Thoughts on your favorite mid level vintage receivers?

Muel_pete

Muel_pete

New Member
Hey all, I am looking for some vintage receiver advice.
I am on the hunt for a great, mid level receiver (40-60 watts per channel) to add to my collection. In the past I have had a Yamaha CR-640, Technics SA-5150, and Sansui 350A. I really enjoyed both the Yammy and the Sansui. But currently I am looking for tips on great vintage receivers in that power range so that I can set up a nice system in my family room with a pair of EPI M100s. I have really fallen in love with the looks of the Pioneer SX-737 but those seem to be quite in demand right now. Any good options or values that I might be over looking?
What I am looking for:
1. Classic vintage receiver, any brand - just a good value and quality piece
2. Great looks, this will be on display to my whole home
3. Great sound, I prefer warm sounding receivers but also am looking for one that produces good instrumental detail
4. If at all possible, a fair price on the used market
Thanks for the help!
 
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Kenwood KR 5600
Sony STR 5800
Marantz 2230 (most have closer to 42 wpc)
Realistic STA 95

All of these are fairly reasonable and all sound really nice. But almost any name brand from that era in good condition sound great. Worry more about condition when looking for a vintage unit than the name or model.
 
9BDA8E7D-689C-41C6-ABE0-B6D41B150161.jpeg This JVC VCR-5501 is a really nice piece. Part of it is sentimental as it was my dads so I grew up with the wonderful green glow. But it is a good sounding piece. Solid construction and build. Warm sounding (my main system is all tube). Works great with vinyl (has phono input with selection for “ceramic”. I have not seen These around much in stores or on line. My dad knew the guy he bought it from and was told it was one of JVC’s first receiver for American market.
 
As much as I loved my old Kenwood KR-6030, it is known to have an undernourished power relay that begins to flicker when going bad, then to flicker and buzz, then to never come on, and I've read that the fix isn't for the novice. That is how mine died long ago. What I've never found is whether other models were likewise flawed, or which. But if that has been addressed already, or if willing to have it done, that was a good-sounding receiver with a very good tuning section. I particularly liked the toggle switches on that model better than the buttons usually seen on Kenwoods.
 
Any of these will meet your needs. All very good. Common at $150, and others.

60 watts
Sherwood S8900A or S7900A
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50 watts
JVC vr-5551
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50 watts
Sony STR-6065
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45 watts
Lafayette LR-3500
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69 watts
Heath Kit AR-1500A
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50 wats
Kenwood TK-140X
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50 watts
Pioneer SX-1000TW
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40watts
Rotel RX-800
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45 watts
Realistic 120b
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50 watts
Magnavox 1500
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When I think mid-level silverface era receiver I think Pioneer SX750. Still moderately priced when you see them on Craigslist.The SX650 and SX550 are equally as nice for less $. I had an SX880 which I really enjoyed.

Other nice mid-level receivers I like are Marantz 2238b, 2245, 2252.
As well as the Yamaha CR series which you already have had.
 
So many choices!!! Sansui 4000, Sherwood S7900A or 8900A, HK 730 twin powered, Realistic STA 95 or 960 (great looking), Zenith 7051, Kenwood KR6200.....
 
Get all the watts you can afford. The best dollar per watt value will be second or third from TOTL. Most will be 80-100 wpc. I'll assume budget of around $300. Consider:

Sony STR-V5. Same chassis and sound as the TOTL V7.
Kenwood KR-7600. Second from the 9600 but with parts that can be replaced.
Sony STR-7065 and 7065A. These were TOTL but somehow under-appreciated by the market.
Concept 6.5. Third in the line but great sounding. Better sounding than Marantz 2285B, IMO.
Realistic STA-2080 and STA-2000. Wood cabinet, nice sounding.
Kenwood KR-8010. 125 wpc, TOTL.
 
SoCal Sam said:
Realistic STA-2080 and STA-2000
Click to expand...

$300 for one of those in good shape would be a scroe. TOTL Realistic stuff has been going up and up the past two years. Great units for sure, but not the super cheap buy they once were.

Same for the KR 7600.....a 5600 is more likely for $300. I own a tired 4600 and the dumb thing has the best tuner of anything I own and have owned. They were really well built and I love all but the 9600. The 9600s are super expensive and like you said, hard to work on and get parts for. 4600, 5600 etc are far better deals.
 
quiet said:
Any of these will meet your needs. All very good. Common at $150, and others.

60 watts
Sherwood S8900A or S7900A
View attachment 1342402

50 watts
JVC vr-5551
View attachment 1342403
Sony STR-6065
View attachment 1342405
Lafayette LR-3500
View attachment 1342406
Heath Kit AR-1500A
View attachment 1342407
Kenwood TK-140X
View attachment 1342415
Pioneer SX-1000TW
View attachment 1342409

40watts
Rotel RX-800
View attachment 1342411
Realistic 120b
View attachment 1342416
Click to expand...

+1 on the Heathkit AR-1500A recommendation ... and don't forget the slightly earlier AR-1500, which (IIRC) only differed from the 1500A in the type of FM multiplex decoder chip that it used. The 1500 had a multiplier-type decoder like the Motorola MC-1307 that Dynaco used in the FM-5 and AF-6 tuners. The 1500A used a phase-locked-loop decoder.

The Pioneer SX-880 (60 WPC) is also a worthy receiver. I'm not sure if the general run-up in Pioneer used prices has affected this model, though.
 
My knowledge of the AR-1500a is limited to how well it scales against all the other 40/60 watt unit here. And I read the amp is more stable than the AR-1500?
But if I had to choose only one of these old receivers and stick with it "and keep it working myself" it would be the Heath. It's not built like a tank but I think it could be used in one.
 
Muel_pete said:
This is my first post, I am happy to finally be joining the community.

Wow, man, I just had one of those world shifting hifi moments.

I have recently picked up a Yamaha CR 1020............This experience has definitely made me a Yamaha lifer. It is time to sell off that Pioneer! I've already got a CR 640 to got with my CR 1020, and now I am on the look out for a CR 2020, 3020 or CA 2010! I love Yamaha's clean, detailed, and powerful sound. ..... I love how the old Yamaha's are styled, they look soo good! Most of all, I love the way my 1020 pairs with my M100s!

I hope y'all find a setup that fits your needs like this has mine.
Click to expand...

It's been a month and a half since your first post. What happened to your Yamaha's?

A lot of established members and subscribers made an effort to share their knowledge with good suggestions, not trying to be a jerk but a least reply to your own thread.
 
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