Looking for opinions - Sound of the 70s vs Look of the 80s?

[rhdad42]

Just looking for some opinions. I am currently running a Sherwood S-7910 that sounds beautifully warm through a pair of Polk Monitor 5jrs in my small home office. It's a great receiver, does everything I need it to, and looks great even with one bulb in need of replacement. My dilemma? No offense meant to anyone, but it looks like something my father would have listened to. I dig the 80s/early-90s look with the digital readout because that's how I started my audio journey (JVC RK-11, upgraded to a Yamaha RX-550). It's kind of like Mom's meatloaf, if you know what I mean. I have my eyes on a JVC R-S77 that fits the bill in terms of the look. There are also some Sansui models out there with a similar look, and I always liked the look of the Carver receivers. Should I stick with the Sherwood, or can I match the performance with something that has the look I really like?

 

[grinx76]

just buy it, have fun and compare
life is too short for you not to realize an attainable vision like that

it's a great time to play with old stuff

 

[A23gt]

There are plenty of 80’s receivers that were quite nice, but few that were of the same quality as an S-7910. I would go separates if shopping for the 80’s look.

Digital tuner
Blingy preamp
power amp with power level light meters ala Citation 22.

 

[sinewaver]

Do you apply that to music as well ? Don't listen to anything 70's or before ? How about movies ? Just askin'

 

[rhdad42]

Do you apply that to music as well ? Don't listen to anything 70's or before ? How about movies ? Just askin'

Music goes from Elvis to 70s classic rock to 80s new wave/alt and newer prog like Porcupine Tree. Occasionally I do some new age like Mike Oldfield and there are times I like classical. Pretty much all over the map.

Movies are the same - just about anything. This system is audio only, though.

 

[A/D/Slover]

I’ve had great results with Mid Fi 80,s vintage. Why not give it a go

 

[Johnny_Law]

Seems like something like a Nakamichi TA-4A would fit the bill nicely?

Also maybe Pioneer SX-3700

Etc etc - have fun looking!

Edit: Seeing @A/D/Slover post above mine - exactly! That Nakamichi line is superb.

Here's a TA-2A I restored and gave to my brother who loves it ...

 

[loudnoises]

The pioneer vsx line, early av receiver. Excellent sound and tuner, totally not on anyone's hifi radar. I've a vsx4000 (iirc) and it was so nice I took it out of shop duty.

 

[NH-MAN]

STAV 3200 was tolt 90-92
Grabbed one years ago, I rotate in but not fond of the look but it sounds excellent and I probably will never part with it as its has great imaging.. 100 wpc
You can get it to work with cheap aftermarket remote which is great.

Really hard to get a good picture of it being all black this one is from the net