Collecting gear

[1970zHiFiGuy]

I have owned a bunch of gear over the years and some high end gear along the way , oddly I never really owned receivers , only one a Onkyo Tx 5000 and as I recall I loved it . I want to collect a couple of vintage receivers and once again oddly I like the 70's entry level receivers alot , why? not sure maybe it's a addiction of some sort .

My present gear .

Akai AM 2600
Akai AT 2600

Genesis V-6

Thorens TD 125

Denon DP 59L

Bryston B 60R

Technics STC 01

Simaudio Celeste W4070SE

Philips 22AH489

Wharfedale Diand 9.1 anniversary

Energy ESW V8

The way I see it I need a nice preamp ( circa 1998-99) with balanced outs to go with my Celeste , maybe a Audio Research? or??

Akai AA 1175 because I want one !

and maybe a couple of entety level 70'z stereo receivers just to play with and have some fun

Akai AA 1115 / AA 1125
Marantz 2216 / 2216b / 2220
Sansui 661
Harman Kardon 330C / HK430
Realistic Sta 80 / 82 / 84

any thoughts on the mentioned above receivers?
or a preamp with balanced out circa 1998 or there abouts?

 

[Daunia 70]

No doubt the AKAI AA-1175 is a great receiver,but I would be inclined to go that little step further and try to acquire the next model up,the TOTL monster AA-1200. I have one,and it sounds real nice (120 WPC,dual mono design).

 

[SoCal Sam]

You are ready for the next step in audio collector journey. You have a lot of MOTL stuff that collectively is worth a fair amount of "audio dollars". Sell them and get the best example of each type be it a Monster receiver, separates set, tt, tape deck, tube set, speaker. That way, the enjoyment is maximum and the numbers are minimum AND manageable. Some folks enjoy the thrill of discovery and that is fine. I say skip to the end and get what you really want.

 

[Delurker]

I've got a 1997-98 NAD 116 preamp in my attic (replaced by an NAD51 DAC that I use as a DAC/preamp). Has balanced outputs and would probably be good with your Celeste, unless you want something a little fancier.

 

[McBru6177]

The Harman Kardon receivers are very nice. I don't own these models but I have heard both and I was very impressed. Ignore the power ratings, these HKs pack a hefty(musical) punch.

 

[madmonda]

I had all flavors of the hk330's (they pretty decent for what they are) and I'd skip straight to the HK430. They're not as classy looking as some of the competition. I had a 430 for a short while and regret selling it. Had quit a few marantz's and they go as fast as they come, although they do have a great following on AK (I'm not a fan unfortunately). I have my heard the sansui 661, but I'm a BIG fan of the au505 and au101 (as far as small sansui's go).