Know BEFORE You Buy! Buyer Beware Vintage Stereo Equipment

New to the vintage stereo world? In this series we shed some light on some known issues with different brands and models for those new to the hobby. Most of these won't be a shocker to any seasoned technicians, but we want you to know about these issues before you make a purchase mistake!

Have you had trouble finding a technician to work on a specific manufacturer, model or audio format? Leave it in the comments! It's all about spreading the knowledge to help others that might not know.

VOTING is now open for your favorite auto-return turntable. Submit your vote in the comments (of this video) and stay tuned for that video coming soon! Please, make sure to include the make and model number. Thank you!

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[flynow]

My mom took me to j c penny and bought me a complete system. I was 14 and it's the best memory I have with my mother. We bought MCS because she had to use her credit card.

[MarvinHartmann]

I like the educational information. Many people don't have the knowledge of how these equipment are built. I'm an electronic technician, and it's very important to inform potential buyers of these flaws. Especially when proprietary op-amp or ic, and for those who can't do the work themselves, what they're getting themselves into, like the receiver equiped with these infamous STK output pack, those who have the component glued with corrosive glue that eat up the legs of the transistors and others component, it's time consuming and if you can't do this yourself, it just doesn't worth it.

[wymotome]

Videos like this are educational and very needed in the community. It seems that folks on youtube are sometimes afraid to call out products (vintage or not) and their inherent weaknesses and/or drawbacks.

[tomday]

I worked for JCPenney in their design department as a design student when they were still in NYC. I did the front ends on a few 8 track tape players and recorders in the early 1970's. At that time the manufacturer of the internals would also use my drawings to make the JCPenney version of the product. That particular manufacturer was Matsushita, founder of the Panasonic and Technics brands we know today. I assume most of the electronics were bid out to Japanese companies due to their expertise in electronics and low price back then. If I wanted to rearrange the controls or change the basic functions I would get a visit from the corporate buyer and my boss who gently told me, "Hell NO". I remember trying to describe vapor honing to one of the Japanese engineers when I specified it on a drawing for the face plate and got a blank stare. That finish and a brushed finish became the classic look of the 1970's electronics business, but at JCPenney, fake woodgrain got the nod.

[firebearva]

It is refreshing to see a video that cuts through the BS and presents "just the facts, just the facts mam." Your video is in no way to be taken as derogatory, but educational. You have done a great service to the potential vintage video buyer. You have saved mane from a bad case of buyers remorse, whether they realize it or not.

[moofdoggmike]

I've had my Technics SL D20 semi auto for... well forever... upgraded cartridge and its never let me down. Love it. Thanks for the great vid Kevin... another good one!

[kisayoku]

Agree regarding MCS. I worked as a technician in the late 70s in a shop contracted for warranty service by the local JC Penney. When it came to all but a very few specific models, it was, “If it’s working, enjoy! If it’s not, you better hope it’s under warranty.” Their best models (Matsushita-built) were OK, their worst items (GE-built TVs) were utterly horrible to work on.

[mikemagures]

I have a B&O RX-2 Turn table that I really enjoyed; unfortunately it is time to scrap it because I cannot get it serviced. No more B&o for me.

[rauldemoura]

I have had my Marantz SR-4240 “Quadrarail” for nearly 30 years. I absolutely LOVE how good it sounds! Some days I can get it up to half volume, and still sounds AWSOME!!

[paulcampise]

I loved my B & O turntable. Had to get rid of it after the second time the dust cover broke. All my equipment now is vintage, including me.

[OSXMan]

B&O gear has gotten me all turned on, but I knew that I wasn't who they were built for. I knew I would be all alone and either end up with expensive unrepairables or run out of money getting them right. I think you nailed it on that score. The quadrophonic thing too. Solid advice on what to watch out for!

[wwz]

I had a roommate in college (1975), he had a complete Bang and Olufsen system. It was so beautiful! He flunked out, took his stereo with him. So I have lusted after B & O stuff ever since, but I never bought any of it. I also had a Marantz Quad receiver. Tried to get it fixed with multiple techs. Never worked right. I finally sold it on ebay "Not Working For Parts Only". Never looked back! Also good to warn people on the MCS stuff. I see it for sale locally all the time at cheap prices (mostly receivers). I wondered what the problem were. On turntables, I love my Pioneer PL-560, fully automatic. I have a Thorens TD125, hate that it doesn't even lift at the end of the record.

[aubreywells]

Manual Table Kenwood Granite composite monster sounds so good!! This table isolates itself so well, I never need to worry about heavy footfall interference! Plus it sounds Really Great! Best manual Table I've ever owned!!
Thanks for your videos Kevin. Nice Work!!

[phonebackup]

My first kit was a Heathkit AR 2020, i was in 7th grade and entered it as my sience fair item along with 4 speakers that i built. That was in 1978 and it's still going perfectly.
For those who double stack Advents a quad amp or receiver is perfect. Anyway fum memories.

[mileshigh]

This was great! I value your opinions, especially because they come from experience! I have also always said Techneeks !

[edwardgonczy]

Their turntables (B&O) worked well with all my non B&O electronics gear and two of their models got me through the 1980's. But I knew that since they used their own proprietary cartridges and a volatile period was coming for LP's and turntables, I decided to move to Thorens and Linn, turntables that will accept a large range of cartridges. I think I unloaded mine at just the right time.

[Smfins]

The MCS 3125 is a beast of a receiver and sounds great. It was made by NEC. The one below it, the 3275 is also great. I can speak for any of the others.

[marktubeie]

B&O is the 70s version of Apple to me😉

[jpaleas]

As a vintage collector I often get the bug for a Sansui quadraphonic receiver or a B&O because of the unique factor of both but something holds me back every time!
Well you have explained it in this video thank you !
Growing up in Europe I’ve always pronounced Technìcs the correct way.... the way you say it, the way the company says it, but when I moved to the US I switched into saying Tèchnics because that’s how everyone else said it !!
I’m just so glad you brought this up because Technìcs it’s really the correct way!

[sPi]

This is the show that made me subscribe to your channel, even though I've seen and liked what you've done before. This definitely does deserve to become a recurring topic. "Why or why not to buy?"
This one and "Seven reasons you should get into vintage HiFi"