Looking for receiver suggestions, 50wpc, under $300, 70's styling

[Fuzzbuster]

Great post, but makes me remember a "bias" I have which I don't know if I should have. I've been trying to avoid models with slider/fader controls because I've got the idea they are harder to clean and replace compared to pots. Should I keep this bias? I've specifically avoided Realistic models with sliders/faders.

I've owned some Realistic with sliders and had to replace them . Very easy as they are not mounted to a circuit board. Easy to clean too. Just stick the straw in the slider, spray, and work the slider up and down. Be sure you use a cleaner safe for plastics. The STA-800 I had was a great sounding unit. Others with sliders: STA-80, STA-82 not so great. A bit tubby at the bottom. If you look at Sansui I would caution that the "G" or "Pure Power" series are not rated below 8 ohms, so multiple speaker sets can be a problem. The Sansui 771 would be another option. I would also caution against early or 1st generation receivers too. A lot sound wooly and lacking in detail. Also the output transistors can be hard to find.

 

[quaddriver]

Thanks! That settles that decision. So right now I'm looking for something "better than" the Realistic STA-90, my current top choice from this brand. I'm looking at Pioneers, Marantz, Kenwood, Onkyo, Sansui, anyone else?

Still trying to get around 50wpc and a budget of $300. Likely with be driving 4 speakers in a 12'x14' bedroom.

vintage into 4 speakers brings new problems....they oft do not like things that resolve less than 8 ohms viewed load....some can live at low volumes into 4....but...yanno

 

[quiet]

Great post, but makes me remember a "bias" I have which I don't know if I should have. I've been trying to avoid models with slider/fader controls because I've got the idea they are harder to clean and replace compared to pots. Should I keep this bias? I've specifically avoided Realistic models with sliders/faders.

I don't like sliders, but do like the fine STR-120b.

 

[DonP1]

Interesting.

Currently I am running my Realistic STA-47 into a pair of Klipsch CF-2's and a pair of "white van speakers (WVS)" that have a ported 10", two mids (4"?), and a tweeter (upgraded from Parts Express). I'm using the A channel for one set and the B channel for the other set. With only the CF-2s, the sound is warm. With the WVS, there are more highs an lows, but the mids are missing. With all 4 speakers running A+B, I'm in heaven. I have them all set up in a firing line facing forward, CF-2's on the outside, not in corners. The CF-2's are on spikes on carpet. Room size is 11x12, with a huge oak desk in the middle, and bookshelves all around (lots of hard surfaces and angles). 9' ceiling smooth surface.

The new receiver I'm planning on putting in a larger room 12x14. Laminate hardwood floor. Speakers are two Polk Audio Monitor 5B's, and two Model PR-950S by Linear Dynamics by KLH (I know, junk but they were under $60 for the pair). I plan on having the KLH's forward facing, and the Polk's either on top of them, or on stands in the rear side firing / angled / who knows. I may do extensive modifications to the KLH's (I live very close to Parts Express), or I may retire them and just buy something better on CL if it costs too much to upgrade.

I listen to rock and metal music. This new system will need to handle A/V duties as well. Which brings up a new question. I can go into Walmart and buy a Sony STR-DH590 for $250. But will it sound as great as these old systems?

 

[David_NC]

Thanks! That settles that decision. So right now I'm looking for something "better than" the Realistic STA-90, my current top choice from this brand. I'm looking at Pioneers, Marantz, Kenwood, Onkyo, Sansui, anyone else?

Still trying to get around 50wpc and a budget of $300. Likely with be driving 4 speakers in a 12'x14' bedroom.

Have you searched for any of these models on your local Craigslist or checked any thrift stores? From what I've seen, Marantz and Sansui will be a bit pricier, Kenwood and Onkyo are not as plentiful, and there are lots of Pioneers. How about Technics and Yamaha?

 

[DonP1]

Have you searched for any of these models on your local Craigslist or checked any thrift stores? From what I've seen, Marantz and Sansui will be a bit pricier, Kenwood and Onkyo are not as plentiful, and there are lots of Pioneers. How about Technics and Yamaha?

This past weekend I went to two pawn shop (no audio at all), two goodwill stores (mostly modern stuff). I'm combing CL, ebay, and reverb right now. I got lucky and purchased the Realistic STA-47 with two small JVC speakers for $15. I'm not in a huge hurry because I don't want to spend $300 on something that is old and broken and have to dump another $300 into repairing it.

That got me looking into other Realistics. I started looking at the Radio Shack catalogs online.

This thread was to "open my eyes" about what else is out there other than Realistic that I should look out for. Stuff from the mid 70s around 50wpc.

I've also been looking at other AK threads. Interesting to me are the "Build a new system under $500", and the "ChiFi" thread. On one hand I love the great sound with vintage stuff, but on the other comes the fear of something going wrong and ending up with a paper weight.

 

[quiet]

Then 4,5 and 8 from post 18.

 

[Grenadeslio]

This past weekend I went to two pawn shop (no audio at all), two goodwill stores (mostly modern stuff). I'm combing CL, ebay, and reverb right now. I got lucky and purchased the Realistic STA-47 with two small JVC speakers for $15. I'm not in a huge hurry because I don't want to spend $300 on something that is old and broken and have to dump another $300 into repairing it.

That got me looking into other Realistics. I started looking at the Radio Shack catalogs online.

This thread was to "open my eyes" about what else is out there other than Realistic that I should look out for. Stuff from the mid 70s around 50wpc.

I've also been looking at other AK threads. Interesting to me are the "Build a new system under $500", and the "ChiFi" thread. On one hand I love the great sound with vintage stuff, but on the other comes the fear of something going wrong and ending up with a paper weight.

Just checked eBay and see a plethora of Kenwood KA 7100's within budget, buy it now with best offer. I like this better than auctions, if you make an offer many sellers will negotiate, I've found it's common to get the shipping dropped if there is a charge.

 

[SoCal Sam]

Not too long ago, I would have answered Sansui Eight but damn, prices have skyrocketed on those. Must be all the props the Eight gets here at good ole AK. Concept receivers are not cheap anymore either.

 

[ZIP007]

There are many good choices out there. I think a Pioneer SX-737 at about 35 watts per channel sounds better than an SX-750. The SX-750 isn't bad either.

I will second the SX-737. Sold mine to a friend that kept bugging me to sell it to him. Wished I wouldn't have but he is still enjoying it and I got some new to me equipment .

 

[David_NC]

This past weekend I went to two pawn shop (no audio at all), two goodwill stores (mostly modern stuff). I'm combing CL, ebay, and reverb right now. I got lucky and purchased the Realistic STA-47 with two small JVC speakers for $15. I'm not in a huge hurry because I don't want to spend $300 on something that is old and broken and have to dump another $300 into repairing it.

That got me looking into other Realistics. I started looking at the Radio Shack catalogs online.

This thread was to "open my eyes" about what else is out there other than Realistic that I should look out for. Stuff from the mid 70s around 50wpc.

I've also been looking at other AK threads. Interesting to me are the "Build a new system under $500", and the "ChiFi" thread. On one hand I love the great sound with vintage stuff, but on the other comes the fear of something going wrong and ending up with a paper weight.

I see what looks to be a nice SX-850 with original box (65 watts), a Sony STR-6050 (only 30 watts), and a Yamaha CR-1020 (70 watts) on your local Craigslist, so you've got some decent ones to work with (with no shipping and being able to test them). I know things can go wrong, but some issues are detectable before purchase by trying them out - noisy controls, dead channels, excess DC voltage in outputs, dial lights not working, stuck in protection, etc. I have a 'test setup' for trying equipment out - an audio cable to connect my iPhone to inputs, a pair of small speakers, speaker wire, earbuds (and 1/4 to 1/8 adatper), and a cheap multimeter. I take that with me when look at equipment. It's nice to be able to test it, as many sellers really don't have the means to easily connect a component to demo it. I've had really good luck with my vintage equipment. Out of more than a dozen pieces, only one is a paperweight (SX-1050 and only until I have it serviced), and the rest are fully functional. The hunt can be a big part of the fun of vintage equipment!

 

[quiet]

Not too long ago, I would have answered Sansui Eight but damn, prices have skyrocketed on those. Must be all the props the Eight gets here at good ole AK. Concept receivers are not cheap anymore either.

And I was thinking Sansui 5000. But oh the price. I just don't see it as an affordable bang for buck contender anymore.

 

[glend123]

Don't discount the 35 wpc receivers either. there are some good ones out there.

 

[peteCWA]

I always liked the Lafayette LR-3030(A) and the LR-5555(A). Both sounded great and had good sensitivity and selectivity on FM. Also easy to repair when there was a failure. Even the Lafayette LR-2500 and 3500 receivers weren't bad either. I have to admit I've never had a very fuzzy glow for any of Lafayette's 4 channel receivers although I do have two of their 4 channel amplifiers for which I have a weak fuzzy glow.

 

[Fuzzbuster]

I always liked the Lafayette LR-3030(A) and the LR-5555(A). Both sounded great and had good sensitivity and selectivity on FM. Also easy to repair when there was a failure. Even the Lafayette LR-2500 and 3500 receivers weren't bad either. I have to admit I've never had a very fuzzy glow for any of Lafayette's 4 channel receivers although I do have two of their 4 channel amplifiers for which I have a weak fuzzy glow.

I have an LR-3030 and they are very nice sounding receivers. Unfortunately they are susceptible to "rotary switch syndrome". As far as I know there is no replacement part available either. I need one for mine.

 

[peteCWA]

Unfortunately they are susceptible to "rotary switch syndrome". As far as I know there is no replacement part available either. I need one for mine.

I assume you're referring to the ALPS AC switch. It can be a bad problem if the switch is run for a long period and portions of the switch contacts disintegrate. If you catch it early enough, sometimes simple cleaning and mild burnishing can bring the contact area back to life. If the contacts or portions of the spring area have disintegrated, sometimes you go and find some springy metal that you can cut and shape to make a new spring contact. Somewhere on the forum there is a thread to build an electrical equivalent (somewhat) of the switch but that never really excited me.

 

[DonP1]

I see what looks to be a nice SX-850 with original box (65 watts)

This was discussed in a Dollars and Sense thread. The seller seemed shady to me. First he wanted $190, then $290. He only replies back with a couple of word replies.

The Sony is a little weak on power for the price, but it has been serviced and re-capped, a big plus. The Yamaha is in Indy and is over budget at $375.

There's also a nice Marantz 2252B that looks interesting.

 

[Fuzzbuster]

I assume you're referring to the ALPS AC switch. It can be a bad problem if the switch is run for a long period and portions of the switch contacts disintegrate. If you catch it early enough, sometimes simple cleaning and mild burnishing can bring the contact area back to life. If the contacts or portions of the spring area have disintegrated, sometimes you go and find some springy metal that you can cut and shape to make a new spring contact. Somewhere on the forum there is a thread to build an electrical equivalent (somewhat) of the switch but that never really excited me.

I've explored that option. There's a lot of work involved in getting the switch out.

 

[Boggsy44]

Nikko NR-815 it's what I have in my "profile" pic. Nice sounding. Nice looking. Blue lights. Good value

 

[tarior]

Just remember that no matter what you buy, it is going to be 40+ years old and it will need to be worked on.