• 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

Vintage budget receiver advice needed

DanBNash

DanBNash

Active Member
I am looking for a vintage receiver to pair with some Minimus 7W speakers that I just purchased here from Classic Carl. This system is for my young son so I am trying to keep this in the $100 range. I plan to add a turntable when he's older. I have a few options to purchase and I would appreciate any thoughts positive or negative about the following receivers that I could purchase right now.

1. Sherwood S-7210
2. Pioneer SX-525
3. Pioneer SX-737
4. Sansui R-30
5. Pioneer SX-434
6. Sansui 221
7. Sherwood S-7125A

All are in good working condition similarly priced. Thanks in advance for the help!
 
Register to hide this ad
I can only suggest ones that I have experience with and between those? The Pioneer SX-737 has a very nice early Pioneer sound that has clear detail on top of a punchy warm and........have never heard the Sherwood S-7125A (but have heard a few within that s-71xx series) and "el affordable Sherwood" nailed a very (VERY) right sound with them and justifiably seized a huge chunk of that market segment because of it. (I keep gifting them as I run across them.....only to the worthy though!) Think the 7125A is in that same camp?
 
image.jpeg

A Pioneer SX 535 is in my office with the Minus 7's. The sound is great for small/medium rooms. Your son will have to know not to over drive them with bass, etc. Raise them right, less they won't know that vintage is not only related to wine.
 
Pioneer SX737 and then Sherwood 7210. Either one sounds nice and both are hotties in the looks department.
 
Have to agree with ggregg above. I've had a S-7120 and still have an SX-838. Both have a nice warm musical sound (the 737 being in that series).
 
Another vote for the SX 737.

Great retro look with the brushed aluminum, walnut case and cool blue lights.

Respectable build quality, no unobtanium parts inside and just enough power for those Minimus 7's.

An excellent starter system.
 
Personally I'd choose the SX-737. It has a very nice balance of features, good looks and adequate power for most applications. It's very well built and easy to service, has the great sound quality of the x3x series without the annoying combination power switch / speaker selector of the smaller models or the black selector buttons of the bigger models. It's just right!
 
The SX-737 is the most powerful of the bunch, and was the highest in the product line. ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, that's the best choice. But all things are not equal. What has not been mentioned is, what kind of condition are these in? That sweet low-powered Sansui 221 might well beat the 737 if it is in much better condition.

So what you'll need to find out, as best you can, is how good are *these particular examples* of gear? Have they all been tested? Are the controls cleaned? Has any recapping been done? These are all very old pieces of gear, and WILL fail at some point at some point unless they've been gone over by a qualified technician.

Out of your list of candidates, personally the only one I'd shun is the Sansui R-30, as it is a 1980 model and past the Golden Age of Sansui.
 
Oh, one other really important point...

I strongly urge you to place a WTB (Want to buy) post on Barter Town for a sub $100 vintage receiver. You *will* get many generous offers, because pretty much all of us here have way to much gear, and love to help get a newbie into our obsessive hobby. When I first came here with a similar request when I joined AK, I ended up with a gorgeous Marantz 2238 for a great deal. I'm telling you, you'll get tons of very good offers! And the sellers will be WAYYYYY more trustworthy than your average Craigslist flipper.

If you do take my advice and post of BT, it's a very good idea to let us know roughly where you live. Avoiding the cost (and risk) of shipping will save a lot of money. You may well get a very generous offer from someone local.

Good luck to you, and have fun!
 
Thanks all for the advice and recommendations. I took Tom's advice and posted a WTB ad. I will post here again when I have made a purchase!
 
Dan
I believe you're putting too much thought into this. Although I would lean toward the Sherwood 7210, thinking about how tastes change and the expectation of your son eventually getting larger speakers, which may need more power, I have to agree that the 737 is the way to go. The BT offerings will many times need shipping which has a tendency to affect the value. You did say these choices are local, yes??

I sold a 737 with a pair of ADS L520 speakers, and boy did it sound nice!!!

Also, because young minds will experiment, I would put some in-line fuses in the speaker lines, using at most a .5 or .75 amp. If sonny boy pops one or both, you'll know he's pushing the system beyond what would be normal for the Minimus speakers; they're not made for loud, but reasonable levels are ok. That way you save the speakers, and can adjust the amperage if necessary. I do not remember if the 737 is already set up with speaker fuses??? They may be on the backplate, or they could be inside or they may not be there at all!

By the way, although not listed I would encourage jumping on a SX-626 if you find one, probably one of the nicest Pioneer receivers around!!
 
If you can find the 737, great, but I'm surprised the HK 330 or 430 are not on the list. These are some of the best sounding small receivers known to AK as evidenced by all the rave reviews and comments they get when folks ask about them. The Luxman R-1030/R-3030 might be one to consider if you can find one in the price range.

I'll be watching the BT list grow. It is fun to see all the gear fly onto a WTD list in BT.
 
CT Jim - the options I have looked at are on Ebay not local. I did include my zip in my WTB post in case I can find something close
Blue Shadow - I would consider these other receivers you mentioned. I just listed a few I have looked at and like.
 
IMO, the lower end Pioneer models are a good recommendation. It also might be the perfect application for otherwise nice receivers that use STK output devices, can't really aspire to higher-end, but perform well.
 
I would argue that point. Some receivers that use STK's sound wonderful, just as good as anything with discrete outputs. The problem comes if you fry one, then you may just have a doorstop at that point. Many of them, can be found, but sometimes it's not easy.
 
imo pioneers are easier to repair and get parts. However I have a Onkyo Tx-82 w/remote. Also a pair of refoamed minimus 77's 8 ohm (if you OP means realistic 'minimus' line. these are rated 30w max (spiked) but put in a new poly for the tweets. I have book shelves larger but these are good close listening range and the onkyo with your pair would put this in about the 70w rated range this amp has is good wattage and very low volume, too. or small party for sure.

However; prices? repair? I couldn't part with the receiver amp for less than 150+shipping just my cost. east coast to west coast about the 40ish+. avg? Point being is this amp is also AV capable with vid/audio input, too. you can hook up a an audio adapter if it has rca outs. (mc phono, cd and tape1-2 +r vcr 1-2 dubbing.) orig list 299-329. speakers are extra of course.

100? on your end to buy listed? I'd get at least a 30 day guarantee these days.
 
EPrey? OK, I do suggest you stay with something that comes up in BT, because many of us move equipment around and most know how to pack to get it there! The HKs? Yep, another good choice. I have a 330B just cleaned up playing in my shop, but over in the corner is a 330! These and other suggestions will be forthcoming from other AKers in your WTB thread, and I believe there will be many suggestions. I misunderstood the eb.. versus local thing so if you watch your WTB you will have choices, but if you use say $30-$40 for shipping, which in many cases will be dictated by box size instead of weight, you may need to be a little flexible in your spending.

You may find something local, but typically the good stuff moves quickly!!
 
Eprey? suggesting me? no I'm just suggesting what I purchased in "brand" was not listed. However just a hint that Onkyo was not on the list. as "youth" may go through the equipment faster than your wallet in "technology". So buy something more advanced.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom