Best Looking Receiver of all Time

[John L]

As far as recivers go by far the best looking is the Outlaw RR21150.
www.outlawaudio.com

I have to admit. The outlaw is very nice indeed. The Retro look is good, and it will probably grow more on me. But also the lack of all that absolutely worthless array of movable nipples, knobs, and other less than necessary paraphernalia, keep it from looking like all the other huge "Hussies" out there.

There is no doubt that "Less is More". That's my motto.:thmbsp:

 

[goraman]

I have to admit. The outlaw is very nice indeed. The Retro look is good, and it will probably grow more on me. But also the lack of all that absolutely worthless array of movable nipples, knobs, and other less than necessary paraphernalia, keep it from looking like all the other huge "Hussies" out there.

There is no doubt that "Less is More". That's my motto.:thmbsp:

you need to see and hear one in the flesh. What looks like nipples in a un flattering picture is very detailed switches made to the Art Decco era 1930 or so... The construction is very heavy and it is punchy as hell for a reciver.

 

[CDMDB]

That was the Spectrosonic Design 220. I had one for a long time as a teenager, and took it to college. There was a lot of open space inside the cabinet, which I used by putting in much larger power supply capacitors. That was my first ever tweak, and it was so much better for bass, I was hooked. My second tweak was removing the lettering on the hinged panel, and Letrasetting on "Supersonic Megabake 5000". That helped the sound too.
My dad still has two of them, I've been meaning to get over to take some photos.

Man, I'd love to see those photos. I do recall the receiver being quite unusual and handsome for its era. And I recall the reported tuner specs as being strong, and the amp specs as being strong in terms of distortion (though it was not a powerful amp I don't think). I have no idea if the actual performance lived up to the specs though -- but it did sound nice.

Sorry for the picture quality,(and one year delay,) this is still in use in a closet mounted system. When the power is off, it's a blank black screen. The controls are covered by a hinged aluminum cover. The camera flash has obscured the nice blue tuner glow.

 

[iloveitloud]

I'm gonna go with a KENWOOD ELEVEN III, just because I like the blue and yellowish lights. The wood case and faceplate clash nicely as well.

 

[Robisme]

Since it was dug up, I'll play.

May not be the best build or have the prettiest insides, but I love a pretty face.

Rob

 

[catch 22]

Some real beauties there......but I still like all the black Sansui's,my 890.

 

[Botched]

I think most can agree that this is one of the best looking receivers of all time.

This is a stunner. What about the semi-mythical black Marantz 2385?

 

[Snade]

Simple is beautiful.

Sherwood S-7100 from the early 70's.

Packing about 15 watts per channel, look out !!

Cheers, Snade

 

[Tower Boss]

There are some great looking receivers that have been nominated and surly a tough decision. Since a few of mine have been selected already, and the last few posts have shown the rare black face versions, I will nominate the King of the 70’s Power War, one of our own, Badger’s Technics SA-1000. :drool:

 

[John L]

I once thought that the black facing on receivers were the best looking.

But no longer. The original look of older receivers are far more pleasing to the eye. And I am far from alone here. sorry.

 

[Tower Boss]

I once thought that the black facing on receivers were the best looking.

But no longer. The original look of older receivers are far more pleasing to the eye. And I am far from alone here. sorry.

Hey John,

I hear ya, as I am in the same camp with the silver, especially vintage 70’s, but the black face gear does have the mystic and surly should be represented. I have a few receivers in silver; G-22000 / G-33000 / SX-1980 / SR-2004 / SR-604 / R-651 / R-661 and in black; G-871DB / SR2001 / RX-2001 / 730 / 530 / SR-4A.

Regards,
TB

 

[vinyldavid]

I really like the Sansui 2000x:

Yamaha CR-3020:

McIntosh MAC-1900:

 

[TejasRichard]

I'll throw my vote towards the pioneer sx-990. The black-faced versions of the yammy CR series are also sexy as hell. Someone told me those were the canadian versions?

(couldn't find any good pics of the pio, mine is having faceplate issues)

 

[Botched]

I once thought that the black facing on receivers were the best looking.

But no longer. The original look of older receivers are far more pleasing to the eye. And I am far from alone here. sorry.

de gustibus non est disputatum....but if someone were to offer to trade me a black for my silver 2385....I wouldn't spit on them :thmbsp:

 

[Mattwizz3]

I must be a less is more kind of person too. I love Yamaha but I cant say that I think their monster receivers are good looking. You look at them and go WOW because of their size and the billions of buttons etc.

I too love the AKAI Receivers with the tuning knob set in the faceplate, The AKAI AA-1020 is the first receiver I ever bought because of its looks, I just love mine. I dont think I have ever listened to it though...

There is some Luxman gear that looks truely amazing, I have no idea of the models but they sure do know how to make attractive gear.

 

[TAGO MAGO]

I like my 6065 as well. Here's a pic of it's liitle brother 6045.

I have a 6065 and I have to agree that is one of the best looking receivers I have owned and probably one of the most robustly built. Mine is lacking a wood case though.

 

[TAGO MAGO]

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

I was wondering when a Quadraflex was going to appear. Their gear was usually pretty good looking. I had a Quadraflex turntable which was cool looking, although ran slightly off pitch without any real adjustment. I gave it to a friend with some records and no turntable.

 

[goldwax]

Yamahas seem a little too clinical/sterile to me (I have a CR-640). Too much silver bugs me. I prefer more of a two-tone look. I truly believe that the Kenwood KR-7600 (and its big brother, the KR-9600) is one of the best-looking receivers out there:

Many of the others, like Sony, Pioneer, etc., seem a little clunky looking to me. The KR-7600 has a great sense of proportion while still being "interesting" looking.

 

[vintaggeman]

one of my fav's kenwood kr-9600

i love the looks of it :thmbsp:

 

[bobforapples]

Sansui G-receivers