I really truly love the look of the mid to late 80's sony receivers I just love their design I also want them to match with my PS-FL7II I picked up for cheap at an estate sale in good condition but I'm stumped on what receiver would be best for my case I have a set of Sony SSCS5 bookshelf speakers that I use I'm primarily using this system for my tv, ps2, and turntable I talked about earlier. I'm currently looking at the STR-AV67 and the STR-AV550 which I can both get under $60 including shipping and tax so I would be looking to spend around that. The reason why I'm looking for a new receiver in the first place is beacuse my Onkyo TX-910 is dying slowly and is barely starting to turn on half the time. I'm not necessarily looking for something better than what I have now just something similar is great too.
Register to hide this ad
Boonaroo
Super Member
Welcome to AK. Great place and good people.
A few questions:
1. What TV are you using and how is it hooked up to your system presently?
2. Should we assume you want it's audio signal to run thru the stereo to your speakers?
3. Your PS2, do you use it to play CD also?
The issues you are having with your Onkyo will be issues you will face with any receiver from that era, including the Sony ones you mentioned. Many mass produced receivers from the mid 80's using micro processors mounted to LED screens and touchpads. They have gone thru a lot of wear. They are cool looking, but will fail over time. Press a button too hard and the whole board could fry. Just a thought.
If you have a TV with HDMI inputs, consider some of the newer (2000s) AVRs that can be found cheap on Craigslist and the bay. Some people are just trying to give them away to get them out of the garage if found locally. Many will have phono preamps and if not you can get them for about $20. There are converter cables for your PS2 to get an HDMI connection. Most will not have remotes. Get a Harmony to control everything.
You may end up spending a bit more upfront but I IMHO you will be much happier with a more up-to-date system that still has a vintage vibe. Plus in a year you won't be looking to replace a receiver that went dead again.
A few questions:
1. What TV are you using and how is it hooked up to your system presently?
2. Should we assume you want it's audio signal to run thru the stereo to your speakers?
3. Your PS2, do you use it to play CD also?
The issues you are having with your Onkyo will be issues you will face with any receiver from that era, including the Sony ones you mentioned. Many mass produced receivers from the mid 80's using micro processors mounted to LED screens and touchpads. They have gone thru a lot of wear. They are cool looking, but will fail over time. Press a button too hard and the whole board could fry. Just a thought.
If you have a TV with HDMI inputs, consider some of the newer (2000s) AVRs that can be found cheap on Craigslist and the bay. Some people are just trying to give them away to get them out of the garage if found locally. Many will have phono preamps and if not you can get them for about $20. There are converter cables for your PS2 to get an HDMI connection. Most will not have remotes. Get a Harmony to control everything.
You may end up spending a bit more upfront but I IMHO you will be much happier with a more up-to-date system that still has a vintage vibe. Plus in a year you won't be looking to replace a receiver that went dead again.
Thanks for the welcome to AK
1. some hisense tv I got from costco last year
2. Yes I currently have it running from an aux cable to rca which isn't ideal but it works good enough for me
3. The cd drive broke on it and I'm too lazy to fix it so I just modded it to play free ps2 games
I looked on craigslist for my area and saw a practically new Yamaha RX-V477 for $65 but I also found a Sony TA-AV521 for the same price that looks 10x cooler
Boonaroo
Super Member
I am going to give you advice that will give you the best fidelity for the money and the reasons why.
Pass on the Sony. It might have the look you are after, but it's internal components are WAY out of date. Dolby Pro Logic is long gone by todays standards. Sony amps in their mass market AVRs are not very good, and I am being kind!! If you wanted to add surround speakers later, forget any true fidelity! It is only a few years younger than your previous options also.
The Yamaha is a good selection IMO. It has HDMI switching that you can use now and in the future should you like. It has a more robust amp with 5 channels at 80 watts each. It has most of the current surround sound formats you would need for TV viewing and gaming on your PS2. Should you want to add surround speakers and a center later, no upgraded amp is needed. The only drawback is it doesn't have a phono input. There is a solution tho.
IMO, get the Yamaha. Regardless, the newer the technology, the less likely you will replace it soon.
To get the optimum from the equipment you currently have, any receiver you get that has HDMI in/out, you will need:
1. PS2 to HDMI converter such as this:
2. If it doesn't have a phono input:
3. A TOSlink cable from the TV to receiver.
4. 2 HDMI cables. one between TV and receiver. one between PS2 and receiver.
This should get you set up with a very good receiver you won't need to replace for quite a while. The extra items can be added as you get the funds or all at once. If you want to spin vinyl now, get the phono preamp 1st and use it on any of the inputs you like.
Pass on the Sony. It might have the look you are after, but it's internal components are WAY out of date. Dolby Pro Logic is long gone by todays standards. Sony amps in their mass market AVRs are not very good, and I am being kind!! If you wanted to add surround speakers later, forget any true fidelity! It is only a few years younger than your previous options also.
The Yamaha is a good selection IMO. It has HDMI switching that you can use now and in the future should you like. It has a more robust amp with 5 channels at 80 watts each. It has most of the current surround sound formats you would need for TV viewing and gaming on your PS2. Should you want to add surround speakers and a center later, no upgraded amp is needed. The only drawback is it doesn't have a phono input. There is a solution tho.
IMO, get the Yamaha. Regardless, the newer the technology, the less likely you will replace it soon.
To get the optimum from the equipment you currently have, any receiver you get that has HDMI in/out, you will need:
1. PS2 to HDMI converter such as this:
2. If it doesn't have a phono input:
3. A TOSlink cable from the TV to receiver.
TOSLink Fiber Optical Optic Digital Audio Cable SPDIF Sound Bar Cord Lot | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for TOSLink Fiber Optical Optic Digital Audio Cable SPDIF Sound Bar Cord Lot at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
This should get you set up with a very good receiver you won't need to replace for quite a while. The extra items can be added as you get the funds or all at once. If you want to spin vinyl now, get the phono preamp 1st and use it on any of the inputs you like.
Last edited:
Bone Yard
Super Member
I'd probably hit up the thrifts for 90's units if they're still around, I don't go thrifting as much but I used to see stacks of them, not so much lately.
It might help to have your general location, you never know what member has a garage full of stuff and might have a nice fit for little scratch. I can see how you like those old Sony's, it was the computer era and we were all trying to figure out how to have a giant computer/TV/stereo system in one big unit. LEDs were starting to look great and made these really stand out.
Another option might be the Technic SA-GX Series, I have the GX500 and think the design has stood the test of time with a nice robust build (with internal fan). I do like Onkyo a lot but going into the 90's they really used cheaper buttons and switches which kills the experience when your turning the tuning or volume knob and it doesn't have that solid smooth rotation.
Some of us old-timers protect our equipment by leaving the unit on and turning it off with a another switch or unpluging it, the Onkyo has a really cheap ON/OFF switch, it's no fun when they go bad.
It might help to have your general location, you never know what member has a garage full of stuff and might have a nice fit for little scratch. I can see how you like those old Sony's, it was the computer era and we were all trying to figure out how to have a giant computer/TV/stereo system in one big unit. LEDs were starting to look great and made these really stand out.
Another option might be the Technic SA-GX Series, I have the GX500 and think the design has stood the test of time with a nice robust build (with internal fan). I do like Onkyo a lot but going into the 90's they really used cheaper buttons and switches which kills the experience when your turning the tuning or volume knob and it doesn't have that solid smooth rotation.
Some of us old-timers protect our equipment by leaving the unit on and turning it off with a another switch or unpluging it, the Onkyo has a really cheap ON/OFF switch, it's no fun when they go bad.
This is a really, really hard one to answer... I would say no, no, and NO, to 80s Sony receivers... but because of the cost ($60). Ask yourself, why would anyone sell them that cheap. Even if you got a good one, and that would be doubtful at the cost, it is still 40 years old -
That's as old as I am!