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

Showing 3 responses by curtdr

the HK430 is one of the receivers that got blown away in direct comparison w the new little Marantz nr1200. it wasn't even close.  I was disappointed because although the HK looks way retro-cool, and it does sound good for a vintage, in honest listening it doesn't hold up to even modest moderns.  

 

depends... I gave up on the "vintages" from the 1970s after I did some serious A/B testing vs. the newer little Marantz nr1200 amp and that little Marantz blew 'em all away (including the vintage Marantz)

that said, I have used an Onkyo Integra receiver from 1986 with excellent results for years... tx88 

also, my totl Pioneer Elite receiver from 1999 sounds rich, deep, gorgeous