• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Top Three Vintage Receivers of All Time

1. Pioneer SX-737 - because it just never failed to please me for 20 years!
2. Sansui G-8000 - because it's simply the best damn looking receiver ever and I don't even have to turn it on to 'get the big grin going' :D . But when I do turn it on, well it just blows me away - everything about it is beautiful.
3. <this slot needs filling - anyone have a suitable donation?> :thmbsp:

Paul
 
My three selection, in no particular order-
Sansui G-971 - The euro version of the G-9700. Looks and sounds great!
Sansui 9090 - looks like it means business and it delivers! Plus, I only paid $2.95 for it!
Kenwood KR-9600 - Way underrated IMHO. It's well-built, it delivers a solid 160 wpc and it has a top notch FM section. I'm amazed at how inexpensive most vintage Kenwood gear is.
 
glen65 said:
Since Ive only “owned”one on my top three list
I wont list the others.

Pioneer SX-1250
Reasons,
1 Build quality “They went all out to make sure that
the amp more than adequately heat sinked. Also they
did a very good job to make sure that the tuner and
preamp section was well shielded. They also did
a good job to make that the power supply was more
than adequate to handle the job. They actually used
the same size power supply caps as used in the SX1980.”
2 looks
3 amplifier performance
4 tuner performance
5 features and flexibility “given the time period”
Click to expand...

Actually, the SX-1980's filter caps and power trannie are physically larger :D
The SX-1250 uses 80V rated caps and the 1980, 100V caps. Same capacitance tho.
 
crooner.....Having an unnatural, and maybe illegal in most states, except Kentucky, relationship with his SX-1980..if it starts talking to you, let us know....
 
VintageNut said:
crooner.....Having an unnatural, and maybe illegal in most states, except Kentucky, relationship with his SX-1980..if it starts talking to you, let us know....
Click to expand...

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Speaking of which, It knocked out the midrange driver in one of my Vandys :thumbsdn:
 
Last edited:
This is going to be tough. My top three:
Pioneer SX-1250 Just an absolue tank! Sounds great and stone cold reliable. Good looks too. A definite keeper out of 20 or so receivers

Sansui 9090db Also great sound and great looks when it's lit up.

Kenwood Kr9600 Reliable, good looking and built tough. I love it

These could easily have been on my short list, so honorable mention to the Concept 16.5, the Nikko Nr-1415, Onkyo Tx-8500, and the Sansui G9000! Superb pieces all! Now the absolute biggest dissapointment, it's got to be my SX-1980. A total piece of junk that just cannot seem to work for more than a week before it's back in the shop.
 
lets see my favorites are the pioneer 636,838,1010 these were not the cheapest but the best sounding thanks acho for the 838!!!!!
 
That's why I like working on my own gear. I know exactly was going on with my Receiver. I also know how reliable it's going to be.
 
ReEdger said:
it's got to be my SX-1980. A total piece of junk that just cannot seem to work for more than a week before it's back in the shop.
Click to expand...

Hey ReEdger, you should come over and listen to my SX-1980. Perhaps you got a lemon, or your tech isn't as good as you think it is. I've seen crappy soldering even from engineers!

I've just finished repairing the midrange driver on my Vandersteens. They are sounding sweeet!!!
 
sony strgx10es x Kef 104/2 (house)
sansui g-5700 x yamaha ns-2000 (garage)
mac 1700 x JBL Dorians (kids room)

like to get one of the big sansui's...and some L300's...sweeeeet :D
 
No contest.

The pioneer sx-5590/1250 is tops at my house.The G-9000 and Cr-2020 are neck and neck in second.The tuner in the sx-5590 is the only thing that sets it apart from the others.I have yet to hear a reciever that can match it for sensitivity ,channel seperation and overall sound.I can listen to any of them all day .Heck I do ,swap around very now and then.
 
ReEdger said:
Now the absolute biggest dissapointment, it's got to be my SX-1980. A total piece of junk that just cannot seem to work for more than a week before it's back in the shop.
Click to expand...

Thats typical of a unit thats been patched and
in need of a total resto job. Until the unit has
been gone through properly youll keep taking
it back. That goes for any other unit in the
same condition.
 
glen65 said:
Thats typical of a unit thats been patched and
in need of a total resto job. Until the unit has
been gone through properly youll keep taking
it back. That goes for any other unit in the
same condition.
Click to expand...

I completly agree Glen65. I was lucky that my unit was basically unmolested. Only a few caps replaced in the power supply and that was it. Bias offset, and idle current were easily dialed in.

I wouldn't call any vintage receiver junk unless I had bought it new out-of-the-box, and failed shortly afterwards. Who knows what kind of life a given unit has had, and previous abuses...

In order to make valid comparisons one must be certain the unit is in top condition, properly restored and adjusted.

This also reminds me of my first car, a Brazilian Chevy Monza (J Car derivative). Granted the car wasn't exactly great but the mechanics were always patching it up in a way that it was always in the shop. Greed!
 
Last edited:
I know her, that Brazilian, Chevy Monza, Damn, I dated her once down in Rio on a drunken Carnival week.... great headlights....not much get up and go.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom