Your Favorite Low-Power (70s) Receiver

[mhardy6647]

I own a 430 that I recapped, and while it’s a nice receiver, it really needs the right speakers to shine. Through the wrong speakers, it just sounds blurry and muddy, but it absolutely sings with the right ones. So far, it doesn’t gel well with Sansui SP-2000’s or KLH Model 6’s, but it brings home the bacon with Bose 301’s and Boston Acoustics A120’s. It does have some other teething issues that I need to sort out (namely an ugly idle hum and shitty tuner), so I have a feeling it’s still not at it’s best yet. I am curious what the whole point of the twin transformers is, though.

Still, my (unrecapped) Yamaha CR-620 sounds GREAT with all of those speakers. Now THIS is an underrated receiver. One of the best I’ve ever heard, period. Clean airy highs, incredible instrument separation, and nice tight bass, and that loudness knob is incredibly useful for low-level listening and taming unruly speakers. Great-sounding tuner, and an incredible phono stage to boot. Big bitch, too-a full 20” wide, and 16” deep. Only thing that could make me ever get rid of it is a bigger Yamaha...and even then, the CR1020/2020/etc. just doesn’t look as nice, in my opinion. All those buttons and switches kinda ruin the clean, understated look.

That’s kinda my stance on most of the “monsters”, though. The lower-powered units are much more pleasing to look at, and aren’t cluttered with now-useless features like AM stereo adaptors or Dolby FM calibration switches, reverb tanks, or drum machines. However, I can see the fun in those, so rock on if that’s your bag.

Try an 820 -- or collect 'em all.

 

[gizzyman47]

I really like my Mac 1700

 

[FluxT]

Try an 820 -- or collect 'em all.

Don’t threaten me with a good time

 

[Soundork]

I'm still surprised the HK 330 is getting so much more love on this thread than the 430.

I haven't compared them head-to-head, only listened to them in different settings. However, I am convinced the Twin-Power (dual mono) topology of the 430 is the way to go given the choice. So much better soundstage and separation for a 25w receiver.

Just sayin'

From my perspective: The 330c resolves more detail than the 430. Also, the latter does not sound as "warm". Any benefits that the twin design offers are lost for most like me due to listening at low power levels. I for example, have sensitive hearing and when I really crank up the volume, the sound levels at listening position are 63-65dB, normally I would listen at around 53dB.
I do not know why the 330c is more pleasant to listen to and outperforms the 430 at low levels. With the exception of the dual power supply (only power amp) and the phono stage, their circuitry supposed to be identical, but there are couple of capacitors in the sound path that are different and also some choice of active components.
It has been on my list to sharpen my pencil and perform the circuit analysis through calculations and simulations in order to evaluate the effect on performance due to difference in capacitor values. Unfortunately, it is not a high priority task and might get as long as two years from now when that might materialize...
Best
Soundork

 

[Soundork]

All - I have a pair of 16ohm single driver speakers (92/watt), and I'm looking for your favorite low-power 15-40 watt) receivers from the '70s. Speaker manufacturer suggests damping factor around 40. I want a GREAT tuner section and an overall engaging sound. Some ideas I have are: Sansui 771, 5000A/X, 1000A (tube); Pioneer SX636/838, HK X30, Sony earlier models... Are there any "under the radar" that can be had for $400 or less? What are your thoughts?

Looking forward to your replies.

I have a Pioneer SX636 and in my opinion it does not have any redeeming qualities besides its looks where it truly excels.
Best
Soundork

 

[Scar_Begonia]

Superscope r1270- really nice, kind of dark sounding but pleasing. Superscope used the same or very similar guts as the Marantz 2215...which is also a nice little guy. Might be fun to be the only kid on the block to have a Superscope They come black faced or silver faced.

I have one in the garage driving a pair of ADS L300’s.
Anthony Helinski

 

[lemosen11]

A Kenwood KR4140 is what got me started on this path. Lovely rich sounding unit, and definitely has a few more watts up its' sleeve than the spec sheet lets on.

I have this great receiver and I love it for its sound and unique look.