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
Because they sound like Crap compared to the others I posted. The "Natural Sound" receivers are lifeless and completely FLAT sounding. Their sound is completely unique to any other brand. Some might like it.  Sorry I responded...you obviously know all the answers already.
These receivers are ancient history the PASS int amp will be much better build and sound quality.

I have discovered that by an large only vintage receivers have dedicated Preamp Out. Integrateds do not. I use receivers as preamp only or on occasion as second amp driving just the bass on bi-wired speakers.

I can get modern pre amp but they are ugly and often don't have tone controls.

I am buying vintage for 50% looks and 50% performance. Never underestimate pretty lights and their placebo effect.

 

P.S. Modern gear is so ugly and overpriced it is untouchable imho.

Same goes for speakers. I hate modern narrow baffle design and tinny sound. Exception being ATC & Tannoy.

 

Vintage Sansui AU 7700 has so much flexibility and S.Q. performance buying anything else under 10,000 bucks is a huge risk in all counts...

A berning ZotL will be better at 6,000 bucks , i am pretty sure.... But no flexibility

But i could keep my Sansui anduse it like a power amplifier or like a pre-amplifier which is a great pre-amplifier if we read reviews...

Then... Sansui are the way for me.... I pay it 100 bucks 7 years ago.... Never look back and bought a second one....

No contemporary could build so high quatity now save over 10,000 generally...

I bought two Sansui :)

 

No vintage receiver will beat my 2 Sansui.... the only one i bought was a Kenwood a good one but i sold it....

I dont want to boast so much about these amplifiers, just that my happiness with them never decreased but has increased with time....

The only other amplifier i want is a modern ZOTL but the cost is over my head compared to my Sansui....Without doubt the Berning will be better in S. Q. because it is a new complete tube technology... Any other amplifier under 10,000 will made me afraid at the idea to buy one, no flexibility, and there is not much under 10,000 modern amp that could beat the Sansui...

 

 

Yes, I know it is an older thread. I wanted to share my experience.

I never owned any vintage audio equipment before. 

Someone gave me a Marantz 2325 receiver, it needed to be serviced for it had many issues.  

I took it to Chris Bridge of Bridge Audio, in Georgetown Ontario, who is a trained Marantz tech. He is very thorough with his work, he replaced over 70 parts that needed to be changed, brought all functions to factory specs. The service is not inexpensive. He carries genuine parts, and has many parts in stock. The ones he does not have, he knows sources where he can get original parts or better. And that makes a huge difference as far as repair and associated cost is concern. 

Once I got it back, I could not believe the sound and music that 2325 makes. I wish someone had told me about this way back, so I would not have spent money that I could have used to buy a brand new  Denali or Suburban.  

The sound was big, huge, loud, detailed, highly musical and mild at the same time. In addition it has speed and timing that I always wanted. I felt I was in fourth row from the stage front. Marantz 2325 makes MUSIC.

Nothing I owned previously could make the kind of sound I have now in my listening room. And I had some decent big name audio equipment, do not wish to write names for fear of upsetting the manufacturers and owners, both. 

Please keep in mind that my unit was professionally repaired by someone who knows these units inside out. So if you would like to have yours repaired, I suggest not taking it to any repair facility but to someone who is not only highly trained but has a good reputation as well. 

Happy listening guys and girls. 

And now back to music. 

 

Cheers