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Good Sounding Vintage SS Receiver or Amps

Although I use tube gear. I bought a Yamaha CR-220 for the hell of it. I owned vintage Pioneer, Marantz & other receivers. This Yamaha CR-220 is as close as I ever heard to a tube amp. It lacks the tube midrange super wide soundstage, but with careful setting of the variable loudness control plus bass & treble controls I was surprised. Turn the loudness control one notch up from full counter-clockwise, Bass two notches back from full clockwise & Treble three notches from full clockwise. The receiver is a fully discrete design lacking op-amps that were terrible back then, If you are short on cash, these under $100 Yamaha CR-220 receivers work well. 15 watts output per channel is not loud, but using 89dB or higher rated speakers works for general listening levels.

What vintage receiver or amp do you like?

fisher_400
11 responses Add your response
normansizemore
601 posts
 
I really enjoy the sound of Sansui.  So sweet.  Also love old marantz, Onkyo, and tube Fisher is likewise addictive.  

Vintage Mac is very good too.  Oh and we must through in old Harman Kardon anything is excellent..

n 
1graber2's avatar
1graber2
303 posts
 
I have heard 2 older McIntosh receivers, hydbid tube/SS design where the headphone out was fantastic, powerful
i can’t remember the models, but they go for about $800-1000 online
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I have an early '80s Heathkit AA-1600 power amp (rated at 120 wpc into 8 ohms, but probably more like 180. Sounds good and is fast and clear into dynamic speakers but a little edgy with my Magnepan 1.7s.

I also have a same-age Perreaux PMF1150B rated at 100wpc into 8 ohms and (presumably) 200 wpc into 4 ohms. I have used it to power my Magnepan 1.7s for about 4 years and it's a great match, especially with all-tube phono and line stages.
kennythekey
593 posts
 
I own an original Heathkit AA-151 amp that I was using in my office when pop and a tiny whisper of smoke from the rear. The sound was sweet, and I already realized that the original caps needed to be replaced. I'd like to take care of the caps, instead of doing one of those heavy mods that change circuitry. Can someone recommend a great place to do this type of service? I'm out in Colorado.
Kenny
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,197 posts
 
Yogi a good one indeed. Only 15 watts but very compact and a great pre-amp and decent tuner as I recall. I need to pick one up some day.. 

I just had my trusty NAD 7020 tuned up.    Another good one.   In my den A/V system as well and I call it into higher duty as a preamp or amp also if my other gear goes on the blink. 
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,661 posts
 
The Advent model 300 receiver. I still use it in my den system!
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
I like the valvet amps. Not much power but very nice with high sensitivity speakers. I was also using tube gear prior to this. 
fisher_400 OP
71 posts
 
I guess even Lloyds was making good money back then.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
My first receiver was Marantz 2270 bought new from Rabson's on 57 St, NYC. This was 1976 and the price was $280 + tax! ... Ah, the good old days when gear was affordable on an office clerk's wage!
Adjusted for inflation, $280 in 1976 was equivalent to $1206 today. Adjusted for inflation, we spent a lot more for mid-fi gear in the '70s. My first stereo was an Altec-Lansing 911A compact system, with the control unit being an Altec receiver with Garrard SL95B turntable set into the top, and separate Altec 889 2-way bookshelf speakers included. I snatched it up on sale for $419, which would figure to $2457 today

roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
My first receiver was Marantz 2270 bought new from Rabson's on 57 St, NYC. This was 1976 and the price was $280 + tax! Excellent sound, kept it for a year and sold it when I bought separates - AGI 511 preamp and GAS Son of Ampzilla! Ah, the good old days when gear was affordable on an office clerk's wage!
helomech
1,673 posts
 
Yamaha for the reason you noted. Their new amps have a similar sound.
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