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When does a receiver get TOO BIG

Tom B

Tom B

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I saw a recent discussion about a very high end Sansui G series receiver. Many were commenting on expected value, and how far they would travel to get it.
I know there are people out there who want the "Biggest, and Baddest" unit. I was sort of like that for a while, and maybe years ago I would have chased a Pioneer SX-1980, or a Sansui G-22000, or G-33000

But why? To say that I have the biggest?
I have many units including Big Pioneers (SX-1280, SX-1050 etc), and some Sansui's (9090DB, 8080DB, and G-7500), and a Kenwood KR-9600. I used to have a few SX-1250's but unloaded them cause they were too heavy to move around, and I thought the SX-1280 looked a lot nicer.
While units like the SX-1980, G-22000, and G33000 are impressive to look at, I don't believe anyone has the capability to use them to the fullest (250W + RMS per channel) Where are the speakers that can handle that power?? (Maybe Yanklee Stadium or Shea Stadium).
I am happy with the stuff I have, and believe they perform as well at normal or even high volume as compared to those monsters, and I at 69 wouldn't look forward to moving those monsters around.

But maybe I am venting because I don't have a SX-1980, G-22000, or G-33000, after all I had a 1968 Dodge Charger with the 335HR 383 Magnum engine, but I did, and still do want a 1968 Dodge Charger with the 426 Hemi Engine that produced 425 HP, so that I can make the tires really spin and smoke!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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"Where are the speakers that can handle that power?" There are many that can handle this power or even more so! I have never owned any but I'm quite sure of that:)
 
My 15's say they can handle up to 350 watts! I have pounded the **** out of them with an old Phase Linear 400 series 2. I no longer have the Phase but I still have the speakers and they still sound great.
 
Wouldn't the signal have to pass through as much stuff in a stack of separates as a receiver anyway? :idea:

Trouble with big receivers is they're often a bear to service/repair with so much packed into a relatively confined space, especially with the myriad of features and functions often built into the largest receivers of the era. Mc designed a lot of equipment with "plug-in" circuit cards to help ease repairs; I can't say whether many Japanese receivers were designed that way.
 
62caddy said:
Wouldn't the signal have to pass through as much stuff in a stack of separates as a receiver anyway? :idea:

Trouble with big receivers is they're often a bear to service/repair with so much packed into a relatively confined space, especially with the myriad of features and functions often built into the largest receivers of the era. Mc designed a lot of equipment with "plug-in" circuit cards to help ease repairs; I can't say whether many Japanese receivers were designed that way.
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Quite possibly, but I'm referring to tone switches, tape loops, etc.
By comparison, my Aragon 18k is as close to gain and a wire as you can get.

I still love them, but after working my butt off, driving my butt off, sweating my butt off, and sundry other labors to get my 1250, 9090db, and SX1010 restored and in place, it was just underwhelming once I heard good separates.

Enjoyed it, but at this point, even the newest of monster receivers are 40 years old. It is like owning a vintage car. Either you need to be rich, or a great mechanic, or it's a real hassle.

Just my two cents.
 
Blue Shadow said:
40 pounds. Anything more and well it is time for separates.
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Man, I don't think I have one in service that weighs LESS than that...

Pilot 654
H.H. Scott 340B
Marantz 4270

now I have a couple that *aren't* here that probably are lighter (HK 330B, Luxman R-113 off the top of my head)
 
century tek said:
My 15's say they can handle up to 350 watts! I have pounded the **** out of them with an old Phase Linear 400 series 2. I no longer have the Phase but I still have the speakers and they still sound great.
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Hi not sure what type of "15's" you are referring to, but the phrase "up to 350 watts" usually refers to a peak rating, with RMS rating typically a lot lower (your Phase Linear probably pumped 200WRMS per channel, so I assume your speakers were rated similar.
285W RMS fed continuously to a pair of speakers, is very demanding, and my opinion would overheat and fry just about any woofer out there. Multiple sets of speakers would probably be needed to split the load.
And don't know of the ability to stay in a room with 285W rms of sound pumping into it.
I have a Pioneer SX-1280 feeding an original pair of EV Eliminator 1's (from the 70's) and can't take it any further than 10:30 on the dial.

But for those out there looking for "a little extra Capability", enjoy those monsters.
 
@N8Nagel that 40 covers the R-1120 and R-117. Don't need much more what with separates being so good. Of course the Knobs, Switches, Buttons, Dials and lights guys will want more but at night I turn the stereo lights down or off. Rega CDP can turn off display while in use. Whatever they want is fine for them.
 
Tom B said:
Hi not sure what type of "15's" you are referring to, but the phrase "up to 350 watts" usually refers to a peak rating, with RMS rating typically a lot lower (your Phase Linear probably pumped 200WRMS per channel, so I assume your speakers were rated similar.
285W RMS fed continuously to a pair of speakers, is very demanding, and my opinion would overheat and fry just about any woofer out there.
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Nope! They're made for it! Been doing this for far too long!

We all know that dial position has nothing to do with it!

EDIT: Honestly, we only really use just a few watts at a time. I am not a teen anymore and I don't like cranking it into clipping like I did in my teens and 20's but I myself have pushed the 200 watt limit before. It is painful! My friend had a thousand watt amp in his basement, and if he wasn't careful, you could see dust particles (plaster:D) falling from the ceiling.
 
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Never ...

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I have a lot of old speakers from the 60's and 70's, most of them like a lot of power. They work fine with 40 but 200 is what they want. 200 continuous will probably burn them up. But that's not what they get. I'm sure they get 80 continuous. No fails yet.
The ones from the 50's? Well, don't do that. Pop city.
 
I always liked SS separates to begin with. And separate components were lighter as a rule. But then I went tube with my main system and a few of my tube amps are as heavy as the old receivers due to all the extra iron. I still like my tube separates, but my amps have become as heavy as the old receivers.
 
My MC2205 tips the scales at 85 pounds. Haven't used it in years, but it's pretty much a permanent fixture in the rack ... ;-}
 
quiet said:
I have a lot of old speakers from the 60's and 70's, most of them like a lot of power. They work fine with 40 but 200 is what they want. 200 continuous will probably burn them up. But that's not what they get. I'm sure they get 80 continuous. No fails yet.
The ones from the 50's? Well, don't do that. Pop city.
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If you are pushing 80 watts RMS/continuous, your amp is almost assuredly clipping...unless its rated for at least 650+ watts.
 
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