Drop Dead Gorgeous | Stunning Vintage Stereos

[@blackwaterdogs4256]

Great choices, thanks for sharing. Can never get enough of vintage stereos ! You (and Dad) have the audio version of MOMA right there in Iowa....it`s a beautiful thing.

[@chrisblock6697]

As an old guy, first things I look at now is looks and how much does it weigh.

[@Badassvidsz]

The same here because i'm old too .

[@rancosteel]

Class-D solved that problem.

[@danielhammond3012]

Amen brother, do I have to carry it up stairs?

[@SinnerSince1962]

I have owned the SX-1250 and SX-1980 before. I got tired of trying to move them when I needed to hook up something new. Plus, neither sounded any better than say, my 950 or 980.

[@haroldbrooks4235]

Me too😂

[@WilliamLipski]

This is a subject I can really get behind. How a piece of gear looks has an oversized influence on many of my buying decisions.

[@g.fortin3228]

Yes the meters on the Onkyo really do grab ya' ! Love them ! i think ya' missed a couple receivers and classy Pioneer amps, but i do understand, they all can't make your personal list. We all have our own personal lists LoL !! As they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Nice one Kevin !

[@mikeg2491]

Looks is underrated, for people like me staring at a nice lit up stereo hits the dopamine receptors that increase the enjoyment of music even if it’s placebo

[@KingJames-z5b]

Those Onkyo amplifiers with those meters is a must-have.

[@robertclark9]

That is beautiful isn’t it!

[@1musicsearcher]

Hard to argue with that list.

[@robertclark9]

I’ve got a Marantz 2245 that’s a very early 1972 model. I recently had it restored by a local tech who did everything tech wise. Output transistors, caps, filter caps, cleaning, the whole enchilada. However he called me and commented on the vellum being old, and it didn’t have LED lamps, and did I want them done. The dial has a turquoise shade being 52 years old, and that’s precisely the way I want it. I call it “patina”. And the lamps I had replaced with OEM bulbs. If I had a 63 vette with faded original paint, I’d leave it! So the vellum and bulbs stay. And it sounds as beautiful as it did 52 years ago.

[@itsGnTO]

Restoring in my opinion was a bad idea. Especially when there is nothing wrong. You have changed tand worsened the sound quality

[@williammccarthy3597]

Onkyo m504 is awesome! I just had mine gone through but I had the lamps changed to blue to match my Advanced Paris A10. Have it running my rear speakers and the A10 running my fronts. So awesome 🤘😎🤘

[@insolentstickleback3266]

That Onkyo is a stunner, sexy piece, I can not deny I like big meters 😁

[@OS_SWE]

Great choices. Looking at my 2270 here, and yes, now I also want the push buttons in the display!! lol, damnit. And also, YES the Garrard 401! I sold mine last year as I got my hands on a fully upgraded Linn LP12 for a fair price and the sound of it is just astronomically better but when it comes to looks, the 401 is hard to beat! I had plans on sanding the huge plinth I had to round the edges and have a piano black finish on it. Would definitely have been a centre piece. And also again, the Sansuis of the 70s are indeed incredible looking. My all time favorite would be the AU-9900. Stunning and cool in every way to my eyes.

[@adsbadsb9488]

That was so cool! Merry Christmas Kevin. Hope you can get a few more videos of your Dad doing repairs and maybe chatting with you.

[@seattlebeard]

This is one of the main reasons I watch your channel. Eye candy. Thanks for showing us pretty things. ❤

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Industrial design is sexy. You always surprise me Kevin. I knew the CT1250 was coming up, the surprise was the Onkyo. Thanks Skylabs.

[@shaneonpole]

An honest and personal delivery - much appreciated

[@billpeirce7]

I love my vintage receivers. And yes, the way it looks comes in first!

[@Alaska_Engineer]

Found your channel recently. Stereos were furniture when I was a little kid, then became dedicated high-tech components as an older kid. I still like the look of console stereos… next best thing to a time machine.

[@JohnBain-f8c]

I love my collection of Pioneer receivers, speakers and turntable. SX 980, 780, 650, HPM 100, PL 530 and SA,TX 7100.

[@anthonycruciani939]

Cool list. Vintage aesthetics are something special. I've always been a fan of the look of Harman Kardon vintage receivers.

[@Mark-qw8lc]

This was really fun video! Thanks, Kevin!

[@nicksanders7406]

Great video Kevin. Some great choices there. Merry Christmas

[@Cyberbronco]

Yes! Let’s make a video to make the most sought after receivers that much more unobtainable. Thanks again!

[@paulp6983]

Ever see a Sankyo STD 2000 cassette deck?? The tape goes into the transport behind a clear " garage door", the trans port goes in and down at an angle. The "garage" is also lit!! Very cool in black.

[@mmmbbq]

I picked up one of those. I like how it'll spit that cassette right back at ya!

[@OldGuyHifi]

Great video buddy. Happy Holidays to the whole crew.

[@joen2423]

Another good video, I always look forward to the next one!

[@mmmbbq]

Onkyo also made the prettiest receivers. That 2500-8500 line is just gorgeous. The candle like lighting on that series is just superb.

[@stevezeidman7224]

Kevin, great list! I have a Pioneer SX-3700. I love its hybrid look as well. I also had an Akai GX-630D, stunning!

[@mariojurman4113]

I do play my two tapedecks regularly 😊😊😊😊

[@Trojan0304]

Like the wood look of Technics MA1 turntable with Pioneer SX780😊

[@phatsmitty]

Audio is not about what we see, but what we hear. However, there is a problem, most vintage gear is attractive, and we can't help the fact that we notice. Nice topic, and thanks to your video guy, he does excellent work!!!! On to the tape decks "I'm not even going to use it, I just want it in my rack" OMFG that is tragic... even though Skylabs is not into tape decks, I am 'lifelong' completely and totally in love with magnetic tape, both reels and cassettes. Love them just as much today as I did circa 1980. Always look forward to our Sunday with Skylabs..... thanks

[@garyfischer5256]

Definitely a fun one! It used to be all about the sound for me but the design and beauty of these vintage pieces has caught my eye. I never knew the European models existed until your channel and now I’m hooked!

[@jcm78]

The Pioneer rack systems with the aluminum face plates with grab handles are beautiful. My dream rig. There is so much good looking gear from the golden age. Edit: that Onkyo is gorgeous!!!

[@Pksparty2112]

I can’t argue with anything. And I agree the Klipsch LaScalas LS5 in walnut is one of the best looking speakers made. I love mine. I wish they made a matching sub

[@danwheetman6914]

This made me chuckle. I love that you put this one out. Thanks, I’m vintage, looks matter…

[@jefffoster3557]

Looks were my first criteria. Those huge vol and tuning knobs with the subtle green hue lens and power meters.....instantly sold me with the Sansui G series.

[@passqualecaiazza7728]

In looks love my Pioneer SX626 receivers, Duals 1229 turntable, and DWD speakers ( made in 1971 and in Fresno, CA)

[@specbright]

Great video. It's was in '87 that I happen to listen to a Onkyo M510 Grand Integra +Infinity Gamma at Ocean Street Mall , Hong Kong. Those VU meters !

[@jimcabezola3051]

I used the HELL out of my CT-F1250, and I loved using those three little knobs that allowed you to monitor how the three test tones sounded as you adjusted the bias and stuff. It was delightfully fiddly! There are STILL some tapes I made on that deck (during the 19 years I used it...) lying around here. Changed the belts on it only once, too. In contrast, that beautiful RT-909 deck I owned for about a year. For the way I used them, the CT-F1250 just sounded better to me with its integrated Dolby B. The cassette deck's ability to use chrome and metal tape formulations made the RT-909 redundant. The only noise reduction I used on the RT-909 was a dbx 224, and that machine called attention to itself when recording intimate jazz and baroque records. It was fine on rock...but I wasn't into that 40 years ago... My Sansui SR-929 still holds my Shure V15 Type IV cartridge. Yet another turntable...that belongs in a hearse! 🤣 I need to follow you...into the world of getting a speaker...that is nice to look at! Mine have always been boring.😆 Mahalo for really bringing me back down memory lane!

[@TheVintageNewbie]

For me, my favorite looking tape deck is the Marantz 5220, gorgeous. I don’t own one but I do have a Technics RS630US which I also have mostly for looks: the wood side panels, big meters, silver face with black inset, heavy buttons, and the diagonal load with a sliding door…?!?! That’s my favorite part about it! For speakers I love the looks of the Realistic Nova series. Heavy wood cabinets with lattice grilles, beautiful. I had a pair of Nova 7b’s, I couldn’t get them to sound right in my small 10’x12’ room but I really tried (recapping, various placements and hooking them up to different receivers) but it seemed what they really wanted was high volume in a large room which wasn’t really an option so I ended up selling them.

[@PSB-900]

Loved the video Kevin! Keep them coming. Happy holidays!

[@Chris_L.]

Never seen the Onkyo M504 before. I agree that it’s gorgeous! Where have I been that I’ve never seen it before???

[@francescotenti193]

Nothing wrong to consider "looks" when buying just about anything, after all, what attracts first are looks, the rest may come or not. As you said, that is a very personal opinion, and we're all entitled to that. Nice compilation.

[@LakeNipissing]

Kevin, essentially for the same reason you love the looks of the Onkyo amplifier - the meters - I have thought the same of the Technics SE-A3 MK2. Meters were a very serious part of power amplifiers in this era !

[@ripjones5294]

Yes, this was a fun one. All 13:15 of it. Nothing but eye candy, and things I probably will never be able to own, but hey. One of the reasons I bought my JVC 501, was because of the tuning wheel -- at least I could PRETEND it was a Marantz. Gonna have to watch this eye candy show a few more times. Merry Christmas, and tell your Dad I said Hi...

[@supersportimpalass]

I know you are a huge Pioneer fan so if you like the looks of the Sansui SR you will definitely like the Pioneer PL-1800. The gloss black plinth along with the built in strobe in the platter is killer and don’t forget about the cool PA-1000 carbon fiber tonearm and headshell.

[@sguttag]

I own (original) the CT-F1250 but, as someone that grew up in the era, esthetically, the CT-F1000 is the more desired piece. And, if you really want a statement in cassette decks from that era, I don't think anything can touch the Nakamichi 1000-ZXL. It makes the Pioneer look like a child's toy. You referred to the CT-F1250's size...take a peak at the 1000ZXL and note the size of the Cassette door compared to the face of that thing. And, for the extra pretentious, there was the gold-faced version too. A correction on the RS1500US...Technics didn't have good NAB hub adapters and were a bit annoying to put on. What I see, mostly now, are ReVox (or ReVox style) adapters on Technics. When you were listing your favorite looking speaker...I was with you all of the way through the Klipsch but I was going for the K-Horns (Klipschorn). Neither are my favorite sounding but I always liked the look of the K-horns.

[@897firefly]

🤔Wish I’d suggested this review!

[@Jodeanson.23]

Another excellent video. I have not heard the term "roached" for a reeeaally long time. But I sure know what it means. 😎

[@nickprioletti7221]

My Pioneer SX-1250 still has the red warning sticker under the volume knob that reads "CAUTION - Read owner's manual before operating." The sticker is mint and so is the receiver. I've never seen another one with the sticker.

[@rancosteel]

Vintage 70’s turntables nothing beat the looks of a B&O Beogram 4000.

[@jeffbranch8072]

I'm biased to the Pioneer X3X series, the blue lighting is just perfect. It **must** be incandescent, LED completely ruins it regardless of which color LED is used. For pure esthetics I find the 1960's to be the peak, maybe due to styling for usage in consoles. I find the Heathkit "orange" separates with the light bar to be drop dead gorgeous, and came in both vacuum tube and solid state versions. In the 1970's the AR-15 is beautiful. The Voice of Music components are also very classy.

[@stereoniche]

It was the Sansui G-9700 that started my crazy collecting and I have seller's remorse over a decade after selling it. I have been searching for a Sansui SR-838/929 for years, still hiding from me. I too just discovered those Technics R2R's being made by SkyFi with that Mac look, quite cool. I need to go see Fernando's shop sometime (as well as you guys!). 🙂

[@primeanalogrecords]

Fun list! I have a few pieces in my system that aren’t hooked up but they fill the spaces in my rack🤣

[@bigb2020]

Fun stuff. You are developing my eye.

[@j.patrickmoore9137]

When it comes to power amplifiers, I am partial to the Phase Linear 700 (I did own one, years ago) for one with mechanical meters, and the Harman Kardon Citation 16 with LED meters - one that I desired ever since it came out, and almost bought one new, decades ago. If you get into the "other equipment you plug in through a tape loop" category, the DBX 3bx, when it's in operation, has to be a contender.

[@triples4good]

I love this video. It’s probably my favorite video of all so far. And btw I completely agree with your picks with the exception of maybe a Pioneer SX9000 receiver. It’s nothing game changing but it just has a clean early style look.

[@Truth-Machine5000]

Agree Marantz 2325! But, Pioneer SX 5570 is a close second for me.

[@jeffreymoorbeck2752]

Fun video, Kevin!

[@82lube]

I have had many over years but SANSUI has always been a favorite, we sold the Pioneer & Marantz & they were awesome also. Most Marantz seemed to CLIP & reset a little too low for me.

[@alanperry1846]

I have a Telefunken TR 1500 receiver that looks really neat

[@davidhanna88]

This was a fun one.

[@michellevey9608]

I have two that l love staring at. My Sony 6060F and my Sherwood S-8000 lV. Both in beautiful wood cases and probably on no ones list.

[@NovaluxStereophonic]

For me the most beautiful amp ever made is the Marantz 9

[@SinnerSince1962]

For me, the MCS 3281 has always been a looker. I have one, and although it may never sit long in my main setup, I just can’t let go of it for some mysterious reason. Second on my list would be the Realistic STA-2080.

[@scanman84]

Now that I think of it, all my gear is based on looks 1st and performance 2nd. They are like jewelry to me. Here's my quick list. Receiver. Pioneer SX 1050 / Technics SA600 Turn Table. Pioneer PL 530 / Elac 50H Cassette Deck. Kenwood KX 1030 / CT F9191 Amplifier. Carver M500t Reel to Reel. RT 1020L

[@CuttinChopps]

Lots of the B&o gear for me, beolab 5's actually performed well the 1 time I heard. As an engineer/bench tech, not so much, especially with the gorgeous TT's, but good luck getting an MMC-x local. KISS factor for me now, separates and Maggie's. It's all a joy when running good though!

[@RandySmith-iz1ml]

I love the look of the Sansui receiver but could not have the connections on the side, so I'd have to go with the Marantz but I also like the looks of the Pioneer. The tape decks are right on. The Onkyo amp is impressive.

[@FFL-vg9ro]

About the LaScalas, When you hear them, your brain makes your head tip to the side like Nipper. “Where is that sound coming from? I can’t see any speaker cones or domes, and nothing is moving, but sound is appearing out of nowhere - like magic.” It’s not really a speaker. It’s magic.

[@ethimself5064]

I remember 2 Pioneer R/Rs back about 77 that were just stunning visually, came close to buying one but crazy expensive - one had s sticker price of $1,650 and the other about $1,350. Wife would have shot me.🤣Common sense finally kicked in. Forgot that at 7 1/2 inches/sec oh my did they ever look seductive, the black was more than eye candy just like what you showed

[@karaDee2363]

Totally agree with you on those Klipsch La Scala speakers... Pioneer SX 1080 would be my choice.. Never saw that Onkyo amp with those big meters before.. if I did I would have bought one immediately..lol

[@davefisher3765]

The Technics RS-1500 is definately a sexy reel to reel deck. For me, it's the black Akai GX 747. It makes sunsets feel insecure and makes other tape decks feel like cheap plastic toys.

[@gilbertwashburn7095]

Sansui turntables are really hard to find I never ran acrossman as sales in my whole life and I went to thousands yeah that's rare that's cool

[@jeffbrooke4892]

If you want to know why hifi looked like it did in the 70s look no further than the control panels on the Gemini and Apollo spave capsules. We of that generation were raised on the space race and the politics and culture of that time was geared towards science. Very much unlike today when people have forgotten what science has given us and have grown accustomed to that be a state of normalcy. But getting back on topic, everything was about science. And that included marketing.

[@yacawntmiss]

Back when you dimmed the lights just to listen.

[@soundman2604]

I agree with you, 2325 was my first monster receiver I have owned. I had another one in mint condition that needed work so I stupidly traded it.... darn... I will find another one just for kicks...Too bad these receiver and I mean pretty much all of them don't hold a candle to the nicer separates out there, especially nice mono blocks and vacuum tube pre amps. Eye candy they are mostly.

[@patmeadows4759]

Merry Xmas to you and your extended family. Health and Happiness to you all for 2025. As far as "ArtDecooey" the background of your store/shop for your vids - that is pure 'Art'

[@crmixman]

Yes...I'll admit it. I bought my RT-909 just as a shelf queen. It works flawlessly, but I don't have any decent tapes to play.

[@johnnytoobad7785]

I'm partial to the SONY designs from the mid-70's. Champaign hued anodized aluminum face plates. Large switches, damped volume controls, stepped tone controls and (in some cases) small back lit meters. (similar to the Pioneer Spec models...)

[@mitchmitchell9588]

Kevin, you are so superficial. Haha! Great video. I am uncertain about the McIntosh reel-to-reel custom piece. I am not a purist (own a resto-mod 71 Riviera), but this one may be too much for me. Can’t afford it, but fun to think about!

[@Mr-Neven]

Technics SL-M2 turntable

[@dtracy03ss]

I love all the Black Face models, but if the USA Version were all Black maybe we would like the Silver Better! My Pioneer CT-A9X Cassette Deck is Black and has The Biggest FS meters I believe they ever put on a deck, I'll get you a pic all lit up! Pssss I use it as much as my CD!

[@jvnb-y9e]

Klipschorn decorator model from the 1970s.

[@tallen6641]

Would anybody even believe me if I said, I liked the Heathkit look?

[@davidfrankel9267]

I have to admit, look is really important to me when it comes to vintage. Lets face it... That classic sound is nice but you can get a cheap vintage unit (eg. Marantz 2215), do some RCA plugs to a beast amp and get the same sound without the price tag.

[@Manhattanman52]

I found a Pioneer RT-909 R2R in the trash several years ago. It's cosmetically pristine, but i don't even have it running. Why? No R2R tapes. Also found an RT-707. These machines are often tossed because younger generations - who may inherit them, don't even know what they are. Also, have you priced good, vintage R2R tapes lately? Sheesh !!!

[@bshingledecker]

I have my Sansui shirt on too !!... fwiw, I would name the 9090 over the 9090DB BECAUSE,,,,,, the power button always seemed mismatched on the DB, where as the 9090 non-db has a matching power button.

[@richardscholtevanmast1418]

I want to no Wat do you find of the JVC JR-S 301 I never heart you over JVC Greatings from the netherlands

[@6StringPassion.]

Onkyo with that massive pair of meters = audiophile porn.🤣

[@billsmith5166]

Empire Troubador, original Nakamichi cassette with the digital counter, Bose 901 with stands and Early 70s HK receiver. I would want none of them for sound quality.

[@PigVirusNBC]

The guy responsible for the McIntosh look is Jeff Jacobs out of Washington State. He does custom builds under his company J Corder for all Technics reel to reels. Here’s an RS 1520 he did kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKrElIdrjNNlsLcsi=pIx6Pdjoc5FJLKgG

[@gilbertwashburn7095]

Thanks for the video cool stuff check out a techniques m75 cassette deck it's badass it's huge and heavy and indestructible I've owned it for 45 years and it never missed a beat have a great day Merry Christmas today I'm working on my Marantz 2325 cosmetically it's beautiful it only needs a few little things I almost sold it but the guy was an idiot so I'm going to keep forever your channel keeps me inspired I got enough electronic projects to last me for a hundred years not kidding

[@larryfisher7056]

Swirly eyes..lol. great choice

[@williamsharp5973]

This one is a hoot - I found you hilarious on this one. Some of your lines were very inventive - really love them meters & lights - eh? :) Appearance has always been at the top of my list - and why not? I prefer clean - not busy. There is some really ugly stuff out there, and it's always been part of the landscape, no matter what era. The really good looking stuff is in the minority, but it retains its looks for years and years, as we see here.

[@harryjones5260]

i would have preferred more uninterrupted coverage of the models. i dont want to keep needing to pauseit. some nice close up work tho.

[@gilbertwashburn7095]

I own a Sony t a n77es i own it since 93 I called the time bomb it's not a matter of if it's when it's going to blow up again I've had a lot of problems with this thing over the years relays capacitors lights crazy stuffI think it was just a lemon lot of bad solder joints from when it was new but I still love it I'll fix it again sounds fabulous but why I can't get over is the cheap particle board vinyl wood and the switches and binding posts are garbage have a great day just thought I'd sayMy buddy said I'll give you this amp if I can take your girlfriend on a date I said okay yep that's still together he can have her she's like a bad amp

[@marantz747]

The m-508 is way better..... I use to own it

[@DUDE72341]

Omg...cmon...every marantz looks the same.The euro sansui understandable.I think you missed out on some early 70s...dazzlers ...I think less is more in some cases..lets be honest as sales got more competitive...it became a buttons and switches war

[@Dave_Boyer]

This makes my Pioneer SX-1010 feel sad and ugly…I’ll just have to go crank it up, so my neighbors can hear.

[@N2IPA]

Love my SX-1010 too - the OG monster receiver that started the receiver wars. I also like it's sleeper look - powered on that blue really comes to life!

[@superfly3990]

This is your Best Work by far. Except you completely missed the Obvious Winning Receiver. It's the Technics SA-500.

[@JoeSimple-mv8yw]

also SA-505