Top vintage receivers vs. modern high-end equipment

FrankSaw,

Ive owned about 100 1970's receivers...still have 30-40 laying around collecting dust. (Mostly Pioneer). The Pioneer 9100 Integrated with a SG9800 EQ is an excellent combo. It will handily beat the SX-1980,1250,1010 TOTL Models.

For regular receivers:  SANYO JCX 2900, ONKYO 8500, SHERWOOD 9910. These will cost 1/2 the Price of Pioneer/Marantz receivers of comparable wattage...and SMOKE them in Detail. The Kenwood KR9600 is another excellent choice but more expensive than the above. (Still better than any Marantz/Pioneer)

As a whole I would say SANSUI is the best if you need to pick 1 brand...but your going to pay for them. A "Eight Deluxe" would be an excellent affordable choice. The "9000" series are awesome but very expensive.

Luxman's are awesome for detail...the best actually...but too laid back for Rock N Roll.

Stay Clear of Yamaha "Natural Sound", Sony, Tandberg

The Pioneer 1980 or Marantz 2600 are nowhere near the BEST SOUNDING Receivers made by either company. Don’t be a knucklehead and think that the number of Watts = Best Sound/Performance. That’s ridiculous. The 80 Series Pioneers are inferior to the 50 Series as cost cutting started at that time. Sure the 80 series LOOKS better but do you want better looks or sound? I have had about 100 different receivers from the 70’s...still have about 40-50 laying around. NONE compare to anything made today so don’t bother going down that road

Here is my list of the best SOUNDING 1970’s receivers that I have owned. SANYO JCX 2900, Onkyo 8500, Kenwood KR-9600, Sansui Eight Deluxe, Sansui G9000 Series, Sherwood 9910, Pioneer SX-1250, Marantz 2325,2330,2285, Luxman 1070,1120. You will probably prefer the 9000 Series Pioneer Integrated to the standard 50 or 80 series receivers. (I have a Mint 9100) They don't look as cool but again its a Looks vs Sound thing. Use with a Pioneer SG-9800 Equalizer.

The Pioneer and Marantz are not in the same league as the Sanyo/Onkyo/Sherwood/Kenwood or Sansui’s listed above. Luxman probably gives the greatest clarity/level of detail BUT not the best for Rock music.