Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Vintage 2 Channel Stereo Receiver

I am so excited and blown away. I have been struggling over the past few months about how to bump up my 2 channel stereo sound. Do I get a larger AV receiver, get an amplifier, mono amps, what?? Well, I stumbled into the world of vintage 1970's receivers-Pioneer, Sansui, etc. Not tubes but just as sweet. WOW, do these sound better than the digital stuff today and the power of these bad boys is unreal. I kinda went crazy and bought 4 of them off ebay so I'll keep 2 and sell the other 2. The sound is so warm and smooth and much more powerful. So I have found my solution and have found a sound that I forgot existed!!! I'm curious to see if others have any of these receivers for their 2 channel music....

Charles my first receiver of any substance was a 2ch 120wpc Pioneer SX-1080 that I bought new while stationed overseas during the mid-'70s and I just sold that thing at a garage sale about three years ago ... I've been absolutely kicking myself in the butt every since.

I've been thinking about getting my hands on another SX-1080 for old times sake but having the even better 165wpc SX-1250 would really be sweet.

Rick,
My wife goes to garage sales on the weekends so I've just added another item for her to look for-vintage receivers. Yea, I want a 1050/1080 or 1250/1280 or better yet a 1980. I bought a 950 and just hooked it up and it is sweet!!!! I also bought a Sansui 9090DB but haven't gotten it yet. I'll play around with them until I find the right one but for sure the sound is very different from my Yammy 657.

These old receivers look fantastic too! It's interesting how some newer receivers are trying to go back to this look. My dad had an old Marantz that I really wanted which he used to play music in the garage. He would have given it to me, but it was stolen.

I have a drop-dead gorgeous silver faced Pioneer SX-850 receiver nicely wrapped in my garage.

Here is a picture of this Pioneer beauty from my old house when it was in service.



Sounded great!

Upgraded with a Kenwood KA9100 amplifier, CA9ES Sony CDP, a pair of wonderful Dahlquist DQM 905s, and a customized Kenwood SW300 sub (Titanic 10" driver), a truly great 2 channel system, now doing car wash music service in my new garage.

I've got a Pioneer SX-5580 which is the Black faced European version of the SX-1050. It drives a pair of Vintage 1963 Acoustic Research AR3a speakers. Very, very good sound.

The best part of this has been my wife's response. I had this Pioneer 950 set to a Jazz station when she got home last night and she immediately noticed the smoothness and warmth of the sound. She said she couldn't put a word to it but the sound was so much better than usual. The words she finally came up with was "The music sounded like it was oiled"!! Can't wait for the Sansui 9090Db to get here.

Mmmmmmm. Lubricated Jazz.....

I guess that we have fond memories for audio gear, cars, etc. that we have owned in the past. Although I, too, have fond memories of my previous "toys," I think that my current ones are much better.

Just my thought.

Well Rat, sounds like you've never owned a Shelby Cobra, or a McIntosh tube amp and preamp. Some old stuff is as good as you remember it was.

I'm still using the first receiver I ever purchase back in 1977 (a Philips 7871). It looks a lot like 2x6's Pioneer, except it's a black version. I love it still. Only problem is it can be a bit difficult to fit into an entertainment centre or rack as it is a lot wider (21.5 inches) than the standard 17" or so width of most audio equipment the last couple decades. And with the big heat sinks hanging off the back of it, it is a bit deeper than most are today.

It's still going strong though.

Speaking of old gear that sounds great I used to have a Carvin T100 50 watt x 2 tube power amp that I let go for next to nothing since it was too loud for my apartment. Luckily Carvin started making them again as a TS100 it is listed as a guitar amp, but is all tube pure power amp, no tone controls just presence. I am very close to buying myself one.

My all-time favorite vintage receiver ... and someday, I'll have a 2 channel room with the great Fisher 800B receiver.

What are the specs on these old recievers? Watts per channel and so on. Would be kind of neat to see a manual for one.

Sometimes obscenely high. In the mid-late 70s, there was a huge run up in (reported) amp power. Do a search on eBay for Marantz, and you'll see what I mean. 200 wpc and things of that sort.

Of course, my old Marantz was 20 wpc, so go fig. Same era. I had another one that was 52 wpc. And my big ol' Toshiba was something like 75 or 85.

Manuals? Yeah, got 'em. They're pretty much like manuals today, except printed on better paper and with real photos instead of line drawings. And less numbers in circles and squares and such.

Yeah, I remember some Pioneers at 270 WPC I think and a few others that were spec'd at 300 WPC! I miss the lit VU meters and soft glow of the tuner dial!

I think I've posted this once before, but I don't understand why power meters disappeared. You'd think that many manufacturers would have them to give the front panel some "wow" over the competition, and I wouldn't think they cost much.

Technics used to have some cool flourescent meters with a "dim" and "off" switch for the purists!

I miss the all brushed aluminum Marantzes with the red and blue lights. Ah, my 2252...

270 Watts Per Channel..

Good Lord.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-SX-1980_W0QQitemZ9733157994QQihZ008QQcategoryZ50596QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I just bought a Sansui 9090DB which was one of their best and rated at 125wpc. I can't tell ya how great it sounds. So smooth. I also bought a Pioneer SX-1080 which should be here tomorrow. It will probably go into the house for 2 channel and the Sansui will go in the garage for that 2 channel setup. I'm selling a Sansui 8900, Kenwood 7400 and a Pioneer 950 all on ebay. I love the sound and look of these old receivers. I had a Sansui 210 back in the 70's rated at a mighty 20wpc!!!

I still miss my old Advent receiver, donated to the local thrift store so we could get a "nice looking system" instead.

It was only 15 W per channel but the pre-amp and phone section were great. I used it with a big-ass power amp most of the time but I still think it and a pair of M3s would make a mighty fine little system.

There aren't even any to be had on eBay but I did find a service manual for $15.00 ;(

'Fraid I don't remember those years... my Marantz fascination began with my Dad's 2220B, and I obtained the 2252 very used from a family friend when I was a teenager.

The first "real" receiver I purchased was back in the 60s, in Japan, when I was in the Navy.

I had just bought a beautiful Sony PL3000(I think)turntable and was seriously looking at a set of all-but-hand-made Sony seperates that were just georgous. But after buying a Teak 7010(I think)reel-to-reel, I decided to try one of their new fangled all-in-one "Recievers"!!

.....besides, the finish and style matched the reel-to-reel, and THAT was cool!! Plus I wasen't a diehard fan of FM so had a problem with the cost of a tuner, especially since the tuner I really wanted, IF I got one, was the 10-B(I think) with the multipath scope.

.......now I gotta do a search and see if I can find out the actual numbers of the stuff I used to have!

uh, no comment on my Pioneer speakers. Although they sounded pretty good in their day, especially aboard a noisy ship.

Didn't get much chance to listen to it all as a civilian though; sold the lot when I went back to school.

My first receiver roughly thirty years ago was a Pioneer SX-650, spec'ed at 35wpc. I foolishly parted with it only a couple of years later, but my mother has made great use of it since, and continues to do so to this day.
Meantime, I've purchased two used 650s over the past few years at flea markets and garage sales. Each is currently in service, with no difficulties (one connected to the PC, and one in the living room). I now know better than to part with either of these.
My real pride and joy however, and my heart-break, are the two mighty Marantz receivers I purchased separately a couple of years ago. Both my 2285 and 2285B receivers need some TLC (some scratchiness, and worse, and some of the lights of each unit are out), but I'm not able to tend to the issues at this time. Even so, neither is going anywhere. I'm fortunate enough that my home-theater gear is pretty much where I want it to be at this time (they can keep their HD/Blu-Ray discs and players, thanks), so any spare dough can be spent on repairing these Marantz receivers. I look forward to the day that I am once again seduced by their warm sound, endless power, and soft blue glow. Cheers.

DS.

The lights are pretty easy to replace, although you have to be careful with the old plastic parts inside, and they're very inexpensive on eBay. I think I used all of the ones I ordered, otherwise I would send them to you.

I miss my 2252B

Well, thanks for almost sending me some bulbs, kcarlile I appreciate the sentiment, sir. Cheers.

DS.

I'll see if I can find any leftovers...

Sadly, it doesn't look like I have any. I'll keep my eye out for them, though.

Thanks for your good effort anyway, my friend. One way or another, my Marantz(es) will live to sing another day. Cheers.

DS.

Ahh yes, that warm sound and those lights!!! I have a Sansui 9090DB out in the garage hooked to a pair of M3s. I enjoy the way that receiver looks with it's lights on and the garage lights off. It's a WOW!!! I've really gone crazy with these vintage receivers. I have already bought and sold a Kenwood 7400 and a Pioneer 950. I am now waiting the arrival of a Pioneer 1050, 1250 and 780, all bought on ebay. Yipes, help me.......

I'm done buying the vintage stock. I now have a Sansui 9090DB, a Pioneer SX-1050 that looks brand new-the wood is perfect, and a Pioneer SX-1250. I'm done. Oh these sound so good and they do have the power for 2 channel!!! Hmmmm.....

I'm looking at purchasing one of the vintage Pioneer models, may be a dumb question, but can a cd player be connected to one of these old beauties, can't remember if the vintage stuff has analog connections.

You guys are bad .I got the bug and ended up with a Marantz 2220B from ebay.I'm not sure what I bought but sure looks nice.

Well, Frank, you've purchased a receiver from the year I was born! It features 20 watts per channel, and those blue and red lights Marantz is famous for! With a brushed aluminum face, it has style that will fit into any household. And all for the low, low price of only slightly less than it was sold originally!

In all seriousness, enjoy your new toy. Kinda wish I hadn't gotten rid of mine...

Yes, I hook up my CD/DVD player and even the TV sometimes through the AUX connections and the tape connections. Won't work through the phono connections but works fine in the others.

I just rediscovered the sound of my Sansui 9090db as well. I've had it for nearly 30 years and it has never let up. It is the most reliable audio component I have ever owned.

This weekend I disconnected the amp section and connected the Sansui as a pre-pro to a Bryston 4bsst amp with a Sony ES SACD player through the aux input and an Oppo dvd-a player through tape 1 play inputs. Tried it with various speakers and I was wowed by how good it sounded. Compared to my Arcam processor it sounded a bit warmer but very pleasing and just as clear. Also the tuner section is without equal. I was tempted to buy a new stereo processor for music only but the 9090db has won that honour.

Just picked up one of these (Pioneer SX-880) for $91.00 will be perfect to run my oudoor speakers at 60wpc

Homedad, that is sweet. Good price too. Enjoy the sound because it's different from anything else. I love my collection.

cgolf, I'm envious of your collection I'm thinking of adding one more if I can find it at the right price, the Sansui 9090DB, such a beautiful piece of equipment.

It's beautifully designed alright and a powerful amp at 125W per channel as well which was unheard of in 1978.

I'm keeping a Pioneer SX-1250 for the house and a Sansui 9090DB for the garage. I'm selling my SX-1050 because I just don't have anywhere to put it and the wife gives me the "look" when I try to justify it. The 9090 and the 1250 are my favorites!!

I know the Pioneer SX 1280 had 185 watts per channel and was around in the 70s. I had a Pioneer SX 1080 rated at 120 per side, so I don't think this was uncommon at all.

Some of these monsters had unbelievable power and clarity. That's why they sound so crisp. The 9090DB has 125 wpc; the SX-1250 has 165 wpc and the SX-1050 has 120 wpc. At least that is what they awere rated. As I have them serviced and tested, I'm finding that they are about 10-15% higher in actual power output. Awesome!!!! [image]http://C:\Documents and Settings\Debi\My Documents\My Pictures\EBAY\SX-1050[/image]

The Pioneer SX-1980 had 270wpc and cost $1300.00 in 1978. For anyone interested, here is a great site for specs, valuation, and pictures of some of these old receivers. Classic Audio

The 70's were a time when many manufacturers started to put more powerful amps into integrated receivers. My first receiver circa 1970 had 20w per side. Sansui started to put bigger amps into their receivers around 1974 which was when the 9090db started production. At the time it was regarded as one of the most powerful well built consumer receivers. The quality went to hell in the 80's when they outsourced production and cheapened on parts, all of which led to the company's demise. I visit the AudioKarma Exclusively Sansui forum where users exchange info. Prices on ebay have been rising on this unit as people rediscover its attributes.

In the past few months I have been through more vintage receivers than I care to admit. I have over 1000 transactions on ebay and have never had a problem until I started buying and selling these older receivers. Won't go into all the gory details but it's been messy. However!! I have come out OK and now own a beautiful Sansui 9090DB and a Pioneer SX-1250. Both of these units are in excellent condition and the sound is just unreal. Very smooth, warm and loud!! I like the sound and asthetics of the Sansui by just a tad but the 1250 will blow you out of the room. Both tuners are great and hopefully both units will last another 30 years. Now if I can just sell my SX-1050, which BTW is no slouch in performance or appearance.

These receivers are addictive, still waiting for my pioneer sx-880 to get here for my outdoor sytem, but Fedex delivered my sx-780 today. I set it up in the guest bedroom hooked it up to the existing dvd-cd player in the room with some JBL E20 speakers and it sounds great. $73.00 for receiever, $44.00 for refurbished speakers from Harmon on e-bay, $14.00 omnimount speaker stands, $131.00 total for a great sounding system for our guests, priceless

Well I just got my 2nd Marantz today,model 2235B.I connected it to my M3s and it sounds great.I bought it from clasic audio,paid $300.00 but it looks like new.They went completely through it so it's very clean inside and out and all the bulbs work.Thats all for now ,4 receivers are enough

Is that a ...website? (He asks, looking for more places to spend money he doesn't have...)

I linked it a page back, they sell, carry want ads and give valuations on vintage stereos.

I enjoy looking at Classic Audio for pricing and benchmarking what the different receivers are worth. I have found their prices to be pretty steep however. I have bought my units off ebay and have found great receivers for much less. I have a guy here in Houston who will service these for $55 a pop. He is my age (a remnant & survivor of the 60s-70s) so he not only enjoys working on them and does a great job but he apreciates the units and their sound. Yes, he is a blessing to have found!!!