Best Looking Receiver of all Time

[John L]

There are so many beautiful ones out there from the 70s that it is hard to pick the most beautiful one of the bunch.

However, by my thinking, the most beautiful line of receivers are the Marantz units. My 2250 is not the biggest or badest, but it is beautiful, just like the larger ones.

BUT, when it comes to sheer class, rarity, simplicity, elegant understatement, and just plain simple beauty, I will go with the Dokorder 800X. I have a reason for this, as I once owned one in the early 70s, and bemoan the day I sold it to a friend.

there is no marketing prostitution, as with the Pioneers, later Sansuis, or other brands. Beauty is simplicity, without all the knobs, buttons, ear rings, mascara, silk stockings, or push-up electronic bras. Beauty is understatement, and I look at the Dokorder as sheer elegance via understatement and CLASS.

I'll take the 800X over the Sansui 9090DB, or all the rest of the Husseys anyday.

 

[panoshow]

Face of a 28 year Old

The ole girl on her perch! Technics SA-1000

One the 70's pretty faces! :thmbsp:

 

[elgato8905]

My Quadraflex 650 FET R looks pretty sweet and sounds great too.:yes:

 

[caddisgeek]

IMO you cant go past the Rotel RX-x02 series

 

[jim600xc]

Sherwood 1967

40 years and still sounds great.

 

[barrynsue]

Here is the Pioneer 5580 (Euro version of the 1050):yes:http://audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31752&d=1164486335

I think so too! I do need to pull it out of storage and give her a listen.

Also love both Pioneer Silver and Marantz as they just look great.

Barry

 

[Grainger49]

WOW! 8 pages. I didn't read but has anyone mentioned the Marantz 19?

 

[Sage]

My vote for best looking receiver, Pioneer SX-5590.

 

[John L]

You know what? There are so many beautiful vintage receivers out there, but the marantz lineup were still the best looking ones taken "en toto".

I'll still go with my favorite one though: the Dokorder 800X. Can't help but be stuck on 60s and early 70s gear, BEFORE everybody went into trying to have the biggest "Johnson" in town.

 

[Whitehall]

This is why so many of us are "collectors" - we have so many good choices at reasonable prices that w don't have to chose.

I'm limited by places to display and store a receiver collection - I've only four now.

 

[shacky]

My vote for best looking receiver, Pioneer SX-5590.

Never seen that before. Euro version?

 

[twist72]

I'd post a pic of my Yamaha 1020 but Marks great looking 3020 would make it a waste of time.

 

[pmsummer]

The understated design of the H/K 730 has held up well.

 

[shacky]

Were these H/K's made in US?

The understated design of the H/K 730 has held up well.

 

[JHS2RT]

For tube receivers -I'll cast my vote for the Sansui 1000A. I love the row of rocker switchs across the front. And it has a very clean layout .
But not to mention the fantastic sound.
For solid state -- the massive Pioneer SX 1980. James

 

[bordeno]

I'd post a pic of my Yamaha 1020 but Marks great looking 3020 would make it a waste of time.

Not. The 3020 is just a tad obscene. The 1020 blends the fleeting elements of elegance and restraint.

 

[pmsummer]

Were these H/K's made in US?

Designed in the USA, manufactured in Nippon.

 

[B3Nut]

Never seen that before. Euro version?

Yup. Quite a few followed military servicepeople home. Handsome units...

Todd in Cheesecurdistan

 

[legalalien]

I agree with bordeno as much as I love my Marantz 2275 the Yammy 1020 has got to be the single most elegant and classy looking component ever made, and to think I owned one some 30 years ago, sheesh.

 

[bordeno]

I agree with bordeno as much as I love my Marantz 2275 the Yammy 1020 has got to be the single most elegant and classy looking component ever made, and to think I owned one some 30 years ago, sheesh.

The Marantzes are beautiful, too. Something about that blue glow in the dark...