Let’s talk vintage MONSTER receivers

I have listened to many SS receivers... all the SX Pioneers, Sansui 8080 9090 G's, Marantz 2xxx a bunch, so many numbers/models in their line I get confused, Separates, Mac's this that and the other.

Owned a bunch, borrowed a bunch, hung out at others that have them to listen...

My current SS keepers are in order:

1) Pioneer SX-1010 (in my opinion the best sounding SS I have ever heard with close second going the 1050 and then the 1250 in the SX line. I listened to two different 1980 at two different friends houses and they sounded like complete garbage)

2) Sansui 8080 (Hated the G series, but that is just me) (This is in one of my son's rooms as his main pushing HPM60's, and sounds incredible)

...and the surprise 3rd place, and not technically a "Monster"

3) Harman Kardon 730 (This is in my other sons room pushing HPM100's and sounds astonishing, I mean so so good.)

The Pioneer is my main SS and the only one I will ever have and pushes some ads L-1590's. Sounds unreal.

I have moved on to tube, and prefer tube, but the Pioneer sounds so warm and I love the punch and power of it. Depending on mood, I play SS when I want to rock out and slam the place around with "feel it" punch, and then when mellow room filling I go tube (Fisher SA-100 and soon to have a Fisher 400cx2 pre, Scott LK-72, Sherwood S 5500 IV) with a pair of Altec 604b Hollywoods.

But to get back to the point... I am all in on the 1010. Best ever SS to my ears...ever and will never leave my grip.

Carry on...
 
hmmm, wondering why the OP started this thread to talk about MONSTER receivers, is'nt that what we all talk about in all the forums in Audiokarma :)
 
Sansui 9090db
Sansui Z9000
Pioneer sx1250
Onkyo tx8500

Of the group, I like the Pioneer sx1250 the best and the Z9000 the least.
 
My Monsters and little monsters, in order of favorites:
1. Hitachi SR-2004 (mint and never serviced - this will drive anything)
2. Sansui 9090 (serviced but case needs some love)
3. Pioneer SX-1010
4. Luxman R-117 (looses something in the looks category; on acoustics it is great and it has a remote)
5. Sherwood S-9910 (mint and serviced)
6. Sony V-7 (mint and serviced)
8. Onkyo TX-8500 II
9. Setton RS-660 (mint and serviced)
10. Pioneer SX-1080 (gorgeous)
11. Sanyo JCX 2900K
12. Nikko NR-1415 (mint and serviced)
-------------------------
Unrated - i.e., haven't spent enough time with them to rate or not really a monster
Sansui G-5700 (not a monster but the only one I bought new)
Realistic STA-2100D (just bought and getting a full service)
Kenwood GX-11000
Kenwood KR-9600
Luxman R-1070 (great sounding unit but not a monster)
Yamaha CR-1020 (mint and serviced)
Marantz 2270 (mint and serviced)
Marantz 2265
Carver MXR 130
Fisher RS-1060
MCS 3125
Rotel RX2002
Pioneer SX3900 (my biggest regret)
Tandberg 2075 (being serviced)
Pioneer QX747 (my first vintage receiver buy)
Pioneer QX4000 (nostalgia buy)
Heathkit AR1500
Advent 300

I think I might have a problem.

Office Stack.jpg Office Stack II.jpg Sanyo JCX2900K.jpg IMG_0256.jpg Setton Separates.jpg Sony STR-V7.JPG
 
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Sounds Good! said:
My Monsters and little monsters, in order of favorites:
1. Hitachi SR-2004 (mint and never serviced - this will drive anything)
2. Sansui 9090 (serviced but case needs some love)
3. Pioneer SX-1010
4. Luxman R-117 (looses something in the looks category; on acoustics it is great and it has a remote)
5. Sherwood S-9910 (mint and serviced)
6. Sony V-7 (mint and serviced)
8. Onkyo TX-8500 II
9. Setton RS-660 (mint and serviced)
10. Pioneer SX-1080 (gorgeous)
11. Sanyo JCX 2900K
12. Nikko NR-1415 (mint and serviced)
-------------------------
Unrated - i.e., haven't spent enough time with them to rate or not really a monster
Sansui G-5700 (not a monster but the only one I bought new)
Realistic STA-2100D (just bought and getting a full service)
Kenwood GX-11000
Kenwood KR-9600
Luxman R-1070 (great sounding unit but not a monster)
Yamaha CR-1020 (mint and serviced)
Marantz 2270 (mint and serviced)
Marantz 2265
Carver MXR 130
Fisher RS-1060
MCS 3125
Rotel RX2002
Pioneer SX3900 (my biggest regret)
Tandberg 2075 (being serviced)
Pioneer QX747 (my first vintage receiver buy)
Pioneer QX4000 (nostalgia buy)
Heathkit AR1500
Advent 300

I think I might have a problem.
Click to expand...
problem, I don't see no problem
 
Sounds Good! said:
My Monsters and little monsters, in order of favorites:
1. Hitachi SR-2004 (mint and never serviced - this will drive anything)
2. Sansui 9090 (serviced but case needs some love)
3. Pioneer SX-1010
4. Luxman R-117 (looses something in the looks category; on acoustics it is great and it has a remote)
5. Sherwood S-9910 (mint and serviced)
6. Sony V-7 (mint and serviced)
8. Onkyo TX-8500 II
9. Setton RS-660 (mint and serviced)
10. Pioneer SX-1080 (gorgeous)
11. Sanyo JCX 2900K
12. Nikko NR-1415 (mint and serviced)
-------------------------
Unrated - i.e., haven't spent enough time with them to rate or not really a monster
Sansui G-5700 (not a monster but the only one I bought new)
Realistic STA-2100D (just bought and getting a full service)
Kenwood GX-11000
Kenwood KR-9600
Luxman R-1070 (great sounding unit but not a monster)
Yamaha CR-1020 (mint and serviced)
Marantz 2270 (mint and serviced)
Marantz 2265
Carver MXR 130
Fisher RS-1060
MCS 3125
Rotel RX2002
Pioneer SX3900 (my biggest regret)
Tandberg 2075 (being serviced)
Pioneer QX747 (my first vintage receiver buy)
Pioneer QX4000 (nostalgia buy)
Heathkit AR1500
Advent 300

I think I might have a problem.
Click to expand...
Yes, you're woefully short on Sherwood and Harman Kardon :p (although the S-9910 makes up for a lot of Sherwoods. Give you credit for two on that one)
 
Of all the threads I’ve ever looked at this is the one that needs to be mostly pics and it’s not even close...

cmon guys, I’m holding you to a different level...those of you lucky enough to have one of these beauties needs to show it off...!
 
Ds2000 said:
I had a Pioneer SX-1050, it did not sound as good as my Marantz 2285B. It’s a while ago for both, but I still remember clearly. I kept the 2285B until I went integrateds and separates.
Click to expand...
Edit, I had a Kenwood KR-9050 too.
 
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Okay sorry for the amps... you can debate which is better.
 
A23gt said:
Yes, you're woefully short on Sherwood and Harman Kardon :p (although the S-9910 makes up for a lot of Sherwoods. Give you credit for two on that one)
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Interesting you bring up my absence of HK. If you asked me what I'd like to add next, I would probably answer, "HK 930." The jury seems split on these, as many laud their sound, while others point to technical weaknesses. What are your thoughts?
 
Bkphoto said:
Of all the threads I’ve ever looked at this is the one that needs to be mostly pics and it’s not even close...

cmon guys, I’m holding you to a different level...those of you lucky enough to have one of these beauties needs to show it off...!
Click to expand...

Fixed.
 
yosl said:
What's intriguing about TOTL receivers is not only did they pack a big punch but they also came with every conceivable feature a particular manufacturer offered at the time. That means when you push that "on" button and the dial lights up it's like you've been allowed on the bridge of the star ship Enterprise. Not only are there all kinds of controls to play with but when you push buttons, little lights come on, wattage meters start to dance, the tuning meter swings when you turn that big weighted knob and bonus, all your hard to drive, low efficiency speakers come to life like never before. It doesn't get better than than. Lets face it all these units are in their own way beautiful examples of industrial design.

I'd speculate that the high valuations on the 2600 stems not only from being near or at the top of the wattage heap but it's also those Marantz blue lights and that amazing tuning scope. From a sound perspective, for the money you can likely do better these days with modern higher end audiophile gear but none will compare with a monster receiver when you throw the switch and it lights up!
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more about the amazing industrial design of the units from the Golden Age of analog receivers (mid to late-70s). They tipped over into the less aesthetically pleasing when they combined digital with analog, and they really jumped the shark when they went all digital. I have a Luxman R-117 that is among the most powerful and best-sounding monsters I own, but it just doesn't have the look that my Pioneer SX-1080 or Realistic STA-2100D do.

As a teenager during the Golden Age, I fell in love with the aesthetic. The dancing black power meters on my SX-1080 are mesmerizing, and the bathing blue glow of the Pioneer SX-1010 is transformative. I have 30 or so monster receivers and, as friends are quick to point out, I cannot listen to them all at once. But here's what I do: I go to the cave and listen to one receiver, but I power up all of them. The glow from the receivers is the only thing lighting the room. I will sit in that glow and listen to music for hours. I read vintage audio magazines and look for the next addition to the collection, while I listen. Couldn't be happier.
 
Sounds Good! said:
Interesting you bring up my absence of HK. If you asked me what I'd like to add next, I would probably answer, "HK 930." The jury seems split on these, as many laud their sound, while others point to technical weaknesses. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
They tend to run hot, and need some solder reflowed in my experience, but deliver a lot of current and sound nice.
I particularly have a soft spot for Citation seperates , but I've also enjoyed their receivers.

Allen
 
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