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Best Most Affordable Vintage Receiver for Bose 901's

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drock78

New Member
Hi. I am new to this, so please be patient. I purchased a really nice pair of Series IV Bose 901's with the chrome tulip stands and the correct equalizer. I'm looking for a vintage/period receiver (preferably something with a wood case or veneer) to power it. I also don't want to spend a fortune on something like a Marantz - ideally I'd like to pay at most $200. I intend to hook up a turntable to it but i also might occasionally hook up my phone to listen to music through it. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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The Pioneer SX-3800 "Florescan" receiver could be a good candidate. It has enough power and has Pre out, Main in connectors. Make sure whatever you get has the Pre out - Main in capability which the equalizer needs.
 
It might be difficult to stick to your budget and find something that is in good working order or restored. Best bet might be lurking on Craigslist and investing in a can of Deoxit. There is a great store here in Denver that I know you could find what you're looking for, but your budget might be a little low for that scenario. It's been a while since I've been in there though.

Be patient and I'll bet you can find something. I love this era of receivers. That Technics above is cool looking!

Good luck!
 
Equalizer can also connect through tape monitor so pre out/ main in not the only deciding factor.
My son switches between a Marantz 2270 and Kenwood KR 6170. Both do the job and sound great.
I think the Kenwood was well under $200. While the KR's are great receivers, they certainly don't command
the prices of the Pioneer/Marantz/Sansui units.
 
There is no "best". Many will work quite well. It all depends on what's available to you.

Personally, I'd be more concerned about the unit's condition than it's make or model number.

What choices do you have?

Also, I'd recommend placing that eq in the tape monitor loop. Less noise injected into the signal path.
 
Man those 901's are funky. My friend has a set in mint condition and I helped him get a receiver, but I need to take some speaker wires to get it done and check things out. I hooked him up with a vintage Realistic receiver. Im hoping that their deep tendencies and the apparent lack of base with the 901's might do well together.
 
the skipper said:
Also, I'd recommend placing that eq in the tape monitor loop. Less noise injected into the signal path.
Click to expand...

Ive never even heard a set of 901's before. But I need to set up a pair. Im guessing that running them through a receiver the EQ will have no effect on the tuner section? So I need to run the CD player through the EQ and into the tape input? The EQ installation instructions seemed a little bizarre and confusing.
 
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drock78 said:
Hi. I am new to this, so please be patient. I purchased a really nice pair of Series IV Bose 901's with the chrome tulip stands and the correct equalizer. I'm looking for a vintage/period receiver (preferably something with a wood case or veneer) to power it. I also don't want to spend a fortune on something like a Marantz - ideally I'd like to pay at most $200. I intend to hook up a turntable to it but i also might occasionally hook up my phone to listen to music through it. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Hi, 901 demand POWER to work well and sound good. Anything less than 60 watts is rather a waste of time IMO. 75+ watts per channel will be better. And as the Skipper says above, dont worry about the brand at all, worry about CONDITION first and foremost.
 
Bugetnirvana said:
Ive never even heard a set of 901's before. But I need to set up a pair. Im guessing that running them through a receiver the EQ will have no effect on the tuner section? So I need to run the CD player through the EQ and into the tape input? The EQ installation instructions seemed a little bizarre and confusing.
Click to expand...


Please tell me you are using the BOSE EQ right?
 
Hey, might not be a bad idea to post where you are located. I spoke with a guy in Bowling Green with a set of 901's on Friday that had this same issue.

Is this him??

This is Tim, friend of Nathan's.

If you're needing an amp to make these run their best, I can take care of you. I don't think we discussed that, if this is in fact you.

If not, good luck!
 
Big thing to know. If you can find the Bose Spatial Control receiver, you're as good as the 901 can get (even has the equalizer for 901 built in). A match made in heaven.
 
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