best looking vintage receivers?
- Thread starter albireo13
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stereofanboy
Addicted Member
I have to disagree on the Marantz. Without looking any further than the adjacent shelves on the same rack, I prefer the look of Yamaha's CR-820 and Realistic's STA-960.
Of course, you said best looking. My vote goes to any of the black faced, silver knobbed Sansuis. I don't have any, but I saw a picture of the black version of the 8080DB recently. It looks much better than my silver faced one.
It's funny, because I don't especially like the look of black gear after about 1985. I guess it's the combination of analog and black. Throw in silver knobs and look out!
Of course, you said best looking. My vote goes to any of the black faced, silver knobbed Sansuis. I don't have any, but I saw a picture of the black version of the 8080DB recently. It looks much better than my silver faced one.
It's funny, because I don't especially like the look of black gear after about 1985. I guess it's the combination of analog and black. Throw in silver knobs and look out!
Arkay
Lunatic Member
I probably like the looks of the Harmon Kardon Citation -The Receiver the best of the ones in my stable. Very elegant, sophisticated, "classy", with beautiful wood inlay in the top and detailed incised-patterned material on the sides. Both classic and modern at the same time; timeless, in a way.
Almost as nice is the Marantz 2275 in a BLACK wooden case.
Honorable mentions go to the Pioneer SX-1250 and SX-828, Marantz 2285B, Luxman R-1040, and Sansui 9090. The big Sansui G-series amps are also beautiful, but sometimes a wee bit too much like "bling" for my tastes.
Almost as nice is the Marantz 2275 in a BLACK wooden case.
Honorable mentions go to the Pioneer SX-1250 and SX-828, Marantz 2285B, Luxman R-1040, and Sansui 9090. The big Sansui G-series amps are also beautiful, but sometimes a wee bit too much like "bling" for my tastes.
A second vote for the HK Citation receiver. Tied with the Scott model 399 tube receiver, one of which can be seen here:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=3242976
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=3242976
I, too, like the Marantz 22xx black face series (and silver face as well). I also think the Fisher 500C, 400 and very pretty pieces - love the logo and tuning eye. Some of the Kenwoods, I think the x400 series, look nice with the blue tuning dials.
71Challenger
Super Member
??? Where is that? Another thread maybe?
packbasket
Member
Harman Kardon 730 gets my vote for best looking vintage receiver.
Honorable Mention to the Pioneer SX 1010 with the cool blue tuning dial.
Honorable Mention to the Pioneer SX 1010 with the cool blue tuning dial.
restorer-john
Addicted Member
I am going to be different and suggest the B&O Beomaster 4000.
Unconventional and beautiful, extremely solid and built like a tank. Sounds good too. I don't love B&O but I admire the aesthetics- they never tried to look like a slowly evolving piece of test gear gradually morphing into a domestic appliance- they went straight for form and function first- something the Japanese took 40 years to do.
Unconventional and beautiful, extremely solid and built like a tank. Sounds good too. I don't love B&O but I admire the aesthetics- they never tried to look like a slowly evolving piece of test gear gradually morphing into a domestic appliance- they went straight for form and function first- something the Japanese took 40 years to do.
