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Thoughts on vintage receiver prices?

I’ve owned 10 vintage Pioneer receivers(still own one), one Reaistic, and still own one Sansui. They have gotten to the ridiculous price level. Yes they have visual appeal and great build quality and great sound quality but in my opinion I can no longer justify their going prices. I find that there are plenty of 80s and 90s receivers that sound just as good and for less money. They might not look as good but I’m more about function over form.
 
My Yamaha CR-600 from eBay was a very low cost unit watt for watt compared to some other brands. And I like the others better.
 
Here on Vancouver Island, prices for vintage 70s monster receivers have gone through the roof. Not sure if they are selling, but they have been advertised in the $10k range (TOTL Sansui, Technics, Pioneer, I believe).
 
Those of us who have rooms full of vintage receivers will be having to clean house in the next 10/20 years and the market will be flooded, just like the old book market has. Unless you are holding TOTL gear, receivers will be cheaper.
I know not everyone agrees but I see it with most collectibles. People want what they grew up with. You can get a nice 34 Ford 3 window for less than a 70 Chevelle now.
 
SweetRolls said:
A big reason why I prefer vintage receivers over modern receivers is because of the VU meters. There's nothing like watching those analog needles/flourescent bars dance to the music. :rockon:
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They're NOT true VU meters. True VU meters are priced beyond consumer equipment, and were 40 years ago. If your receiver was a $12,000 Stereo broadcast mixing console, then you'd get them 40 years ago. ReVox was the closest Joe and Jane consumer could get to real VU meters in consumer anything.
 
SweetRolls said:
I've always wanted to own a 70's woodgrain receiver. Not one of those bottom of the barrel/compact systems, but a "real" receiver, like a Pioneer SX-3800. I really love that flourescent display.

They are quite expensive, though. SX-3800's on eBay can be found for $600+. I have a hard time justifying that price tag, although the sellers of these receivers claim that they've been serviced and or refurbished. I dunno.

Would it be smart to spend $600 or more on one of these eBay receivers? I'd have to start putting some money aside, of course.
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SweetRolls said:
I've always wanted to own a 70's woodgrain receiver. Not one of those bottom of the barrel/compact systems, but a "real" receiver, like a Pioneer SX-3800. I really love that flourescent display.

They are quite expensive, though. SX-3800's on eBay can be found for $600+. I have a hard time justifying that price tag, although the sellers of these receivers claim that they've been serviced and or refurbished. I dunno.

Would it be smart to spend $600 or more on one of these eBay receivers? I'd have to start putting some money aside, of course.
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l
 
For 600.00 your money would be better spent on a well built receivers that flew under the radar like a Sony str V 5,6,or7, Toshiba SA 7100, or a Hatachi they have great reception if you listen to the radio, there are a lot more to mention but I’m only mentioning the ones I own and can speak for, if you own any 4ohm speakers then you’ll have no problem driving them with even a small hatachi 304
 
Souleles said:
For 600.00 your money would be better spent on a well built receivers that flew under the radar like a Sony str V 5,6,or7, Toshiba SA 7100, or a Hatachi they have great reception if you listen to the radio, there are a lot more to mention but I’m only mentioning the ones I own and can speak for, if you own any 4ohm speakers then you’ll have no problem driving them with even a small hatachi 304
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musichal said:
I won't say it isn't smart, but I would not do it. My reasons are they are old and may require (further?) repair (restoring) - expensive if not diy - plus, I am not as enamored of the sound quality of '70s gear as are many here. However, I rather suspect you are not buying for me, so it is your ear, your money and your preference at issue. Go for it if it seems worth it to you, with my blessing.
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I've had lots of different gear over the years, and my experience tells me that I recommend exactly what Musichal is suggesting above.
Really ... sage advice. There's a lot of very good, and very affordable pre-owned receivers and integrated amps out there for the $600 yer thinking of.
Buy for sound, not for looks.
 
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I own a Marantz 2270 that I got years ago, which I'm quite happy with though judging by what I've seen these things go for these days, I'm sure that I wouldn't buy one in today's market. I see lower powered models going for much more reasonable prices, so if you can get that to work, this might be one option. Otherwise it seems like there are far better deals on separates so if you're willing to go with an older integrated amp, or power amp/pre amp combo (you can always find tuners cheap it seems, if you want radio) this would likely be a fine option. This last option is probably what I'd go for if I didn't already have my old Marantz receiver as there's much better value with this sort of option. I actually helped a friend of mine find an old integrated amp, a Kenwood, that's somewhat lower power than my Marantz at something like 35 watts, but that thing is built very well (with separate transformers for each channel) and my friend is quite happy with the thing. it cost all of $200 and even if it needed that much again in work done to it, it would still probably be a decent deal...
 
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SweetRolls said:
A big reason why I prefer vintage receivers over modern receivers is because of the VU meters. There's nothing like watching those analog needles/flourescent bars dance to the music. :rockon:
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If you like meters, you can get into separates with beastial power amplifiers with big ass meters. I mean, you could get a WOPL 1000 for what a mid grade receiver sells for these days. I just traded a 2275 for a restored SPEC 1 & 4. Weird times man.& Not the best time to be starting out, unfortunately.
 
Fortunately I'm pretty much done with my monster receiver collection unless some great deal comes along. I'd love to get an SX-1980 and sell my SX-1280 but I would still need a lot of cash.
What you could do is buy one for parts or repair for significantly less and have it repaired yourself. This way you can get one for less than a fully operating unit and know exactly what's going on with it. This is probably what I'm gonna do for my 1980.
 
SweetRolls said:
I've always wanted to own a 70's woodgrain receiver. Not one of those bottom of the barrel/compact systems, but a "real" receiver, like a Pioneer SX-3800. I really love that flourescent display.

They are quite expensive, though. SX-3800's on eBay can be found for $600+. I have a hard time justifying that price tag, although the sellers of these receivers claim that they've been serviced and or refurbished. I dunno.

Would it be smart to spend $600 or more on one of these eBay receivers? I'd have to start putting some money aside, of course.
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While nice to look at, flouroscan is a problem if it goes out. Dial lights are an easy fix.

If it were me, I'd look on the classified section for a recapped mid power receiver. Something in the 30 - 50 wpc range from Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer, Sansui, Harmon Karden. I've seen recent examples in the $300-$500 range + shipping.
 
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