2. amps-preamps
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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 2 responses by sit

sit
315 posts
 
I generally disagree with your friend. I've had the new (a Krell, Conrad Johnson) but I've kept the classics. I'm a fan of vintage Yamaha. Have had a CR1020 integrated since purchased new in 1979 and an MX1000U amp/CX1000U preamp with the family equalizer since the 80's.

Everything works terrifically. The CR1020 drives a pair of JBL L65s and the amp/preamp 1000s drive 4, McIntosh XR7s and 2, XR5s in a wonderfully pleasing manner across all music genre. [Admittedly the JBLs are better with rock and heavier jazz recordings.]

I have found that gaining similar performance would truly require a seriously greater investment. When serious musicians and audiophile friends hear my main system they are taken aback. It's about the music and the music sounds absolutely fantastic, especially for the investment.

Buying vintage wisely is really not that different than purchasing new equipment. One key exception: the investment risk is greater with new equipment.

Resell a piece of new equipment and in most cases the discount one had to offer from that paid is quite notable.
sit
315 posts
 
Yamaha. I have the MX1000U, CX1000U, CR1020, others. I've had Yamaha MX10000U, CX10000U, CR2020.

I've been very satisfied with the quality. Really a good deal on today's market if you find any of these in decent condition. These preowned components seem to outperform new equipment costing 2 to 3 times more. Recap them and change out the power cord and they really come to life.

Yamaha was ahead of its time with these. Go online and read the specs and you'll see I'm not blowing smoke. Built with mostly premium parts, power cords excluded but befitting the times.
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