2. amps-preamps
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Did the Old Receivers Sound Good?

Before the high end started, we had all these receivers and integrated amps from Pioneer, Kenwood, Sansui, Sherwood, etc., all with incredible specs.  Then somehow we decided that specs didn't matter and we started moving to the more esoteric stuff from Ampzilla, Krell and whoever, but the specs were not as good.  My question is - Did the old Japanese stuff with the great specs sound better? I don't remember.  I'm asking because many seem to be moving back to the "specs are everything" mindset and I was thinking about all that old stuff with so many zeros to the right of the decimal point. 

chayro
lg1
199 posts
 

FWIW, I’ve felt like the sound quality of my bought-brand-new-in-1978 Pioneer SX-1250 was bettered - significantly -  by every successive move to a newer amp I’ve made since 1986.  In order, and (as always) to my ears, the 1986 Denon 90 wpc integrated was clearly an upgrade, the Sony GS series HT receiver that replaced the Denon in 1997 was a lateral SQ move from its immediate predecessor but also clearly better than the SX-1250, and my PrimaLuna Prologue Classic tube (2018) integrated was a truly enlightening upgrade from everything that preceded it.  All of them were/are used with the same pair of JBLs (L65s) I bought in ‘78 for the SX-1250.

jl35
3,981 posts
 

I love the old receivers, but seem to always be disappointed in their sound, whether refurbished or not...though some here feel they are the ultimate...

secretguy
1,703 posts
 

Try s pair of contemporary  speakers. That's where the REAL difference lies.

lak's avatar
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lak
4,626 posts
 

I still own several Marantz Receivers that have been kept up to par with maintenance: 2215, 2252B, and 2270. Although I like them I agree with carlsbad,  not by today's standards.

phd
1,314 posts
 

If you're driving an old gas-guzzler, your going to like them old receivers. Yes they look cool and have substance but they are not going to measure up to modern electronics. Starting in the early 90's well designed amplifiers took a big leap in sound quality. I bought a Tandberg receiver because I liked the way it looked and it was refurbished. I put it in the den. It sounded decent but it wasn't as good as what it replaced.

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