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Your favorite "little" receiver ever?

These two haven't been mentioned. First up is the "baby quad" from Sansui in the X001 series. Sansui QRX-5001 17 watts into 8 ohms and is currently in my garage setup. I really like that it has the 2 chanel direct and ability to turn on the "rear" speakers. Kind of like an A+B switch.

The other unit that I have kept is an Akai UC-U3 -- it is physically small and I believe 15 watts into 8 ohm. A nice little integrated amp that fits on a shelf and was from that early 80s era of "compact systems" lots of weight in that small box too. Sitting on the shelf until I can convert the "guest bedroom" back into an office space. Size comparisons to the NIKKO and the HK.

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I picked up this little Pioneer SA-500 integrated a few years back at a local used record shop. Had a bad hum in one channel, so it became my first full re-cap project. It sounds bigger than it looks, and has three line level inputs, phono and a tape loop.

A different local shop had the matching TX-500 tuner last year, so I brought it home. There's not a ton on FM here, but it's fun to have the matched set.

I use this setup daily for listening in my home office.
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SimplerTimes said:
My favorite “Little Receiver” can’t get any smaller than my Marantz 2010. Great warmth and plays above its 10wpc rating.View attachment 3788566
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Yes, great sounding units !
For me it's the Marantz 2015 "5-knobs" :

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T
 
Marantz 2215B...







Unfortunately, I’m not really a big Marantz fan. The quality of their receivers has never really convinced me. The choice of materials and components—that was usually better handled by the competition. However, I can only speak to this up to the 2270. I’ve owned every Marantz receiver in that series. It always annoyed me that, despite the often mediocre quality, Marantz commanded the highest prices. Sure, clever marketing at launch played a big part in that. I've also always found Marantz receivers too bassy. The Marantz tape decks never really won me over either.
 
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I would have to say :

Pioneer SX-626
NAD 7020

I've restored quite a few of these, and they always sound sweet.

There is a Sansui the model number escapes me at the moment. But it looks like a Sansui tuner, but with the addition of a volume control, speaker switch etc. The only thing that puts me off buying one is the STK output modules it uses. The NAD and Pioneer above, when the outputs blow, they just use "regular" transistors which are still available.
 
Marantz 2220 or the HK 330C, though I'd take B also (just like the C's facia better).
 
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Almost bought a used one of these as my first real receiver. Salesman convinced me that I needed more power. Ended up with a brand new Marantz integrated amp.
 
Currently running a SX-424 in the sauna. It may get replaced with a Sansui 350A if I ever get it off the bench. Have a Marantz 2220B on the shelf waiting for a rebuild. Competition is always good.

I do enjoy the 661 in the shed. So far this is my favorite low powered receiver.
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cq.ab0nf said:
This was my favorite mini-setup. Got it when I was in 5th grade. To pay for it I mowed lawns, raked leaves, you name it... even begged Santa. Got the amp, then the tuner. Found my parents old Garrard record player, I think the stylus was an old finishing nail. Found a pair of junky unmatched car speakers that I built a box for, and I was set. I lived in rural Montana. At night it would bring me KJET out of Seattle. Radio from the big city! I sold it for something bigger... Wish I hadn't.


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I still own this set that I bought back in the mid 80's when they went on sale.
 
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