Underrated or under valued Gear

[turnitdown]

Harman Kardon 330c. I've had it for years, rotated others in and out, can't stop using it. EV Concert monitors...efficient and great mid-horn. Infinity Monitor Jr...rivals JBL 3-way studio monitors, the Genesis II that I might make into a subwoofer (probably not) and my Paradigm 5.1 surround (it's old) still surprises me.

 

[MusicOnly]

Akai 10 and 11 series receivers ...AA 1175 :drool: Akai AT 2600 :drool: and a few other Akai tuners .

 

[Daunia 70]

Technics SE-9600 power-amp and SU-9600 pre-amp combo.
You tend not to hear so much about these than you do the Pioneer Spec 1 and Spec 4,but in my opinion they sound even better.They feature better build quality too.

 

[4Play]

During the 70s is when I entered the world of audio. Even then Harman/Kardon was flying under the radar. While most people went for name brand such as Pioneer and Marantz, there was something about H/K that appealed to me on all levels. When I bought my first audio system, I chose a H/K receiver, I wish I could remember the model number.

For the last several weeks I have been planning on putting together a vintage audio system for my dedicated listening room. I have always wanted to own McIntosh, but even today it is still way out of my price range. While searching "the auction site" I came across Harman/Kardon Citation. Being out of audio for over 30+ years, I never heard of the Citation series. However, I decided a H/K Citation 19 would be the power for my vintage system.

For whatever reason, H/K does not appeal to everyone. The older Harman/Kardon gear will always be at the top of my list as one of the best buys on the market today.

 

[KiM3Ce]

HK 330 reliability

Harman Kardon 330c.

My former college housemate is still using his HK 330. He graduated in 1979.

 

[SkyLounger]

Zenith MC 7050...

very very underrated!

 

[RandyFloyd76]

Bought mine for $75 in mint condition. Great build quality and I would put it up against any of the Japanese big boys. Optonica is way under the radar.

 

[CharlieBee]

JBL L50 speakers, poor mans L100. Three way speakers with cabinet size and walnut veneer about same as L100 but 10 dia woofer on L50. Some say easier to listen too than L100. Can be had much cheaper than L100. Got mine for $20 but had to refoam woofers (not a problem with L100).

Charlie

 

[cary]

Harmon Kardon 330C receiver
Harmon Kardon 430 receiver
EPI 100 speakers
JBL L19 speakers

 

[fiddlefye]

Scott SS gear. I have a 60s Scott 348 that sounds sweet and has a really lovely tuner section.
Teac A-X75 MkII integrated. A very clean 75 w/ch, nicely built and an unknown bargain.
My favourite relative unknown is my Epicure M1 power amp. Rated at 125 w/ch it tests out over 180, but it isn't the power that does it for me. I bought it on a whim for nostalgic reasons yet it saw a Krell and Quad to the door.

 

[enoyes12]

Loving my Mitsubishi D-30 series with preamp, tuner, power meter and amp (pretty much unknown) Also my matching Mitsubishi LT-20 linear TT redone in Brazilian rosewood and the Vandersteen 2CE speakers. as well as Nikko, Scott, Sansui, Realistic all sleepers

 

[jhenry01]

+1 on Nikko. JVC turntables, QL-F4 is my go to table.

 

[Roboturner91]

I've got a Realistic STA-21 made in 1977, you wouldn't believe how good it sounds with 7 WPC going into some late 80's JBLs. Paid $50 for it, another $15 to clean it up and put in some new lamps. I can't even listen to music on the Denon AVR in the living room anymore.

I'm also trying to pry away my father-in-law's (RIP) Nikko 890 integrated from my MIL. He had it hooked it to some AR M4's and the sound was godly, filled their whole downstairs at 1/3 volume.

 

[Roboturner91]

Also the Fisher CA-880. I would basically give my left arm for one of those at the moment.

 

[jhenry01]

Also the Fisher CA-880. I would basically give my left arm for one of those at the moment.

I think I saw one this week, had been abused though.

 

[bd1886]

I hear people say that have heard and serviced a lot of the vintage gear that there is a lot of crap too. This sight doesn't either talk about it much or.....there's "not that much" that's terrible. All I've noticed is thin and enemic does exist in most of the brands (at low level) unless you pair well, or the cheap seats and light stuff in the off brands.

Clear or warm/My favs. with perceived "B brands".....even calling them this makes me slightly pissed.
MCS 3275
MCS 3125
Onkyo TX-2500 MKII
Onkyo TX-8500
Luxman R-102
Sanyo JCX-2900K

Each one will force respect amongst most big or more famous challengers when paired well.