Why VINTAGE stereos are Awesome

[@Piwork69]

I have memories as a kid in the 70's hearing our stereo system in the living room that was by no means top of the line. However I recall the crisp clear sound that I no longer hear these days.

[@Piwork69]

carpo719 True, and you got these hip hop headphones today that is ALL exagerrated bass.

[@jogmas12]

Mywork777 You just not spending money top rated modern stereo gear.

[@raquelfelkner3610]

I am the only girl in my town that buys sells and cleans this type of equipment. I am running a vintage Onkyo TX3000 with a pair of Marantz speakers. I love it so much! I just picked up a Sansui QS500 rear amplifier that I plan on flipping for 50 or 100 bucks. Nothing sounds better than vintage. Thanks for posting.

[@STEVEM730]

Love the old receivers, they look so cool, and sound much better. I like the simplicity. You can tell how good it is going to be just by how heavy that thing is. Pioneer in the 70s made the best looking and sounding equipment. Unfortunately the price for vintage equipment has skyrocketed. You scored A killer deal on that receiver.

[@thisisunreal1]

Pound for pound, nothing beats old school audio. I'm glad some of you, younger than me guys, are appreciating these beasts. I've rescued many from the evil recycle bin. My video showing the Marantz unit was about to be loaded into a recycle truck! Right now, I'm using a Sansui AU-11000A that I got for FREE!! I also have turntables like a Lenco L75, Pioneer PL-518 & a newer Pro-ject Debut lll. All these tt's were bought for under $20. Problem is that now people are catching on and this stuff is getting harder to find at basement prices. Love the Pioneer SX series. I've had a 450, 550, 2x 650 & an 850...Would love to find a SX-1980. Cheers!

[@cukedaddy]

+thisisunreal1 An SX-1980 for under $2000 is difficult, if not impossible.

[@JohnLeaf]

hey man if ypu finmd another rarity send to me in brazil my cep is 70294090 LOL

[@Sallyhearts]

thisisunreal1 yeah a technics sa-5760 has a lot of pounds and performance lol.

[@itsronyith]

thisisunreal1 m

[@womeniz3r]

Let me blow your mind...just hear me out. Watch movies on a vintage hifi VHS player hooked up to those vintage receivers. They sound phenomenal.

[@petermartin9494]

Good points. Surround sound was the worst thing that ever happened to good sound.

[@FullFrameFotography]

Peter Martin Hear hear...I'll drink to that. HATED when surround sound made the scene. Just before that happened, and I DO mean exactly the last year before Yamaha went surround sound with their receivers, I grabbed a pure stereo receiver just as they had started to discount them so they could bring in the new surround models. That was in 1987 or 88. I still have it to this day and it happily cranks out 100 w per ch into my 6 ohm Angstrom Reflexion speakers (also old skool circa 1987) What a beast when I wind it up!

[@richardschroeder7525]

+Peter Martin i agree peter surround sound was exiting for about 2 minutes just got back into some vintage stuff with a yamaha CR220 and some bose 21s bookshelf speakers lots of yamaha and bose bashers out there but i love my new system always liked to refer to as THE SYSTEM

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

+richard schroeder I love the Yamaha stuff from the late 70s. Your CR 220 is the littlest brother to my CR 3020.

[@vintagecollector6034]

Peter Martin I agree 100% although my main unit is a 1972 quadraphonic Sony riding the waves from my tv, 8 track recorder and phono, not enough inputs for a reel to reel though sadly unless i get splitters. -_-

[@ExStaticBass]

You just spoke to my heart brother. I buy and repair old audio equipment. I recently bought an older McIntosh system for $35 which came with the receiver and two amps. You say you want surround sound. Use old amplifiers on newer surround systems with line level outputs. You just need a multiplexer to have vintage surround. The system i bought was old, rusted, and most of the tubes were gassy. Having replaced most of the components using new old stock when possible with new capacitors & resistors, they work beautifully now. The sound is amazing. There is a warm place in my heart for vintage audio. Thanks for the video.

[@tlooknbill]

As a former musician I have to admire and can relate to your enthusiasm for vintage gear. $15 Sansui 2000A from Salvation Army in Y2K has the sweetest treble/bass adjusts I've ever heard. Smooth/wide bass roll off dovetails perfectly with bright treble to avoid cloudy/tinny snare & vocals and thonky kick bass unlike the two fairly modern $15 Goodwill 5.1 surround Yamaha RX-V495 & new $100 Kenwood amps both having internal crossover networks you can't fully turn off to get full bass even with Mains set to Large/no center spkr or sub or DSP modes. Twist back/forth the treble/bass knobs and barely hear a change. Very flat, lifeless stereo soundstage. Gave away the Kenwood to Goodwill, using Yamaha for Blu-Ray/CableTV. Sansui>'92 Technics CD player with 1985 Model 82 Norman Lab spkrs preserves perfect timbre of Hanne Hukkelberg "Little Things" CD vocals (mixed upfront in studio) putting her in my living room. Freaky psychoacoustic effect. Gives me chills listening to her on this system.

[@vinylman6580]

You said it right my friend. I just found the deal of a lifetime! I bought a vintage 1977 (REALISTIC STA-2000) Monster Receiver off ebay for a total of $436.00 a couple of days ago. It sold for $500.00 way back in 1977. Here's the most exciting part! It's 38yr's old, it's from the original owner, it's been kept in the original box and doesn't even look like it's ever been used. It's as if i time warped back to 1977 and bought it brand new! For those who don't know! Realistic was Radio Shack's house brand that was competitive with Pioneer, Marantz, Sansui, yet much more affordable. As a matter of fact they looked very simular to Pioneer at the time. And the build quality was right on par with them too! I was 11yr's old in 1977 and my older brother had a few different big Receivers at that time and i clearly remember how AWESOME they looked and sounded! I am so freakin excited to get my new vintage beauty and set it up! Vintage 70's Receivers + Vinyl = Happiness :-)

[@dwighta8655]

Just bought an STA-95 Realistic Receiver, and it's like what you describe with the 2000, rarely used and in excellent condition. I couldn't believe how great it looked when I picked it up. The guy I bought it from rarely used it, and then stored it for over 30 years in his basement. No damage whatsoever and performs/looks great. You're spot on about Realistic, theirs were nearly neck and neck with the big boys.

[@Criterion515]

Yeah, they looked very similar to Pioneer... because that's what a lot of them actually were. Mid-late '80s I was friends with a bunch of RS people and was always told that many of their products were rebranded Pioneers. Speakers and other audio equipment.

[@aTrulyPowerfulSpirit]

So spot on. I walked into a thrift store a year ago, got me a late 70s all-in stereo for an eq. of 30 bucks, got it repaired for 70 more, bought a new stylus and hooked up some soviet-time speakers. Now I can connect it to most anything, it just sounds so right.

[@calamagrostis88]

I have an SX1050 that I got for $350, sounds sweet and reminds me of my old Pioneer that I had as as teenager. But the reason I love it most is that I can understand the controls, knobs, switches, dials, buttons. I have a Denon and I cannot understand how to operate it. The Pioneer rules, and cranks with new Bowers and Wilkins speakers.

[@taketimeout2share]

Warm and crisp. Those two words sum up the 70's Hi Fi. I honsetly dont think I have ever heard anything as satisfying as the systems I used to listen too back then. I was at a UK boarding school and the richer kids had systems that I dont think have ever been bettered for sound quality since. Music was everything back then and everyone vied to have the best sounding stuff possible. Pink Floyd played crystal clear at high volume just took your breath away every single time. The Glory Days of High Fidelity. Just got a Sansui 221 for only £20 and I cant wait when the mail man delivers it to me. My first dip into the treasure house of old Hi Fi. Watching this vid has confirmed my feelings about this era. Thanks Carpo.719.

[@johnlucier5654]

probably the biggest distinction is that 70's receivers used exclusively discrete component architecture, every part was large and sturdy and more than it needed to be. there were no chips so the signal was never chopped down into microvolts then amplified. Personally I like Marantz, then Pioneer. Sansui has some great stuff.

[@TheSpeakerseeker]

This video sums up what I always tell people. I'm more then happy with my Sansui G-5500 that was gifted to me from a very nice security guard at my school. His recently deceased father was an audiophile in the golden age so it's in great shape! Enjoy your stuff as I certainly do. They don't make em like they used to: as in like a tank! Cheers!-Oliver

[@TheSpeakerseeker]

carpo719 haha i never thought of that :)

[@TheSpeakerseeker]

carpo719 oh i was just gonna say that. I found some near mint Dynaco A10s, great minds think alike

[@FullFrameFotography]

TheSpeakerseeker What a beauty that receiver is :-) Congrats on the lovely gift. I envy you. Always LOVED Sansui receivers. They are such handsome brutes! www.classicaudio.com/value/san/G5500.html

[@TheSpeakerseeker]

FullFrameFotography thank you! in terms of power and size its quite the upgrade from my 350A :)

[@dell177]

I've been buying old stereo gear and restoring it for years, you can get some great gear if you pick and choose carefully. Replace the caps and clean the controls. you set to go.

[@junder60]

dell177 Is my vintage MacDonald stereo cassette deck with speakers worth money

[@jamesn8825]

I have a system part of which is 40yrs old. Sony tuner/amp, Dual belt drive table, Marantz deck, 3way speakers with 12' woofers Tandy equalizer. It has needs, The Sony volume switch is sometimes scratchy and the Dual needs a cartridge. Was going to sell it, haven't used it in over 20yrs but I hooked up the Sony to the speakers and it made me smile. So if it makes it past our spring yard sale I'll tune it up and keep it for the rec room I plan to build. I remember listening to it with those speakers 20' apart, awesome

[@robertjermantowicz7487]

This is what I have hooked-up at the moment: GAS Son of Ampzilla, Thoebe preamp, Mitsubishi DA-F10 tuner, Pioneer PLX1000 turntable with Denon 103R mc cartridge and Bellari step-up transformer. Speakers are DCM Time Windows (circa 1980). Speaker wire is Q Audio Time Stream. Interrconects are AudioQuest Silver Extreme's (bought on sale for $100 each - not the list price of $500!). CD player is a Pioneer PD103 (bought used for $20 at GW). Everything I have here was bought for a fraction of list price (except for the TT, cartridge and sit). The Time Window speakers sold new for $1200 a pair - I paid $219 + shipping! Found on EBay! Yes, there are still bargains to be had with some searching!

[@hiphopguru81]

Im addicted to shopping at the Goodwill. I live in Las Vegas and we have about 20 Goodwills. I go almost everyday. I'm in 100% agreement with you on old stereos. They are made so well it's amazing. Not only that but the silver and woodgrain look DOPE. Nothing beats an old-fashioned stereo. This past year I started fixing electronics . Shit I found a 32 inch Polaroid HD TV 2 weeks ago that someone threw out. Its totally mint but the picture wouldn't come on. I popped it open and realized it was the main capacitors. I replaced them for $10. Boom! Got me a badass TV now. Im heading to the Goodwill right now. Awesome videos bro. I like your style.

[@Thanson199415]

I have an early 90's unit (1993) Optimus STA-795, It's a radioshack receiver and gives me everything it has [50w RMS by 4 channels] it's an incredibly reliable and powerful and only gets mildly warm over loud jam out sessions, I don't know if any today's low to mid-end receivers would come close to it. The receiver has all original parts and never been to a repair shop, I take regular maintenance of it, and clean it every once in a while. No doubt, the best radioshack receiver I've owned.

[@tikiduck]

I have assembled a pair of Pioneer CS-R580 speakers with a vintage Japanese made Denon stereo receiver, Pioneer 70's turntable and a Kenwood graphic equalizer. All from thrift stores, in wonderful condition and under 100 dollars! The sound is like a dream.

[@BrokebackBob]

Some of the finest audio equipment ever made was made in kit form by Heath Company and us old school nerds who hand built our audio from Heath had the biggest secret and the best stuff and it still works perfectly today. And we saved the cost of assembly and got mil-spec parts.

[@dirtydon8661]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this. I understand totally what your saying about the sound from old school equip. In 1984 my father dumped a bunch of cash on a Rotel 2000 rack. 6 components total (loaded) with four BIC speakers. Long story short. Three days ago I received all of it. It's been sitting at his falling apart camp not being used at all. I fired up the tuner, preamp and amp last nite with two of the bic speakers. Man how exciting! It's got a beautiful cherry laminate cabinet. Ok kind of long winded.

[@AudiophileTubes]

Great vid Carpo! I am a huge fan of vintage stereo stuff as well. I am in the process of trying to restore a vintage 60's FISHER 500C tubed receiver, which has the original German Telefunken tubes still in it! It was my dearly departed dad's, and it sounds so musical and sweet, compared to the lower quality 'consumer grade' stuff out now! I also have a Pioneer SX-780, which I covet. Great piece of gear, and it can even drive my demanding 4 ohm Magnepan MMG planar speakers! The sound is 'to die for' incredible! Thanks for posting!

[@MrMac5150]

Japanese in 60 to the 80 they cared about quality control.

[@pcallas66]

That's an awesome Pioneer receiver. I remember that series receiver when it was new. I have a friend that had a 20 watt per channel receiver in that line and it actually was unbearably loud (and clean) on 3. It had incredible punch. You keep on going with the vintage. Nice!

[@killabee623]

Man vintage looks damn good, when I was a kids I remembered vintage stereo clean sound with bass you can feel in your chest.

[@VeryMildNoodles]

I used my mother's KEF Cantor II speakers from the early 90's for about a year with my dad's Marantz pm5005 amplifier, and they sounded ok. At the time, they were playing alongside his Monitor Audio Bronze BR2s. Fast forward a year, I plugged the KEF speakers back in to their original Sony TA-F55 amp, and they almost literally blew me away. The old amplifier had a lot more power, too. 320w total power, 80w into each of the four channels, that's good even by today's standards. The Marantz amp struggles to push 25 watts into each of the 4 channels, therefore making every speaker sound like a tweeter.

[@DrNoahBoddy004]

In my own universe, Class D amplification is (COMPLETE SHYTE). Now that I've gotten that out of the way, we can all be assured of the incredible equipment produced from the 1960s throughout the 1980s. A truly gilded age of spectacular achievement in design, and execution in the realm of high fidelity audio. As someone thoughtfully mentioned earlier, big sonics need big real estate. I'll also add my other two cents in that good power conditioning, yields good results. Happy listening, and thank you Carpo

[@Rmx2011]

I recently hooked up a pair of Kef C3's into my fathers old Nikko amplifier. I was blown away by the sound quality, everytging sounds so clean and crisp. I started looking for an old amp for myself but haven't found any that are close, yet :D

[@jimmcclung9067]

The main reason the older vintage equipment is better is because it uses discrete driver components... Power transistors, large power supply caps, adequate heat sinks. The newer equipment does not use discrete components. They use power packs that are mounted onto smaller heat sinks inadequate "tracking" power supplies and cheaper parts all around. The older vintage receivers could deliver high current into their speaker loads where the newer items cannot. In short a "vintage" watt of power sounds better that a current "watt" of power. Now to keep the vintage equipment sounding good the old power supply capacitors need to be replaced with new ones. Granted everything may sound great now but the caps (especially ones that are 30-40 years old) do have a tendency to dry out, if you start hearing 60 cycle hum the caps are the first thing to replace. Happy listening!!!!

[@vonclod123]

i agree 100% , im picking up a sansui 9090 tommorow.. love the vintage gear. i will be trying it out with some cool heathkit asx 1383 speakers i just picked up, im excited.

[@9999plato]

I know what you mean. I have a pretty powerful Yamaha surround sound but have NO INTEREST in listening to music on it. Its fine for videos or games but thats it. I have a room with a late 70s Sansui 125wpc with some Jbl 4412 monitors and another room Kenwood receiver (same as I had in HS) in the house and just love to set up the turntable to listen to some 70s music on 70s gear as it was meant to be heard. Breakfast in America or AJA sound sublime on fresh vinyl . The difference between stereos is the same as with motorcycles. The Japanese build great bikes. Some people will always put them down and go to Harleys or BMWs but if you want quality the Japanese will deliver it in spades. The 70s was the apex of stereo quality, design, beauty, and function. Simply outstanding. Sure I can rev up my music workstation and record something in dvd quality and have it sound good but it just can't sound as good as music made with a good ribbon mic run through a vintage compressor recorded on tape. Many people strive for this sound but ultimately many producers know that modern music will be downloaded through some crappy mp3 player listened to on a cell phone with crappy earbuds. Sad. Talk about the McDonalds of music, it's here now. but we can still hear how it WAS done right. While digital recording has made music creation much more accessible it has also created plenty of crappy music.

[@gregsimpson621]

Perfectly said. I put together my Sansui system while stationed in Korea in 1973. Dual turntable and AKAI reel to reel.

[@CoolDudeClem]

I'd take a 70's metal turntable over a modern plastic one any day. Vintage FTW!

[@jazzman1626]

CoolDudeClem Now that's something I forgot about! I've noticed how much you have to spend for a modern turntable compared to a vintage one just to get the same quality. There was some beauties made in the '70s.

[@jazzman1626]

CoolDudeClem Nice to hear from you again Cool Dude. :-)

[@Hellcommander245]

CoolDudeClem I second that comment. Even a low-end turntable from back in the day rivals a modern so called "high end" turntable in terms of design, build quality, wow and flutter/rumble specs, etc. The Japanese sure did know how to build a decent turntable.

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

+Hellcommander245 I call BS on that statement. A "low-end turntable from the 70s and 80s were horrendous. I owned a decent turntable back in 1978 that cost $1000 and a receiver that cost over $2300. Do you know what that would be today ? You get better performance today for less money. All my friends own Clearaudio turntables that look like pieces of art that sound fantastic with an equivalent price to my 1978 turntable. Don't get me wrong I love the highend vintage stuff and owned some of the best but modern highend gear has come a long way. I'm not speaking of the midfi crap you can buy at BestBuy. With respect to companies like Sony, Yamaha, JVC, Denon etc. only their top models were built like audio jewellery but being almost entirely direct drive, their tested rumble figures were poor.

[@Hellcommander245]

carlos oliveira I retract my statement.

[@masonb9788]

I have an Arcam integrated amp, bought it new about 15 years ago. I do think it sounds great, but I love those 70s receivers too. My first real audiophile experience was listening to records on my aunt's old turntable and receiver. It will be fun to set up a listening comparison to the Arcam once I find a decent vintage receiver.

[@matthewstephan1]

I got my SX1250 in 1976 while stationed in Korea with Bose 901 II new for $480 each. When I got home to rock out the rest of the 70 's I never heard a better setup then mine. Rock on

[@bassblaster505]

i have a fisher RS-881A that has a rated 100W per channel but i have blown 200W speakers with it, and with a 12dB boost EQ at 31Hz, 60Hz *and so on* it will shake my entire house with just 2 10's

[@theflinx]

I picked up a Silvertone 7407 stereo receiver that outputs through 6bq5's in push pull. I got the stereo from an antique store (dead) for $20, and spent $80 repairing it. My speakers are Fisher XP-9c's curb side find, fixed them up for $75, re-foamed them, replaced the tweeters, and re-capped the crossovers. I'll take this system over anything modern.

[@ronaldlambert85]

I agree! I've got a Pioneer system that I've built up over the last few years. SA-7800 amp and TX-7800 receiver that my brother bought used when he was in the Air Force back in the 80's. He gave them to me when he moved to NC a few years ago. I picked a PL-512 turntable with a nice Empire cartridge for $50 on Craigslist, and an almost mint CT-F8282 cassette deck for $50 on eBay. I just need to replace the belts. I'm running them all through a pair of JBL L-100 Century speakers my Bro-in -law was throwing away when he moved into a smaller apartment. So, I grabbed them, cleaned them up and fixed a couple of minor problems. (I just bought a pair of used grills for them on Ebay) So, I have a great sounding vintage system that I've only got about $250 into.

[@DGardn100]

...takes me back to my youth. I had a pair of Infinity Qa speakers, a Yahama mid-line receiver, and a BIC turntable- I wish I still had them. Now, I use earbuds and a matchbox-sized mp3 player. It's not the same.

[@needledropper-kj3fg]

I totally agree with you on this! My father in law gave me a Technics SL 13OO Turntable and a Pioneer SX 737 Receiver, both work fine. I got lucky enough to pick up a pair of Klipsch KG 2.5 Bookshelf speakers for $80. I also picked up a RCA CDRW 140 dual cd player for $125. The combination of it all sounds great, rich , and robust! I guess I'm just proud of owning low budget gear!

[@olaniyi570]

i love vintage gear. However, High quality cost effective modern gear is making a comeback. Yamaha, Marantz and onkyo all make very good budget integrated amps these days and some of these do have sonic advantages over alot of vintage gear.

[@olaniyi570]

+David Malinovsky Agreed. Thats the rule of thumb with a few exceptions.

[@JohnLeaf]

yes but those vintage painels are magic!!! LOL

[@jeremywhittler8591]

Not at all. Scoring on some of the Integrated Amplifier brands you listed show about a 30+% SQ rating. A similar vintage Luxman integrated can show about a 60+% rating. Some separate power-pre combos can approach 80-90%. I highly doubt the new integrated can touch an 75-80' model from the same brand say Yamaha. It had better parts inside and was assembled with better workmanship.

[@be4stable]

Awesome Video, Orion breakdown about to begin when video cuts out .:) I own a vintage 70's receiver that my parents bought when i was younger.. good shit

[@BruceCultureAllen]

A friend of mine gave me a Pioneer SX-1280 back in the late 90's when I was a teen. DAMN it was loud and my mom made me throw it out as it was "old" technology at the time. Now its beautiful vintage and I wish I still had it!

[@orange70383]

I use the inputs on two 1961 Blaupunkt Grenada radios, one for left and one for the right. Even though each only puts out maybe 4-watts, the sound out of the 6bq5/el84 output tube is wonderful.

[@biggest70smusicfan]

Well, to sum it up " There is sound, and there is Sansui sound." Period. thx for the great video, I just wish the younger generation would put their ears to a vintage receiver.

[@clintabc123]

I couldn't agree more. I bought a Denon 4 or 5 years ago. What a waste of money for JUNK. It worked for 4 months past warranty. I dug out my old Sanyo Plus 75, programmed up a Raspberry Pi for Internet radio and couldn't be happier.

[@lifetimemoviesilove]

I just picked up a JVC R-S33, i'm excited to hear how it sounds! I've seen videos and read reviews that say it's a good "smooth" sounding stereo amplifier. I'm pairing it with my JVC L-A21 turntable, now all i need is some speakers. Any thoughts as to what would be a good accompany? I love vintage japanese quality

[@toltec13]

Amen! I personally like late 1950's through early 1960's stereo tube equipment. Even the old wooden console sound far superior than many modern day stereo.

[@carpo719]

jorge hernandez Yup. I always go back to my vintage gear. In fact, I just made ANOTHER video about them yesterday, after I hooked back up my old pioneer and it blew the others out of the water

[@brentboster7730]

love the instrumental flamenco sounding Metallica you have playing in the background, what/who is it and where can I get it too?

[@vetar3372]

I have my Tandberg model 1 tape recorder with all the original parts from 1952 and it still works fine. By the way Tandberg Radio was one of the big brand in Norway from the 40s to the 70s

[@mrhoffame]

I'm a vintage guy myself. What i find is that it seem to be cheaper to go more vintage high end then modern high end these days. I mean with $600 you can get some of the best Marantz or Pioneer receievers out there where you are only taping the downpayment on newer higher end stuff lol. I myself like the vintage stuff better. I am a total Marantz guy and I also have that SX-750 you showed. It is a great piece for the price you can find them at.

[@matsewunderlich]

Vintage Equipment never dies! You are able to fix nearly any Problem with some small Electronic Parts. Todays Equipment tells you what you have to do and you have no choice! After 24 Month of use the Display shows "System Error" you can take it to the Dump! and the next Generation of Equipment is with No Knobs, No Switches and of course with no Quality Building Standards maybe this thing is smarter then the user? .... So I still use my Revox B710 Tape Deck - sounds & looks so nice! :) In service since 1987!

[@AlbaSaab]

I have the same receiver - Pioneer SX750. I've just acquired an SX1280, and can't wait to pick it up. I've been waiting for one of these monsters for over 25 years. They're almost impossible to find here in the UK.

[@scottdavis0801]

You said it!! I am a big vinyl collector, and for the past 2-3 years have gotten into vintage audio! I find craigslist has some killer equip. I especially like someone who is selling broken speakers for cheap because I will refoam them or repair. Some people don't know what their missing!

[@gedisdiop]

I have multiple systems to fit my mood. My home theatre has an Onkyo 7.2 receiver with Bose Series I left/right front, Bose 301 left/right rear, (2) high speakers that are Realistic Solo 1B, and the rest are Realistic Minimus 7's with modified crossovers, plus a Bob Carver Sunfire Sub. However, when I'm in a different MUSIC mode, I can choose between a Kenwood KR-9000(G) for a receiver and a pair of Infinity model 115's with modified crossovers.My turntables vary between a Technics Direct Drive, a DUAL 1220 that plays 78's, and a Kenwood Linear Tracking unit. I listen to vinyl, reel-to-reel, 8-track, and cassette through a 60's tube receiver; a Pioneer QM series receiver and a set of KLH Model 17 speakers, complimented by a Klipsch 50 watt sub, ALL running through a Realistic mixer and a Realistic 18 band EQ. If it doesn't glow in the dark, it's not a real radio. I LOVE vintage stereo components. My Pioneer even has shortwave and a dual tuning eye tube!

[@ronnielowther2242]

True I picked up a old luxman off eBay man you just can't compete with the sound this thing is a monster it has 6 channels very heavy wood cabinet love it !

[@MattHayesVinyl]

Nice to see someone who loves the vintage stereo equipment. Even lower end stuff from the 70's and early 80's looks significantly better than the flimsy, black plastic crap of today. Silver faces, metallic knobs, VU meters, more power than you'd ever need unless you were holding a concert outside... yes please. :)

[@kennethwalker4551]

Thanks for all the knowledge you share. I'm an old flower child who knows zilch of what is worth buying nowadays. I purchased 2 of the new surround systems a Teak and a Marantz that didn't last but a few years so I think after hearing what you say about the vintage systems I will go that way because I never desired the surrounds anyway.

[@roadmasterrod]

Good on you young man......I think that you are 100% right on. When I was 18 and shopped for this stuff.....everyone was tuned into good equipment then....we did not have computers, computer games, etc. We were more auditory. Amazing how much time we spent on just the cartridge.....stay with it.

[@Jakthehero33]

I am a vintage collector that some of my friends call junk (the ones who listen to those very low quality sound destroying mp3s) and i tell them, one mans junk is another man's treasure. I got an old GE alarm clock that sounds way better than any crap they make today. Ive also got an old fisher brand combo stereo, even though the tape deck does not work, so i got an addon, but it sounds so nice, and with the added feature of a vinyl player, its heaven to my ears. Im a man who sticks with mostly vintage stuff, a man who likes tube tvs more than the flat screens of today, and perfers a vcr over a dvd player. But sadly a person has to own a dvd player at least if one is to own new releases, such a shame. But one plus however is they make vinyls brand new, so at least as far as music goes, we still got choices lol. Some say im stuck in the old days, which does not make sense since im 23, so i like to say i just merely found the difference between crap and quality lol.

[@alijavaid3313]

I agree 100%. Back in 80s when I was a school boy I always dreamed of owning a high end stereo system like akai, sansui, kenwood etc but had no money. Now when I can buy I cant find those systems. Home theaters and surround sound receivers suck on producing quality 2 channel music.

[@Calethar]

My whole sound system is just my PC connected to either my Z-2300's or Z-5500 5.1. It sounds incredible. Deep and crisp bass (powerful can shake the house) very good mid range and high tones... THX, SRS, Virtual Surround, Dolby certified etc... My grandfather had tons of vintage stuff that was amazing though so I know you're right about the quality back then. However I'm very impressed with what I'm using.

[@rallycorsa1600]

I have a JVC 100w per channel Amp and speakers in my garage hooked up to my Technics 1200s, that sounds great, My parents bought it for my 15th birthday and I am now 48 years old!

[@HammyTechnoid]

Vintage Rules.... Pioneer, Sansui, Kenwood, Scott, JVC. All those old brands had recievers in the 70's pushing 200 plus watts. And HEAVY!!! My gosh, you could put your back out trying to carry one of those things. And love the sound.

[@capndavey1]

I was lucky enough to start out with that vintage 70's stereo stuff as a teenager in the mid 70's. Yes, you are right most 5.1 stuff sucks but don't trash it just yet use it for movies and tv with the HDMI cables. A separate good old 70's stereo for music LP's CD's a Tape deck 8 track if you are adventurous. In those days 189 dollars bought me a 16 watt per channel Technics receiver. today you can get a killer one for 50 bucks

[@wernermarycudney]

Just picked up a Marantz 2226 for $ 40.oo at a donation store. Mint including inner and outer original shipping boxes ! Darn thing has a wonderful sound and works perfectly . Also have a Kenwood 8004 Amp in mint condition and an HK 500 Tuner. Best buy in a garage sale is my Arcam Diva 90 amp for $ 20.oo and the arcam C.D. 62 player for the same. Love good sound and was in the Audio business for over 25 years.

[@stephenn6657]

Do you add new speakers to the old recievers? Im trying to understand.

[@stephenn6657]

Thanks, im trying to learn. I just dont understand how you connect an mp3/samsung phone to an old reciever. I guess a modifyed aux port.

[@coachtroyg]

carpo719

[@Zockopa]

Imho you pretty much nailed it. Real quality is nowadays way above what a normal wage earner can afford. Most products in the consumer class come with a inbuild expiration date and are non servicable throw away`s.

[@Ed-lz4jv]

So true, I STILL have my Luxman Receiver (60RMS watts) , matching CD player, Cassette deck, with DBX 100 speakers....I bought all new 27 years ago for 2600$...other than replacing the woofer cones myself, still all works fine (though I never use cassette anymore). I remember the thrill of a remote for the receiver way back then

[@TheMarfa3een]

nice video , true words. you reminded me of Jason Statham movie "Crank" , where some part the camera view was just like yours :) thanks

[@rickey6098]

The thing that sucks now is GoodWill and the other thrift stores are over pricing their vintage gear. The same receiver that you got for 25 bucks is now $125 at least. Plus it seems like everyone goes thrift store shopping now days which makes it even harder to get a good score.

[@MxAxRxK]

the old stuff looks really cool too! i got a Pioneer SX-780 receiver, Pioneer PL-518 turntable and a Technics RS-M205 cassette deck. hooked up to some vintage Hitachi speakers that sound pretty good. and i got some old AKG K240 sextett headphones. yeah i like old stuff.

[@S0lidState]

I like seperates (integrated amp, tuner) and I think I get a cleaner sound than with a receiver, I also prefer new amps like NAD matched with a good old Marantz or Harman Kardon tuner, I think good cables might cost a little but I think there's a certain cutoff line where spending to much overboard won't improve the sound any longer, the prices of interconnects is obserd and the price jumps only jump by model because of some extra insulation, AWG rating or weaving technique.

[@toicat]

I could not agree with you more. I like the way that you stated "competition mode" referring to the way audio equipment was engineered back in the 1970's. A perfect analogy. I owned mainly mid-level Pioneer equipment, and recently purchased a Pioneer SX 939 with ESS speakers at an estate sale. I did not "steal" it, but I though that $650 was a fair price considering the overall condition of the equipment and the extras that came with the purchase. I really only wanted the receiver, but they would not break the set. I will have to put in some bench time with the speakers, but the receiver only needs to be cleaned. Presently, I am using an older Rotel receiver (Japan) and it sounds very good for 20 watts. Lastly... to me the unspoken word is that substantially all of the components today are built or assembled in China. You will still pay (big time) for the high end name brand, and receive only a fraction of the quality because of "production mentality." Great video, all the best !

[@DiegoBRRSPF]

Hello Josh! I just watched your video. You have an interesting point of view, pretty much like mine. I've been a fan of vintage stereo equipment for almost 15 years, and never get tired of hear and see all of it's beauty and quality. My preferences are the old Marantz, Sansuis and Pioneers. I'm from Brazil, and here (unfortunately) this kind of equipment don't cost just 20 bucks... :( My last Onkyo receiver, a TX-6500 MKII cost me around 750 dollars! :( Anyway, I really prefer to use that kind of money in a vintage receiver than a modern one... I have a modern Marantz stereo integrated amplifier (PM 15S2), and I like it, but not as the 70's amps and receivers... I also like some 80's integrated amplifiers like the Yamaha A-1000 and the Kenwood KA-1100D. What you think about them? My best regards.

[@ybastard]

Awesome background music... Rod & Gab... **thumbs - up**

[@Blackwaterdogs]

From 1975 to 1980, the great "Stereo Wars" yielded some of the best gear ever heard. All the black plastic crap that followed the Silver-Faced era paled by comparison. My Pioneer SX-1250 receiver and HPM-100 speakers rock the house. I also have 4 vintage turntables and 3 reel-to-reel decks.....my wife thinks I`m nuts, but I don`t care :-)

[@carpo719]

You sound like me :)

[@robulusx2]

I had the pioneer sx-780, bought it new back in 1975, I currently have an awesome marantz, you are right about the sound quality.

[@RonRivet]

I have a half decent AVR for home theatre (Pioneer Elite SC-05) with Paradigm speakers for watching movies that I paid a fair bit of money for but my "best sounding" stereo is actually an old Rotel receiver in my garage of all places with 2 small half decent outdoor speakers and an old Yamaha speaker for good Bass that was also given to me that sounds WAY better for listening to music! A lady gave me the Rotel because she said it was just "getting in the way" :) I think it was built anywhere between 1976 and 1979...

[@RonRivet]

Actually....I just found out that the Rotel was built in about 1974😃

[@aidanmontgomery9772]

+Ron Rivet My receiver is from 1970.

[@LellePrinter82]

I'm using a giant Yamaha CR-2040 stereo receiver that I restored a few years ago. Sounds outstanding with my half year old B&W 683 S2 speakers and my Cambridge Audio Dacmagic 100. Man, I just love vintage audio. I have a few receivers in my collection, one of them is a rare Harman Kardon 800+ quadraphonic receiver.

[@Ozrico1o1]

+LellePrinter82 Nice. I, too, have a CR-2040 that I probably paid too much for a couple of years ago. I can only wonder how it would sound restored. What do you think is a fair price to have that done by someone? I've been bid $400 but I told him I'd want the whole thing done. Maybe I should sell and go for a nice CA-. I only use it for FLACs anyway.

[@thekelseychannel1962]

Hey capro719, Just picked up the James EMB 1000 subwoofer to go with my 'finest' receiver the Lexicon RV 8. What sub do you use?

[@carpo719]

I do not use a sub anymore; I finally found a pair of floor speakers that do the job!! I find subs take up space, and i rarely use them. They are great for surround sound, but I don't use it.

[@Woutout]

I'm trying to tell a friend of mine this on a daily basis. Started with a €350 new Marantz amplifier and JBL E80 loudspeakers 4 years ago, because i wanted to emulate my fathers old system's sound. I was very dissapointed, until i switched to vintage. Bought a Pioneer blue line amp and some B&W speakers and that was a huge difference. it's has now become a hobby of mine and my current system has the great Tannoy Cheviot speakers and a Luxman L510 amp. Would love a Pioneer SX950 some day!

[@carpo719]

Those pioneer have great sound, very warm. I like them, seem to have better bass dropoff, my other amps can't compete.

[@igeo212]

I agree with you to an extent. Old school amps & receivers are actually more valuable today *because* of their quality, but I'm very satisfied with my digital setup. You can't beat a great powered subwoofer for a nice, deep LFE, man! I listen to Death Metal frequently and when those double bass drums kick, I feel'em in my bones.

[@carpo719]

I use a powered sub also, added to my system. Depends on what I am listening to. Don't get me wrong...if one can afford a nice digital setup it's superior in many cases. But for under a hundred, it's hard to find. When listening to music (I like metal as well) I used to use the sub. Until I ran into a pair of RTR floor speakers, double 12's in each one. They kick ass, my sub can't compete. But for Techno....I need subs .:)

[@igeo212]

carpo719 I hear you, bro. Digital units can make you reach deep into your pockets for the purchase, but the way I see it, if you appreciate sound (as I believe you do), it'll be worth it. I sure as hell wouldn't spend a thousand bucks on one, but I'm patient enough to wait for a good deal to come along. As an audiophile, I exploit my system frequently with movies, games & *definitely* music. When it comes to movies & gaming, however, that's when I'd prefer digital processing. Action films always sound best thru multiple channels. Judging by your style/preference in audio setup, you and my old man would get along great. : )

[@carpo719]

I'm not always vintage...I've been using a 90's yamaha receiver I have come to love. And it works with a remote ;)

[@igeo212]

carpo719 lol Remotes are important.

[@mistymoobones]

It's not how loud an amp is, that's not what he's saying, and to be honest, when you got good enough speakers you don't need a stupid subb dude.

[@mxthunder2]

Agree 100%, what RTR model are those? my dad has some RTR 300D's

[@mxthunder2]

+carpo719 the 300d's had 2 active 10"s a small mid range and a horn style tweeter. we have trouble tripping the circuit breakers on them as they are 4 ohm. they are attached to a sansui 9090db

[@IrishMutt1979]

Great video...very informative...I totally agree, but the burning question is who was doing that kick-ass acoustic version of Orion in the background?

[@cukedaddy]

+IrishMutt1979 Right? Tell us Please.

[@leonclose7823]

+IrishMutt1979 Rodrigo Y Gabriela

[@AstroZon1]

I too like the sound of old receivers and amps. For people looking for a vintage receiver or amp, my advice is to find units with output transistors and not output ICs (chip amps.) Output transistors push more bass and have a lot more headroom than ICs, and in my subjective opinion, sound a lot better than ICs. Output ICs started to appear in the late 70s usually on lower end gear. Early to mid 80s receivers and amps were split with the mid to high end using transistors and the budget end using ICs. When AV receivers started to hit the market in the late 80s, most manufactures went to output ICs as they had more channels to amplify and IC outputs were both easier and less expensive to design. Output transistors have 3 legs (or 2 if it's a TO-3 package) and are usually in complementary pairs of 2 per channel. Output ICs have several legs but usually a minimum of 10. There is usually only one output IC per channel. Several companies make output ICs, but the most common is STK. Both output transistors and output ICs are usually mounted onto a heatsink although many 60s and some early 70s receivers mounted TO-3 transistors directly onto the back panel.

[@cjl.a.6827]

Definitely youre right i have 8 old vintage amp from sansui pioneer akai , marantz technics , luxman all from 60s and 70s and they all sound warmer clearer, i just love them my sansui is with the family since 1969 and akai aa 6000 from 1974 and up till now they still kick ass

[@P51ride]

As far as connecting cables go make sure the ends are clean. I would recommend spraying the ends with silicone lubricant after cleaning. This prevents oxidation which will degrade the sound quality. What you said about the bullshit expensive cables is true. Nobody needs to buy the expensive solid silver or gold plated cables. Good quality copper cables are good enough. If you feel comfortable with them a vintage tube amplifier is an option as well

[@NVRAMboi]

"Warm sound". Absolutely.

[@larrybenjamin6528]

Everything you said is right on … and I’m into high-end audio gear. It’s all about synergy, putting together a system with no weak links, and judging with your own ears, not the hype from some salesperson. Expensive cables are a waste of money in mid-end systems. I’ve heard inexpensive vintage gear that sounds very musical and $20K+ systems that sound like crap but have high-status brand names stamped on them. I loved my old Dynaco MKIII amps. Much of the old tube gear sounds more musical than new solid state electronics. And yeah, I wouldn't consider getting into analog unless you already have a big record collection and are willing to spend $2K or more for a good turntable, cartridge, and phono preamp.

[@cukedaddy]

+Larry Benjamin Someone doesn't have to have that kind of money to get into analog music...come on now.

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

+Mark Gray The standard for a "quality" turntable including arm and cartridge is about $7000 CDN. Sure you could go cheaper but then a decent cd player would be effectively a better option.

[@larrybenjamin6528]

Mark Gray Well, if someone wants to just get started with a good sounding analog set-up, they can get a Pro-Ject Essential II turntable for around $300, a Sumiko Black Pearl cartridge for around $120, professional installation for around $20, an AudioQuest carbon fiber brush for around $15, and they’re ready to go (assuming they have a phono pre-amp built into their receiver, integrated amp, or preamp. It's not high-end but it will be decent sounding. But I don't know why someone would want to go though even that expense unless they already had a good size record collection.

[@cukedaddy]

+Larry Benjamin Thank you... Its elitist thinking and statements like carlos' that scare new ppl away from the joy of vinyl

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

+Mark Gray No elitist here. I was stating a fact. Digital has come a long way and dollar for dollar a cd player is your better bet until you get into the "elitist" gear. Why you may ask? Firstly you need a decent table, a decent arm and a decent cartridge. Secondly the phone stage has to be decent which precludes the purchase of a budget receiver because frankly they don't include decent phono stages and I've yet to hear a decent outboard phone stage. Thirdly vinyl today costs more than cds. Seeing as this was a video on vintage equipment, and If all you want to do is play around with vinyl and have fun, then may I recommend a nice vintage piece...Kenner's Close 'N Play .

[@SilasHemmingway]

Is that an acoustic cover of Metallica's Orion I hear in the background? :) Also, I could not agree more. I work with this guy who swears his new Bose system that he spent 2k on will blow the doors off of anything I can bring to the table. I've got a couple vintage Fisher units from the 70s and two Technics units (SA-505 and SA-600) all running daisychained so I can hear them all at once. All are running 4 speakers too, mostly larger ones. A pair of Sansuis, a few sets of KLH, my Bose bookshelf Interaudio 4000s, Cerwin Vega VS-150s, and others I can't remember. I am in sonic heaven. I keep telling my coworker he has no idea what he's up against. Go vintage gear!

[@anthonygutierrez9748]

Great stereo receiver, I have some-thing like that. By the way, I took your advice and bought me a pioneer SX-780 stereo receiver and it sounds amazing in comparison to all the stereo receivers I currently own like; my 2 pa amps that are by the names of Samson and marathon pro amps including my black pioneer receiver from the 1980s that's nice but doesn't come close to the power of my old vintage receiver. Any-ways, thanks for the advice. Anthony.

[@WaybackTECH]

I have a pair of RTR series 3 speakers with my Kenwood KR-9940. Absolutely love the combination. This is the first video I have come across that someone else has a pair of RTR speakers. Very cool.

[@carpo719]

WaybackTECH Nice! I actually abandoned them for my sansui SP-2500x. They are 5 way, rather cheap compared to others at the time....but they sound so much clearer, no doubt about it. The RTR were great for bass, but lacked in highs. I prefer the horn tweeters.

[@jeffc2955]

I have the same receiver featured in the video. (SX-750). I bought it recently on ebay for $250. The seller stated it was rarely used and was in excellent condition. The pics he posted didn't do it justice. Except for the veneer just starting to peel a bit on the right side, It looks practically new. The faceplate is mint. Of course it sounds fantastic. Using it with a pr. of PSB Alpha (V.1) speakers. Sounds fantastic. Vintage rules. No if's and's or but's.

[@cukedaddy]

+Jeff C I just bought a Yamaha CR 820 for $60 at the local pawn shop...It looks like it just came from the factory...even has the plastic plug for the dual headphone jacks (they are scarcer than hens teeth)

[@heavymetallove7]

I agree with your taste in receivers & your knowledge. I could really kick myself in the a*s for what I have sold & even given away in the 80s & 90s. My dad owned 2 Bars in the 70's, plus had a lot of cats offer him deals at his bars. & he gave me so many stereos, equalizers, tape decks, reel to reels, Technic turntables & amps. Some I would sell for dirt cheap or use & abuse or leave behind after I got married in rent homes? Then like many in the 90s, SURROUND SOUND was suppose to be the sound that would bury the past. Well it did at first, until people went back & compared & said wait a minute something is missing? LIKE REAL RAW POWER & CLARITY!

[@Mortison77577]

If vintage stuff sounds warmer and crisper that's probably because it adds a pleasing form of distortion. What they should do is make perfectly neutral receivers and amplifiers that you can adjust to add distortion if you want it.

[@dom3827]

Hi man. You got the Point :) I`ve got a Sony STR 5800 for 25 bucks. It looks like it just came out of the factory. I had 2 different JVC amps before. they were just crap. But now i got a perfect sound with this Sony reciever. it putperforms every new amp. this is awsome. Everyone of my friends who heared that cant believe and think this is awsome, too.

[@rejeanbeaudette6929]

Never thought Orion unplugged could sound so good. Too bad the video ends right at the best part of the song. R.I.P. forever Clifford Lee Burton. MetallicA died september 27, 1986.

[@allthehardwayz]

Great vid. I'm going to visit all the local thrift shops to see if I can get as lucky. Even if I find something that needs recapping, whatever, it'll still be worth the effort. Another aspect of the old gear that I like is that it looks great - nice wood and brushed aluminum as opposed to black whatever.

[@carpo719]

allthehardwayz hard to find...but they do pop up!

[@sheiladelaney6706]

Way to go Carpo .Been telling younger people for years..most don't know what an audiophile is.We are a proud lot and have been around good stereos for Many years.I for one am happy that younger guys are learning this difference.Save you're money and invest the good vintage stuff.Let you're ears be the judge.

[@cukedaddy]

+sheila delaney And then there are audio elitists out there tha say they're audiophiles...But they're just pricks that have to always buy the newest and most expensive...All the while, telling everyone one why they're more knowlegable and trying to prove it.

[@sheiladelaney6706]

Until they do a good side by side comparable audio test, they will never know the difference. When and if they do, they will discover a rude awakening. The sound and power of true audiophile vintage equipment can take even us by surprise. When you switch on you're forty or fifty pound amplifier, you begin to understand where Real watts per channel comes from. Big watts kicking you in the chest.

[@danlivni2097]

Sansui made some amazing receivers in the mid to late 70s. My favorite was the G9700. What made this receiver unique besides the quality was the analog tuner had the digital display. Here's a video of the G9700. Look at 2 minutes and 10 seconds to see the digital display. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKHGdKSlaNKaesU