I want to talk about something coming from an old fogey's perspective. Years ago I had a 40 watt/channel Technics stereo receiver which I really liked. I think I've been looking for its equal in an AVR ever since. Well, I've had a Pioneer, Yamaha, and a Denon. I believe all three of them have their own limitations. I know most of you are probably sick and tired of me saying this, but I preferred the 2 channel performance of the Yamaha over the other 2, but none of them has reached the lofty heights I have been searching for all these years. I'm afraid I will never find this beast, because it doesn't exist. I know I should stop my search, but the urge I have is to press on until I find the grail or die trying.

Yamaha was recomended to me, when I first started to look for a avr......it's controls are very similar to the old stereo receivers. I am glad I got the Yamaha, I have really enjoyed all that good, clean power.

One thing I noticed right away, when I was "researching" avr's prior to my buying........was the thd factor. For some reason, the "new" amps were pushing nearly, 1% thd. (in many cases).
I ended up spending more than I was going to originally, to get the 0.02 thd the Yamaha avr I have, has.

The truly scarry thing....especially for those of us slowly(or NOT so slowly)packing on the years, is the understood loss of hearing which may make the grail unobtainable.....(insert uncontrollable sobbing "here")

The other problem may be in the memory of the sound from an older set of speakers which may have "colored" your memory.(I have exactly that with a number of Chet Atkins CDs that I purchassed reciently to replace some favorite vinyl lost due to flooding. The CDs don't sound right thru my main system, but sound good on my Brand "X" speakers in the diningroom. The reason seems to be that I was used to the sound of the old albums thru a rather inexpensive record player with speaker ears that didn't, I'm sure, reproduce an accurate sound, but one which I became very "used to" over the years that I listened to it as a kid. Seems to be a strong Memory of what's "Right")

So from one old fogey to another, we may be just SOL

Bummer.
Rich.





...one thing is sure....until science perfects cloning and accurate brain recording and data transfer...we WILL die trying

How about a nice, vintage stereo integrated amp from Ebay?

If it's the sound you are looking for maybe you need to try Harman Kardon.

Sounds like you need to try one of these from Outlaw, designed for old fogies who like 2 channel.

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The reason seems to be that I was used to the sound of the old albums thru a rather inexpensive record player with speaker ears that didn't, I'm sure, reproduce an accurate sound, but one which I became very "used to" over the years that I listened to it as a kid.

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I wonder if that old record player you used to listen to had a tube amp in it. Quite some time ago, I remember getting some old record players from my school. I cannabailzed them for the amp sections (all tube) to make a really ugly but very nice sounding integrated stereo amp. The record player speakers were very poor but once hooked up to some half-decent speakers, the amps really sounded great (aside from the crackly potentiometers).

There are not too many semi-conductor type amps that I like. One of the early Adcoms (GFA-535II) had a sound that was close to "tube-like". I did not like their large amps as much, however.

Rich,

You could be right about everything. It could simply be my faded memory playing tricks on me, it could have been the old inefficient speakers, etc, etc. But, what I miss most of all are the needles. And the lights. There ought to be needles and lights. When the black faced monsters first appeared, I remember thinking to myself, WHAT THE??? is this. No lights, no needles.

I have a 30 year old Fisher receiver if you're interested. Plenty of needles and lights, they all work too

I had a cheapo Fisher back in the '80s, it was one of the early black monsters. blah.

This is not an ugly black one. It is a silver face plate with a wood grain cabinet, quite a good looking unit.

Ah Yes! Needles and lights!!

And maybe even a warm orange glow and an old timey low buzzing in the background, accompanied perhaps with just a little, not much, 60 cycle hum

With an aroma that states: "Don't worry, I really won't catch on fire,..." But you can tell it's gettin' warm!!

Now, if my memory AND hearing will hold out just a little bit longer!
Rich.

And yes Rick, I miss the wood, too.

There's just something about flimsy metal and plastic that just....
Rich.

You know, I have to admit I kinda like the wood too. Reminds of an old receiver my dad had. I think it is in audio heaven now, though (the receiver, not my dad).

Prettiest piece of equipement I ever had was a Marantz 2252B with an all silver face (no black tuner area), blue and red lights, and a black body. I let my parents get rid of it (wasn't working) when I was in college. Damn!

And they're really hard to find on eBay...

Rich, being of the same general age as you (albeit a tad younger ), I must ask for clarification. Exactly what wood are you missing? Please - answer when the moment is right.

In reply to:

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Rich, being of the same general age as you (albeit a tad younger ), I must ask for clarification. Exactly what wood are you missing? Please - answer when the moment is right.

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you know they've got drugs for that...


sorry, too easy couldn't pass it up!

No,No, Not THAT wood!!....I've had the seventh inning stretch, but the game ain't over yet!!

The wood I was thinking of was what was mostly seen in the 60s, when walnut seemed to be the species of choice.

No kids; the nineteen 60s...

I'm sure my memory may be fading a bit(although my short term memory is improving!....Seems to be shorter every year!!)

But I seem to recall most every piece of even "slightly better than mediocre" quality audio hardware having at least some walnut applied to it. Maybe just on the sides, with a metal bottom and top, and maybe just a veneer, but seems that some was actually solid slabs!

I seem to recall the bases of many turntables made out of wood as well as many surrounding cases of reel to reel tape machines.

It may have been during that short period of time in which I was very impressional toward that sort of thing, and before it was career and family time, when my attention was taken away from audio for a bit.

So, for me, anyway, the golden age of audio may have been colored by the warm glow(of tubes)and of oiled walnut.
Rich.

Well, I tried your suggestion Rich. Last night the wife hand rubbed some walnut, but alas - no wood. I drew the line when she got the steel wool out and wanted to do some polishing.

Some downside; the general area of application is now a very deep brown color. I'm thinking the drugs would be easier, more effective and would stain much less.

Ray, I'm a-thinkin' here; just a guess, but I got me a feelin' we are talkin' about two differen't things here!

Although; maybe a little polishing paste in a light Birch applied with lambs wool instead of steel....

....oops;..."wood"?...gotta leave now!





...and the "drug' would be alcohol, in the wine!
Rich.