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Lafayette LR-120DB

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systemerror909

Active Member
A friend of mine and I have both been looking to upgrade our recievers for a while. My friend has got a Pioneer SX-650 and hes looking for something with more power, I've got a Pioneer VSX 3600 and am looking for something with a cleaner sound. A guy in my area is selling a brand new Lafayette LR-120DB reciever. Just last week we visited him, my friend picking up a second set of large advents and myself picking up a turntable, both of us have been very pleased so far. I have never heard of this brand before, but the thought that this late 70's era reciever has been factory sealed in its original packaging up until several weeks ago intrigues me. Any thoughts on this reciever? I've been told the unit is quite powerful, with about 120wpc.
 
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My understanding is that Lafayette had Kenwood-Trio recievers rebadged for sale in their stores. Look on the back and see if it has a 'made in Japan' on it. Lafayette was out of New York (Headquarters, they had many stores). A
 
There is an unconfirmed rumor that the LR120DB is some sort of Luxman design. I've almost purchased it a few times, never for more than $150. I was in contact with a guy selling one on ebay, and he was going to sell it to me for $150 after he got no bids, however I was out of town and he relisted while I was gone cause he thought I backed out. I saw mostly functional decently cosmetic one go for about $100. If it truly was new in box I wouldn't hestitate to buy it for around $175.
 
Just picked up this baby today Lafayette LR-120DB!!! works great, got it from an old man that was selling his stuff to move to Denver from Florida, woohoo, works great.

Drove 4 hours roundtrip and got it for a very good deal!

Someone has it on the bay for $749.00 - I got this for $200 hehehehee


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woohoo this thing rocks!!!! its a little dusty and dirty inside, any suggestions on how to clean it, on the inside other than using can air?
 
I bought a Lafayette LR-2020 in 1976, in 1977 I bought a LR-9090. Both gone by 1993.
Fast forward not quite 20 or so years I got the nostalgia bug.
Bought a 9090 on ebay for around $150 if I remember right, arrived with one channel DOA so returned it, few months later bought a LR-120DB for $200 I think.
That was 8 years ago, I thought that was a good price at the time. Top of the line Lafayette receiver and shortly after that Lafayette went out of business. Been trouble free except for the power switch. The 1515 through 9090 are known for their power/selector switch issues, was a bit surprised that the 120db had the same issue though a different switch altogether, but hey, it was 30 years old. JMO but a working 120DB is worth probably around $400-$500 now. Fully serviced (real service, not a wipe down) great cosmetics with boxes and documentation takes the price up of course. Heavy and expensive to ship.
That satisfied the nostalgia bug for Lafayette gear. Didn't know the nostalgia bug for MCS gear was not far away..
 
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looks like i should have it put on a bench anyway just to check things out, this is not abused, bought from an old guy looking to unload his stuff, right now everything works on it great
 
Soft bristle brush, vacuum (possibly with a length of small diameter tubing to increase suction and to get into tight areas), compressed air (compressor but don't go crazy with the psi, or computer duster) are good starting items.
Some people use water, need to allow a lot of drying time, tipping unit on side or upside down may assist with getting water out.
DO NOT get the tuning gang wet.

Google "cleaning a receiver audiokarma" should get you some hits.
 
This is a Setton(Luxman) built for Lafayette. Trio built some tube units for them before Planet Research was purchased for their transistor systems.
 
Even though the 120DB has good sized cooling fins on the back there is also a screen on top for cooling/ventilation.
Might be wise to find someplace else for the turntable.
I have used wood or hockey puck spacers for clearance and ventilation between components, but a TT needs to be stable so I don't recommend that in this case.
Enjoy the music.
 
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