All the hoopla about 1970's-1980's receivers as having terrific sound and build quality is mostly hype. First of all, the dramatic rise in prices for these units is being driven by Ebay. Why not overpraise an old, essentially useless, piece of equipment to raise prices? Once everyone starts doing this an impression is formed that these boat anchors must sound great. A few years ago a Sansui 9090 receiver was worth maybe $60. Now, people are falling over each other to bid hundreds of dollars.
There is excellent vintage audio gear of the 1970's and 80's but it ain't mass market solid state receivers. The only use I see for these things is their phono stage if you're looking for analog on the cheap.
You want a great vintage receiver? Go find a tube Fisher receiver like the Fisher 400. Drop a couple hundred bucks in restoration and mods from an expert like the Fisher Doctor and others. I guarantee you it will blow the pants off any mass market solid state unit from that era. And it will challenge almost anything from any era in sheer musicality! And it will last another 30 years!
Don't waste your money. Sansui, Pioneer, Sony, Marantz? No way!
There is excellent vintage audio gear of the 1970's and 80's but it ain't mass market solid state receivers. The only use I see for these things is their phono stage if you're looking for analog on the cheap.
You want a great vintage receiver? Go find a tube Fisher receiver like the Fisher 400. Drop a couple hundred bucks in restoration and mods from an expert like the Fisher Doctor and others. I guarantee you it will blow the pants off any mass market solid state unit from that era. And it will challenge almost anything from any era in sheer musicality! And it will last another 30 years!
Don't waste your money. Sansui, Pioneer, Sony, Marantz? No way!