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So I want to build an 80's vintage system....

xs650shawn

xs650shawn

Active Member
Looking at building an 80's vintage system. Don't know why, other than interest in building a system with components available used when I was in high school. Plus I think some of the 80's stuff looked cool, not elegant or classy like 70's silver equipment, but cool nonetheless. Also want to build on the cheap (possible garage system).
Been eyeing a few integrateds, receivers, and CD players, mostly JVC products. Some JVC, Technics, Denon CDP's. Looking for opinions on the following:
Kenwood KA-88: 100w/ch integrated amp;
JVC AX-R450 integrated;
JVC AX-500V integrated;
JVC RX500 receiver, 100w/ch (I believe);
JVC RX-5V receiver.
All are available for similar cost, just want some opinions from those who have heard them how they'd stack up against each other.
 
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Just to post an update. Luckily I read all the replies prior to them getting lost with the server update. I ended up buying a JVC A-X5 off the auction site. Probably paid a bit too much, but as I said, local selection sucks. Beautiful looking amp. Saw one here on AK that had wood sides added, might just have to do that myself. Just hoping it sounds as good as it looks. Will also have to get a matching tuner, EQ, etc. Did JVC make any good silver CD players? What else would be a bulletproof silver faced CDP, from any timeframe, not just the 80's?
 
If you plan on utilizing both audio and video for your 1980s stereo system then can I recommend a 1980s JVC VCR? When I first seen these VCRs I never seen anything like them. They look very cool and would fit well with a 1980s stereo setup.

just go on eBay and search JVC HR D.
A good example of this would be the JVC HR D 470. It's got a very retro look and lots of buttons. They say it plays and records very well to. Some people use it to record just audio on VHS tapes because it's better than cassettes. This VHS Player is especially uniqe because you insert the VHS tape Verticly instead of the other 99% of VHS players that have you insert the tape horizontally.

The going price for them is about $50 -$80

Here are some good examples.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-4-Head-...131365?hash=item4afd4b0265:g:Yl0AAOSwr7ZW6bMC

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-4-Head-...746811?hash=item4afeffa57b:g:5fsAAOSwJQdXDV9A
image.jpg
 
Some of the best receivers JVC made in the 1980s were the JVC RX-8V/9V, which are rated at 100 wpc and 120 wpc respectively. And The JVC RX 750/950v, which are a step above the 8 and 9v, but as far as I know the only difference is the 750v and 950v have preamp to amp jumpers.

There is also the rx 1001v, but you would be lucky to find one under $300.

People always say that the JVC Jr s line of receivers were underrated and overlooked but JVC also made lots of nice things in the 1980s like these receivers. Typically you can find the JVC RX receivers on eBay for around $60 - $140. Mostly on the low end of that which is a great deal considering all these receivers can do and they have very vice sound.
 
xs650shawn said:
Looking at building an 80's vintage system. Don't know why, other than interest in building a system with components available used when I was in high school. Plus I think some of the 80's stuff looked cool, not elegant or classy like 70's silver equipment, but cool nonetheless. Also want to build on the cheap (possible garage system).
Been eyeing a few integrateds, receivers, and CD players, mostly JVC products. Some JVC, Technics, Denon CDP's. Looking for opinions on the following:
Kenwood KA-88: 100w/ch integrated amp;
JVC AX-R450 integrated;
JVC AX-500V integrated;
JVC RX500 receiver, 100w/ch (I believe);
JVC RX-5V receiver.
All are available for similar cost, just want some opinions from those who have heard them how they'd stack up against each other.
Click to expand...


There is nothing in mid to late 80th in JVC line worth buying today. Though you can try this one http://www.thevintageknob.org/jvc-A-X9.html which is technically from 80th (1980-81). That will be interesting unit to try.
 
ELzekio said:
If you plan on utilizing both audio and video for your 1980s stereo system then can I recommend a 1980s JVC VCR? When I first seen these VCRs I never seen anything like them. They look very cool and would fit well with a 1980s stereo setup.

just go on eBay and search JVC HR D.
A good example of this would be the JVC HR D 470. It's got a very retro look and lots of buttons. They say it plays and records very well to. Some people use it to record just audio on VHS tapes because it's better than cassettes. This VHS Player is especially uniqe because you insert the VHS tape Verticly instead of the other 99% of VHS players that have you insert the tape horizontally.

The going price for them is about $50 -$80

Here are some good examples.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-4-Head-...131365?hash=item4afd4b0265:g:Yl0AAOSwr7ZW6bMC

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-4-Head-...746811?hash=item4afeffa57b:g:5fsAAOSwJQdXDV9A
View attachment 733255
Click to expand...

I bought the HR-D470U back in 1986. I worked great for about 25 years or so. It is having trouble tracking tapes now. I replaced the rubber and it didn't help. I don't know of anyone that I trust to work on it. Most would say throw it away because it's worthless... Not to me though!

I bought a second one a couple of years ago. It would not track the tapes I recorded in SLP (for audio) correctly. It now has a black picture. Not sure what happened. I bought a newer JVC probably from the 90's cheap. It tracks every tape I put in it, including stuff recorded in Hi-Fi in 1987 in SLP mode. I need to capture some more of my VHS before there is nothing left to play them on. I mainly wanted the stuff I recorded from FM radio early on. I wish I would have recorded more over the years. Playing these back now sound exactly like when they were recorded. Some of the stuff was still played on vinyl and CDs were just becoming more popular for radio use.


for_p1 said:
There is nothing in mid to late 80th in JVC line worth buying today. Though you can try this one http://www.thevintageknob.org/jvc-A-X9.html which is technically from 80th (1980-81). That will be interesting unit to try.
Click to expand...

Good, makes more for me!
 
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