Vintage Receivers vs New Integrated: Which Should You Buy?

Lookie Lou's Episode 4: Should you buy that really cool beautiful vintage receiver you've been wanting? What's the best path forward if you want to build a music system? Watch this first! The results may surprise you.

#hifiaudio #hifi #audiophile #vintagehifi #homeaudio #stereophile #receivers

[ja]

I was in the AV industry for several decades. Bought multiple Home theater receivers that cost thousands of dollars each for one AV component in the late 90's and early 2000s that were built like tanks. Metal chassis and faceplates. You rotated the volume control and you could feel the quality. Amazing products with amazing sound. Still have three of them in the closet and all work flawlessly. But I can't use them because the industry has updated the necessary AV connections multiple times. So you're outdated two years after buying. Also, nowadays everything is plastic. I've been through multiple mid-level home theater receivers (Denon, Yamaha) filled with high-tech features, wi-fi, Bluetooth, and the latest surround sound formats. They're junk, but I had to try and keep up with all the latest stuff. A bunch of technology crammed into a plastic box that's made to throw away after it fails. I recently was in a store and was playing with the controls on a $1300 dollar receiver. It felt cheap compared to my older HT receivers. Needless to say, my vintage tube equipment and Pioneer, Kenwood 70's vintage receivers still work. Plus, when there is a small problem I can usually fix it myself. I'm sorry you don't "GET IT". But the most important thing above everything I've previously stated is ... I happen to love the 70's vintage sound. Maybe someday when you no longer need to make a living on the new stuff, you'll be able to appreciate the old!

[edwardvasquez]

Wow, bummer. Hearing him tell it is like hearing someone darkening the bright mood of a beautiful sunny day. I could easily see RCA's dog Nippers puzzled look at this gentleman's low opinion of the awesome HiFi equipment developed by some of the greatest audio engineers of our time. There is a magnificent loyal audiophile base today just as strong as 'Muscle Car' enthusiasts. The same generation that gave us 'Monser Receivers'. Their sound & quality still hold up today unlike the cheap low-quality high-priced items that are sold today. My Marantz receiver & Electro Voice speakers effortlessly reproduces todays digital music with such grand presence. Hail to HiFi ! Cheers ✌✌✌✌

[fabieneldridge]

I’m still listening to my Klipsch K - Horns, Klipsch Belle’s I’m back, yes they are serviced. I pug them with a Marantz 2325 1975, I blow it out with my air compressor every few years. For over 30 😂this has been my music. It still brings the hair up on my arms ! The Marantz has one bulb out and it still looks new, everything is in beautiful Walnut and it ROCKS ! I h😢gotten my money worth and still getting it, 😅haven’t turned the power off for over two months on the Marantz ! Blue allows me to select music by phone and adjust the volume. It sounds amazing ! The better my source the better it sounds. I don’t care how much you spend you’ll be hard fought to get more music 🎼! Some recordings are life like in my listening room ! I get concert levels before half volume ! Clean, sharp, horns unbelievable. The additional Belle Speakers real add to the dimensions of the music. One pair of Klipsch are Great, two pair playing together

[mrboat]

I have some vintage equipment that I bought in the '70s. Rebuilt it (Pioneer SA-8500) once about 4 years ago and that is the only chance it will get. I rarely use it now. I have since gotten hooked on digital controls and comprehensive bass management. I can buy a used AVR with pre/sub outs for pennies on the dollar that will typically have over 100WPC/8Ohms, and be stable down to 2Ohms and use that for 2.2 channel instead. CD, and bass management have been the two most significant audible improvements in my lifetime.

I hate foam surrounds on speakers, and old analog pots. When I rebuilt them, I basically just reset the clock on the ticking time bomb that old stuff is. One exception would likely be the old direct drive Hitachi TT I have. It still works but mostly because there is not a whole lot to go wrong with it. I won't shed any tears when and if it dies. I got my $'s worth from it.

I try and stay away from vintage stuff priced by flippers and collectors. I might would take it if they were giving it away but even then, it takes up valuable space so probably not. I'm all about the music. I have 11 pairs of speakers, most of which are kits I built myself. I do like buying some older JBL budget sleepers that were known to punch well above their otherwise budget designations. All of which have rubber surrounds and more modern caps. I also have years of electronics experience and have rebuilt/serviced my own gear over the 50 years I have been at this by now. Still, I will stick to modern equipment for what years I have left. It sounds ridiculously good for what I have in it.

[quebecforce]

I have a 1987 Harman Kardon HK385i and the sound of this low watt receiver are VERY good.

[wooddragon]

Im 60 my first stereo was a pioneer sx680 in 1978, over the years i migrated to newer, modern equipment, very low distortion, crisp clean sound, very detailed music presentation. A few years ago I bought a 1979 Yamaha CR-820 for the office to recapture the vibe of my youth, well 3 years down the road and all 7 of my music stereo systems are now vintage. Ranging from a 1972 sx-727 to the newest a Sansui G5700. Ive actually sold all my newer equipment and replaced it with the much cheaper vintage gear. The most expensive thing was $500 for a sansui 7070, While the newer stuff was super detailed and clear, it lacks soul, . it comes across as too sterile. and lacks the warmth of the old stuff. I know alot of people try to capture that warmth with new tube amps, they are great but very expensive. I had an excellent tube amp setup in the basement that cost a couple of grand, I replaced it with vintage amp and EQ for 1/4 the cost that sounds every bit as good. I think paying thousands for the 100+wpc vintage monster receivers is nuts though, the 30-50 wpc receivers have plenty of power to drive every speaker I own (19pairs) and those mid wattage receivers and amps run $150-400 typically and give great value . As for repair cost, well my Sx737 died one day, cost $50 to repair. I figure If i had a 1975 Mustang or Camaro that I drove 4-6 hours every day Id expect to have to repair it, a receiver is no different and much much cheaper to keep on the road. I'll take vintage gear over new any day. Music is a very individual choice and while you think vintage makes little sense, there are a lot of folks like me who totally disagree. There is no right or wrong when it comes to musical enjoyment as it a personal choice. I get immense enjoyment out of all my old stuff and will keep maintaining it and enjoying it until the day I die. As Spock said "Live long and Pioneer"

[robertmcgee]

The old flagship receivers had the wow factor, wish the manufacturers would simply recreate modern versions. Current receivers all look the same, black boxes.

[stevenstjohn]

I had a Dynaco Dynakit ST 70- Amp- Completely rebuilt recently- drive it w/
A new Quicksilver Valve Pre- Amp sounds great
Also am having a Bob Carver Phase Linear 700 Series 2- Amp refurbished w / Mundorf Caps etc. 😊

[scottprice]

The 1970s stereo receivers are the highest quality. Yes, they need maintenance.
I doubt the stereo receivers being made today will be working in 50 years.

[Zhorellski]

Had my Sansui 9090 and Pioneer sx737 rebuild! Sounds better than most modern integrated amps

[tomhalbouty]

I have worked on a lot of classic gear. It looks like you have a Sony STR7065 receiver in front of you. Years ago at a McIntosh clinic I attended the Mc rep. remarked that the Sony 7065 was the only non Mc receiver he tested that day that surpassed the FTC specifications. Later I purchased one and still have it. I own distortion analyzers, signal generators and scopes and my unit frankly still exceeds specs. Most of the caps are still fine, tested in circuit via a Peak ESR tester. I've replaced a few caps but overall the unit works and sounds great and the tuner has held alignment, checked periodically with a Sencore FM tester. I've seen lower cost modern amplifier and receivers having capacitor failure within 5 years of after they were purchased. I'm not sure what is going on here but I suspect that some of the Asian manufacturers did not copy the formulas of European and US manufacturers. In low cost modern receivers, component level repair is difficult with their dual layer boards with thin traces and failed parts are quickly discontinued in our modern supply chains. They go into our land fills. 

If my observation is correct, then the older gear likely has a much longer life span and is repairable. I do own relatively recent McIntosh, Modwright and Conrad Johnson gear which I do believe have excellent design and part selection. That said, low cost Chinese built receivers don't measure up in my view to properly tested and restored vintage gear.

[webman]

I am the same age that you are, and I also had a vintage Pioneer back in the day. I did some research and decided to go with the new Sony STR-DH190, the Sony SSCS5 bookshelf speakers and the Sony SACS9 subwoofer with a total retail price of $600 and it sounds great!

[Tonytheman]

Vintage or old model receivers are the best, i have a beautiful pioneer sx9000 in mint condition and i am a collector of pioneer

[Mikejohnson-wrhd]

Really interesting. I’m in my mid 70s and started buying and using audio equipment in the late 60s and have continues to this day. I have to say that the newer equipment is really user friendly and sounds good to me. My latest piece of equipment is a nad C3050 streaming amp and it does sound really good to me. There was a certain magic about using an fm tuner and a record player years ago, but the convenience and sound were not up to the standards we have today. I have several tuners and a vintage turntable hooked up to my system, but the only time I use either is when friends come to visit and want to hear them. Audio convenience and sound quality have taken huge leaps. ahead. I have to agree, if you’re purchasing audio equipment now, you’re way ahead buying the latest and greatest.

[mondoenterprises]

It may well be the cool factor. They just look so much cooler than the new black boxes. Also, when you take it to get rehabbed, guess what? That 'vintage sound' came from those vintage caps etc when they were new 50 years ago! You can't replace same with same. Now you got new stuff in an old box, so it truly is about the cool and wow factor bc the sound output will be from today's electronics. Or maybe I'm the one who's crazy!

[hhvictor]

Based on how you feel I will gladly take that beautiful Sony off your hands. I'll even pay for shipping lol

[Audiorevue]

No definitely very right when it comes to the age of some of these products and their ultimate longevity, I've been 90% lucky when it comes to vintage audio although it's that 10% that has caused me to forgo it. My last purchase a vintage audio was 2 years ago and I picked up locally a Yamaha CR 1020 receiver, a beautiful piece externally and internally as well that very much reminded me of older Chevrolet vehicles. It worked great until it didn't and then slowly but surely every last thing failed. And I was told by a local tech who's been doing electronics repair for 30 years, yeah man you should really just throw in the towel and sell it for parts. And ultimately that's what I decided to do and I paid about 700 for it and got about six in broken condition. So I didn't lose too much money other than what I paid the tech to fix things as they went.


But never again will I go down the rabbit hole of vintage audio, because like Forrest Gump said, life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you're going to get

[spacehopper]

Sorry I have tried buying brand new current modern separate components over the last 20 years and have finally found the sound I like using a 70s receiver a Pioneer SX1250 as the centre component fed using modern sources.

[billimbriale]

What seems crazy to me: if one longs for equipment from the 70s for example, why not buy the best of what the 70s had to offer. It certainly was not mega receivers. Much of the high-end equipment from the past can be bought for LESS than what is being paid for mid-fi receivers. Enjoyed your take on this. Be well.

[gdwlaw]

Picked up a vintage Sansui from 1982 for my office. Works great and will not be repaired when it dies.