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Old Classic Receivers: A Mistake to Buy?

I was contemplating purchasing a 70's receiver, as I used to love the construction and appearance of the Sansui, Kenwood, Pioneer, Marantz. However, when I ran this by an audio friend, he said, "Forget it."

He says: They sound terrible. The caps & resistors used before the early 90s' were dreadful. The electrolytics are drying up and will start crackling and substantially degrade the sonics. The switches and controls used were almost never sealed, so they deteriorate and make noise and can't be fixed even by taking them apart and cleaning them.

Tuners: He says that nearly all non-digital tuners used varactors, which go out of alignment and cause problems, so no old tuners, with the exception of the Mac MR-78 and possibly a few others, are worth dealing with.

I am tempted to believe all that he is saying is true, but I see a market for these items, and also know that people claim they are still using these pieces for 25 years.

What's the truth here? Can some of the techies enlighten me?
kevziek

Showing 1 response by marantz2500

marantz2500
1 posts
 
I have had my marantz 2500 since new, 2/78 and it's been used weekly ever since without any problems. Thats now over 25 years of pure enjoyment almost non stop. The look, the feel, the sound, the classic 70's gear just cant be beat!

Even if it died today, $1250 over 25 years I think I got my money's worth. Nothing made today will last that long or look as good doing it!

My sansui 9090 I picked up used in 1980 has been in daily use in my workshop since 1984 and only the lamps have been replaced.

I see no reason to buy new, black plastic mass produced disposable junk when my classic gear is still working fine.

Even if they die and for some reason are not repairable, they will be kept around just for their Classic Look!

Art comes in many forms, most of todays audio gear is not one of them!
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