I have a Kenwood KR-9400 receiver that I purchased new in 1976 and has been the heart of my garage system for more than 20 years---I still have the original receipt, manual, and warranty card. It is 120 watts per channel, has never had a problem, and sounds pretty decent. I am using it with Kef 104/2 speakers, a Sony SCD-C555ES CD changer, and an Escient music server. I get grief from my wife when I crank it up a bit too much---she thinks the neighbors will complain. So it is not as good as my main system but is pretty awesome to listen to while tinkering in the garage or doing yard work!
Modern High end vs. old receiver
So I recently sent in my Aesthetix Janus in for a capacitor upgrade, which leaves me without a pre-amp. In desperation for a little music, I brought in my the Kenwood Kr-3090 that I inherited from my grandmother and have been enjoying in the garage. 25W, made 1978-1981 or so. Damn thing sounds almost as good my Aesthetix Janus and Audio Research VT-100 MkII. Now don't get me wrong, there's a difference, but I can happily sit and listen and fully lose myself in the music.
I am using Acoustic Zen Adagio speakers, which work well with low-powered electronics, as evidenced by Robert Lee's matching them with Triode corporation tubes at the shows. I'm also using my standard front end - Oppo BDP-83 with Brystond BDA-1 and Acoustic Zen Absolute cables. Still.... jeez, it's unreal how much better it sounds than some of the other high-end gear I've had in here.
My learning from this is that the source matters, and you should not look askance at equipment just because it is old or inexpensive.
I am using Acoustic Zen Adagio speakers, which work well with low-powered electronics, as evidenced by Robert Lee's matching them with Triode corporation tubes at the shows. I'm also using my standard front end - Oppo BDP-83 with Brystond BDA-1 and Acoustic Zen Absolute cables. Still.... jeez, it's unreal how much better it sounds than some of the other high-end gear I've had in here.
My learning from this is that the source matters, and you should not look askance at equipment just because it is old or inexpensive.