I'd be looking for the older models that had the real wooden cases, they were very nicely made and sound pretty good. When they switched over to cheesy-looking metal cases that had a simulated woodgrain I thought that they took a decided step backward.
I think that the best receivers of that time were the Tandberg 20xx series - 2080, 2060, etc. the last two digits indicate watts/ch. The 2080 had a fabulous tuner and very good-sounding preamp/amp section. And they came with fabulous rosewood or walnut cabinets.
For something a little less expensive, check out the Harman/Kardon series of receivers of that time (78-80 or so). These receivers had very ballsy amp sections and good tuners. These would be the budget alternative to the Tandbergs.
IMHO, both of these (Tandberg and H/K) were better-sounding than the Yamahas of the same period...
Good Luck!
-RW-
I think that the best receivers of that time were the Tandberg 20xx series - 2080, 2060, etc. the last two digits indicate watts/ch. The 2080 had a fabulous tuner and very good-sounding preamp/amp section. And they came with fabulous rosewood or walnut cabinets.
For something a little less expensive, check out the Harman/Kardon series of receivers of that time (78-80 or so). These receivers had very ballsy amp sections and good tuners. These would be the budget alternative to the Tandbergs.
IMHO, both of these (Tandberg and H/K) were better-sounding than the Yamahas of the same period...
Good Luck!
-RW-