Which one to fix

[tarior]

Those are all decent little receivers, pick a couple that look nice to you and take them to your local friendly tech for an estimate. If the price isn't terrible, say under $75 or so (each), get them both fixed so you'll have a backup and a primary. Sell the rest on ebay.

 

[bully]

Like the Yamaha xx20 and xx40, the earlier models seem "better built."
I had a MkII, the very big TX-8500MkII, and it was a very sweet 160 wpc. There is someone from alt.rec.audio and AA (haven't seen any posts by him in a long time, CRS who he was, now) that was vehement that the 110 wpc TX-8500 was a superior receiver (which would put it in a rarified zone). The newer TX-7000 is perhaps the best receiver I've had or have heard in the 80-100 watt group (the TX-7000 is a 90 wpc receiver).
I no longer have any Onkyo gear (well, a nice timer), but it is VERY nice gear, and they've kept the quality up to today (and they still make a couple of STEREO receivers yet).
The Nikko NR-1015 (85 wpc) I still have is right there with the TX-7000, but is a close second. The Marantz 2285B is right there, too (and I'm not overly impressed by Marantz--good stuff but jeez).

 

[bully]

Sorry, don't want to hijack the thread!

Back to your regular programming.

 

[tarior]

One more thing, I have an Onkyo TX 2500 MKII that is cosmetically flawless, and having crossed my bench works great, too! It is easily on par with anything else in its power class and vintage.

 

[vintagestereo]

My vote would go for the Sansui 2000A, it has a great tuner section, can't really comment on the phono section as all my turntables suck, but IMO at least it has that tube-like sound you want. It's a very nice receiver overall.

Hey Kernel -- Tell me about the unit in your Avatar. I've been looking for one but know almost nothing about it other than that it retailed for $595.00 and was rated at 125x2 and 50x4.

-- Chris

 

[Kernel86]

Hey Kernel -- Tell me about the unit in your Avatar. I've been looking for one but know almost nothing about it other than that it retailed for $595.00 and was rated at 125x2 and 50x4.

-- Chris

Honestly there's isn't really a lot more I can tell ya than the power rating, still no documentation here other than service data, waiting on some documentation for the RQ-3747 model tho. It's a Sylvania RQ-3748 and the later model RQ-4748 which are basicly the same, there's also the Saba 8280 Quadro which was sold in Germany. I'm currently using a RQ-3748 as my main receiver and working on restoring it as well. There is a somewhat decent pic in my Gallery if you wanna check it out. Anyways, as it's not related to this thread thats enough space for that, but feel free to send me a msg about it either here or on aim/msn/y!/skype!
BTW, I made the avatar from this ad here.

 

[Normo]

Hey, Vintagestereo. Good question as to why I picked up this stuff. I am a yard sale vinyl guy and until I picked up the Kenwood Ka-907 (30$) I was always hoping to move up the audio food chain. All of these , including a Yamaha cr-400 which I forgot to mention cost me in the 5-10$ range. Plus I was able to sneak them into the basement without the wife seeing so that's why I accumulated this stuff! It would be nice to have another rig set up primarily for vinyl, but from most folks opinions here, they feel it is better to get a better receiver to invest $$$ into than to bring one of these up to spec. Norm

 

[vintagestereo]

Hey, Vintagestereo. Good question as to why I picked up this stuff. I am a yard sale vinyl guy and until I picked up the Kenwood Ka-907 (30$) I was always hoping to move up the audio food chain. All of these , including a Yamaha cr-400 which I forgot to mention cost me in the 5-10$ range. Plus I was able to sneak them into the basement without the wife seeing so that's why I accumulated this stuff! It would be nice to have another rig set up primarily for vinyl, but from most folks opinions here, they feel it is better to get a better receiver to invest $$$ into than to bring one of these up to spec. Norm

Norm -- I figured as much. I don't think anyone would go out of their way to get that gear, however, for 5-10 bucks a vintage receiver sure can be temping. Now, that you've been through that experience I say it's time to move up and get something you'll REALLY enjoy!

-- Chris

 

[Inspiribomb]

I say forget all the ones you mentioned originally and give the KA-907 the royal treatment.

 

[vintagestereo]

Honestly there's isn't really a lot more I can tell ya than the power rating, still no documentation here other than service data, waiting on some documentation for the RQ-3747 model tho. It's a Sylvania RQ-3748 and the later model RQ-4748 which are basicly the same, there's also the Saba 8280 Quadro which was sold in Germany. I'm currently using a RQ-3748 as my main receiver and working on restoring it as well. There is a somewhat decent pic in my Gallery if you wanna check it out. Anyways, as it's not related to this thread thats enough space for that, but feel free to send me a msg about it either here or on aim/msn/y!/skype!
BTW, I made the avatar from this ad here.

Hi Kernel -- Just found a RQ-3748 which will need some help. All the lights work and the faceplate is decent. But, three knobs are missing (although the stems are there) and there's no sound. It's dusty as @#$% inside, but, the faceplate is really clean and I hope she can be restored. Do you happen to have a Service Manual ***EDITED BY MODERATORS TO REMOVE OFFERS TO BUY IN OPEN FORUMS**
I'd really like to fix her up, especially since she does 125x2 in Bridged Stereo mode. Thanks so much!!!

-- Chris

 

[Michael Powers]

I vote for the Sony STR 4800 SD...

What are the technical/cosmetic issues with this receiver? I think that the Sony is the real sleeper, depending on what's wrong with it. Kind of unusual under the hood, but very well made.

You might get more helpful responses if you list the known problems with each unit.

 

[luvvinvinyl]

Normo, you have several units that would make very nice bedroom systems. If any of these require nothing more than cleaning and tune-up/alignment, you could do very nicely building a system around the H/K 330c, the Sherwood 7100 (I've never heard the 8800), or the aforementioned Sony. I used a smaller Kenwood, the KR2600, as the core of a setup for my father, and he very much enjoyed getting reacquainted with his LPs from 30-40 years ago, so I have a soft spot for Kenny's. Actually, almost any one of those would make a decent to very nice bedroom system, depending on what you play, and how you hear. I don't think I would call the Pioneer SX-650 "tube-like", though. Still, it's a nice piece, the previous posters' opinions notwithstanding. Some of the lower-powered units can sound as nice, or nicer, than their big (high-powered) brothers. A couple of the small Marantz receivers, for example, like the 2230 and 2238B, really hit the 'sweet spot', especially when compared to the 'Monster Receivers', when you are not asking them to move mountains.

If you describe the problems that each exhibits, we can probably guide you through most basic repairs/maintenance procedures, or direct you to some more able assistance.

The sound of your system is going to depend on what is mated with your receiver of choice, i.e. Turntable/cartridge, and speakers.