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Vintage Receiver: TANDBERG, MARANTZ, or…?

Hi guys,

My primary system is in storage in NY, and I am building a small system in Lisbon, Portugal, where I am currently basing.

I have started with the purchase of a pair of Von Schweikert VR-1 speakers, and would like to use a '70s vintage receiver as the heart of the system.

Frankly, I am shooting blind, so to speak, as I haven't listened to any of the units that I am considering (having used separates for decades). However, having done a fair bit of research on-line, I am gravitating towards the Tandberg 1040P. The Marantz 2230 also looks like an interesting possibility, as I am seeking something high-quality, warm, and with an excellent tuner.

So…if any members have strong opinions about good '70s receivers, especially if you have listened to them with the VS monitors, please do contribute, and you don't have to limit yourselves to those models.

I should add that in NY I used Virtual Dynamics David speaker cables, and loved them. But that was with a different (and better) system, and I will now look for something less expensive. Any opinions on cables and the type of receiver I am considering would also be appreciated.

Thanks much in advance!

Regards,

Tony C.
whipsaw
whipsaw OP
775 posts
 

Thanks for the input thus far, guys.

@Loomisjohnson

Those are the reasons that I am inclined in that direction. I suspect that the warmth will match well with the VS-1s, and I've always had a soft spot for high-class tuners (once had a brilliant Accuphase).

@Lloydc

Thanks – that's consistent with what I have heard elsewhere. It seems the the Sansuis are a bit under the radar, but worth considering.

@Chrshanl37

I know that there are some huge vintage Luxman fans out there, but it sounds as though they were/are a bit less reliable than some of the others under consideration. I do seem to recall their components being beautiful, though!

@Chrshanl37

Thank you, Daniel. Which Sansui do you have?

@Swampwalker, @Czarivey

Thanks for the suggestion. It is possible that a long-standing bias of mine may get in the way of the Pioneer option. I don't doubt that some of their models are good, but way back (I was in high school when most of these were made), I used to hang around a nice store in Evanston, IL called Audio Consultants, and Pioneer receivers struck me more as mid-range, as opposed to elite. As I say, there's a bias at work, though.

Cheers,

Tony C.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,908 posts
 
McIntosh made some nice receivers from that era. Check out Audio Classics.com. They are a big used Mac dealer. The Tandbergs are real nice but they have not been in business for years. BTW, you are right about Luxman,I have owned their gear and it was nothing but trouble!
chrshanl37
841 posts
 
Really? I can't imagine luxman gear from the seventies is any less reliable than sansui, pioneer or marantz. If we are talking lux gear from the 80's I would tend to agree. I bought my Marantz from a guy who had pretty much restored it. As far as vintage gear goes unless its been completely gone through by a reliable tech it's a ticking time bomb anyway.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,908 posts
 
I kid you not! All was bought new about 1978.M4000 amp failed within two years. C12 preamp phono section failed within three years. Tuner, forgot model number, leds blew after a few years.Back in those days I paid a pretty penny for that gear and it turned out to be crap. I have a forty year old Advent receiver in my den that performs without a glitch. So when people ask me about Luxman, I always say run run run,in the opposite direction!
chrshanl37
841 posts
 
Ouch yogi thanks for the heads up I'll be sure to steer clear of luxman. Tony I do think you could go wrong with the 2230 it has a very mellow sound if you find a good one im sure you will like it. I've heard a lot of sansui gear and have always found it a bit bright imhop.
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