1970's receivers and integrated amps...

Tried a Marantz integrated (forget the model #) to hear what it sounded like and it was warm and and euphonic and rolled off on top. When I hooked it up it bottomed out my drivers which startled me. All that juice still in the caps. It brought back memories and I appreciate the nostalgia but it was mid-fi, at best. At least with that model in the context of my system and my tastes. It would be good in a garage system and that is not a put down as I enjoy the looks and feel of vintage gear. No doubt there are better makes and models but I think one would have to look far and wide and maybe recap some to get a good sounding unit.

Plato versus Bob.

The vintage Pioneer from the early seventies is likely remarkably different from the vintage Pioneer from the late seventies reviewed by Harry Pearson.

I suspect that solid state gear over that decade really evolved and changed quite a bit.

Try the late seventies Sansui 65 Watt AU-517 or the 85 Watt AU-717 integrated amp models. They sound sweet. Luckily the AU-717 remains plentiful due to its huge popularity back in the day. Expect to pay $200 for either model in original, excellent and complete condition. The rack handles on these commonly go for $50 alone! See my system for one take on the vintage trip.

I have had (and still have) many, Yamaha, Pioneer, Sansui Luxman, Marantz, JVC and others. I love the vintage gear but am always ultimately disappointed in it's perfornce. My favorite was a Yamaha CA-810 Integrated updated by Randy Young, and it was easily outclassed by my new Onkyo A-9555.

Drken,

I think if you mate a vintage receiver up with an appropriate load for it, you will get a pleasing sound. These vintage pieces are old so you have to make sure they are operating as intended.

My reason for having a nice system is simply the pleasure it gives me. It's hard to define pleasure but like they say about pornography, you know it when you see it. In our cases, when we hear it. What pleases me might not do it for someone else. In addition to my vintage system, I have a Pass/Maggie system (SS + planar) and a tube/hi-eff (SET + custom monitor) system. They all give me pleasure when I listen to them.

Advice: Pick one you like the looks of, make sure it's operating properly and mate it to a nice 8 ohm speaker of decent efficiency. I favor the lower power ones from the late 60's and early 70's. Most importantly, have fun.