Remember this too,at some point you will have to give the Unit some TLC.
So, pick one that at tech wont mind working on.
Some of the older European stuff -could- be problematic
with part, and some are a tech unfriendly.
I asked my friend at Northwest Audio repair,John who's the owner and repairman,"What do you think about Revox gear" and he went on about how hard they are to work on.
There are many great older units and I wasnt trying to name them all,but the ones that made a positive impression on me. I have heard GREAT thigs about the old Sonys as Johnnantais had stated, I want to pick one up too, I think there hard to find though.
I think older quality gear is just plain more musical, The old bipolar transistors just sound great. More body to the music,more flesh on the bones.