Old Classic Receivers: A Mistake to Buy?

The Yamaha CR220 Natural Sound receiver from 1979 has been my stereo system's main power source since 1980 when it was purchased new with a pair of Bang and Olufsen Beovox S35 loudspeakers. Early in 2000 on a whim, I purchased a new NAD C520 CD player for $269.00 after reading a UK stereo magazine praising its very musical sound, and plugged that plain grey fronted box into the Yamaha CR220's auxillary inputs. I was astonished by the clarity of CD based music through an ancient analog receiver that I'd just played LP records and cassettes on (CD's were introduced in 1982). Soon afterwards, I replaced the Monster Cable 100 interconnect and the Monster XPHP speaker wire with an Audioquest Viper RCA interconnect and Audioquest CV-4/Type 4+ speaker cables. Although only 18 watts per channel at 4 ohms, the CR220 even at 22 years old, with nearly every day playing, is one of the most clear and powerful sounding receivers I have ever heard. I recently auditioned my CR220 along with an NAD C340 amplifier and the CR220 was the clear sound winner when driving my Beovox speakers or even a pair of new Dynaudio Audience 40 monitors. Again, everyone's ears are different but mine appreciate the still great sound from this classic receiver, the vintage Yamaha CR220. I can even recall passing on a Bang and Olufsen Beomaster 1900 receiver at 30 watts/channel as the Yamaha CR220 just plain sounded fuller, louder, and yes, better. I've tried several times to "upgrade" the past year or so by getting other newer receivers or amplifiers. However, I've always gone back to my CR220 time and time again because it is so "musical" even for such an old piece of equipment. I liken a stereo receiver's unique sound quality to that of your favorite sounding guitar. I may like the sound of a Fender Telecaster teamed with a Fender Harvard Reverb, while you may prefer a Rickenbacker 330 with a Vox AC30. They may both sound equally great, but your ears may just prefer one sound over the other (or neither). Finally, in appreciating also the tasteful design of my Yamaha CR220, its silver faceplates are actually very nice to look at, while the newer black-faced, mostly plastic stereo components (Sony) are just butt-ugly and full of annoying lights and useless functions and rely upon a remote control to be of any use at all. I'm glad that I made the"mistake" of purchasing my receiver when I did, saving me from the agony of choosing new components for two decades while I enjoyed playing my music--instead of shelling out big dollars for "better" equipment. Costing about $12.00 a year over 22 years, the Yamaha CR220 at $240.00 new, was certainly no mistake to buy (or to keep).

Late 70s early 80s integrateds, recievers and analog tuners from Luxman, Sansui and Yamaha rule. They have real iron in their power supplies, discrete componentry throughout and are quite musical.

Found a Luxman 1120A reciever @ 120wpc in beautiful condition, internally soldered the pre-out/main-in and hardwired an LAT powercord. This piece will take on many higher end separates. I also run VTL, ONIX and Luxman electronics to compare. Good luck. And oh, the tuner section.

Kevziek ...
When you look at the responses to your post, the classic audio fans have been/are drawn to the classic stuff partly for the reason that you were ... (from your original post)... I was contemplating purchasing a 70's receiver, as I used to love the construction and appearance of the Sansui, Kenwood, Pioneer, Marantz. I don't think too many of us have been overly bothered by ..."what about the aging, drying capacitor issue?" I doubt that many of these items were designed to "last forever" (your 2nd post), but then again ... how many components really are ... even/especially today? There is a beauty to the older stuff that today's stuff doesn't come close to matching. Usually, there is also one aspect to the classic performance that will mean something to you (like FM performance). Is this stuff too expensive ... probably ...but if you look at the ebay auctions, it balances out. It is a hobby and if you are inclined to modify classic stuff, you are probably inclined to modify the new stuff, as well.

I just acquired a 1970's Yamaha CR600 receiver in mint condition inc shipping for 100 bux. It works perfectly; all controls..no snap, crackle, or pop. The tuner works wonderful. These old yamaha (the crx00 series and not the subsequent cr x20 and x40; the cheapening started after the 00 series in my opinion) receivers were, and are, excellent if they are in good condition.

I picked up a pair of Boston Acoustics CR8 speakers in perfect condition for 75 today. I think that Yamaha receiver and the Bostons are going to make a good xmas present for my 17 y/o son. Course, he'll probably destroy the speakers with his hip hop garbage but that is another story. I suppose if I included a Technics sl200 DJ model he'd think I was way cool.

The old Yamaha T2 tuner was great; still is. So was their C2a preamp

Carl

Let’s face it, age effects all of us, that goes for our electronics too. On the other hand, I have a vintage Luxman receiver R-1050 that I purchased new when I was in high school and it still sounds pretty damn good. Was it as good as my rouge/bat combo? NO—but when I was looking to buy an intergrated amp at the $1000 price point, the Luxman kicked but and it has a tuner and phono section to boot.

I think you can still get quality sound out of these pieces