Most Beloved Receiver
- Thread starter vintagestereo
- Start date
:thumbsdn: :tears: ).
Drybasement
Hold the ketchup...
Probably my Sansui G-4500. It was the first serious piece of hifi gear I ever owned. I got it brand new in 1979 as a present for my 16th birthday. I made a deal with my father that if I could pay $100 towards it's purchase he would pay the rest. I was saving up money working at the local restaurant clearing tables and washing dishes. A hundred dollars was a huge amount of money to me back then but I managed to save it up and I got my Sansui (along with a Technics SL-230 turntable).
I still have them and use them both regularly.
Next would be my AU-D11II/TU-S77X combo that I purchased new in 1984.
I still have them and use them both regularly.
Next would be my AU-D11II/TU-S77X combo that I purchased new in 1984.
My Marantz 2325, My new wife bought it for me in 1975. We have come a long way together. It is currently on the fritz, responsible for blowing one of my Altec Stonehenge's. But, It will sing again as soon as I find someone to repair it. It has already been to Colorado. Not sure it wants to go again. It is the best sounding reciever I have ever heard. Comes a close second to my 3300/250/125 combo. Larry
Well, this thread just goes to show that ordinary people can develope an emotional connection with their vintage electronics. For some reason, please get really passionate about cars, boats, planes and VINTAGE STEREO! Pretty amazing! I love it! 
-- Chris
-- Chris
waylyn5945
Active Member
Presently own:
Yamaha R-1000
Heathkit AR-1500
Harman Kardon hk-430
Pioneer SX-950
Pioneer SX-1980
Pioneer SX-737
Sony STR-6060FW
I play the hk-430 at work and the STR-6060 at home (when I'm not playing the separates system). Of those two - I never get tired of listening to the Sony. It is sooooo mellow.
Yamaha R-1000
Heathkit AR-1500
Harman Kardon hk-430
Pioneer SX-950
Pioneer SX-1980
Pioneer SX-737
Sony STR-6060FW
I play the hk-430 at work and the STR-6060 at home (when I'm not playing the separates system). Of those two - I never get tired of listening to the Sony. It is sooooo mellow.
superdog said:
The Sony would have to be the STR-7800SD
Or the next-gen STR-V6 @125wpc. Quite similar looks and performance.vintagestereo said:
superdog - send me a PM with your e-mail address if you would like to have the Sony STR-7800SD and STR-V6 sales brochures. I have them in electronic format. Also have the 150wpc STR-V7 brochure, as well, should you want. All are excellent choices, as is the 85wpc STR-V5. 5-gang tuners in all four of these units.
CUlater
Member #287, thereabouts
Most beloved are the first ones:
General Electric RA-200 receiver - my first 'real' stereo, got it from Santa in or about 1974, along with a BSR changer and a pair of GE 'tri-port' two-way speakers.
Akai AM-2400 integrated amp - my first stereo purchase, mail order from Stereo Discounters in Timonium, MD, after much shopping around. Still remember going to the bank to get the Cashier's Check to send to them. 1977 or so. Also bought a Technics SL-230 with an Empire E2000/III from them not long afterwards.
I still have the original RA-200, along with a couple more 'spares'. The Akai was stolen out of a storage unit, along with a Technics ST-9030 tuner :tears: . However, I have since bought a couple off eBay to replace it in my heart.
KLH 52 receiver - this was the receiver that started it all for me, circa 1973 or so. I don't know why, it just became the object of my desire, sitting there on the shelf in the middle of all those Pioneers, Kenwoods, Marantzes, etc. in the Best Products showroom. Back in the day I never got around to scraping the money together to buy one, but it was the first thing I bought when I discovered eBay in 2000. I now have about 6 of them.
Thanks for the mam..., um, memories, I mean.
General Electric RA-200 receiver - my first 'real' stereo, got it from Santa in or about 1974, along with a BSR changer and a pair of GE 'tri-port' two-way speakers.
Akai AM-2400 integrated amp - my first stereo purchase, mail order from Stereo Discounters in Timonium, MD, after much shopping around. Still remember going to the bank to get the Cashier's Check to send to them. 1977 or so. Also bought a Technics SL-230 with an Empire E2000/III from them not long afterwards.
I still have the original RA-200, along with a couple more 'spares'. The Akai was stolen out of a storage unit, along with a Technics ST-9030 tuner :tears: . However, I have since bought a couple off eBay to replace it in my heart.
KLH 52 receiver - this was the receiver that started it all for me, circa 1973 or so. I don't know why, it just became the object of my desire, sitting there on the shelf in the middle of all those Pioneers, Kenwoods, Marantzes, etc. in the Best Products showroom. Back in the day I never got around to scraping the money together to buy one, but it was the first thing I bought when I discovered eBay in 2000. I now have about 6 of them.
Thanks for the mam..., um, memories, I mean.
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soundweasel
Super Member
All my receivers "be loved" by me
Every single one of them be loved by me every day. However, my KLH Model 52 always surprises me by how great it sounds through a pair of KLH Model 24s. Sure I have more powerful receivers -- Concept 11.0, Marantz 2245 and Pioneer SX-780 -- but the pleasant surprise I get from the Model 52 every time I power it up makes me smile. It just sounds great! Frankly, if I'd obtained the Model 52 first, at a time when I was simply looking for a small system for the home office, I may have stopped right there and not bothered buying any other gear...not! Still, I love my 52.
Every single one of them be loved by me every day. However, my KLH Model 52 always surprises me by how great it sounds through a pair of KLH Model 24s. Sure I have more powerful receivers -- Concept 11.0, Marantz 2245 and Pioneer SX-780 -- but the pleasant surprise I get from the Model 52 every time I power it up makes me smile. It just sounds great! Frankly, if I'd obtained the Model 52 first, at a time when I was simply looking for a small system for the home office, I may have stopped right there and not bothered buying any other gear...not! Still, I love my 52.
Link to the past...
There can be only one....
I spent the summer of '81 running unformed chips through pneumatic air presses in IBM Owego, while my high school classmates followed engineers around for the same $8 or whatever an hour. What a miserable job...one that could of easily been automated. Had to get the little feet just right so they would sit flat on the circuit boards for soldering. I took all the money I saved that summer and went with my best buddy up to a high end Hi-Fi store in Ithaca. We looked at a bunch of stuff, but I can remember it as clear as day when the salesman put Elton John's Funeral for a Friend on, and that synthesizer run as the song really starts up absolutely blew us away. I bought that NAD 7080 that day for $425, and have had it ever since. It's lived in NC, PA, NY, FL, VT, ME, SC, and GA with me, and recently I had it serviced and it still sings. I just took it out of service the other day when I bought my new separates set-up, but it's not going anywhere. The FM signal strength and tuning meter IC is out on it, and apparently they can't be found anymore, so I picked up a 7045 with functioning meters recently, and one of these days when I'm overflowing with cash, I will have my repair guy change out the parts....(this isn't something I could do myself is it???) On a side note, I have a Sony STR 7800 SD that I have been toying with trading for a Bose 1801. If the deal doesn't happen I might consider letting it go...PM me....
A.A.
There can be only one....
I spent the summer of '81 running unformed chips through pneumatic air presses in IBM Owego, while my high school classmates followed engineers around for the same $8 or whatever an hour. What a miserable job...one that could of easily been automated. Had to get the little feet just right so they would sit flat on the circuit boards for soldering. I took all the money I saved that summer and went with my best buddy up to a high end Hi-Fi store in Ithaca. We looked at a bunch of stuff, but I can remember it as clear as day when the salesman put Elton John's Funeral for a Friend on, and that synthesizer run as the song really starts up absolutely blew us away. I bought that NAD 7080 that day for $425, and have had it ever since. It's lived in NC, PA, NY, FL, VT, ME, SC, and GA with me, and recently I had it serviced and it still sings. I just took it out of service the other day when I bought my new separates set-up, but it's not going anywhere. The FM signal strength and tuning meter IC is out on it, and apparently they can't be found anymore, so I picked up a 7045 with functioning meters recently, and one of these days when I'm overflowing with cash, I will have my repair guy change out the parts....(this isn't something I could do myself is it???) On a side note, I have a Sony STR 7800 SD that I have been toying with trading for a Bose 1801. If the deal doesn't happen I might consider letting it go...PM me....
A.A.
bigmacc
AK Subscriber
Kr-9600; Sx-1050; Cr-2020
I sold Kenwood audio back in 1977-78. I always wanted the big dog the 9600.
Well fast forward to 2005 l bought one from AK's Bully. I decided if l was going to make this my forever unit l would do it right. Echo Wars redid the receiver and Punker X of course tuned up the tuner. It is my baby.
Now second and third spots are not that bad either. A Pioneer SX-1050 from Grumpy. Now Grumps was the reason l originally jioned the pre AK site. I by accident came across this vintage audio group who had a member who's claim to fame was he was always pissed off. It didn't take me long to realise that underneath that gruff exterior Grumpy had aheart of gold. He was the first AK member l ever met.
Third spot my Yamaha CR-2020 from Luvvinvinyl. I am at work and by coincidence l check the site just before lunch and the 2020 is for sale. I yell out emergency cannot explain to my secretary and l head to home praying it will still be available. I bought it on the spot.
What makes these units so special is they are originate from AK. It doesn't get any better than that.:thmbsp:
I sold Kenwood audio back in 1977-78. I always wanted the big dog the 9600.
Well fast forward to 2005 l bought one from AK's Bully. I decided if l was going to make this my forever unit l would do it right. Echo Wars redid the receiver and Punker X of course tuned up the tuner. It is my baby.
Now second and third spots are not that bad either. A Pioneer SX-1050 from Grumpy. Now Grumps was the reason l originally jioned the pre AK site. I by accident came across this vintage audio group who had a member who's claim to fame was he was always pissed off. It didn't take me long to realise that underneath that gruff exterior Grumpy had aheart of gold. He was the first AK member l ever met.
Third spot my Yamaha CR-2020 from Luvvinvinyl. I am at work and by coincidence l check the site just before lunch and the 2020 is for sale. I yell out emergency cannot explain to my secretary and l head to home praying it will still be available. I bought it on the spot.
What makes these units so special is they are originate from AK. It doesn't get any better than that.:thmbsp: