Receiver advice?

[BenGlyde]

Ok, I'm a noob. Just looking for some advice and help. My system is not great, so go easy on me

I'd like to upgrade the receiver on my system and go vintage, but not sure the right way to go. Right now, I have my sights set on a Concept 6.5 or Marantz 2270. Others? It would replace an Insignia NS R-2000 (I know, I know). I talked to a stereo repair guy who got me interested in the Concept. I know Marantz's from the 70s get a lot of love here. Are those two too much power? Do I need that much? My setup:

Speakers: 2 Klipsch R-28F
Subwoofer: Klipsch R12SW
Turntable: U-Turn Orbit Plus

I pretty much play exclusively vinyl, all in a modestly-sized (i.e., small) living room. I don't tend to turn up the volume very much, on account of having a small child at home. I listen to mostly rock music, although not exclusively. I *don't* need a lot of bells and whistles. Aesthetically-pleasing a plus. Any advice on a great-sounding vintage receiver? My budget is about 1k, maybe up to $1800 or 2k if I push it...

Thank you!

 

[BamaBilly]

Too much power, no such thing! Although with the Klipsch speakers just about any amount of power would push them fine. The first rule of vintage equipment (for me anyway): either know the service history, Meaning proof a service was performed or be ready to get it serviced. Nothing worse than getting a receiver, getting it in place then it going out a month down the road. I would consider any of the 22XX model Marantz that I could get a good deal on. Also the phono section on the Marantz sounds good, I have a 2252b in my secondary system and love it. Another thing is that if I had close to $2000 to spend on a receiver I wouldn’t. I’d be looking for separates especially if you don’t need a tuner.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Marantz receivers of the ‘70s also have great phono-stages. No need for a preamp unless you have some exotic cartridge.

 

[BenGlyde]

Too much power, no such thing! Although with the Klipsch speakers just about any amount of power would push them fine. The first rule of vintage equipment (for me anyway): either know the service history, Meaning proof a service was performed or be ready to get it serviced. Nothing worse than getting a receiver, getting it in place then it going out a month down the road. I would consider any of the 22XX model Marantz that I could get a good deal on. Also the phono section on the Marantz sounds good, I have a 2252b in my secondary system and love it. Another thing is that if I had close to $2000 to spend on a receiver I wouldn’t. I’d be looking for separates especially if you don’t need a tuner.

Thank you! Can you say more about what you mean by separates? I don't know what those are. And no, I don't need a tuner.

 

[the skipper]

First off, you can never have to much power as long as you use your ears and head. If it starts to sound gritty, distorted or just plain bad, turn it down immediately.

Second, with electronics that old, don't be surprised if they need to spend some time with a good tech.

Finally, there are tons of good vintage receivers out there and we each have our favorites and you will get many, many suggestions. I suggest your main purchasing criteria be the condition of the unit.

And, FWIW, I love Marantz. Have loved it since I bought my first 2270 NIB when I got out of the air force.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Thank you! Can you say more about what you mean by separates? I don't know what those are. And no, I don't need a tuner.

You could go with either an integrated amp or a pre-amp/power amp set-up.


My mid ‘70s Marantz 250M Power Amp (125 wpc) and 3600 Pre Amp.


I also have a Kenwood KA7100 (60 wpc) Integrated Amp in the closet. Does what both of the above do in one unit.

 

[N8Nagel]

I see a lot of Marantz love here but I have noticed a distinct "Marantz Tax" lately to the point where some pieces have doubled or tripled in value since I started paying attention. I have a 4270 (and have had in the past a 2220B and a 1070) but don't know that I would necessarily buy one today at market prices.

I might also suggest, if you really want a receiver and not separates, a Sansui 2000/a/x or 5000/a/x (although the latter has some serious known issues, they can be rectified, but it might not be the right receiver for you if you aren't handy and don't have a good tech) although for your budget you could likely get some really serious hardware like a Sansui Eight, 9090/9090DB, QRX-9001, et cetera. All of the those I would classify as aesthetically appealing at least to me; the 9090/9090DB at least seems to be going up in value as well just like the 22xx Marantz units unfortunately as it is a TOTL from the "receiver war" era. QRX-9001 is a monster and if you don't need/want quadraphonic may be ludicrously large for your space and also just overkill. I really want an Eight badly and in fact almost had a killer deal on one a couple years ago but it fell through because I lost touch with the seller and because there was a professional relationship there I really couldn't push without causing the perception of impropriety.

If you are not wedded to the silver and walnut aesthetic, you might want to consider instead a Sansui AU-xxx integrated amp and separate tuner either a matching Sansui unit or just throw a Sony XDR-F1HD at it and be done, tuners are not desirable that much anymore.

Another to consider would be a Luxman R-1120 or one of its little brothers, I had one and it's a nice sounding unit. I let mine go because it was perpetually broken, that turned out to be a mechanically broken selector switch that it took way too many tech visits to resolve and by the time it was fixed I'd replaced it. Otherwise, I would likely still have it. Again, a contemporary Luxman integrated amp might be a good choice as well if you don't mind using a separate tuner.

With your budget you may be able to find a McIntosh "Mac" receiver as well (1500, 1700, 1900, 4100, 4200, et cetera) keep an eye open for those. At least in my area though Luxman seems to have outsold McIntosh by quite a bit, or else the latter just doesn't change hands often.

I would think that you should be able to get a very satisfying vintage receiver from any of those brands for well within your budget with possible exception of McIntosh.

 

[Dswankey]

Can you say more about what you mean by separates? I don't know what those are. And no, I don't need a tuner.

Back in the day you could buy "separate" pieces of equipment to tailor to your needs. As @Coolhandjjl alluded to they consist of the following

Power Amp - used to amplify the audio signal (Tape, Phono, AM/FM) being sent to it. That signal would then be fed to the speakers via the connect speaker wires on the back of the Power Amp

Pre Amp - Sometimes referred to as a control center this unit is what sends the audio signal to the above mentioned Power amp. It controls the volume, it allows you to select what source you want to listen to at a given time, for example if playing a record you would select the Phono source button/knob

Tuner - This unit, which would be connected to the Pre Amp, allows you to pull in AM/FM radio stations and send that audio signal to the Power Amp

Integrated Amp's came later, it is a Power Amp & Pre Amp (control center) combined in one unit with out a Tuner but having the option of connecting a separate Tuner

Receivers are an all in one unit consisting of a Power Amp a Pre Amp (control center) and a Tuner all together under the hood.

 

[N8Nagel]

Back in the day you could buy "separate" pieces of equipment to tailor to your needs. As @Coolhandjjl alluded to they consist of the following

Power Amp - used to amplify the audio signal (Tape, Phono, AM/FM) being sent to it. That signal would then be fed to the speakers via the connect speaker wires on the back of the Power Amp

Pre Amp - Sometimes referred to as a control center this unit is what sends the audio signal to the above mentioned Power amp. It controls the volume, it allows you to select what source you want to listen to at a given time, for example if playing a record you would select the Phono source button/knob

Tuner - This unit, which would be connected to the Pre Amp, allows you to pull in AM/FM radio stations and send that audio signal to the Power Amp

Integrated Amp's came later, it is a Power Amp & Pre Amp (control center) combined in one unit with out a Tuner but having the option of connecting a separate Tuner

Receivers are an all in one unit consisting of a Power Amp a Pre Amp (control center) and a Tuner all together under the hood.

You forgot one more that a few manufacturers offered, a Preamp/Tuner like my Luxman TP-117 or an Adcom GTP-450 or -500. Name is pretty self explanatory though. Did anyone else make them? The Adcom GTP is to me one of the pieces that I think of immediately when someone mentions the brand, along with a GFA-555 power amp.

 

[N8Nagel]

Also, I think we're all concentrating on late 60s early 70s gear here because you mentioned a Marantz 2270. If you're open to older gear, I flat out love my HH Scott 340B, and it glows in the dark! Other Scott and Fisher models would likely be equally satisfying.

 

[BenGlyde]

Anyone have or heard a Concept 6.5? A repair guy was trying to sell me on one of those, but I haven't been able to find much info. I have seen a few around for less than $1k.

 

[the skipper]

You forgot one more that a few manufacturers offered, a Preamp/Tuner like my Luxman TP-117 or an Adcom GTP-450 or -500. Name is pretty self explanatory though. Did anyone else make them? The Adcom GTP is to me one of the pieces that I think of immediately when someone mentions the brand, along with a GFA-555 power amp.

yep/ Marantz made one, the model 24. Sony also made at least one but the number elides me. NAD made two, the 1600 and the 1700.

Here's my 1600

 

[rickb119]

Anyone have or heard a Concept 6.5? A repair guy was trying to sell me on one of those, but I haven't been able to find much info. I have seen a few around for less than $1k.

If you do a google search for "concept 6.5 stereo receiver", it will pull up all the AK threads. From what little I've read, it seems to be a well liked receiver.

 

[Dswankey]

Anyone have or heard a Concept 6.5? A repair guy was trying to sell me on one of those, but I haven't been able to find much info. I have seen a few around for less than $1k.

I get that you're looking to get into vintage and it's a fun hobby to get into. < $1K is going right into the deep end of the pool be patient and I'n sure you can stumble onto something for a decent amount less.

 

[BamaBilly]

Thank you! Can you say more about what you mean by separates? I don't know what those are. And no, I don't need a tuner.

Like has already been said, separates would mean you’d need a preamp and either an amp or a pair of monoblocks. If you’re just getting started a receiver is a much simpler solution.

 

[Chrisxo55441]

I have Concept 11.0 its a pretty nice receiver but i do prefer my Marantz 2325 which is similar power. sound wise i dont think you could go wrong either way you picked, but looks wise its Marantz all the way for me. lots of info and people knowledgeable on Marantz repair and restore, most people havent heard of Concept or seen one.

 

[hopeless]

First off, you can never have to much power as long as you use your ears and head. If it starts to sound gritty, distorted or just plain bad, turn it down immediately.

Second, with electronics that old, don't be surprised if they need to spend some time with a good tech.

Finally, there are tons of good vintage receivers out there and we each have our favorites and you will get many, many suggestions. I suggest your main purchasing criteria be the condition of the unit.

And, FWIW, I love Marantz. Have loved it since I bought my first 2270 NIB when I got out of the air force.

Yeah, bookshelf speakers and massive power is my thing. Frosts me that my Bryston sits it out while a Niles SI275 fills in. I have a nice little collection of amps and integrateds. Been a lot of years since I've had a receiver in my main system. Not a Marantz guy, more h/k or vintage Yamaha (the really old stuff, or post 2000 upper end surround receivers), but the Arcam stuff from the late 90s through the early 2000s. Had an Alpha 9 integrated for a few years. Absolutely loved it.

 

[FB night]

I like vintage. Almost everything I have is vintage. I am in my 60s, I started out with a new Pioneer SX-1250 receiver purchased from a dealer in my home town. Throughout the years I have also had vintage Marantz, Yamaha, NAD, other smaller Pioneer receivers and Kenwood. I wanted something newer, so last year I purchased a lightly used Marantz PM8005 here in Barter Town. I am enjoying it very much, has a nice phono section and also tone controls. I dont know if you can still find a new one, it seems to be discontinued, but am sure a used one is out there. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-eND3XRjvbWL/p_642PM8005/Marantz-PM8005.html

 

[loudnoises]

I get that you're looking to get into vintage and it's a fun hobby to get into. < $1K is going right into the deep end of the pool be patient and I'n sure you can stumble onto something for a decent amount less.

I'm gonna second this.

If money is no object then buy away. But if you've got your heart set on a specific piece and the prices are scary, you can easily exchange some patience for a better deal. Everything you see for sale was likely bought for less by the seller, and what you are reality paying for is their time. The last 2 pieces I sold went for orders of magnitude of what I paid. But I also spent hours digging and days between finds. (no, they weren't sold here).