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80's integrated or today's?

S

Scoobert

New Member
Hello.
I have been buying stuff to go from my computer to something better then the klipsch pro-medias. Which have be "ok" but now the amp is going out.
I am now to the point I need something to power my speakers (Paradigm Atom V5) which want 15-80 watts at 8 ohm.
At this point I have been looking at 80's integrated amps in the 100 watt range.I have come across many Kenwood and technics in the sub $150.00 dollar range and like them mainly for their smaller size. But at this point would I be better off with a new Yamaha ( https://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RS202/Yamaha-R-S202.html ) which you can pick up brand new for 129.00? Is there any advantages to the older or newer gear I should be looking for or avoid?

System is Computer mobo optical out, Dac to (amp) and then out to a HK 10" powered sub and the Paradigms.
Mainly for gaming and playing youtube/mp3's.

Thanks
 
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Depends on your diy skills, you may need to do some work (clean switches etc...) on the vintage unit.
Rather than getting an entry level new amp, I'd opt to get a mid range vintage amp, maybe sansui AU505/555, Kenwood KA-5700
or 7100, Yamaha CA-800, plenty others from Pionerr and Marantz and...
 
I would suggest you look at the 1 and 2 star reviews on Amazon.com for the R-S202 and make your own decision.
Receivers or integrated amps from the 70s,80s and early 90s are hard to beat for performance !
 
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There are bunch of posters here who will always recommended anything vintage over anything new. When you see their replies please take that into account. I'm not recommending either. My advice is to check out any gear you're considering by actually listening to it.

Also bear in mind, most vintage gear usually needs work to make it perform at the level it should. Such work easily increases the cost by a factor of 4, 5 or more. If you're not technically savvy you should take this into account.

Personally, I'm rather fond of the current Yamaha AS-xxx series. They have some things I consider very important. Those being a variable loudness control and a warranty.
 
Scoobert said:
and like them mainly for their smaller size.
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Now you do. After you purchase it you'll like them for their sound quality.

The last receiver I bought was a $299 closeout Yamaha HTR-5560. It was a disappointment. Low end was weak and there was no sparkle to the highs.

That being said, I'm willing to bet that it's a whole different technology inside that receiver. New it can be returned if you don't like it. So buy that one new, then go to a couple used auditions to see if you think you should return the Yamaha.
 
I'd probably bump it up to at least something like the AS-500 (or it's newer versions). They are much more capable than the RS 202 and can be found for just a little more money on the used market. Being fairly new, you should get many years of use before having to worry about age related issues cropping up.
 
All of these modern 100 wpc receivers sound anemic compared to a 30 wpc H/K amp from the 80's.
I own 3 current 100 wpc stereo receivers by Sony, Yamaha and (Best Buy) Insignia. My 80's H/K gear
at lower wattage ratings stomps all over them.
 
bigmsound said:
All of these modern 100 wpc receivers sound anemic compared to a 30 wpc H/K amp from the 80's.
I own 3 current 100 wpc stereo receivers by Sony, Yamaha and (Best Buy) Insignia. My 80's H/K gear
at lower wattage ratings stomps all over them.
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When you find a pristine PM635 for $129.00 let me know.. Which it kinda the point to the question. Yeh, a $1200 eighties integrated amp can outclass a $129.00 amp today. But will the majority of the amps going for 129.00 on eBay outclass them?
 
Also remember that vintage amps are rated in watts RMS (root mean square) while modern amps are rated any which way, often peak output. Big difference....

Modern is very likely to be Class D as well -- digital. May or may not sound better, and 0.2% THD is pretty rotten, I think my 1980 KA-80 was rated at 0.02% THD 20Hz to 20kHz (and is linear far beyond that range).
 
Scoobert said:
When you find a pristine PM635 for $129.00 let me know.. Which it kinda the point to the question. Yeh, a $1200 eighties integrated amp can outclass a $129.00 amp today. But will the majority of the amps going for 129.00 on eBay outclass them?
Click to expand...

The Kenwood KA7100 used to be in that range but it's reputation have seen prices going up, a very schveet amplifier.
Kenwood-KA-7100-1170x600.jpeg

The KA3500 it's smaller sibling can still be had in this price range and many think it the sweetheart of the line up. And conservatively rated at 35watts per channel will drive most speakers to concert levels.
kenwood-ka-3500-1_med.jpeg

It's similarly powered older cousin the KA4006 has a sweet sound signature that mates well with my Klipsch Heresys in the master bedroom.
20190707_101214.jpg
 
Grenadeslio said:
The Kenwood KA7100 used to be in that range but it's reputation have seen prices going up, a very schveet amplifier.
View attachment 1898017

The KA3500 it's smaller sibling can still be had in this price range and many think it the sweetheart of the line up. And conservatively rated at 35watts per channel will drive most speakers to concert levels.
View attachment 1898018

It's similarly powered older cousin the KA4006 has a sweet sound signature that mates well with my Klipsch Heresys in the master bedroom.
View attachment 1898010
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for the ideas, price ranges and even researching my needs. I really appreciate it.

Looks like the consensus is that I would be better off buying something from the eighties instead of a low end unit from today.

So I asked my friend who owns a pawn shop if he had anything in really good shape. Says the only thing he has that he considers to be in excellent condition would be a 1983 Pioneer sa-1040. So I will take a look at that tomorrow. He only has one older kenwood of one of the ones you listed but he said its really beat up.

Again, thank you
 
HPMguy said:
Also remember that vintage amps are rated in watts RMS (root mean square) while modern amps are rated any which way, often peak output. Big difference....

Modern is very likely to be Class D as well -- digital. May or may not sound better, and 0.2% THD is pretty rotten, I think my 1980 KA-80 was rated at 0.02% THD 20Hz to 20kHz (and is linear far beyond that range).
Click to expand...
Thank you, think I will try and find something in the my price range for used nice stuff instead of something newer and at the lower range.
 
Consider receivers that use MOSFETs. They have more headroom for their rated power. My Kyocera R-461 is rated at 50 WPC RMS but can deliver 125 watt transients on demand.
 
Scoobert said:
Thank you so much for the ideas, price ranges and even researching my needs. I really appreciate it.

Looks like the consensus is that I would be better off buying something from the eighties instead of a low end unit from today.

So I asked my friend who owns a pawn shop if he had anything in really good shape. Says the only thing he has that he considers to be in excellent condition would be a 1983 Pioneer sa-1040. So I will take a look at that tomorrow. He only has one older kenwood of one of the ones you listed but he said its really beat up.

Again, thank you
Click to expand...

Check eBay, largest selection available and with their outstanding buyer protection policy you're completely covered so absolutely no worries.

Just checked and the pickings are kind of slim, but I didn't check other brands. I have searches set so I'm alerted when something I'm interested in is listed, might want to try something like that.
 
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I've gotten a couple really good deals on eBay, but they come and go, you have to keep checking. Lately everything is "refurbished", so someone bought it reasonable, cleaned it up, swapped the caps, and added a lot to the price. That said, if they did a good job you won't have to pay someone to do it, either!
 
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