Vintage Receiver: TANDBERG, MARANTZ, or…?


Hi guys,

My primary system is in storage in NY, and I am building a small system in Lisbon, Portugal, where I am currently basing.

I have started with the purchase of a pair of Von Schweikert VR-1 speakers, and would like to use a '70s vintage receiver as the heart of the system.

Frankly, I am shooting blind, so to speak, as I haven't listened to any of the units that I am considering (having used separates for decades). However, having done a fair bit of research on-line, I am gravitating towards the Tandberg 1040P. The Marantz 2230 also looks like an interesting possibility, as I am seeking something high-quality, warm, and with an excellent tuner.

So…if any members have strong opinions about good '70s receivers, especially if you have listened to them with the VS monitors, please do contribute, and you don't have to limit yourselves to those models.

I should add that in NY I used Virtual Dynamics David speaker cables, and loved them. But that was with a different (and better) system, and I will now look for something less expensive. Any opinions on cables and the type of receiver I am considering would also be appreciated.

Thanks much in advance!

Regards,

Tony C.
whipsaw

Showing 4 responses by chrshanl37

How about a luxman? Never owned one but I have a few friends that are really into vintage gear and they love the old luxman gear. I have owned a marantz 2285b however and now kick myself for selling it.
Really? I can't imagine luxman gear from the seventies is any less reliable than sansui, pioneer or marantz. If we are talking lux gear from the 80's I would tend to agree. I bought my Marantz from a guy who had pretty much restored it. As far as vintage gear goes unless its been completely gone through by a reliable tech it's a ticking time bomb anyway.
Ouch yogi thanks for the heads up I'll be sure to steer clear of luxman. Tony I do think you could go wrong with the 2230 it has a very mellow sound if you find a good one im sure you will like it. I've heard a lot of sansui gear and have always found it a bit bright imhop.
yes it was both impressive and sadly rather typical of him. I forgot about the sansui au999 that might be my choice as its much more laid back than other sansui offerings and i've heard many. What are you leaning towards?