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Old Classic Receivers: A Mistake to Buy?

I was contemplating purchasing a 70's receiver, as I used to love the construction and appearance of the Sansui, Kenwood, Pioneer, Marantz. However, when I ran this by an audio friend, he said, "Forget it."

He says: They sound terrible. The caps & resistors used before the early 90s' were dreadful. The electrolytics are drying up and will start crackling and substantially degrade the sonics. The switches and controls used were almost never sealed, so they deteriorate and make noise and can't be fixed even by taking them apart and cleaning them.

Tuners: He says that nearly all non-digital tuners used varactors, which go out of alignment and cause problems, so no old tuners, with the exception of the Mac MR-78 and possibly a few others, are worth dealing with.

I am tempted to believe all that he is saying is true, but I see a market for these items, and also know that people claim they are still using these pieces for 25 years.

What's the truth here? Can some of the techies enlighten me?
kevziek
audiobeer
21 posts
 
The people that rebiult mine were Soundsmiths.
They are very good and went through mine completely offering an 18 month warranty.

http://www.sound-smith.com/
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
I wouldnt say a mistake..but there is always a risk going with something used and old...regardless of build quality and how it performed in its heyday...I would say for less headaches, better sound, and a better value...go with a more modern intergrated amp...and add a vintage analog tuner for almost nothing...I used to have an older Pioneer SX series receiver...switched to a NAD intergrated...and the difference has been night and day...larger soundstage, much more detail, and cleaner bass....the Pioneer sounded cool in a vintage, "nostalgic" way...kind of made everything "warm and fuzzy"...which depending on your likes...can be good or bad...
gma952b
65 posts
 
I retailed the gear mentioned in the 1970s and early `80s, and still own and respect much of it today. The praise for many of the units mentioned above is deserved, even though I presently also use current Edge, Presence Audio, Manley, Rowland, Audio Note and others. Many of the designs back then were simpler inside (fewer parts), used more point-to-point OFC wiring (less circuit board paths), used less negative feedback, and often bigger power supplies. Maybe those are some of the reasons, but also, perhaps those designers knew more than we realize. And if the caps and some resistors fail- these units are still cheap to repair by any competent repair shop, as most all the parts are readily available.

Best,
Roy Johnson
Green Mountain Audio
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
I have an Sansui AU6500 integrated sitting in my office. I bought it new in 1974 (along with a Thorens TT, and a pair of Pioneer speakers) to take to college. The amp has been in service in one degree or another nonstop since 1974. The ONLY problem with it in all these years is the orange LED to indicate power-on, burned out sometime in the '80s. All metal chassis, iron in the PS, rugged parts/build, AND pretty good sound to boot. One of my kids will be off to college in Sept. 2003, and the Sansui is going along as the core of a small dorm system.
marantz2500
1 posts
 
I have had my marantz 2500 since new, 2/78 and it's been used weekly ever since without any problems. Thats now over 25 years of pure enjoyment almost non stop. The look, the feel, the sound, the classic 70's gear just cant be beat!

Even if it died today, $1250 over 25 years I think I got my money's worth. Nothing made today will last that long or look as good doing it!

My sansui 9090 I picked up used in 1980 has been in daily use in my workshop since 1984 and only the lamps have been replaced.

I see no reason to buy new, black plastic mass produced disposable junk when my classic gear is still working fine.

Even if they die and for some reason are not repairable, they will be kept around just for their Classic Look!

Art comes in many forms, most of todays audio gear is not one of them!
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