The Yamaha CR220 Natural Sound receiver from 1979 has been my stereo system's main power source since 1980 when it was purchased new with a pair of Bang and Olufsen Beovox S35 loudspeakers. Early in 2000 on a whim, I purchased a new NAD C520 CD player for $269.00 after reading a UK stereo magazine praising its very musical sound, and plugged that plain grey fronted box into the Yamaha CR220's auxillary inputs. I was astonished by the clarity of CD based music through an ancient analog receiver that I'd just played LP records and cassettes on (CD's were introduced in 1982). Soon afterwards, I replaced the Monster Cable 100 interconnect and the Monster XPHP speaker wire with an Audioquest Viper RCA interconnect and Audioquest CV-4/Type 4+ speaker cables. Although only 18 watts per channel at 4 ohms, the CR220 even at 22 years old, with nearly every day playing, is one of the most clear and powerful sounding receivers I have ever heard. I recently auditioned my CR220 along with an NAD C340 amplifier and the CR220 was the clear sound winner when driving my Beovox speakers or even a pair of new Dynaudio Audience 40 monitors. Again, everyone's ears are different but mine appreciate the still great sound from this classic receiver, the vintage Yamaha CR220. I can even recall passing on a Bang and Olufsen Beomaster 1900 receiver at 30 watts/channel as the Yamaha CR220 just plain sounded fuller, louder, and yes, better. I've tried several times to "upgrade" the past year or so by getting other newer receivers or amplifiers. However, I've always gone back to my CR220 time and time again because it is so "musical" even for such an old piece of equipment. I liken a stereo receiver's unique sound quality to that of your favorite sounding guitar. I may like the sound of a Fender Telecaster teamed with a Fender Harvard Reverb, while you may prefer a Rickenbacker 330 with a Vox AC30. They may both sound equally great, but your ears may just prefer one sound over the other (or neither). Finally, in appreciating also the tasteful design of my Yamaha CR220, its silver faceplates are actually very nice to look at, while the newer black-faced, mostly plastic stereo components (Sony) are just butt-ugly and full of annoying lights and useless functions and rely upon a remote control to be of any use at all. I'm glad that I made the"mistake" of purchasing my receiver when I did, saving me from the agony of choosing new components for two decades while I enjoyed playing my music--instead of shelling out big dollars for "better" equipment. Costing about $12.00 a year over 22 years, the Yamaha CR220 at $240.00 new, was certainly no mistake to buy (or to keep).
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?
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?