What's your opinion on vintage receivers?

[Woofman]

I miss the equipment from the seventies, such as the Pioneer SX1050 receiver that I owned so long ago. When I look at the stuff on the store shelves today, I just see a bunch of cheap plastic looking equipment. And maybe it's just me, but I remember my old seventies Pioneer receiver sounding better also.

My question is this: I am thinking of buying a vintage receiver instead of a new one. I am not sure what to expect on reliability though. Do these old receivers tend to need routine repairs because of the age of the equipment, or do they seem to hold up ok under normal use? If you guys could share your experience with me, it would help me to make a decision.

[Jack Lord]

Rather than answering your questions, which are good ones, I will welcome you to AK and state that you have come to the right place.

After a month of hanging here, you will probably have at least 3 vintage receivers.

[Michael Powers]

I miss the equipment from the seventies, ... ... When I look at the stuff on the store shelves today, I just see a bunch of cheap plastic looking equipment.

Bicycles.

[Argyle]

Welcome to AK and as Jack Lord said... you're in the right place. My thinking is that once you decide what you want, find it and take it to have it checked over and serviced (if necessary). I'm guessing that if you buy a vintage piece that's solid and OK'd/fixed up by a reputable tech, it will be just as good if not better than anything new from the shelf.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes!

[Lady Ayeka]

indeed! welcome, true believer!!:thmbsp::music: my little buttercup here welcomes you...
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/DSCF0384.jpg

BTW,here's some excellent examples to shoot for...

PIONEER SX-1980 (1977/1979)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SX-19806.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SX-198017.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SX-198022.jpg

PIONEER VSX-D1S (1990/1993)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/VSX-D1S36.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CU-VSX014.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/VSX-D1SMaho1.jpg

[spartanmanor]

Welcome to AK! They can be inexpensive and great and they can be overpriced and crap.

[Fletch]

You got that right Spartanmanor!!!

I have a Harman Kardon 330c receiver/amp - works like a champ but needs the occassional DeOxit on the controls every year or 2.

Onkyo A-25 Int Amp - works perfectly - no work needed

Sansui 5050 - just needed some DeOxit

Magnavox Credenza 1973 - Just needed some DeOxit

See a pattern? As long as it looks nice, meaning not beat on by the lst owmer, then it should work for a long time. You may need to replace a cap or have one replaced but then that's a small price to pay for high end audio for pennies on the dollar. All of that above cost me a grand total of $120, less then one of those POS systems at your local best but coslting you $200 plus tax. No thanks, I like my vintage equipment.

[gladiator335]

indeed! welcome, true believer!!:thmbsp::music: my little buttercup here welcomes you...
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/DSCF0384.jpg

BTW,here's some excellent examples to shoot for...

PIONEER SX-1980 (1977/1979)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SX-19806.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SX-198017.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SX-198022.jpg

PIONEER VSX-D1S (1990/1993)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/VSX-D1S36.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CU-VSX014.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/VSX-D1SMaho1.jpg

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thmbsp:

[bluetoes591]

A vintage receiver that has been working for 30 years is likely to still be working in 30 years. One off the shelf at the local big box store might still be working in 10 years, and won't sound half as good. All of my stuff that is from the 70s works great, everything I have from the 80s has something wrong with it.

[ejecta]

I've got both the latest and greatest Harman Kardon AVR Receiver & a few vintage amplifiers, some even with funny long names (Philips Hifi Sound Project TA 6000!) and all in all, I have to say my favourite of all is my vintage Pioneer gear - it just sounds better.

Awesome VU meters that light up are also a plus, as is signal strength & tuning meters on tuners/receivers. Modern stuff is just missing this feel. There's also something about turning the volume up using a huge wad of aluminum for a knob - that nice cold feel. Ahhh.

But back to the point: I feel good vintage hifi gear is better built & sounds better - pick up a well looked after item and you'll be set.

[sauuuuuce]

Vintage is more bang for yer buck in my opinion.

[Woofman]

Thanks for all of your input it is much appreciated. I've always believed that it wasn't just my imagination, that my old Pioneer receiver really did sound better than what's out there today. You folks have just reinforced that. I wasn't sure how fast electrical components degraded, but evidently they are good for quite a long time. Vintage is definitely the way to go. Thanks again.

[m4rz]

After spending a fair chunk of cash on my HT setup, I figured that it would be pretty good with 2 channel to just listen to music. And it is pretty good, but I was looking for a music only system. I don't have the cash yet to buy mcintosh which is really where I want to be, and I am hoping to eventually see what tubes have to offer.

BTW I am one of those people that found this site and now have 3 receivers that are all vintage. I love the sound that they produce. I think it's already been said, but in terms of price/quality, I don't think that there is anything that can beat vintage. Not only that, but the price of admission for vintage is negligible, mind you I don't have a system that even comes close to most here, but I am very happy with what I have.
Choose wisely and read tons of threads from this forum, and you will not be sorry if you take the advice that is given to you here.

[onepixel]

... When I look at the stuff on the store shelves today, I just see a bunch of cheap plastic looking equipment. ...


It's all relative and depends where you go shopping. You can find quality in both the new and old. I love vintage stuff but some of the new is downright incredible.

Welcome to AK.

[Doctor B.]

Welcome to AK, Woofman.

I've got your old SX-1050 (or one just like it) and I'm loving it.

Go for the silver!

[Twenty20Man]

now you can afford its big brother, cant go wrong with a SX-1250

[DENNYDOG]

You don't have to get a totl vintage receiver to get good sound but make sure you have some good speakers.

You can get a lot of bang for the buck with some of Pioneers mid line receivers like the SX-3700 to 3800, SX-838 to 939, SX-850 to 950 and SX-880 to 980.

Pretty much all of these has enough power to run most speakers you can hook up to them. Unless you plan on having party's every night of the week any one of these would do nicely.

[mjalazard]

A tally of all the receivers along with the number of people who own them from the AK Vintage Receiver Collector's Club may be useful to those looking to buy.

[Mattwizz3]

My entire setup cost exactly $100, thats with a 5 disk changer, Turntable (Needs stylus tho), Tuner, Tape deck and Integrated AMP. It absolutely demolishes ANY new system I have heard and none of my vintage stuff is TOTL or even well known. I was given a good quality mini system just before I got into vintage stuff, and at first I thought it was great. Then I gradually built up this system, it has much more power, detail and more life to the music.

As for reliability, nothing in my main system has needed maintenance. I did choose to replace the caps in my AMP though, which improved the sound a bit and made it better at higher volumes. Basically, if you buy it working, it wont take much to keep it that way.

[cityflux]

Look it this way - you can buy for pennies, try out and discard if you don't like. Trouble is vintage stuff is so good that 'discard' rarely happens.

Doing that with top of the range modern gear will turn your pennies into thousands.

[JSP24]

Welcome,

This is the site to indulge you hobby. If you shop CL or local garage sales you will find your treasure soon. Have Faith

[legalalien]

Went retro about a year ago and will NEVER go back (or is it forward?) anyway I agree with all that's been said here and would like to also add that I had been considering this move for a few years and if you're serious about taking the plunge I wouldn't wait too long cause some of the better stuff is really starting to get pricey. I might also add that my last endeavors with modern equipment had been with the newer "Digital" amps but when I acquired my Marantz 2275 and put it in my rig I was astonished at how much better it sounded than these light weight digital amps. The sound was so clean warm and powerful that there was simply no comparision, so I sold off everything else I owned and I'm living happily with my 30 year old rig, the Marantz 2275, large walnut Advents and Technics TT and don't get me started about how great vinyl is...

[KlipschFan61]

I think it helps a great deal if you can track down the technical manual for whatever you end up with. That way if the unit ever requires service, you can give the tech a headstart with schematics and adjustment specifics.

[jgmacv]

Welcome! I love my vintage stuff and it does sound much better than today's gear. Once you start you'll be hooked. I'm not a tech and my skills are limited on repairs, so I try to focus on units that are already in good operating condition. Good luck and hope to see you around!

[macfreak]

indeed! welcome, true believer!!:thmbsp::music: my little buttercup here welcomes you...
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/DSCF0384.jpg

BTW,here's some excellent examples to shoot for...

PIONEER SX-1980 (1977/1979)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SX-19806.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SX-198017.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SX-198022.jpg

PIONEER VSX-D1S (1990/1993)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/VSX-D1S36.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CU-VSX014.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/VSX-D1SMaho1.jpg

Lady Ayeka -- You the man! Uh, er, the woo-man? . . . whichever, it don't matter! Love that vintage gear! :thmbsp: You must teach the brainless on ebay how to take pics of their masterpieces of yesteryear. :yes:

[macfreak]

I miss the equipment from the seventies, such as the Pioneer SX1050 receiver that I owned so long ago. When I look at the stuff on the store shelves today, I just see a bunch of cheap plastic looking equipment. And maybe it's just me, but I remember my old seventies Pioneer receiver sounding better also.

My question is this: I am thinking of buying a vintage receiver instead of a new one. I am not sure what to expect on reliability though. Do these old receivers tend to need routine repairs because of the age of the equipment, or do they seem to hold up ok under normal use? If you guys could share your experience with me, it would help me to make a decision.

Oh boy, the responses on this thread are so good, they just reek with experience. Woofman, you have got to know that going with vintage equipment is so much more than just a music experience. The stuff built in the seventies comes from a time that was especially historic. The equipment was epoch-making coming at the end of an era. When you own a piece of it, you become a benefactor of equipment created by the convergence of geniuses in product design and audio technology; who just happened to be at work when the economy of the electronics industry afforded production of all-out masterpieces, at prices that were often affordable to large numbers of buyers. It was the supernova of the hifi era.

Be part of it.

Don't limit yourself to Pioneer. Check out the other stuff, like Kenwood, McIntosh, Marantz, Sansui, and many others. You might find the marketplace will bring you a wonderful opportunity that you won't want to pass up. The AKer who suggested craigslist gave you good advice. Prices are lower in my experience, and, if you live near a large metropolitan area, you can easily travel to the seller to audition the piece, or, at least, eyeball it for its condition before you buy it. The selection is less though. You will have to decide if that is a problem.

Welcome to the greatest web site on audio electronics and best of luck with your future acquisition. :thmbsp:

[BajaGringo]

If you do your homework you will find that you can score a good deal on a TOTL or near TOTL receiver from the 70's that is worth getting serviced and will provide great sound and performance for years to come. I have a lot of Pioneer equipment but like macfreak said, look at all the brands and decide whjat you like for you and your listening taste...

Welcome & Enjoy!!!

:music:

[merrylander]

As has been noted, vintage is more bang for the buck. Here we have four systems (well five if you count the greenhouse);
Family Room Yamaha CR-2020 with Polk Monitor 7Bs biggest outlay because I bought the Polks new,
Bedroom Yamaha CR-1000 with Yamaha NS-670 maybe $150 total and my labor,
Playroom Yamaha CR-2040 currently with NS-670 soon NS-690 and YST woofer maybe $250 and more labor,
Shop Yamaha CR-800 and Polk Monitor 10Bs probably closer to $300 as I just bought new tweeters for the Polks.

There is ancilliary equipmment of course, Pioneer PL88FS and PL44FS TTs, Yamaha PX-2 TT, Yamaha K100 and K850 cassettes, Pioneer PM06 CDP, Yamaha CD-5X CDP, Onkyo CDP, etc. The single most expensive item among those was the PX-2 TT at $250.

The majority of these items were bought non-working and with marked cases, I restored them and either veneered the cases or repainted them.

[analog addict]

As has been noted, vintage is more bang for the buck. Here we have four systems (well five if you count the greenhouse);
Family Room Yamaha CR-2020 with Polk Monitor 7Bs biggest outlay because I bought the Polks new,
Bedroom Yamaha CR-1000 with Yamaha NS-670 maybe $150 total and my labor,
Playroom Yamaha CR-2040 currently with NS-670 soon NS-690 and YST woofer maybe $250 and more labor,
Shop Yamaha CR-800 and Polk Monitor 10Bs probably closer to $300 as I just bought new tweeters for the Polks.

There is ancilliary equipmment of course, Pioneer PL88FS and PL44FS TTs, Yamaha PX-2 TT, Yamaha K100 and K850 cassettes, Pioneer PM06 CDP, Yamaha CD-5X CDP, Onkyo CDP, etc. The single most expensive item among those was the PX-2 TT at $250.

The majority of these items were bought non-working and with marked cases, I restored them and either veneered the cases or repainted them.

Merrylander likes Yamaha gear....:D He also happens to the the resident Yamaha repair expert on AK.

Do your homework. A lot of times you can find good gear that flies below the radar on the cheap. Brands that are not as well known, but have good reputations. Go through the SS forum and see what people are talking about. Then follow your local CL closely, and get familiar with the electronics section of your local thrifts. In a couple of months time, you will have plenty to choose from, at affordable prices.....:thmbsp:

Be warned however, your interest may turn into an obsession......:yes:

[greenmark59]

Welcome to AK and be careful...... the more you hang around here the more YOU WILL WANT to buy at least 3 vintage receivers (or amps or speakers or tuners or whatever else). YES I have 3 already and looking for more. I tend to like Yamaha or Akai brand, but that's just a personal preference. One note of advice - listen and look before buying even if it means waiting a little longer to get what you want. Just my 2 cents worth (which right now is about 0.00526 gallons of gasoline worth!!!!)

[alexsurber]

You know vintage is better when you crank the volume knob, and the neighbors come over and ask why they didn't get invited to the party....

[Kaffeen]

The appeal of vintage for me is that it can be serviced. A lot of the parts (not all) are standard off the shelf that can relatively easily be replaced. As long as nothing is fundamentally wrong with your vintage receiver, you can improve the sound by soldering in new caps, setting the bias, having the tuner aligned, and so on. Kind of like buying an older car and fixing it up while you drive it. It lets you get in on the hobby w/o spending a mint up front, and a side benefit is that you learn a little about electronics in the process if that sort of thing interests you. And you don't have to go with TOTL to get a great sound. AKer D18Dave has a little Pio sx 450 that sounds flat fantastic. He replaced all the caps and that little 15wpc champ powers his Bose 501s in a good-size livingroom with no problem.