• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Let's See Your Great JVC Gear!

Pernas said:
Yeah, I was lucky because the seller initially tried to get $100 for it but then decided to give it away to first watcher for free if picked up - it wasn't very clean to start with, probably been located in a barn ;)

Since then it now has the company of some other JVC stuff too :)
View attachment 3313230

/Per
Click to expand...
You did a nice job cleaning it up, and nice additions to the stack!
 
I have 2 JVC receivers that I've got working, cleaned up the pots and inputs so they are sounding nice and clean, and now I'm debating which one to put into rotation in my main system. The newest one to me is this R-S55 from 1982:

20250109_153526.jpg

It is contemporary with my TT (JVC QL-FX5) and 40wpc, the same as the A-X30 amplifier I'm currently using. The only issue is the number of inputs - I need to use and RCA switcher to have all my sources plugged in. Not an issue but slightly untidy.

The second option is a VR5521 from 1975:

20250109_153511.jpg

22wpc, same inputs issue, and a different look, but so pretty! It probably needs another going through as there's some noise on the speaker selector and the MW/LW switch, but otherwise working nicely.

So, I'm torn - the R-S55 has a cleaner, more detailed sound which i like, but I also like the fatter warmer sound from the 5521. I would guess that they both play close to each other in terms of loudness, but the newer machine has a lower noise floor. I'm leaning towards the newer R-S55 for the sound signature and noise floor, but I also feel like I'm losing something not having that lovely green dial on show. It has to be one or the other - what do others think?
 
Picked up a couple of new JVC pieces over the holidays. Including this nice Integrated, the A-X900 for a cool $40.

It has some issues with the right channel intermittently dropping out that I need to sort through but otherwise a clean and great sounding amp.


JVC A-X900.jpg
 
stueym said:
I have 2 JVC receivers that I've got working, cleaned up the pots and inputs so they are sounding nice and clean, and now I'm debating which one to put into rotation in my main system. The newest one to me is this R-S55 from 1982:

View attachment 3394471

It is contemporary with my TT (JVC QL-FX5) and 40wpc, the same as the A-X30 amplifier I'm currently using. The only issue is the number of inputs - I need to use and RCA switcher to have all my sources plugged in. Not an issue but slightly untidy.

The second option is a VR5521 from 1975:

View attachment 3394475

22wpc, same inputs issue, and a different look, but so pretty! It probably needs another going through as there's some noise on the speaker selector and the MW/LW switch, but otherwise working nicely.

So, I'm torn - the R-S55 has a cleaner, more detailed sound which i like, but I also like the fatter warmer sound from the 5521. I would guess that they both play close to each other in terms of loudness, but the newer machine has a lower noise floor. I'm leaning towards the newer R-S55 for the sound signature and noise floor, but I also feel like I'm losing something not having that lovely green dial on show. It has to be one or the other - what do others think?
Click to expand...
I vote for the VR5521 for appearance ! I have cousins of that model that are the quad versions, the "Model 5444" from '71 and the 4VR-5455 (72-'75). They both need a thorough pot & selector cleaning, but otherwise pretty good. They look mostly the same as yours but have an additional EQ on the left. I think there is a pic of them earlier in this thread. The problem with them in a rotation is they measure about 26" wide. Was yours a European market model ? Not sure if I've seen one with long and medium wave bands on the tuner...
 
@EC1 & Solid snake, I now have a new addition to my wish list ! In the brief research I just did on the A-X900, it's an IA worthy of whatever it takes to get 100% in order, Nice find(s) !
 
Work2do said:
I vote for the VR5521 for appearance ! I have cousins of that model that are the quad versions, the "Model 5444" from '71 and the 4VR-5455 (72-'75). They both need a thorough pot & selector cleaning, but otherwise pretty good. They look mostly the same as yours but have an additional EQ on the left. I think there is a pic of them earlier in this thread. The problem with them in a rotation is they measure about 26" wide. Was yours a European market model ? Not sure if I've seen one with long and medium wave bands on the tuner...
Click to expand...
Hey! I'm in the UK so it's a UK model, as is the R-S55(L) - THE "L" denotes the MW/LW bands, and you'll find all JVC receivers and tuners through the 70s and 80s have this distinction for the UK market. It may be the same for European mainland ones too, I'm not sure.
 
I got last year an almost restored 1965 concert Victor power amplifier and pre amplifier almost redone. Though I never use it, but it sounds very nice however. I'll post pictures of it and of the restoration later. I think the SEA of the preamp needs a few transistors changed and will be perfect. The preamplifier was built by Kei Ikeda and the power amplifier was designed with the help of Sanyo for some of the biggest audio event ever made in Japan.
 
Snuck said:
I got last year an almost restored 1965 concert Victor power amplifier and pre amplifier almost redone. T
Click to expand...
Would love to see that amp. I know Japan Victor goes back about a hundred years as an affiliate of RCA Victor. I haven't seen much of their gear pre 1970 when it became more commonly imported to the US market.
 
I'll post pictures as soon as possible, it's the old MST/PST-1000 which was sold under different names as they built it for a decade almost before to stop production.

They were sadly using very early capacitors and such so new gear gives them a better edge. The duo sounds good but still transistor until the SEA mode of the preamp is selected, then the sound is actually more touching and realistic, smoothed and a bit rolled off compare to without the SEA. It's doing an equalizer job, and giving reverberation also, and a few little things that allowed the concerts reproduction to be such a success.
 
Just got this beauty the other day to go with my JM-S7 from the same era.
1742657637141.png
So far I've only done a headphone listening test and all the switches/sliders are acceptably quiet when they are switching/sliding and so is the headphone output.

Inside it looks pretty good too overall and someone has already replaced the ecaps on the PS and Preamp boards.
1742657789806.png
I'm looking forward to pairing it with it's sonic sibling soon as part of my annual spring rotation that's coming up real soon.:thumbsup:
 
Out of all the audio gear that I have, the JVC 3-cassette decks and one CD player are the most reliable. All were bought in thrift stores or flea markets for a total cost of about $40.00. The only thing I had to do when I first got one of the double decks is lube the capstan motor. The two double decks are the only ones that I never had a problem with the auto reverse.

JVC TD-W805 TWINNS.jpg JVC KD-VR320.png
 
SingleAction said:
Out of all the audio gear that I have, the JVC 3-cassette decks and one CD player are the most reliable. All were bought in thrift stores or flea markets for a total cost of about $40.00. The only thing I had to do when I first got one of the double decks is lube the capstan motor. The two double decks are the only ones that I never had a problem with the auto reverse.

View attachment 3461483 View attachment 3461485
Click to expand...
I had a TD 205, I had the JVC 91-92 catalog and I always wanted the 805.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom