Quality "Classic" Receivers - which one?
Mark Balmer
I'm building a pair of Shamrock Audio's SE-1's.
(Two-way Vifa)
These are for my woodworking shop where I do a lot
of hand-tool work and enjoy having music.
Granted, it's not the best of listening environments.
Probably 50/50 on CD/radio usage.
I'm thinking about getting an older, quality receiver.
Marantz (22__ series?), Rotel, and McIntosh come to mind
as having good reputations. Budget is in the $200 to $300 range.
Are there other brands/models I should be looking at?
Is this the right direction, or am I just getting caught
up in the classic/retro craze? More specifically are the
older high-end receivers as good as more recent products
in the same price range?
All things being the same, I'ld probably go for the older
stuff just because I can remember lusting after some of this
top-end gear back when owning it was out of the question.
Thanks,
mark
PS - Sorry if this should be over in .opinion,
but there seems to be mostly flames over there.
hitu...@my-deja.com
If you decide on a Marantz I have a good one that is looking for a new
home.
David Thatcher
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Dan Carlsson
wrote:
>I'm thinking about getting an older, quality receiver.
>Marantz (22__ series?), Rotel, and McIntosh come to mind
>as having good reputations. Budget is in the $200 to $300 range.
I have an Marantz 2226B, and i must say that it still play very well!
Bob Fitzgerald
Mark Balmer <mba...@ichips.intel.com> wrote in message
news:80i6e1$j...@news.or.intel.com...
> I'm thinking about getting an older, quality receiver.
> Marantz (22__ series?), Rotel, and McIntosh come to mind
> as having good reputations. Budget is in the $200 to $300 range.
>
I like older Sansui for solid state duty - 8080DB or 9090DB -
The 8080 is really the same as the 9090 except for very small
differences, most notable the real wood cabinet on the 9090. These were
600-800. in 70's, go for 75-150. today.
Excellent build (over 50lbs)and sound (for SS).
A Fisher 500C tube receiver from the mid 60's is the best bet soundwise
IMHO, but tending to tubes may not be your cup of tea. The Fishers had
the best tube tuners in the receivers by far.
If you want my opinion of the best SS that is reasonable, go with the
Sansui TU9900 tuner and AU9900 amp. Will be perhaps 400-500. total
though. This is gear to totally lust for, if you can find it. Many feel
the TU9900 is one of the best sounding affordable SS tuners ever built.
I love the sound of mine. In general, the integrated amp + tuner is the
way to go over a receiver, if you are speaking of lust appeal.
Bob
Sansuiman
"Bob Fitzgerald" <bf...@capital.net> wrote:
>
> Mark Balmer <mba...@ichips.intel.com> wrote in message
> news:80i6e1$j...@news.or.intel.com...
> > I'm thinking about getting an older, quality receiver.
> > Marantz (22__ series?), Rotel, and McIntosh come to mind
> > as having good reputations. Budget is in the $200 to $300 range.
> >
> > Are there other brands/models I should be looking at?
>
> I like older Sansui for solid state duty - 8080DB or 9090DB -
> The 8080 is really the same as the 9090 except for very small
> differences, most notable the real wood cabinet on the 9090.
<snip>
I'll put in another vote for Sansui here. The 9090DB is excellent,
probably the best Japan made monster receiver of the mid 70's. These can
be found at a reasonable price (>$200) and as Bob Fitzgerald has already
stated in his previous reply, they are built to withstand a nuclear
blast. I own two, and expect to be buried with them.
If you really want a receiver (I personally recommend seperates) the
G9000(DB) is also excellent, is was the replacement for the 9090DB in
1978, possibly the best receiver ever in it's price range from a
Japanese manufacturer. I will admit that I don't like it's looks as much
as the 9090DB, and yes I think appearnce is important since I like to
display my gear, not hide it away in some equipment closet.
The TU-9900 and AU-9900 are simply excellent, nothing more need be said.
However, for a little less bread, consider an TU-717 and AU-717
tuner/amp combo, these came out after the 9900's, and are a hair less
substantial in build quality, but are by no means a slouch. The TU-919
and AU-919 are event better than the 717's [almost as good as the
9900's] but they are very difficult to find, and will cost more -
probably about $400+ for the set.
Marantz and Rotel both made some great gear, and some not so great. The
biggest problem with Marantz is that they are overpriced now due to
being prized more for their collectable value more than their sound &
build quality. Their better models are usually worth every penny, but
for something just to listen to, they are a bit high.
Avoid Pioneer, they made some very nice looking receivers with great
"paper" specs, but most of the SX series run hotter than hell - even at
normal listening levels, and 75% that I see now (I service vintage S/S
gear as a second job) have a blown channel, which usually takes out
everything from the main output stage back to the driver amp at least,
sometimes the power supply too.
Pioneer also used a lot of cheap switches and controls that are failing
(read: falling apart) after 20+ years in use. I dislike most Pioneer
tuner stages also, they don't have the "real world" sensitivity that I
need (most I have measured do not perform within 5% of factory
specifications even _after_ a full alignment - which is only partly due
to age) and I find the tonal quality dissapointing.
At least the Sansui/Marantz/Rotel stuff was made with better control
switches - something we service techs have come to appreciate, as parts
like that are almost non-existent now.
At any rate, I hope this helps you make a decision.
Regards,
KC "Sansuiman" Dierkes