JVC does not get much respect
- Thread starter CharlieBee
- Start date
yosl
Active Member
This thread never dies, to add again after a long absence. I'm always surprised how durable my JR-S201 and JR-S401 are. The 401 has pretty much become my back-up unit when my latest acquisition, refurbed or otherwise, falls by the wayside with one or other major or minor issue. Sansui's, wonderful units, but as they age it is always one thing or another. Except for a light here and there and a bit of pot cleaning, my JVCs just keep going.
I have an JVC A-K20
It works perfectly fine, but it has some small cosmetic scratches, but it's all fine.
chadbang
Well-Known Member
I'd been fishing for a receiver for my daughter's birthday. Over the last month I've assembled an entire "vintage" system (er, e.g. thrift store). I have to say I've been quite lucky. I found a nice linear tracking Kenwood turntable that sounds great (I think its a rebadged Technics, the arm mechanism looks the same), an older Sony ES CD changer, a great score of a pair of JBL L20T monitors (really fun little speakers) and, finally, today a reciever! Thank goodness, her birthday is tomorrow. I'm always passing by tons of receivers, as I'm a separates guy, but wouldn't you know it, when I need a receiver there's none to be found. I was just about to give up and delay the gift when I walked into the thrift store and there was a nice, shiny JVC RX-701V receiver! Beautiful shape, really sturdy all metal frame and face, with a heavy drop down door covering the controls. I used to sell stereos back in the late 80s and early 90s I and always liked these JCV tanks. They werent cheap, either, back then. At $300 to $500 dollars. They were our top of the line then, above Sony and Technics. Perhaps that should give people a historical persective as to where they stood in the pecking order of mid-fi audio. The good ones had the Dynamic Super A amplificaion which was supposed to eliminate the switching noise from power supplies and deliver class a - like performance. Well, this reciever, after 20 years, turned on like a champ. Every function works perfectly, and it sounds beautiful. I was very impressed once again. Great smooth sound with lots of authority. A perfect match for the JBL -- and exactly the same vintage! Do I appreciate JVC, absolutely! Especially when you can now pick one up for $10! But if someone were to ask me what to pay for a fully working model in very good condition, I would in all honestly say that a hundred, give or take 20 dollars would be a reasonable and well-warranted price for one of these really well put together receivers.
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chadbang
Well-Known Member
You obviously didn't have this JVC boombox... I did. I bought it for $400 in 1985 and sold it for $700 in 2008.
http://classicboombox.com/tag/jvc-rc-m90
http://classicboombox.com/tag/jvc-rc-m90
http://classicboombox.com/tag/jvc-rc-m90
http://classicboombox.com/tag/jvc-rc-m90
xupernaut
Active Member
You obviously didn't have this JVC boombox... I did. I bought it for $400 in 1985 and sold it for $700 in 2008.
http://classicboombox.com/tag/jvc-rc-m90
http://classicboombox.com/tag/jvc-rc-m90
I remember that one a friend of mine had one. I heard Metallica for the first time on it lol. It was like the Cadillac of ghetto blasters. Back in the day I was always under the impression JVC was up there with all the other hi-fi manufacturers Pioneer ect...As far as quality,performance.
Sure in the 80's-present they make alot of plasticty crap but the same can be said for alot of brands.
deadevil13
New Member
I wouldn't say JVC are bad at all.
Ive just been given a separates system by JVC from 1984 from a family member.
The amplifier is the A-K11. Which is still going mighty strong today, and is very very loud. Ill admit the 'equalizer' functions are a bit basic (treble + bass only), and as there is only 4 inputs (Phono, Tape Monitor, Tuner & AUX). Also the Power LED has its moments when it doesnt come on. Oh its 100% better than my previous system's amplifier which was a Pioneer all in one system from '93.
The tuner (T-K11L) is an old analogue one which does still work (although for some reason you need to turn the auto tune function off). All the LEDs and buttons work on that.
I was also given a turntable (L-A110)... but that seems to have gone wrong over the years of heavy use. The motor that spins the platter is really slow for some reason and makes all records play at like 15rpm.
Also a cassette deck (which im giving away to charity), which works nicely. These parts of the system look beautiful, as they are in silver and dont look very old at all.
It also came with the S-40 speakers, which well are just beautiful in my opinion. Again very loud, but the only problem i have is on one of the 'subwoofer' drivers is a small tear - from age im guessing.
I also have a late-90s JVC CRT television...which i picked up for a measly £18. 20" screen that hasn't discoloured in any way. Only thing i have a problem with it is that its a bit big and bulky. Its no superior television, even back in its day, but it still works for being almost a decade old.
Finally my mum has a "mini/micro" sytem that again is pretty powerful. Brought about 3 years ago for £120. Still going strong, although - it doesn't get used much.
[edit]
Oh i forgot to add, the only bad thing ive ever owned by JVC, are their gummy ear phones from about 4 years ago.... worst earphones for the price ever. Tinny, uncomfortable trash.
Ive just been given a separates system by JVC from 1984 from a family member.
The amplifier is the A-K11. Which is still going mighty strong today, and is very very loud. Ill admit the 'equalizer' functions are a bit basic (treble + bass only), and as there is only 4 inputs (Phono, Tape Monitor, Tuner & AUX). Also the Power LED has its moments when it doesnt come on. Oh its 100% better than my previous system's amplifier which was a Pioneer all in one system from '93.
The tuner (T-K11L) is an old analogue one which does still work (although for some reason you need to turn the auto tune function off). All the LEDs and buttons work on that.
I was also given a turntable (L-A110)... but that seems to have gone wrong over the years of heavy use. The motor that spins the platter is really slow for some reason and makes all records play at like 15rpm.
Also a cassette deck (which im giving away to charity), which works nicely. These parts of the system look beautiful, as they are in silver and dont look very old at all.
It also came with the S-40 speakers, which well are just beautiful in my opinion. Again very loud, but the only problem i have is on one of the 'subwoofer' drivers is a small tear - from age im guessing.
I also have a late-90s JVC CRT television...which i picked up for a measly £18. 20" screen that hasn't discoloured in any way. Only thing i have a problem with it is that its a bit big and bulky. Its no superior television, even back in its day, but it still works for being almost a decade old.
Finally my mum has a "mini/micro" sytem that again is pretty powerful. Brought about 3 years ago for £120. Still going strong, although - it doesn't get used much.
[edit]
Oh i forgot to add, the only bad thing ive ever owned by JVC, are their gummy ear phones from about 4 years ago.... worst earphones for the price ever. Tinny, uncomfortable trash.
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audioman00
Well-Known Member
My trusty old JVC rx-801v just won't die. I think it was made around 88 or 89... been used to death by someone else most of it's life... I found it at the local thrift about 8 years ago for $25.. plugged it in, connected some speakers to it, made a makehsift anntenna for FM out of twist tie.. and bought it, took it home and could not believe that it rivaled my brand new at the time onkyo tx-8511!! Nice little amp.. the wife uses it for her iPod still and sometimes we crank her up on a movie with the 50" palsma.. good times. cheers!
audioman00
Well-Known Member
And... don't for get my numerous JVC cd players that of which were all very impressive in sound and playability.. Go JVC!!!
Hendrix416
Nice Buzz/Good Tunes
TAGO MAGO
Super Member
I have generally had very good luck with JVC components, although they did produce some not so good stuff towards the mid-90's and beyond which is actually a later downfall compared to other manufacturers.
My experience with JVC is as long as you stick to the stuff predating the grey facia from the mid-90's you are in the clear. I've known people who have had the later stuff and it has all died early deaths and had problems along the way. All the JVC equipment I have owned has been older than that and pretty much bullet proof especially their CD players and pre-1991 full logic cassette decks. In fact the only problem I had with an 80's JVC unit was a small A/V receiver from around 1986 that would constantly burn out the back light for the digital display. I probably replaced those twice or three times a year and could never find the right voltage, but it was a great sounding receiver. I eventually gave it to a friend who is still using it, although he mostly listens to vinyl, tape and cd so he never bothered fixing the dial light.
My experience with JVC is as long as you stick to the stuff predating the grey facia from the mid-90's you are in the clear. I've known people who have had the later stuff and it has all died early deaths and had problems along the way. All the JVC equipment I have owned has been older than that and pretty much bullet proof especially their CD players and pre-1991 full logic cassette decks. In fact the only problem I had with an 80's JVC unit was a small A/V receiver from around 1986 that would constantly burn out the back light for the digital display. I probably replaced those twice or three times a year and could never find the right voltage, but it was a great sounding receiver. I eventually gave it to a friend who is still using it, although he mostly listens to vinyl, tape and cd so he never bothered fixing the dial light.
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cornwallguy
Active Member
Tago is right about that !,
In fact we still have a JVC HRD-410U in our video system. Plus somewhere in the house is still our XLV-450 single play cd player, all early 90's stuff.
It seems a pro sound outfit near hear has in the last few yrs installed JVC in their front end of system racks (tuner,double cassette, 5 disk players)and they seem very reliable.this is all black faced stuff installed in 19" rack sleeves to match the rest of the install.
But in a way this is like the Technics thread, bad stuff allways brings down the stuff that really deserves a listen
In fact we still have a JVC HRD-410U in our video system. Plus somewhere in the house is still our XLV-450 single play cd player, all early 90's stuff.
It seems a pro sound outfit near hear has in the last few yrs installed JVC in their front end of system racks (tuner,double cassette, 5 disk players)and they seem very reliable.this is all black faced stuff installed in 19" rack sleeves to match the rest of the install.
But in a way this is like the Technics thread, bad stuff allways brings down the stuff that really deserves a listen
legal eagle
Sound Hound
My humble contribution...the best way to describe its sound is "clean". Simply clean sounding. I actually have the matching tuner too somewhere, a great pair.
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I thought I would never look at any JVC components when putting together a 'new' set of separates (admittedly on a shoestring budget), but thankfully enough people on here said the Super Digifine line was good stuff and the appearance of a RX-1010V on EBay was too tempting an opportunity to pass up. Cosmetically it's in great condition and it comes with the insane remote which must have been cutting edge 20 years ago. I'm starting my system from scratch so just listening to the tuner with headphones at the moment. Everything seems to be OK.
The remote is huge.
All for £45.
The remote is huge.
All for £45.
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Copa1934
My ears are bleeding
I feel JVC suffored the same issue as companies like Fisher. I have a Fisher RS-1080, arguably one of their finest recievers, and no slouch at that. But like JVC, in later years they became typical commodoties. I'm sure it was for financial reasons, and it likely paid off for quite awhile, or just long enough for consumers to catch on and better equipment to come along.
JVC still fetches pretty good prices on ebay these days, as long as it's the earlier stuff.
JVC still fetches pretty good prices on ebay these days, as long as it's the earlier stuff.
I guess JVC makes some nice stuff.
However my experience in the video realm is that JVC stuff is
Incompatible with Panasonic stuff. Tapes made on one never track well on the other, and yet they are both Matsushitas.
So I switched to Sony. But the impression was strong. Strong enough to steer me away from both, at least in video cams and VTR's.
However my experience in the video realm is that JVC stuff is
Incompatible with Panasonic stuff. Tapes made on one never track well on the other, and yet they are both Matsushitas.
So I switched to Sony. But the impression was strong. Strong enough to steer me away from both, at least in video cams and VTR's.
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