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Top vintage receivers vs. modern high-end equipment

I am considering pairing an old amplification system to my JBL Paragon -- the idea of getting an all vintage system is very attractive to me. Among other things, I am looking into classics such as the Pioneer 1980 receiver or the Marantz 2600. Does anyone have direct experience in comparing this kind of equipment (very high-end but 40 years ago) to current high-end equipment, imagine an integrated Pass Lab amplifier? How do they stack up? Thank you. 
ggavetti
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
That's when I started! No receiver then or now compares with the same period integrated. Get an integrated, add a vintage tuner, can't be beat on looks OR performance.

But if you're dead set on a receiver, or integrated/tuner for that matter, what you get will depend more on how it was reconditioned and recapped than how it was new.

My old Pioneer TX-9100 just looks so beautiful I will probably never part with it in spite of it hardly ever being used. But hey- make me an offer! Lol! 
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riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook's avatar
riaa_award_collectors_on_facebook
981 posts
 

The Pioneer 1980 or Marantz 2600 are nowhere near the BEST SOUNDING Receivers made by either company. Don’t be a knucklehead and think that the number of Watts = Best Sound/Performance. That’s ridiculous. The 80 Series Pioneers are inferior to the 50 Series as cost cutting started at that time. Sure the 80 series LOOKS better but do you want better looks or sound? I have had about 100 different receivers from the 70’s...still have about 40-50 laying around. NONE compare to anything made today so don’t bother going down that road

Here is my list of the best SOUNDING 1970’s receivers that I have owned. SANYO JCX 2900, Onkyo 8500, Kenwood KR-9600, Sansui Eight Deluxe, Sansui G9000 Series, Sherwood 9910, Pioneer SX-1250, Marantz 2325,2330,2285, Luxman 1070,1120. You will probably prefer the 9000 Series Pioneer Integrated to the standard 50 or 80 series receivers. (I have a Mint 9100) They don't look as cool but again its a Looks vs Sound thing. Use with a Pioneer SG-9800 Equalizer.

The Pioneer and Marantz are not in the same league as the Sanyo/Onkyo/Sherwood/Kenwood or Sansui’s listed above. Luxman probably gives the greatest clarity/level of detail BUT not the best for Rock music.

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