Who to trust when buying vintage ss ?

I would not start out in “vintage”. In audio. That’s just a misplaced synonym for “old” and high risk of kaChing of pending repairs , if even possible . ( hint: parts can be scarce ) 

without prejudice to the former, most budget current offering options will generally easily best the “vintage” options in audio performance, The latter is primarily just a playground for nostalgia fans willing to compromise on the warts of old gear, and not a preferred starting point for newbs.

@akg_ca 

OK, can you suggest something selling under $500 SS that will sound as nice as the HK670?

Thats the piece I started with and it really impressed me at the time. I don't know if I would have continued without that HK.

I am not intending to sound snarky, but I understand it can be difficult to interpret texts.

I just dont want him to go to Bestbuy and end up with something that has never sounded good. I want him to experience a taste.

Thanks

TD

Avoid receivers. Something like the Marantz PM6007 or Rega Io.