markshan
Sir Thrift a Lot
The Sony is beautiful and has a Vintage Knob write up. Sorry, but the MCS is butt ugly (IMHO, of course).
Underdogs - Undervalued Vintage Receivers
- Thread starter Triumph65
- Start date
Don't know if anyone has mentioned this one.
Sony STR-7065a.
I have owned a restored SX-1250, SX-1010, and countless others. This is the one I wish I had kept and restored. Sold for a lousy 100 bucks.
It sounded full, lush, and overall, just pleasant. Looks were amazing, features were more than sufficient.
Sony STR-7065a.
I have owned a restored SX-1250, SX-1010, and countless others. This is the one I wish I had kept and restored. Sold for a lousy 100 bucks.
It sounded full, lush, and overall, just pleasant. Looks were amazing, features were more than sufficient.
+1 on Technics SA receivers. I worked on a SA-600 a few years ago for a friend and was impressed with everything about it other than the masonite bottom cover. I ran across a reasonably priced and very nice SA-600 recently and received it yesterday. I gave it a short audition and am once again impressed with it. These seem to have gotten a bit more popular in the few years since I worked on my friend's but can still be had for reasonable money.
Thanks,
Joe
bobdod
Super Member
Haha, yeah, the MCS has a bit of different look for sure. The looks were a turn off for me initially. I decided to take a chance and restore the reciever anyway. After listening to it, I don't care about the looks at all anymore. It just sounds so right, and most who've heard one that's running well agree. For the money, I don't think there is a better sounding, rare, totl reciever with upward of 125wpc.
The Sony has less polarizing looks for sure. The thing I like about it most is that it looks just like every other STR-XxxxSD unit from that line, but on the inside it's an entirely different animal. It's the kind of thing that the most passionate engineers stay to work on after normal work hours. A skunkworks type of thing almost, meant for those who know. They pop up on the auction site occasionally for prices that are entirely reasonable when you consider what is under the hood.
Sax & Guitar
Active Member
Arggh! Really?
Best I have done is a Kenwood KR-3200 with a pair of even older KLH bookshelf speakers for $3.95 plus tax. As much as I enjoy that Kenwood, it is not a HK 330c...
markshan
Sir Thrift a Lot
Not to boast, but that is far from my best score. This is probably my best score...
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/i-was-just-looking-for-a-record-cabinet.429538/
NH-MAN
Addicted Member
Very nice I haven't seen that one.
Recently my desktop Yamaha RX-1100 gave up the ghost and I found this receiver in deep storage.
I suppose the RS-1060/1080 should be pretty decent as well.
Pleasantly surprised
Are these finds y’all are talking about recent?
Because the more I have dug all over this site (newly into this hobby maybe 6 months) the more convinced I am, that, to my dismay, some of these lesser known brands have just exploded in value in the past 2-3 years.
Looking at the posts of people buying the big MCS receivers five years ago versus now is just absolutely astounding. The 3125 going for 100 or 200 bucks on eBay and now I just saw one go for 850+ shipping
Because the more I have dug all over this site (newly into this hobby maybe 6 months) the more convinced I am, that, to my dismay, some of these lesser known brands have just exploded in value in the past 2-3 years.
Looking at the posts of people buying the big MCS receivers five years ago versus now is just absolutely astounding. The 3125 going for 100 or 200 bucks on eBay and now I just saw one go for 850+ shipping
birchoak
Hi-Fi Nut
The monster receivers were created during the Watt and Spec Wars---the emphasis was power and low distortion but this did not necessarily mean that they sounded good. 125 watts RMS @ 0.08 THD sure looks good on paper; real life is completely different. They are big and complicated to work on. The late 60's/early 70's saw solid state receivers that mimicked the tube amps they replaced, and the emphasis was on sound.
slowpat
Slowly but surely....
Unfortunately, we on AK have something to do with that jump in price. If you found that MCS in the attic, and you google that model, 90% of the time, the results show the discussions in AK forums about how undervalued it is and prices will be going up, and get in on the ground floor now...and in subsequent years, discussions on how the prices have doubled, etc.
quiet
Addicted Member
birchoak
Hi-Fi Nut
Triumph65, love your avatar--
I think you'll find that almost all of the receivers we've mentioned will sound good. If someone has a Sansui, they're going to tell you to buy a Sansui. If someone has a Pioneer they're going to rant about Pioneer. I've listened to a lot of different brands and can tell you my experience (this is only my limited experience, so others may have very different opinions and there is no "right" opinion, LOL):
1. Pioneer: tends to sound neutral and clinical. Not a ton of bass in my experience, e.g. the SX-980.
2. Yamaha: also tends to be neutral and clinical, with some notable exceptions: e.g., the CR-800 has plenty of bass and is willing to rock out.
3. Sansui: these seem to always sound powerful and authoritative, with excellent bass.
4. Sherwood: same as Sansui, more or less, but a lot less money. Big, rich sound.
5. JVC: the older stuff sings its heart out but, as with any of these vintage receivers, you're going to have to do some work on them at some point.
6. Marantz: lovely sound but no better than the three above in my experience and Jesus, you will pay through the nose. I love my 2230 but have been unable to keep it working despite a near-complete recap, new power switch, and a lot of other stuff I can't remember right now.
7. Scott: every one I've had sounds great, although the late 70's models onward started getting junky in build quality.
8. Kenwood: some of these used STK packs instead of TO-3 outputs, and can be difficult to track down if they blow.
Specific models:
Harman Kardon 330A, 330C
I have both and they sound great. Can be had cheap because they seem to be everywhere and it's one of the best loved units on AK.
Sansui 800
Powerful sound and an excellent tuner, but I found it difficult to desolder due to the fact that every single lead is folded back on the board and soldered to last eternity. Also has a problematic volume pot.
Sansui 217
Not a receiver but a very capable and easy to work on integrated amp. It's black so it will match modern FM tuners, CD players, etc. Gets no press so can be had for a decent price.
Sherwood S-7100A
Plenty of these around. Everyone at AK knows how I feel about this wonderful little receiver and it's big sound. Easy to work on, comes stock with lovely wooden case, cap-coupled so no DC offset woes. Does have a potential weak link which is the OFF/ON/VOLUME all in one switch. I have four Sherwoods and have had no problems with any of the "bad" switches, so don't let this deter you. To be on the safe side, I usually turn these guys on with a power strip or, if they're in rotation, leave them on 24/7.
Sherwood S-7200
Lots of these. Some say they sound ever better than the 7100A and even the S-8900. Not cap-coupled, so DC offset can be a worry and is not easily remedied from what smarter people have told me.
JVC 5010
Simple, simple, simple like the S-7100A but kind of scarce. Has a built-in graphic equalizer and Grandpa's radio vibe going on, so people run away from these thinking they'll sound like crap. Well, that S.E.A. equalizer is simply incredible--it's like having five tone controls instead of two--and none of them has every sounded scratchy or noisy--and this little machine sings its heart out.
JVC VR-5521
Another simple, "ugly" receiver (the looks WILL grow on you, especially after you listen to the sound) that just sounds gorgeous. Not cap-coupled so DC offset will be tricky to work with. The particular spring-loaded speaker terminals JVC spec'd for this and several other models do not hold speaker wire especially well.
JVC VR-5551
Quite a beast--rather large--support three sets of speakers (not all at once but you can listen to different pairs as long as nothing is lower than 8Ω impedance). Has the crappy speaker terminals as mentioned above but is cap-coupled and has cool plug-in PRE and MAIN AMP boards--so easy to work on! Doesn't sound quite as magical as it's little brothers but has more reserve power at something like 50 watts. Supports three sets of speakers, two tape decks, two AUX. FM doesn't work on mine.
JVC 5540
Looks like the VR-5551 but has screw terminals, which hold a connection very well due to amount of torque that can be applied to the screws. FM works very well, even with headphones on. Cap-coupled. Huge sound and my current favorite but has a intermittent noise I cannot track down just yet. Plug-in PRE and MAIN AMP boards.
Yamaha CR-800
Built like a Swiss watch. Controls feel so precise and wonderful. Very good FM section that will most likely need work to perform at it's original potential. Suffers from overheating/scorching of boards, but mine was still working when I got it, so maybe not the end of the world. Stuff is packed in there but this receiver was designed to be worked on and Yamaha put some very cool tricks into the chassis design to support the lowly techs who would eventually work on this fantastic machine.
Marantz 2230
The classic mid-watt receiver, especially in it's optional wood case (which is sometimes stripped off and sold separately for even more money). Certainly a lovely hi-fi and sounds great, but you will pay more for one. Build quality is good but not the level of the Yamaha (Marantz fiddlers are aluminum shells over a plastic knob, for example).
Fisher 202 Futura
Sweet little receiver that was very well made by Hitachi. Like the Sansui's, Sherwoods, and JVCs I've mentioned it puts out a LOT of sound at low to moderate listening levels and bass digs deep. Boards are rugged and well marked; working on this was a treat. Solid aluminum knobs. FM appears to be all discrete components but it's weak on mine.
I think you'll find that almost all of the receivers we've mentioned will sound good. If someone has a Sansui, they're going to tell you to buy a Sansui. If someone has a Pioneer they're going to rant about Pioneer. I've listened to a lot of different brands and can tell you my experience (this is only my limited experience, so others may have very different opinions and there is no "right" opinion, LOL):
1. Pioneer: tends to sound neutral and clinical. Not a ton of bass in my experience, e.g. the SX-980.
2. Yamaha: also tends to be neutral and clinical, with some notable exceptions: e.g., the CR-800 has plenty of bass and is willing to rock out.
3. Sansui: these seem to always sound powerful and authoritative, with excellent bass.
4. Sherwood: same as Sansui, more or less, but a lot less money. Big, rich sound.
5. JVC: the older stuff sings its heart out but, as with any of these vintage receivers, you're going to have to do some work on them at some point.
6. Marantz: lovely sound but no better than the three above in my experience and Jesus, you will pay through the nose. I love my 2230 but have been unable to keep it working despite a near-complete recap, new power switch, and a lot of other stuff I can't remember right now.
7. Scott: every one I've had sounds great, although the late 70's models onward started getting junky in build quality.
8. Kenwood: some of these used STK packs instead of TO-3 outputs, and can be difficult to track down if they blow.
Specific models:
Harman Kardon 330A, 330C
I have both and they sound great. Can be had cheap because they seem to be everywhere and it's one of the best loved units on AK.
Sansui 800
Powerful sound and an excellent tuner, but I found it difficult to desolder due to the fact that every single lead is folded back on the board and soldered to last eternity. Also has a problematic volume pot.
Sansui 217
Not a receiver but a very capable and easy to work on integrated amp. It's black so it will match modern FM tuners, CD players, etc. Gets no press so can be had for a decent price.
Sherwood S-7100A
Plenty of these around. Everyone at AK knows how I feel about this wonderful little receiver and it's big sound. Easy to work on, comes stock with lovely wooden case, cap-coupled so no DC offset woes. Does have a potential weak link which is the OFF/ON/VOLUME all in one switch. I have four Sherwoods and have had no problems with any of the "bad" switches, so don't let this deter you. To be on the safe side, I usually turn these guys on with a power strip or, if they're in rotation, leave them on 24/7.
Sherwood S-7200
Lots of these. Some say they sound ever better than the 7100A and even the S-8900. Not cap-coupled, so DC offset can be a worry and is not easily remedied from what smarter people have told me.
JVC 5010
Simple, simple, simple like the S-7100A but kind of scarce. Has a built-in graphic equalizer and Grandpa's radio vibe going on, so people run away from these thinking they'll sound like crap. Well, that S.E.A. equalizer is simply incredible--it's like having five tone controls instead of two--and none of them has every sounded scratchy or noisy--and this little machine sings its heart out.
JVC VR-5521
Another simple, "ugly" receiver (the looks WILL grow on you, especially after you listen to the sound) that just sounds gorgeous. Not cap-coupled so DC offset will be tricky to work with. The particular spring-loaded speaker terminals JVC spec'd for this and several other models do not hold speaker wire especially well.
JVC VR-5551
Quite a beast--rather large--support three sets of speakers (not all at once but you can listen to different pairs as long as nothing is lower than 8Ω impedance). Has the crappy speaker terminals as mentioned above but is cap-coupled and has cool plug-in PRE and MAIN AMP boards--so easy to work on! Doesn't sound quite as magical as it's little brothers but has more reserve power at something like 50 watts. Supports three sets of speakers, two tape decks, two AUX. FM doesn't work on mine.
JVC 5540
Looks like the VR-5551 but has screw terminals, which hold a connection very well due to amount of torque that can be applied to the screws. FM works very well, even with headphones on. Cap-coupled. Huge sound and my current favorite but has a intermittent noise I cannot track down just yet. Plug-in PRE and MAIN AMP boards.
Yamaha CR-800
Built like a Swiss watch. Controls feel so precise and wonderful. Very good FM section that will most likely need work to perform at it's original potential. Suffers from overheating/scorching of boards, but mine was still working when I got it, so maybe not the end of the world. Stuff is packed in there but this receiver was designed to be worked on and Yamaha put some very cool tricks into the chassis design to support the lowly techs who would eventually work on this fantastic machine.
Marantz 2230
The classic mid-watt receiver, especially in it's optional wood case (which is sometimes stripped off and sold separately for even more money). Certainly a lovely hi-fi and sounds great, but you will pay more for one. Build quality is good but not the level of the Yamaha (Marantz fiddlers are aluminum shells over a plastic knob, for example).
Fisher 202 Futura
Sweet little receiver that was very well made by Hitachi. Like the Sansui's, Sherwoods, and JVCs I've mentioned it puts out a LOT of sound at low to moderate listening levels and bass digs deep. Boards are rugged and well marked; working on this was a treat. Solid aluminum knobs. FM appears to be all discrete components but it's weak on mine.
HiFi in WYO
The universe is a big place, perhaps the biggest.
This is the latest receiver added to my stash. The AA-R50. Akai stuff - other than tape decks - generally are underrated but this thing makes my OLAs sing nicely. Very nice receiver full of goodies. And at 62 wpc, it has plenty of power.
Lots of my other favorites have already been listed. The Sony 7055 is a great old receiver. The Fisher RS line were industrial strength monsters. The Sherwood 7100A gets my vote too but beware the crappy on/off volume knob. Suck face Luxmans are killer - if you find one working or know how to bypass the feature. I have an RX-103 and it is one of the best sounding receivers or amps I've come across.
Lots of my other favorites have already been listed. The Sony 7055 is a great old receiver. The Fisher RS line were industrial strength monsters. The Sherwood 7100A gets my vote too but beware the crappy on/off volume knob. Suck face Luxmans are killer - if you find one working or know how to bypass the feature. I have an RX-103 and it is one of the best sounding receivers or amps I've come across.
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slowpat
Slowly but surely....
I recently bought a system on OfferUp and was very surprised it included a Radio Shack Realistic STA-2080, beautiful. But because I wanted to keep the speakers, had to sell off the receiver and the turntable. I listed the receiver for $345, and sold it for $300. In my books, that is undervalued, as an equivalent 80 wpc Marantz (2285B or 2285) will run close to $1000 or higher.
E2
Addicted Member
(Old post) The 7065 is an excellent unit. Thrift put one out five years ago for $75. It worked but needed some service.
I convinced the guy that bought it to have it serviced. It cost an extra $250, but if he ever did sell it he could get more than his combined price for it.
I will nominate my Yamaha CR 2040. These should be worth more than they are compared to the other prices being paid for other units. I have the flush case euro version with the voltage selector.
I had the Sansui 9090 and I did not like it. It's a boat anchor!
Not sure if I already posted this but a Realistic(TANK)STA-2300 from 1982 one of the three Models from RS that had the most power(120 Watts X 2) and an intro into L.E.D.s! Bought one new in 82 at a Red Tag sale for 300 off but foolishly sold it in 87. Put an AD in local KIJIJI searching for one last year and found a unit that had been stored for over 30 years in like new condition,just beautiful for around a 100
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NH-MAN
Addicted Member
Ah man those are beauties.