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MaxxVolume
Lunatic Member
The term "vintage" can cover a lot of territory. Would you interpret that to mean "strictly silver-face gear", or would you be willing to accept good-performing black components ?
About a year ago, I came across a very nice Luxman R-117 receiver, offered for a respectable price. I bought it, and I`m glad that I did. There`s enough info on the web about most units to get some idea about what you can expect from them. Happy Hunting !
P.S. : If you purchase online, be sure to pay via Pay Pal (open an account if you don`t already have one). They offer the best buyer protection in case anything goes wrong, or if the unit does not work as described, etc.
About a year ago, I came across a very nice Luxman R-117 receiver, offered for a respectable price. I bought it, and I`m glad that I did. There`s enough info on the web about most units to get some idea about what you can expect from them. Happy Hunting !
P.S. : If you purchase online, be sure to pay via Pay Pal (open an account if you don`t already have one). They offer the best buyer protection in case anything goes wrong, or if the unit does not work as described, etc.
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OMGCat!
Super Member
This is a good point. As much as I don’t like to think about it, gear made in 2001 fits the 20 year vintage cut off now.
If OP really wants silver face, I’d recommend checking Bartertown for a restored unit that fits his budget. The late 70’s was a long time ago and there’s a good chance unrestored gear is going to be pretty tired by now.
In addition to the questions about budget and silver-faced or not, here are a couple of other questions;
1. What speakers are you using?
2. What is your room like? what size is it?
3. What kind of volume do you like?
4. What kind of music do you usually listen to?
5. Are you specifically looking for a receiver (tuner/pre-amp/amplifier w/ Phono) or do you just need an integrated amp with Phono?
Dswankey
Lunatic Member
Demonstrate, can you try it out or give it a listen before purchasing.
If you do buy online try to by from a reliable source who offers a return policy and @MaxxVolume makes a very good point with regards to PP
A few hundred can get you something pretty nice, are there any brands or models that you've been thinking of?
If clarity and power are goals, then a higher-end receiver from the 1990s can work very well, and they can be readily found for very reasonable price. I draw the line on "newness" by only considering units with tone control knobs.
I like my Yamaha RX-V850 a lot. I paid $25 for it a couple of years ago.
I like that Fisher that you already have. If it's in a good state of repair, it should sound fine.
Power is overrated.
More efficient and/or higher-quality speakers may be a better approach to getting the sound volume that you are looking for.
I like my Yamaha RX-V850 a lot. I paid $25 for it a couple of years ago.
I like that Fisher that you already have. If it's in a good state of repair, it should sound fine.
Power is overrated.
More efficient and/or higher-quality speakers may be a better approach to getting the sound volume that you are looking for.
toby7362
New Member
Hello,
Thank you so much for the feedback.
I am running kenwood kL-888 speakers
The room is midsized and I don’t listen very loud but sometimes I like to crank it. I would like more control on sound.
Marantz are nice because they have a mid control. I haven’t seen others that have that but that is why I’m coming to you for assistance.
I do like the silver faced models as I am really into history and remind me if a simpler time. Plus playing just LP’s on this stereo, it makes sense.
I like the look of yamahas as well but don’t know much about them.
I hope that answered all of the questions. Thanks again everyone.
None of your replies notified me through email. Glad I checked the actual posting.
Thank you so much for the feedback.
I am running kenwood kL-888 speakers
The room is midsized and I don’t listen very loud but sometimes I like to crank it. I would like more control on sound.
Marantz are nice because they have a mid control. I haven’t seen others that have that but that is why I’m coming to you for assistance.
I do like the silver faced models as I am really into history and remind me if a simpler time. Plus playing just LP’s on this stereo, it makes sense.
I like the look of yamahas as well but don’t know much about them.
I hope that answered all of the questions. Thanks again everyone.
None of your replies notified me through email. Glad I checked the actual posting.
You might want to edit your personal settings so you'll be alerted whenever someone posts on your thread.
The Yamaha CR-XXXX series receivers are nice silver faced vintage options to go along with your TT.
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
His budget is less than the work of a restore for many nice receivers.
Or just hit the watch thread link top right above the first post.
wmgwizard
Addicted Member
While I appreciate your desire for the vintage vibe my recommendation for those new to the hobby is to look for something new.
Yamaha, Marantz, Sony and many other manufacturers have very respectable 2channel receivers and Integrated amplifiers available at reasonable prices. You will get the protection of a warranty and usually the convenience of Bluetooth and or network connectivity.
Buying a vintage unit that may become unreliable and require sometimes significant additional expense can quickly quench ones desire to continue in the high fidelity hobby. Start with something new and as your involvement and enjoyment of the hobby progress then scratch that vintage itch.
Yamaha, Marantz, Sony and many other manufacturers have very respectable 2channel receivers and Integrated amplifiers available at reasonable prices. You will get the protection of a warranty and usually the convenience of Bluetooth and or network connectivity.
Buying a vintage unit that may become unreliable and require sometimes significant additional expense can quickly quench ones desire to continue in the high fidelity hobby. Start with something new and as your involvement and enjoyment of the hobby progress then scratch that vintage itch.
Bone Yard
Super Member
I'd start warming up for garage sale season and just find one that pops up. If I asked myself the same question I'd come up with a 100 different units. Lately there hasn't been a ton locally but up north there's an Optonica, TT and some speakers around your budget and I feel like the State of Hockey has a ton of vintage equipment but people aren't selling it online unless it's big money.
Personally I've got a crap load of vintage audio, most of it still works fine although the bass does start thinning out with age, I don't go outside the 70s-80s for design and build reasons so I can understand the desire to have vintage. Just keep looking and if you see something you like, jump on it, they tend to disappear fast.
Personally I've got a crap load of vintage audio, most of it still works fine although the bass does start thinning out with age, I don't go outside the 70s-80s for design and build reasons so I can understand the desire to have vintage. Just keep looking and if you see something you like, jump on it, they tend to disappear fast.
Agreed! But when you create a thread or reply to one you automatically become a watcher unless your settings say otherwise. In order to automatically receive notifications, he'll need to go to the top right to his user name, select "Preferences", then select "Automatically watch threads that you create or when you reply...".
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Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
I don't want to be notified every time there is a response to most of the threads I create but that is why there are preferences.
So many choices. I would also include integrated amps in your search because you can always get a tuner super cheap. Also you could even use your Fisher as a tuner by using output via out.
But honestly you would have to go to about 90 WPC or so to notice any real difference in volume. But you might find something cleaner.
How about you tell us if you come across a certain piece and then we can give it a thumbs up or thumbs down.
But honestly you would have to go to about 90 WPC or so to notice any real difference in volume. But you might find something cleaner.
How about you tell us if you come across a certain piece and then we can give it a thumbs up or thumbs down.
That gets annoying. I prefer to just look at the "alerts" here. That seem to work pretty well overall.
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
I have some threads watched and I don't even want the alerts, just the thread in my list of threads. So I don't click the alert and it stops alerting until I click the next alert.