How many use Vintage Hi-Fi systems?

I still own 2 "vintage" Pioneer SX series receivers,  an SX1050 and an SX950,  along with a Marantz 2252b receiver.

My girlfriend's house is where the SX950 stays upstairs mated to a pair of Usher bookshelf speakers,  and downstairs we have the SX950 paired with Meadowlark Kestrels....GREAT loudspeakers.

I will never let go of these because they represent where I started,  and where all this started 40 something years ago.  Back then Pioneer, Marantz,  Sansui receivers were the "stuff" to get.  I've maintained all of them over the years and yes,  they still sound good.

I have a better turntable now than I did back in those days,  so this is not precisely a vintage setup but...still sounds good!

Samzx12...
I prefer the Pioneers over the Marantz for a number of reasons, first and foremost that to my ears the separation seems better. Also, they're easier to maintain - labor on Marantz adds up quickly according to two separate techs I've had check things out. 

Secondly the Pioneers strike me as more "realistic" in their sonics; my experience with McIntosh solid state and tube amps is similar. I recently purchased the new MAC6700 solid state receiver and grew to dislike its tubelike voicing; I traded it back for the new Mc275 MKVI. If I want tube sound I might as well use a tube amp, right?

These receivers still sound great, no matter who may have thought of them as "mid-fi" then or now. They still LOOK great, too.  Admittedly people dig the Marantz tuner dial more than they do the Pioneers', but that's what I dig about both - they still make people gawk and ask questions. 

A couple of years ago my girlfriend's daughter was getting her pre-ceremony wedding pictures taken in her living room. 
When the photographer and his two assistants saw the Marantz they begged to hear it. After obliging them they even offered to buy it for a pretty handsome sum. Of course we refused the offer. 

I had a Sansui 9090db once. I think it was my 3rd.  I didn't move into separates until much later -after I started reading the damned magazines!

About 2 years ago I picked up a used pair of Ohm Walsh Two loudspeakers from a fellow member here, driving 250 miles to Massachusetts to pick them up.  They were quite the elusive thing in my younger days, so were the Dahlquist DQ-10s. 

Shortly after having the Ohms I discovered that they were still in business, in Brooklyn yet, still making new and offering upgrades/repairs for their older models.  And not just a few older ones - virtually everything they ever made. And they still do. 

John upgraded my Twos for $1200 - I bought them for $400 - and it was worth it. Every penny. My nephew now has them because I moved from that system...like the idiot I am!

In my business we often taste wine in a blind format so as to remove the possibility of tainting our assessments beforehand by knowing which producer's are in the lineup. As often we do not disclose what country or region where the wines are from. 

While adopting the same format for comparing receivers to separates is a bit more labor intensive given the size and weight of the equipment, I can relate that I have done so in the past - which is why this 40+ year old receiver will never leave my house. 

I could tell the sonic differences between my separates and the receiver, but I could not find fault in either - nor could I swapping out current model stuff versus current model stuff. 

Nostalgia plays a very large role in my attachment to the Pioneer; I worked and saved and forsook other earthly delights to attain it way back when, and I just can't let it go unappreciated. It still sounds good and I currently have "better" equipment to weigh my opinion against.  Both th deserve a place in my home. 

Because we listen to our vintage stuff with younger ears!

While I don't exactly squander my current earnings on the good gear that I have,  remembering how we got that first piece of "hifi" gear does prejudice our opinions when comparing old and new.  I waited tables one summer,  all summer long,  extra shifts throughout to get into this stuff.  I think my first speakers were Acoustic Research "bookshelves" - rather large for bookshelves,  each with two 8" woofers with the tweeter centered between them?  The woofers were paper,  blue in color.  I forget the model.

Somewhere down the line I purchased a Yamaha Natural Sound integrated along with a pair of Bozak bookshelves - all I remember about the Bozaks is that they had aluminum woofers.  Anyone out there who might remember those give a shout!

Right now I've boxed up a less than one year old Macintosh Mc275 Mark VI amp for sale,  pulling out my old Pioneer SX during the interim.
If I closed my eyes and listened I would be hard pressed to guess that its 40+ years old.   Should I find a suitable amp to replace the MC275 I am going to look to have the SX receiver's cabinet redone.  Anyone out there know of a place to get that accomplished?  In or around NY?  This receiver will outlive me and I want it to look its best!

Fun discussion!

I've had a Mc 2100 solid state,  a Mc C28 solid state pre-amp,  the newest receiver the MAC6700 solid state,  and now the MC275 Mark 6 tube amp...which is now up for sale here.

McIntosh is probably THE most popular "high end" equipment sold here and elsewhere.  I like their stuff,  but I like other stuff better?  

Norman - "maybe there is more magic in tubes?"

 Esthetically a very big yes.  Very cool to look at the tubes glowing whilst listening to music.  In the same vein I offer that looking at the Sansui,  the Marantz,  or the Pioneers provide the same esthetic enjoyment.  These pieces were built to last,  look cool as hell,  and sound great.