lucked out with my Akai 1050. I found it at a thrift store about 8 years ago for $55. It replaced a couple of late 80s/1990s Fisher receivers which fizzed out in less than 20 years. The Akai is from 1975-1977 and it still sounds great.
Indeed, that is a fantastic price. I bought the same Akai 1050 brand new in July of 1978, stereo store in Saginaw, MI. I forget the price but may have been in the 500 dollar range at that time. Used it with my bose 901 speakers I bought at same time. The 1050 went blank in 1996, probably the high heat in Palm Srprings, Ca. I should have kept it to reconditon it later. The 901 went bad about same time. That summer,. 1996 I moved to suburb of Dayton, OH to marry a girl I met the previous year. I did not bring the Akai with me but I took the 901s. Good thing as the fall of 96 I found this store in Dayton called Mendolsens. They had a kit for 20 dollars to do the speaker foam surrounds. Made the 901 sound new again and I still have them, but stored for now.
Excellent video. Thanks for sharing it with us. I love this vintage hi-fi equipment.
I just picked up an original Sony STR-6055 yesterday. I am not disappointed. I love the deep rich bassy quality. I also inputted my phone via the aux port and can stream anything now. 1971 meet 2023. Love it!
How can I find out how to do the phone thing??? That's so badass! Thanks in advance.
Either use your headphones jack to phono or even better, use the usb c to a little cheap in line DAC and then to your phono connection on the back of the amp.
Works a treat.
I also use the headphone jack from TV to phono and put the TV through the amp.
@SoulDaddy33: When I say 'phono plug' i mean the inputs for tape , aux etc not record player.
That Onkyo, to me, is by far the best looking of the 5 you listed. I had an Onkyo TX-26(black) for over 30 years - it was awesome for what it was.
I love this review. Low key, not over complicated like one of the receivers and very helpful.
I have a Kenwood KR-7200 I bought in 1973. Classic looks and it still plays perfectly and looks great in my den.
I still have my first receiver, a pioneer SX 454. Like you, I also powered huge Cerwin Vegas back in the day with no problem. The speakers are long gone but the receiver still works like it did the day I bought it.
I have a Vector Research VR 2500 that was purchased in the mid 80's that is built like a tank. I run ADS speakers a company I worked at in the mid 80's. Cool list and great channel !
WOW!! Glad I stuff on this vid!! Brings back a lot of memories, going into the music store and seeing a wall of amps and stuff!! I've got a 75 JVC receiver that rocks!! I actually run it through my guitar amp speakers. 2 Acoustic 105 4 x12 cabs. When you turn it to 3 or 4 it will blow the windows out!! I roll the speakers onto my deck and turn em up and it sounds like a rock concert outside!!!!
Supposed to be stumbled on!! Sorry.
A really good video. I love these old receivers; until recently I was able to rescue some really lovely ones from our local recycling site, but the new manager there has become very hard-nosed about folk taking stuff away :)
Currently running my late father's Realistic STA-77 (1976 vintage, I believe). Built, as you say, 'like a tank' - and it sounds great, although I'm sure it would be even better with a re-cap. The ergonomics are fantastic, and I love that the stereo/mono light is built into the tuning indicator itself - a lovely design touch, that. The relatively limited wattage has never affected my listening in the slightest.
Please keep making your videos for RUclips.
I remember the Optimus ads.. with the picture of the Conductor conducting and the symphony references.... Ha ha... So cool.
I definitely enjoyed your video - very informative! I've now subscribed - looking forward to more!
In 1960, at 14 yrs old, I was fascinated enough by the hifi gear in store that my parents got me into the second floor of a hifi store to assemble a HK stereo amp kit which I had enough paper route money to buy.
I got a bit of help, but managed to do a pretty fine wiring, soldering job. Time to turn it on…yikes…a 60cycle hum. Sad. The store called later. They had HK send a mod. Missing ground somewhere.
It worked! I happily used that amp until I was able to get into Heathkits much later. Even then, it still worked a charm. Life long HK fan. Too bad their stuff was so expensive at the time.
You triggered a good memory..thanks. Btw, our local thrift shop occasionally has good stuff.
Cheers
Hey bro keep it coming because this is exactly what I need in my life someone that knows about this type of stuff and especially vintage receivers you're blowing my mind bro you're the shit thank you I appreciate you 🤨😎🤔!
My dad bought a Fisher Futura 201 receiver new in 1971, I was 14 years old it sounds great at only 20 watts RMS, still have it although I had it recapped, I love the sound.
Marantz...I still have my receiver bought new in the 70s. No need to turn volume more than 1/3 unless you want the neighbors to enjoy the music.
I owned a Harmon Kardon 330c stereo a decade ago, gave it to family as I had several stereos at the time, back when all vintage stereo equipment was practically being given away. I can vouch for its durability and excellent sound, very powerful, rich and warm sound. The phono stage is also very nice. Compared to a Marantz 2235b stereo that I also owned (my main stereo for over a decade), I'd say its sound is a little darker and less open, but that's understandable considering where these machines stood in the marketplace. I would be more than happy to have one of these once again, and highly recommend that anyone purchase one if they are so lucky.
Thank you very much for this video, much appreciated.
I have a sx750 pioneer, I listen to in my garage and never had it serviced. Still sounds great!
Great video. I never tried the lower output relievers. Always believed in the "more power" is the best. That said, I am still using my 1971 Pioneer SX9000 and Pioneer CS 77a speakers.
Hi..newbie here. A lot of memories here. I sold audio from 1974 to 1987. Those were great years. I could talk with you about the gear for hours.
The Technics/Panasonic 5500 (branded with either name, same receiver) is a great little unit looking a lot like Sony in many ways. They are 20WPC. I have one, and it's a keeper.
I love my H/K 430 & 730 ..had them recapped and they BOTH sound amazing :)
The 330C is excellent however, the Made in Japan models of Harman Kardon receivers are, dare I say, even better. Just like you mentioned, I had my vintage Two Thirty serviced locally here in Colorado and the manager personally handed it back to me and said it was one of the best receivers he'd heard. 10W@8ohms 20W@4ohms I'm reluctant to switch given the availability of high sensitivity speakers. I get plenty of volume and accuracy from my B&Ws with 4ohms and 89db. Vintage Harman Kardon's are always overlooked for their simplicity but, there's no denying the reviews out there from owners. Their low wattage "entry level" offerings all punch above their weight and sound like something double their price. Any of the vintage lines ending in "30" or "Thirty" up to their flagship Twin Powered 930 are tough to beat in terms of sound quality V price.
I've rebuilt a couple of HH Scotts in this power class (330R & 335R) with bad power transistors, among other issues like drivers and caps, and they both sound excellent with plenty of headroom and bass response. I used 100w Onsemi NPN/PNP BPT's for the outputs and they're fairly bulletproof now. Transformers are adequate for their wattage rating, but not as overspec'ed as Pioneer receivers. Typically I'll get an additional 3-5w before clipping over Scotts power rating in these particular units. The 350R/355R receivers are even better, of course, once recapped. They can be found at a reasonable price but most likely will require some caps and/or TLC. I use a Scott 370R for my personal unit, but swap it out for a Pioneer SX-780 from time to time. Both fairly equal in presentation but the Scott has another 10w to play with. Great channel and thanks for sharing!
Great video, and thanks for the excellent recommendations. I should mention that even s good 10 watt receiver with efficient speakers will often do great. We have a range of amps in our studio, from few hundred watt self-powered Focal’s and Ocean Way’s to small and larger (8 watt 6V6 to 500 watt) pure SET Class A tube amp’s. All of them are capable of driving to high levels of loudness with good dynamic range when paired properly. And I am not even talking about horn-loaded monitors which I generally eschew.
Fun to see the 330c top the list. I purchased one as an employee of Tech Hifi around '79/'80 and was absolutely in love with it's warmth, power, and clarity.
What is the difference between the 330a, 330b, and the 330c? Also, what does the contour switch do? thanks
@@greggregory820I didn't look at the specs, but looks-wise, the 330c takes the cake. I helped a friend in college purchase a 330a. I have owned my 930 since 1973, hard to believe it's 50 years old.
I agree when you say some units look better with the colored LEDs and some don't. That was a pic of our pioneer with the blue lights. We notice that the new age customer prefers the flashy colored LEDs. The high end units we keep pure
I've got a Siemens RS 555 since 1981 ! At that time it was "State of the Art".
I love it !
I had a low powered Akai AA-6300 I picked up for $10 that I bought to flip. Cleaned it up installed new lamps and it sounded so good I ended up using it in my bedroom system for a couple years. One strange thing it has a pair of 1/4 Jack type speaker outputs which ended up being really convenient. Great little amp !
Have had one of those, too! You're right. It was a great little amplifier!
While in Vietnam, I bought my system from the PACEX catalogue and had it sent straight home in 1971. Sansui 5000X amp, Pioneer CS-88 speakers, Sony TC-730 reel to reel, Sansui 2050C turntable and Sony TC-127 Cassette recorder. I still have it all. The turntable drive belt turned to liquid over the years and one channel is out on the amp.
SALUTE!!!!
Back in the day, I owned several of the brands listed - although higher powered model in the case of the Yammy ( i.e. CR 1000). Glad I waited til the end of the video to see the HK 330 - indeed, an absolute gem. Honourable mention should be a shout out to the NAD 7020.
What a great selection of vintage receivers to start ones classic audio journey with. I have had experience with most of the units reviewed here the others I've owned were close relatives and they all had their own sweet nuances. I liked the way Yamaha looks but the sound from the Harmon I really enjoyed. Don't be scared of the low wattage numbers, these are real watts. I refer to these old school wattage ratings as 'real world watts' not these high numbers generated today by 1khz test tones for 3 seconds. These receivers will not disappoint, thank you very much for showing off these gems. It doesn't have to say Marantz or Pioneer on the face plate to get excellent 70s sound with that classic 70s look. As the big names turn to unobtanium in the future these other ones will only go up in price. They are a safe investment, they aren't making new face plates any time soon. Thanks again!
Excellent information presentation. Great channel. Thank you 😊
Just purchased a Yamaha CR-400, hope it is as good as it looks. Like your content, pleasant and straight talk. Thanks for the information.
I picked up a Harman Kardon hk/680i for $100. Powering a vintage set of Savard speakers. Great video, very informative.
My advice is to be patient and shop local (if you live in a mid/large city) and always keep some emergency "I will only spend this on great gear" cash because regardless of listed price I have found offering a crisp $100 bill will likely get you a yes response. The HK 330 was my first too, it was a lucky garage sale find for very little cash and the musicality for such a simple design will make most people very happy. Since I have added a HK 730 Twin for $75, Sansui AU-517 for $100 and a Luxman R-117 for $100. The Lux is 80's the rest are 70's and knock on wood all are working perfectly aside from a simple cleaning and a few bulbs replaced I have been very lucky.
I agree the seventies were the golden age of audio.
Harmon-Kardon was the Rodney Dangerfield of receivers. My H-K 960 was rated at 70 watts per channel but it had plenty of guts to power my epi 400's to ear splitting levels.
My friends had Marantz receivers and they looked down on Harmon-Kardon UNTILL they heard it!
I really enjoy your channel!
John from Canada
Correction - The Harmon-Kardon 960 was rated at 60 watts per channel.
In our neck of the woods, the Realistic stuff was the Rodney Dangerfield. Come to find out now, some Realistic stuff was pretty decent, still no respect. :)
I'm running a Sansui TU-717 with a matching AU-717 amp. Both mint without a single blemish. These are pushing a pair of vintage, sequentially numbered. Klipsch Heresy's. in oak cabinets. This was my Christmas gift in 1978 (I was 16).WTH was Dad thinking; lol. I am still enjoying this system today; with ZERO issues. With 500w x 2 at my fingertips; I can still level a city block. Hahahaha
Well done . i have a HK 330 it's relegated to a guest roomwith older maybe KLH 11s. I have been doing electronics since 73, I have more power amps, pre amps than anything . i have a Mac 1700 with tube tuning, I bought at a hamfest for $50. 15 years ago, I have bought some Denon heos pieces to get music around easily. many good deals, thrift stores on line. i enjoyed your presentation.
Seeing your Pioneer hat, I was hoping to see a Pioneer on the list. I bought my Pioneer SX 737 through the base exchange while I was in the USAF in Thailand. It was an incredible receiver but unfortunately my wife got the stereo system in the divorce in the md 80's. Regarding the Sony, I suspect that the acrylic box covering the tuning capacitor was designed to keep dust off the cap, rather than a form of electrical isolation. Truly forward thinking. Nevertheless, a very informative video on a subject near and dear to my heart. 70's receivers were the best. Happy new year to you.
I still have my Pioneer SX-626 that I bought in 1974. It still sounds great 👍.
I would love to find one of these receivers to put in my living room, and a nice looking cabinet with some big speakers. I love that they have adapters; so you can plug your phone into them, even Bluetooth adapters and listen to all your downloaded music. I have our 1994 Kenwood receiver in our little home gym, it sounds very good, but I would love to have one of these really old ones.
This was a great video for me. I started out with Kenwood. Thanks for the memories😊 😊
My 1st stereo was a 330c. I bought it in 1976. Loved it! I traded it in on a more powerful Technics receiver 10 years later and have regretted it ever since.
I bought my JVC JR S300 Mark II back in 1977. Still have it and it still sounds great.
NOICE! I rock that STR 6055. Stellar vintage for the price indeed!
Good list. I have a Harmon Kardon 330B that still works fine. I opened it up and sprayed all the pots and jacks and switches with DeOxIt. It sounds great. Built like a tank...
The original Advent 15 w/ch receiver should be on this list. Nicely detailed, it also sounds smooth and rich like a tube amp and often sells under $300. Plus you can separate the amp and preamp. The phono section was designed by APT Holman of THX fame. People used to buy the Advent receiver for just it's preamp section and use it with powered speakers like the Acoustat X, it was that good.
I am not surprised in the slightest that Harmon Kardon was first. My first piece of vintage gear was a HK 230B, it is awesome, my current receiver that I listen to everyday is a HK 730. You simply can not beat the sound for even triple the value.
Another big thumbs up for the Sony 6055! It was the first "real" stereo I ever bought back when I was in high school and, if I'm not mistaken, it also had a center channel output jack which makes it very easy to integrate a sub. (Might be mistaking that center out for the 6065 model). Loved the video!
I'm relatively new to the vintage receiver game, and I've been very lucky, my first receiver was a marantz 2216, I sold it, (I regret it, but I did make money) I now have a pioneer sx580, and the Hk330c, the 330c is my favorite !
Had a friend working at HiFi Buys tech recommend the Onkyo. As a budget minded piece, but had a phenomenal sound, very buttery with punch!!! That coupled with Advent speakers played The Doobies, John Cougar, and Aerosmith for many years.
I’ve been running a Marantz 2325 , pushing two sets of Klipsch one setbK- Horns , B-Channel set of Belle’s in back. It will give you goose bumps , alittle past a quarter volume is live bar room band levels ! I’m sure after 40 plus years it could use a refresh but until last year a bulb blew out , otherwise it still is Rocking !
Just had mine cleaned and replaced the lamp. Well worth it, still sounds great
Picked up a TX-4500 MKII to drive my Bose 301 Series II and it sounds AMAZING. Plenty of power and SO easy to listen too. Fills my 12X12 room perfectly. Thanks for the suggestions:)
Great list, I love my 15wpc Pioneer SX-770.. Another cool and great sounding unit that flys under the radar.. Also very fun to work on / repair.
I bought one of these new in ‘71 and still have. Cosmetically it looks new and I always like the looks of Pioneer receivers. Been in the shop a couple of times over the last half century but no major failures.
I have a Yamaha CR-400 that I picked up at a yard sale for $15. I thought it had a dead channel, but all I had to do was clean the POTs and the selector switches with DeOxit and now it is driving my Klipsch KG4's (another yard sale pick-up, but I won't infuriate people with the price) like a champ! Don't forget to tell people to clean their POTs!
Since a year or so I owna Yamaha CR820. I Absolutely love it! The sound is good. And it has got the same "reserved" design as the CR400 which makes it timeless imho.
I got a Marantz 1080 & a Marantz 2220B in the early 2000s for under $300 for the pair combined. Even then people were chasing the '70s audio tech. I spent more getting pots and caps changed than on actually buying the units! They sound incredible though. Good to see your list of recommendations.
My 2220B was my first tuner, bought in 1975. Still going, tough as a dump truck. Replaced the display lamps once.
Excellent video. Thank you!
Still have my Kenwood KR2400 since 1976. Its still a daily player running some bookshelf Scott speakers. Very pleasing sound. I have 3 Marantz receivers I got for less than $300 but those days are gone.
Kevin, Thank you for your enthusiastic confidence in the HK 330C. Primarily a Sansui man but thought I would give HK a shot. Purchased 5 minutes ago for $302 and looking forward to hearing it. Will post later after receiving in 2 weeks
Still have my Sanyo JCX2300K, 26 watts/channel. I love this receiver. I've replaced it twice and still gone back to using it. I think I bought this in 1980 ...
Killer list of low power receivers from the past that sound better than today's receivers.. I'll take anyone of them👍👍😁😁
Thank's man!! Very helpful...
Great list, have Yamaha CR800 that i love love. Needs to b gone through i think at this point but honestly still working well for the age. Thanks
I picked up a dusty old harman/kardon 730 that was ready to get thrown out. Spent a few hours cleaning it up, now looks like new, and the performance blows me away. Beyond impressive. I can't see myself ever getting rid of it. Paired with a set of Zu Omen MKII's FTW.
Agree!
Here's the thing; most people don't realise there's more to hi-fi than huge output power. A 15watt per channel amp will go uncomfortably loud in most domestic settings (unless you live in an aircraft hangar).
I don't even have particularly efficient speakers (Wharfedale Dovedale 3, Hacker LS1500) but I can make a nuisance of myself if I feel like it! My daily driver reciever is a Rotel RX-203 which if memory serves is even lower at 12 watts RMS per channel but the thing is I'm not usually trying to disturb people in other timezones.
The FM stereo is rock-solid, the sound quality is perfectly good enough and it cost me the best price; free! I found it in a dumpster in 2009. Took it home, dragged a damp cloth across it, tried it and it worked. Nothing wrong with it at all. Even the dial lights all work and there are no noisy control pots.
Agree 100%
I think a lot of it is "bragging rights" and keeping up with the Joneses.
@@skylabsaudio Anyone who wants bragging rights should build a Mullard 3+3 class-A and couple it up to a pair of corner horns! 3 watts was never so unnervingly, uncannily loud! It has the additional advantage of having glowing tubes to show off if that sort of thing matters (not really in my case...)
Couldn't agree more! One of the best receivers of all time was the Teleton SAQ 206 which performed spectacularly well in listening tests - especially its bass output - but was completely ignored by the buying public as it had an output of 'only' 6 watts (RMS) per channel.
@@NTSCuser Looking back at old mags it seems Teleton weren't taken particularly seriously because they were seen as a budget brand. While there is some truth to it, many of their products punched well above their weight. They weren't the fanciest looking items and there generally wasn't anything superfluous about tham but electronically and in terms of performance they appeared to do well in tests and reviews.
Many of the smaller British brands of the 60's and 70's seemed to suffer this fate. Even the likes of Alba made some pretty decent stuff in the 70's but no one wanted to know. I bought an Alba 1500 stero reciever for a tenner when it was only about 10 years old (so early 80's) and it was superb. Stupidly I subsequently sold it on for a tenner a couple of years later and have often regretted it since. It put out 10 or maybe 15 watts per channel and it sounded absolutely great and was a superb match for the Wharfedale Dentons I paired it with.
All this waffle will sound pretty low-brow and low-rent to many audiophools but I always judge by results and don't unduly sweat the details.
Just got in to vintage receivers again after some years with digital amplifiers. A Marantz 2226 blackface got the interest back. Just this week I found a Nikko 5055, needed pilot lamps and new dial cord and it was up and running after a adjustment. Today a found a Pioneer LX not SLX 880, was made between 1969-1972, 28w, gave it a wash and adjustment needs new bulbs for tuning pointer, power and stereo indicator. Otherwise in fully working order.
Great video ,my "x"wife brought the Harmon Kardon 330c into the marriage then we bought the Bang and olfsen beogram 1000 turn table KLH series 6 .I loved playing my music for the neighbors from my front porch.
My dad put a custom speaker cabinet with a Fischer tube stereo in the middle cabinet. It was a build yourself kit. It preceded -1970, probably 1968-69.
I love the Pioneer SX series of amplifiers. Solid as a rock. Great look.
Gary, have an SX-727 that I bought from a friend in 1974. Still works and looks good. That receiver is 45 plus years old.
My brother had a Fisher 400 that he got from older relatives, when we were in our "tweens." Beautiful, absolutely amazing. He had a number of different speakers around his room, can't remember what they were but, yeah.... I guess this doesn't really fall into the categories of the receivers you're reviewing, though(?)
Great list. I will be trying the Sony. I have a HK 430 Twin pretty similar to the 330C but with the dual power supply. I re-capped myself really easy. Only rated to 25 Watts but the sound is much bigger. I tried to upgrade it listening to other vintage gear and modern and always come back to the HK so is staying in my set up
A video like this about vintage integrated or power amps would be pretty cool. My personal pick for integrateds would be my little denon pma-757 that I got for $150. Sounds excellent in my desktop setup.
Also for power amps I love my crown ps-400, but finding one of those below 300 would be tough. The smaller ps-200 would be great for the price though, and the hafler dh-200 is probably one of the best sounding amps of any category that you could get used for below 300
great video, I am partial to a Kenwood kr 6050, love the simple looks..
Just picked up a H/K 330B, before that I was listening to a Cambridge audio Sonota AR30 at 40WPC and this thing feels like it has more power than the Cambridge. I always thought speakers were the main component that made a stereo sound good or not, boy was I wrong!!!!! I love the sound of this 330b receiver, it sounds like nothing I have heard before, very warm and mellow. I am using Accend acoustics cmt170's and they sound great with this receiver!
My first receiver was a Harman Kardon 330A. Fantastic unit in 1971.
Just picked one of those up this week. Love it!
Everyone is going to have different experiences with different receivers. Some of the influences we don't talk about much are speaker and component pairing, room acoustics and properly setting up the equipment for the environment served. Also, each of our hearing abilities are different, and our brains also tend to respond differently as individuals. What you like may sound harsh to me, or vice-versa. There are no magic formulas, but there are components out there that seem to hit the sweet spot for the masses, thus the die-hard Marantz and Sansui fans. I am an old guy now (thought I'd never get to this age, but whatever... :) ), and I've learned to never count out the underdog or that obscure component no one else thinks much about. There are still some real hidden gems out there. My goal is to find them and get them in my possession before everyone else catches on and the prices skyrocket. Perfect examples of prior "under the radar" units are the Sansui 2000x and 5000x, the Pioneer SX-7xx series, the Marantz 2252b and 2285b, and a few others. Some of my favorite receivers are ugly as sin. But I've learned to love their sound so much, they are now my beauties to behold.
About time you put a channel together. Congratulations Kevin. Ray, the Hitachi Mosfet Amp guy. LOL
Lol! Thanks, Ray!
QX-949 driving 901’s was my nostalgia trip 😊
Just found your channel. Great stuff so keep the videos coming.
Appreciate it!
Although not within your time criteria, the Nakamichi receiver that licensed the Nelson Pass circuit is really good!
I have several vintage receivers and speakers, I went to pick up some Cerwin Vega speakers a guy near me had for sale once and when I was buying them he said you can have this receiver too if you want it. I was like Free? he said sure. It was A dead mint Sony STR 6055 with the wood case which is removable in case you didn't know. I paired it with a set of JBL speakers I also got free and man what a freaking free99 setup. I also have a pair of 1985 Klipsch KG2 book shelf speakers that are the sweetest sounding speakers I have personally owned. I don't need blow the windows out volume and these speakers have just blown all my other speakers out of the water. I just can't explain how sweet they sound. Paid $200 for them about 10 years ago.