The build quality, and component quality of Pioneer, Sansui, marantz, Harman Kardon, & McIntosh was outstanding. My kids all are into vintage hi-fi as am I. Pioneer SX-1250 has about the most impressive receiver amp I have ever heard. It is extremely listenable. My Daughters Sansui 9090 is not only beautiful to look at, it sounds wonderful. The Pioneer seems to have a little more balls, but just a little. My youngest uses a Realistic STA-2000 which was built by Foster/Fostex for Radio Shack. The amp in this thing looks like it could safely drive a 2ohm load. The fit and finish is of higher quality than either the Sansui or the Pioneer.
The point being, that these were all bought used, and after years of service by my famiily have never require so much as a light bulb change. And they seem to run 24/7.
I am also very impressed with the Pioneers and the Realistics phono sections. They are dead nuts quiet. Your audio buddy needs to get a life. You may prefer something that to you sounds better, but there is nothing wrong the gear from the 70s. I personally run a Citation 17 preamp and Citation 16a amplifier. In thirty plus years I have never had replace or repair anything, nor have I ever felt that the sound of the equipment has deteriorated. My close audio buddies are always impressed with a listening session at my home.
The point being, that these were all bought used, and after years of service by my famiily have never require so much as a light bulb change. And they seem to run 24/7.
I am also very impressed with the Pioneers and the Realistics phono sections. They are dead nuts quiet. Your audio buddy needs to get a life. You may prefer something that to you sounds better, but there is nothing wrong the gear from the 70s. I personally run a Citation 17 preamp and Citation 16a amplifier. In thirty plus years I have never had replace or repair anything, nor have I ever felt that the sound of the equipment has deteriorated. My close audio buddies are always impressed with a listening session at my home.