Top vintage receivers vs. modern high-end equipment

OP has a freaking Paragon! If it’s mint it’s at least $25k. Vintage Marantz, Mac, Citation would be appropriate. Not some old receiver. The Paragon was expensive when it was new, it’s was always paired with the good stuff. 

Not sure why the OP would want a receiver rather than an integrated amp and tuner, but my 2 cents are that vintage Accuphase, when recapped, are truly excellent.

I use an E-303x to power my system (Accuphase T-103 tuner, Harbeth speakers, and a ~20yo Electrocompaniet CD player), and it sounds superb. That particular model is not easy to find, and is not cheap*, either, but it would, I expect, blow away almost any receiver of the period.

*well, it is extremely cheap relative to the numbers quoted in the above posts!

Well, I asked about receivers because I did not want to leave any stone unturned: I am not familiar with vintage receivers, and I thought that perhaps there might be a hidden gem in there. It looks like most people would go separates or perhaps integrated amp. I am leaning toward the Marantz or McIntosh separates. It's interesting that some folks rave about Marantz Model 7, which others think it's really nothing special. I am still tempted to go modern (thinking about Pass Labs Int-60 or a class A Accuphase integrated amp, like E-550 or in the tube camp one of deParavicini high-powered ones, like the 899 or similar)...but the idea of having a full vintage system is probably more right. 

New Accuphase Class A INT coming out in 2 months E-800...50 Watts into 8 Ohm

Sansui 5000X (circa 1969-70) and Marantz 2270 (circa 1970) are two of my vintage favorites.  Don't get the Sansui 5000 or 5000a just the 5000X.  These models had a lot of problems and recalls.  Most of the early Marantz are good but not the B series.  Kenwood always made a good receiver and Harman Kardon with dual power supplies did also but often overlooked.  Pioneer is OK but middle of the road and many models have a problem with the protective relay circuit causing the set set to click on and off and a lot of tech time to repair.  Some powerhouse companies made great tube amps and early receivers but couldn't make it into the solid state age with any good units (Fisher, H.H. Scott, Sherwood, Pilot).  For a tube receiver I would pick the Fisher 500C.