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

tarior said:
Just remember that no matter what you buy, it is going to be 40+ years old and it will need to be worked on.
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I've mentioned that already and it is the one thing that has me worried with buying vintage. I'm also looking at ChiFi stuff, and the "Build a modern system under $500" thread. I'm weighing my options of going vintage and likely having to do a cap job and possibly other work, or going new and possibly not getting the same audio quality. I have a Dynaco SCA-35 that is still running great, but I've already bought Dave's new boards and all the components to rebuild it. I'm going to look at a scope on Friday.
 
peteCWA said:
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. :)
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I suggested the Lafayette LR-5555.
But forgot to mention they are known for power switch issues.
That issue (if needed) can be fixed for not that much $, and should be under the OP's budget (purchase price + repair if needed) even if it needs that repair.
Other than that they seem to be quite reliable and sound good.
 
DirtFarmer said:
I love, and will never part with, my Realistic STA-225. It was their TOTL receiver in 1975-1976. A very warm 50wpc.

I bought it from Craigslist for $100, and all it needed was a Deoxit clean.
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I'd be all over that in a heartbeat! Great score. I'm hoping something like that pops up. In that price, there is enough money left over to re-cap and do other maintenance.
 
peteCWA said:
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. :)
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goodolpg said:
I suggested the Lafayette LR-5555.
But forgot to mention they are known for power switch issues.
That issue (if needed) can be fixed for not that much $, and should be under the OP's budget (purchase price + repair if needed) even if it needs that repair.
Other than that they seem to be quite reliable and sound good.
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I'm guessing the LR-3030 is 30wpc and th LR-5555 is 55wpc?

These look good. There are some Lafayettes in my local CLs but I think they are older integrated amps, not receivers. My dad liked Lafayette.
 
Yes, 30 and 55 respectively. There was also a 90 and 120 wpc. Made by Luxman or Setting depending on who you talk to.
 
DonP1 said:
I'm guessing the LR-3030 is 30wpc and th LR-5555 is 55wpc?

These look good. There are some Lafayettes in my local CLs but I think they are older integrated amps, not receivers. My dad liked Lafayette.
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My first equipment in 1976 included a Lafayette integrated and tuner, still have them, well my son does now and they're still making great music. The picture has them stacked with the Cantons waiting before he picked them up.

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Connected to a set of these, Canton Plus S with matching Plus C passive sub, shown without grills.
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DonP1 said:
I'm looking for a receiver under $300, around 50wpc.

I picked up a Realistic STA-47 (12wpc) and was really impressed. I like the mid 70's stuff.

I'm currently looking at Realistic STA-95 and STA-90. The 2080 and 2000 are likely out of my price range.

2280 and 2380 are cheaper, but are 10 years newer, and I'm afraid won't sound as good. I like the tuner presets, but read they could have issues.

I'm curious what other stuff is out there similar to the STA-95 or STA-90 in looks and power.

Thanks.
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Techincs SA 600 @ 70 Watts per Channel

Or SA 500 @ 55 watts per Channel
 
The only Lafayette on my local CL is an LA-324A, 40 watts IHF, likely around 10w-15w continuous.
 
I can recomend the STA 225, great build quality and sound. It also has mid controls. The Pioneer 1000TW is also an amazing receiver with a very warm sound.I can also recommend the Pioneer SX 750 and The ONKYO 2500MKII, both are well made and sound great, but the ONKYO bulbs are a pain to replace and the unit is often found with burn't out bulbs
 
DonP1 said:
I'm guessing the LR-3030 is 30wpc and th LR-5555 is 55wpc?

These look good. There are some Lafayettes in my local CLs but I think they are older integrated amps, not receivers. My dad liked Lafayette.
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Yes. The model numbers (in that series) correlate to their power output.
 
Fuzzbuster said:
Yes, 30 and 55 respectively. There was also a 90 and 120 wpc. Made by Luxman or Setting depending on who you talk to.
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That series had the 1515, 2020, 3030 ,5555, and 9090.
Shortly after those was their biggest receiver, the LR-120DB.
I've had the 2020, 9090, and currently have the 120DB.
 
Mentioned before is the Onkyo TX-4500/2. The best tuner and phono stage of any similar at the time. Ample power (65 per iirc) and they’re still available for sane $.
Great looking too.
 
Ds2000 said:
Mentioned before is the Onkyo TX-4500/2. The best tuner and phono stage of any similar at the time. Ample power (65 per iirc) and they’re still available for sane $.
Great looking too.
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Realistic STA-90 vs. Onkyo TX-4500 MKII. Which one wins if both at in great shape and same price?
 
Have you spent the 25 bucks for a one year subscription and red banner allowing you to ask for one of these receivers from AKers? Barter Town ask would be filled with a few receivers like you mention and piles of other gear folks find that they want to unload when they look for that receiver. Heck close to your budget power/price is a Tandberg TR-2045 that has push button presets on the tuner, not many do that. And it looks great with the rosewood veneer, not plastic wrap. There are too many to list and quiet got a list started but there are bunches more. All the major brands, every year or so had a new model with more of something from 1970 to 1982. Maybe about 100 to consider. good luck.
 
Buy the Onkyo A7 in barter town for a bit over 2 bills and find a matching T-4 or T-9 tuner for a c-note and you will have something.
 
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I would look for one of the above recommended that is on Bartertown that one of the members has restored.
As mentioned above I really like both the Pioneer SX1000TA/TW and the SX737 for vintage offerings that will be in the price range.
 
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