Sansui 5000X (circa 1969-70) and Marantz 2270 (circa 1970) are two of my vintage favorites. Don't get the Sansui 5000 or 5000a just the 5000X. These models had a lot of problems and recalls. Most of the early Marantz are good but not the B series. Kenwood always made a good receiver and Harman Kardon with dual power supplies did also but often overlooked. Pioneer is OK but middle of the road and many models have a problem with the protective relay circuit causing the set set to click on and off and a lot of tech time to repair. Some powerhouse companies made great tube amps and early receivers but couldn't make it into the solid state age with any good units (Fisher, H.H. Scott, Sherwood, Pilot). For a tube receiver I would pick the Fisher 500C.
Top vintage receivers vs. modern high-end equipment
I am considering pairing an old amplification system to my JBL Paragon -- the idea of getting an all vintage system is very attractive to me. Among other things, I am looking into classics such as the Pioneer 1980 receiver or the Marantz 2600. Does anyone have direct experience in comparing this kind of equipment (very high-end but 40 years ago) to current high-end equipment, imagine an integrated Pass Lab amplifier? How do they stack up? Thank you.
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Add me to the list questioning your decision to purchase a receiver. Many stations stream their broadcasts and IMO a decent streamer from Bluesound or used Auralic Aries (I own an Aries mini) will provide better than or equal to SQ of a tuner. Grace digital also has a selection of what I consider entry level tuners but still mostly equal in SQ to a receiver. As for age, I have an LFD Mk3 which has to be 20 years old and I am extremely happy with the sound. I am sure there are newer integrateds that sound marginally better, but I cant justify the price. |
Look into Nakamichi. I have a Receiver 2 which is amazing. The Receiver 1 at 80 watts would be even better. Both have great MM phono stages; but they are early '90s, not '80s. The TA series from the 1980s designed by Nelson Pass was legendary http://www.audioreview.com/product/amplification/receivers/nakamichi/ta-4a.html The TA4A even has a MC input! |
Your answer really depends on what you want to accomplish. First- AVOID a vintage receiver ! Even a fully restored Fisher 500c or Mac 1500 will not be good enough for your speakers ! Do you want vintage tube ? Heath W5m, Eico HF 50 or HF 60 monoblocks. Fisher 50a or 90 monoblocks. Of course anything from a Mac MC30 to MC75, and MC240, MC275 would work. Harman Kardon Citation II aka "The Duece" would be ideal ! For a preamp- some swear by Marantz 7c, or Mac C20/22. Some love the Citation I, or Fisher 400cx. Do you want vintage SS ? Mac SS equipment is well regarded, dead solid reliable and tends to sound good- after a careful restoration. A sleeper is the Mac MC250 / their first SS amp and it sounds like a mix between a tube amp and solid state. A Marantz Model 15 is another under rated amp- it is actually a pr of mono blocks on a common chassis- ONLY parts shared are the faceplate and power cord. For a preamp you have a lot of choices. If Mac I would not consider a C24 or C26; it is only with the c28 that Mac produced a good smooth and excellent sounding preamp. Again, caveats of restoration apply. Some say a fully restored Marantz 7T also can sound very good. Newer equipment can sound good with your speakers. Most Audio Research tube amps and their classic tube preamps would be ideal matches. Vintage Luxman. Vintage Accuphase. Both good choices. If it were me- I would go all tube ! Lot of choices- but stay away from receivers ! |
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