Rediscovered Goodies

[David_NC]

I was back in NC over the Thanksgiving holiday, and one of my projects was to pack up some of my audio gear. That house will be sold soon, and I'd like to make sure that my treasures survive shipping and none find their way to a thrift store. Some people just don't know the value of some of this stuff!

Marantz 1060's (the wood case isn't mine; I forgot to take a pic of the front of the unit):

I have two units; one is serial 1429, shows Sun Valley vs Chatsworth, all black speaker terminals (later unit has red and black), and has an engrave front panel vs just printed. One unit sounds really good, and the other has a loud hum and almost no audio output. Obviously, both will be serviced before using.


Marantz 2235B:

I replaced the bulbs in this unit about 10 years ago and adjusted various pots, as it had a bit of DC on the outputs and ran hot in one channel. I'm sure it'll need more service now, as it was pretty warm from idling with no speakers or input after about 10 minutes.

 

[Lavane]

I've rebuilt two 1060's. Well worth the effort.

 

[David_NC]

Sony TA-2000:
This is a nice unit but will need some attention. With no input, volume at minimum, both meters show output, which I didn't listen to. I assume it's hum from bad caps, and that will be tended to soon (this unit will be on its way to me in a few days):


Kenwood KA-9100:
This one is in really good condition (all these components, are, actually) and worked when I last used it about 7 years ago. It'll need some attention to keep it running.


Sansui G9000DB:
This one also worked about 7 years ago when I last used it. AFAIK, it's all original.


JVC 4VR-5446:
I don't know much about this, other than it sounds OK with noisy controls. I'm sure its caps are past their due date, too.


Kenwood KX-710
I got this from the same guy as the JVC above (along with a Dual 1218). It has a note on it that it needs a drive belt, and this appears to be correct.


I didn't have time to get to a couple other receivers - an SX-780 (my first real receiver, bought new in high school) or SX-1050 (my second real receiver, bought used in college). There's a few more pieces to pack next time I'm there - those two receivers, Panasonic and Otari RTR decks, CT-F1250 and CT-F750 cassette decks, speakers, a couple more turntables, and who knows what all else. I'm looking forward to getting this stuff usable, though I know I won't keep it all. I know I'll hang on to much of it, though it's hard to explain to others why I need 'more than one receiver when I can only listen to one at a time'... how many different pairs of shoes are in the closet, how many different sets of china are in the cabinet... those are the usual answers I give!

 

[Lavane]

What I like about the TA-2000's is the use of so many film caps instead of electrolytics and tantalums. Plus the build quality is very good. I would like to see a TA-2000 and TA-2000F side by side to see the differences. I have a TA-3200F paower amp I restored that matches the TA-2000F.

 

[David_NC]

What I like about the TA-2000's is the use of so many film caps instead of electrolytics and tantalums. Plus the build quality is very good. I would like to see a TA-2000 and TA-2000F side by side to see the differences. I have a TA-3200F paower amp I restored that matches the TA-2000F.

I know that there are some functional differences, such as controls, bigger meters, etc, but I'd be curious as to the internal differences too. I used this unit for several years as a preamp to digitize some records and reel to reel tapes for friends back in the day. It's a very nice piece of equipment - the tone controls click more solidly than most input selectors, the toggles have a really solid feel when they 'clunk', and all the input level controls on the back are quite handy. Compared to much of the equipment I recall from the late 60's up to the mid 70's, this one feels really luxurious, if that makes sense. This one may end up being a keeper. I'd like to find a TA-3200/F to pair with it, or maybe a decently powered tube amp will match well (like a ST-70).

 

[Lavane]

I know that there are some functional differences, such as controls, bigger meters, etc, but I'd be curious as to the internal differences too. I used this unit for several years as a preamp to digitize some records and reel to reel tapes for friends back in the day. It's a very nice piece of equipment - the tone controls click more solidly than most input selectors, the toggles have a really solid feel when they 'clunk', and all the input level controls on the back are quite handy. Compared to much of the equipment I recall from the late 60's up to the mid 70's, this one feels really luxurious, if that makes sense. This one may end up being a keeper. I'd like to find a TA-3200/F to pair with it, or maybe a decently powered tube amp will match well (like a ST-70).

Those preamps still go for a pretty penny. The 3200 amps tend to fly under the radar selling cheaper than other brands. The 3200 amp has some cool features other power amps didn't back then. Two inputs, speaker switching, power output selector and gain controls. Then there were those little cube amps in the same line. 40 and 60 wpc if I remember right. I think this early to mid 70's Sony equipment got you a lot of bang for your buck. Still does.