2. amps-preamps
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I want to pick up a vintage SS integrated

Hi, as a stop gap solution, as well as for enjoyment, I wanna pick up a 70's vintage integrated amp.  I have been looking at the Kenwood KA 5700 as well as the KA 405.  Aside from the specs, which one was the higher end model, do you guys know?

My budget is around $500, and I like VU meters.  Around this range, what else could I be looking at?
nitewulf
loomisjohnson
1,957 posts
 
+1 on the kenwood ka-x100 series; yamaha ca-series also had cool vu meters
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
For 70's era, you can't beat a Marantz receiver, though you might want to recap it via a kit. Also, consider NAD as another option; they make excellent sounding integrateds, especially the BEE series.
nitewulf OP
425 posts
 
Yeah I am definitely interested in the Marantz receivers. But they seem to be desirable, therefore expensive.
nitewulf OP
425 posts
 
So basically I am going to look for Kenwood and Marantz receivers/integrateds that have been refurbished/updated.
minorl
1,016 posts
 

I don't know about that.

I have vintage Marantz, Pioneer and Sansui receivers and I can tell you that I have restored them all and the Sansui QRX5500 sounds better than the others.  I love the wood grain enclosures.  Just like older Pioneer Elite electronics that were built like tanks.

The Marantz 2252B sounds really nice, but I was told that earlier Marantz models are better and that the B was a slight downgrade.  I like it anyway, but for sound, the Sansui is simply better sounding.

If it works and you can get it fairly inexpensively, go for it.

enjoy

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