Don't Overlook Some of These Vintage Stereo Bargains

[@anthonyross8102]

Great video. The Nikko NR 815 is a sleeper I found at a Mexican flea market in Detroit for 75 bucks. I took it home and used it in the garage and during bbq's where it stayed for another 20 years. I cleaned it a month ago, and now it has earned a place in my living room and is still jamming.

[@marktuyet]

Old Sherwoods were sold next to the Marantz receivers back in the 70s . I sold my Sansui when I found a S7200 Sherwood at an estate sale for $20.00 in beautiful condition.

[@jimplosay8352]

Would love to see more unique items, like Optonica.

[@nsb_drum]

Really enjoy these videos about lesser-known gear that is worth picking up. This would make a good reoccurring series imo.

[@Manny2211]

Toshiba receivers are very nice 👍 and sound great Toshiba made a lot of the power amplifier transistor used in my different brands audio equipment

[@johnwaynes4417]

Bring this back on a continuum. There are so many sleepers out there so be got

[@tedcorey3054]

I bought a Pioneer 1250 receiver back in the '70's , from the Navy Exchange in Naples Italy , a friend kept bugging me to sell it to him , so I did , then he wanted to borrow my Bose 901's so I let use them (I was in the USN at the time) . He dropped one while moving , put a lit cigarette on one (while drunk) . After I found a Technics 5770 , but it ain't my Pioneer . I picked up a Technics SA 5150 a couple yrs. ago . I'd like to check out your store in person , but like Al Bundy said :"My cars only got half a tank of gas". Good stuff.

[@HawklordLI]

Glad to see Hitachi getting some respect. My first receiver was a SR 703 and I still have it.

[@marcr6749]

You mentioned Realistic brand and they deserve a showing of their speakers and receivers. Currently im looking for an STA 95. 45w per channel. I had one when i was a teenager and it was a tank. It would fry speakers and keep on trucking. It met its end when a buddy spilled his soda in it. I tried to repair the amp circuit but in 1997 we didnt have ebay and amazon for replacement components. 2N3055s didnt work.🔥🔥

[@johnbeckham1483]

I also like Radio Shack's Realistic line up as well! Are you familiar with a 1988 model the STA-2150 or STA-117?

[@marcr6749]

@@johnbeckham1483 No im not familiar with those models but i have an sta 110 that is 25 watts per channel and it has very good quality sound and will still shake the walls. With the current over rating of amp output, manufacturers would probably give it a rating of 500 watts.

[@captainbeefheart8797]

@@johnbeckham1483 I have a Realistic STA-2000 and it's a really nice receiver. I know Kevin doesn't like JVC but Japan Victor Company made some really high quality stuff you just have to know what to look for. I have a JVC VR-5535 I just fixed up and it's an amazing receiver when you consider you can get them pretty cheap. Nice wood cabinet, thick front panel, switches have that high quality feel, knobs etc.. are all nice high quality, components and circuit design are also top tier. Both amps sound every bit as good as a Sansui, Marantz etc.. but won't empty your wallet buying one. I could care less about paying a premium just to name drop how cool and expensive my gear is online. If my scope and distortion analyzer are happy, and finally my ears are happy and my toes are tapping I'm good.

[@georgepetrovic567]

Another great sleeper is the Sanyo Plus55 receiver. Super tuner with combo analog/digital dial. Plenty of clean power, led power meters, nice stepped volume control and great phono section. Very clean sound.

[@billsmith5166]

Really good show and very interesting. More of these!

[@NCislander]

Laughing out loud at the "Frankenstein" drop in. Nice job. Really fun video seeing the different equipment passing through your shop. Really fun to watch. Keep throwing these in the mix every now & then. Thanks Kevin, Thanks Eric.

[@BadWolf762]

I've got a couple sets of Realistic MC-1000 speakers that I "Frankensteined" with new generic woofers and they sound fantastic.

[@therocknessfnmonster]

I gotta say, I love my Sanyo DCA 1400. Like many of the viewers to this channel, I have quite a few amps and my Sanyo is one of my favorites. They've made my most boring speakers sound great.

[@CheerfulPoodle-cx4xr]

😅😮😢😅😊

[@truhunk1]

I very much agree the Hitachi receiver is a fantastic unit. I owned the next model up, the 904 Dynaharmony, I think it was 120 watts per chanel, but I don't remember exactly, and it was very powerful and LOWD. I regret parting with it. I needed a stereo with surround. One of my life mistakes.😢.

[@natanpierce495]

You will like this story. I was driving in my neighborhood in Philly about 12 years ago. Came across a pair of ADS (8) Braun speakers on the side of the road. Didn't know how long they had been sitting there for. (Trash day) and I scooped them up because the cabinets were in great shape as well as the dust covers. I figured of the speakers were bad I would make a Frankenstein set out of them. Well, fast forward to a month ago- I never tried them out, I kept them in the box after I moved and when my center speaker blew in my theater, I decided to switch out my B&O's to the theater and pulled the ADS out of the bacement. -WOW! Sound amazing. (Not as good as my ol B&O's but the sound stage is larger by far. Free- Who would have thought??? They pair nicely with my JBL L80T

[@chrislupson217]

I have been a big fan of Hitachi’s Class G since buying a SR-904 almost 10 years ago.

[@martyjewell5683]

Got my SR-804 in 1979 and still use it as my main amp. It's boss.

[@tf7274]

I'm a Marantz/Kenwood guy...but I found a Technics SA-1010 that I'm really enjoying. 125 watts and was not making sound when I bought it for $7 at my local thrift. Did a thorough cleaning and spent some time tuning the tuner until I got Stereo working. Once the switches were clicked 40x each, they all fired up. I'll get it professionally restored now that I know it sounds like.

[@martyjewell5683]

I got to use a Marantz 2252B receiver for a month while my SR-804 was in the shop (for new lamps) and found it most satisfying with my Ohm L speakers. Very robust to say the least but I liked my SR-804 better.

[@geomark8851]

Fisher 800-C! I love mine. It's paired with a pair of Klipsch Heresy speakers and is a delight to listen to. The warm, dynamic sound is literally music to these old ears.

[@jeffreyklaum13]

I had a Fisher RS-1056 a long time ago. Wish I never got rid of it. Im always looking for one though. ;)

[@edwardbagu1252]

The fisher 440-T is a nice small 60's unit that punches above its weight. It gives the later fisher RS 2007 a good run.

[@LordSamuelJ]

I picked up a Mitsubishi DT40S three head cassette deck. Its a rare bird and built like a tank. The sound quality is amazing! Its also easy to work on. Mine needed belts and the mechanism removed and came apart super easy. Its quickly become my favorite deck besides my Nachamichi RX505. It also looks very nice and has rack handles. I love this deck!

[@insolentstickleback3266]

Another great Skylabs video, have a fine Sunday evening! Best Regards, from Oregon!

[@skylabsaudio]

Thanks, you too!

[@hhvictor2462]

In my army barracks days, especially during late 70s W. Germany, people displayed their expensive stereo gear in their quarters. Theft of that kinda property was never an issue. Something to be said for security.....

[@scottgregg1097]

After seeing this I ran across a Hitachi SR-804 for $70 working. Refurbed it and replaced the peeling vinyl wrap with walnut veneer. This receiver is amazing looking and sounding! Thanks for the video Kevin and team! I have a 2238B for my daily driver and the SR-804 is giving it a run for the money.

[@jimmy67RS]

The Toshiba SA420 was my first piece of audio equipment I bought new in 1977 and is used frequently to this day..Always love watching Skylab videos

[@pedrofernandez8729]

Japan has been making good stuff for a long, long time. I remember the old Sony Trinitron color TV's. they were the world standard

[@vulgarninja9]

Thank you for the Hitachi love. Our little SR-503 boasts 20 watts and sounds great. You've got an eye for quality, kid.

[@ColtLuger]

Great video, my daughter is starting college in Iowa next fall, really hoping to get to the store.

[@skylabsaudio]

You can do it!

[@fb6performance271]

I forgot to mention my garage setup. Fisher CA 880..Fisher EQ 276 driving JBL LX 44's and a vintage Cerwin Vega 12" powered sub. This setup bangs hard for heavy metal music when hanging out outside.

[@larrydrozd2740]

Those Toshiba units rule!! I had an 820.... Wow!! Impressive.

[@uncle-salty]

When I was a kid I inherited my grandfathers Toshiba SA-420. It was my bedroom stereo until I got an all in one with a CD player as a teenager. I recently had the Toshiba serviced and am beyond happy to have it running once again. I'm just glad I never stuck any crappy glam rock band stickers on it as a kid, LOL. I've got it hooked up to a pair of Studio Lab Series speakers that I remember my Dad bringing home talking about the killer deal he got on them from a white van at a gas station, Ahhh the good old days.

[@stpierreorama]

Toshiba had a lot of really good gear that went under appreciated. They are top notch. I have a small sa2500 receiver and it’s fantastic. They had some really nice turntables as well.

[@samholte7354]

Really enjoy your videos. Ever though of doing a top 10 cassette decks?

[@nicevmax]

Great vid, would like to see more on less mainstream or lesser known brands and components. I really like the Hitachi receiver, I like the lighting of the meters, a nice look. Didn't Hitachi make some of Radio Shacks components?

[@davidsteinberg8024]

Another interesting sleeper was MCS (Modular Component System). Sold by JC Penney, these were Japanese designed and built by NEC (the chip and supercomputer company). On par with the equipment you are showing. I suspect they weren't popular since people assumed it was like the junk Sears and Montgomery Ward was selling. Not so.

[@72vespa]

This is a great type of video to help us budget collectors. Please make this a continuing series "Hidden Gems" out is wild. I for one feel that build quality & serviceability is more important than overall features such as power ratings and/or # of inputs. keep'em coming .....

[@mr.krinkle8261]

I have a pair of JC Penny MCS 8232 Rated @ 10-100 watts rms. Sensitivity (1 watt at 1 meter) 92db. Crossovers at 700hz-8000hz. Frequecy range 30-20,000 hz. They have dome mids and sound incredible!

[@SteveNielsen-oc8br]

Have you ever compared Realistic recievers to see how they stack up to others ? Because I would call them a sleeper and good bang for your buck. Cheers Eh! 🍻 🍁

[@johnbeckham1483]

I used to work for Radio Shack & yes the Realistic brand was way above average in many ways!

[@chrislinn64]

I still have my Hitachi SR-504 that I bought from a friend in my senior year of high school ('82) for $75. Still works, but could probably use a service. I have it paired to some vintage Rega Camber 3.5 speakers. My daughter just moved to Des Moines and so I now have an excuse to bring my unit out to your shop in person. Really enjoy your videos (and the nolstagia) and have been binge watching all weekend 🙂

[@rotaxtwin]

Great reading these comments and seeing some brand names from the 70s & 80s that I've forgotten like BIC & Superscope, Sherwood... wow.

[@g.fortin3228]

My best sounding sleeper is a Nikko NR-815. Not talked about in many circles, but sounds very pleasing. No super bowl here either, instead was setting up a new cartridge / old turntable and enjoying brand new vinyl. Never thought I'd be doing that. Edit: Turntable is a nice clean PL-A45D , was my dads.

[@mladenbasic1]

Love your new style of video. Especially the back and forth.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thanks, hoping to include more of these dingbats at the shop in more videos.

[@keithvincenttucker9923]

Some of the products in the Sears Professional line were surprisingly good. The hard part is determining which ones before you shell out any money for them.

[@garyconway6769]

I have been trying to buy the separates for a long time. They are either to far away or way over priced.

[@216Numbskull]

Sears also sold the "Silvertone 1448/9" line of electric guitar's back in the day which weren't only bought & played by young budding kid guitarist's as a cheap toy instrument. Some of those Silvertone guitar's are still very sought after by guitar collectors to add to their collection today. Those old Sears catalogs had a few gem products available to buy back then for sure. Just saying... +Peace, Funk & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul My Friend+ 🤘😜🤘

[@drmbgls1]

I had a Nikko 6065 receiver, 34wts/ch. It powered a pair of Ohm E speakers with no problem. Great tuner, and great phono output! Also had an Akai AA-6300 receiver.Boy I miss that receiver. 40wts into 8 ohms. Super smooth tuner, very quiet with the FM mute on.

[@jerrypowers7671]

I love seeing the old unique pieces. I had a Phillips back in the 70's with EPI speakers.

[@lukemorgan4412]

Sleeper alert!!! Tandberg tl 1500. 2 way speaker from Tandberg. 25 watts. Truly outstanding. Running off a marantz 2215 bl .

[@68pishta68]

I picked up an SR-904 at a Goodwill for I think

[@jeffbranch8072]

Enjoyable and informative episode, thank you. It's always interesting to learn about the lesser talked about brands. Just a thought - how about an episode on store brands? Airline, MCS, Sears (often Fisher?), Realistic, Lafayette, etc. Store brands are often overlooked and priced low.

[@TheManFrayBentos]

Glad to see you featuring Toshiba. Was gifted a matching pair of Toshiba SY330 pre-amp and SC330 amp a few years ago. They sounded absolutely excellent until the amp developed an output fault. I've been meaning to get around to repairing it for a while. as it will be worth it.

[@JanPippel]

Pretty happy with my exotic vintage components…amp is a Onix OA21s, turntable is a Toshiba SR355 with Jelco arm and speakers are old eastern germany RFT BR25. Nice vid guys, many thanks.

[@donello430]

RFTs!!! I had a pair of those bookshelf speakers as a teenager but could never remember the brand name!! I’ve spent years trying to remember. With the fall of communism they started seeping into the western market in the early 90s, but then disappeared. they were superb imaging, blew competitors away

[@JanPippel]

@@donello430 mine are reworked (surrounds, crossover, casing)…so they look fresh an new. But sound and image like the older version…love them. Never expected anyone knows this overseas ☝🏽 Bought mine one eBay…sometimes there are a pair. But not often nowadays …

[@briannewell6064]

That was a good one. Information I can use while hitting the estate sales. Thanks.

[@VB-bk1lh]

A few more vintage brands I've run across here are Gradiente from Brazil, often sold as Garrard in the states, Lenco, Tectronic, Winthrop (Possibly built by Panasonic/Technics?), Aiwa, Akai, Mitsubishi, NEC, Sankyo/Sanyo, SAE, Stereotech, Sherwood, MCS (JC Penny), Vector Research, Nikko, Optonica, Concept, Project, Scott, and Philips.

[@williamdenton5716]

This is a fabulous episode !!

[@Generic_Eric_1977]

I have a Toshiba SA-735 that is a lot like the one you have shown. Excellent build quality in my opinion. A bit on the large size for what is in it. But it sounds great. Had a bad power switch so I installed a toggle. Sherwoods are a good buy too. i have both the s-7100 and S-7100A and recently acquired a S-7125 that needs similar work to the Toshiba unfortunately. Also have an Akai AA-1030, a HH Scott Stereomaster 344-C, Allied 369 that is really a pioneer, and some Fishers that are pretty cool too. Too many to mention really, lol.

[@cle-chi]

Funny u mentioned a toggle on your Sa 735 cause I do too. lol It came that way from Ebay purchase. Also own Toahiba Sa 750. Now that one rocks hard ( paired up with sansui Se-7 equalizer).

[@edholmwood2263]

My first new receiver was a Toshiba, maybe the same model. Is anybody old enough to remember Shaack Electronics? That's where I got it and its matching cassette deck. Fun video. Thanks Kevin.

[@robjordan2506]

I re-wrapped my PL 117D and it turned out great. I took my time.

[@63MGB1]

That little Toshiba receiver looks sweet. I like how they made it look like a couple stacked separates.

[@319flashbanger]

Those 4ft devices from the 90's! Oh that's a classic memories. And the music!

[@scottmitchell7852]

Nice to see a hitachi. I have two HTA-4001's and a HGE-1100. I realy like them.

[@aammdj]

Picked up a 70s JVC JRS81H Receiver, incredible sound quality and build. Even has the rack handles. It's right there (soundwise) with my Pioneer 1050, 1080 and 950.

[@LordSamuelJ]

I have the same reciever and am blown away by it! I replaced my yamaha cr420 "sleeper" with it and couldnt be happier. The sound is a lot like my pioneer sx9000. Very very impressive reciever!

[@michaspruijtenburg5109]

I got a Akai aa-1050 stereo receiver. Power supply caps went bad. After replacement it sound great.

[@edwardbagu1252]

Great units, got an Akai AA-1175, it's amazing, then an AA 1150 showed up bought it, had it fixed and oh boy it is lovely...

[@petejames5562]

​@edwardbagu1252 I've had an Akai AA1150 for a couple of years. Wow, amazing performer. [ looking for an AA 1175 for a while, dual mono really powerful but hard to find in UK.] You can't go wrong with Akai early 70s receivers.

[@AldellezCaputto70]

Akai is probably the most underrated brand. I had an Akai AA-1020 and it sounded very good. In my experience Akai and Harman/Kardon built the best sounding receivers. I have had, Marantz, Sansui, Sanyo, Pioneer, JVC, Sony and probably some I have forgotten. The build quality may be higher on some others, but what you get for the money is hard to beat.

[@edwardbagu1252]

@@petejames5562if you get one, just make sure when cleaning the faceplate you do not use anything strong cleaner. I wiped some lettering off mine..

[@tommybonnett2284]

Thanks for the info that you share with us! I'm just getting into vintage audio gear, and I picked up the Toshiba SA-420 receiver off of market place and I have fallen in love with this receiver, but have had a hard time finding any real useful information on it. So i was glad when i found this video. I love the rich warm tone produced by this receiver if that makes sense.To me, I find it sounds equal to if not better than many more popular easy to find receivers of this time frame that I looked at before buying this one

[@reneaceves8820]

Hitachi equipment seems to last forever, in my experience. I had one of their turntables for 30 years until I traded up to a Rega Planar 3. I gave the old turntable to a friend.

[@LakeNipissing]

I have the big brother to the SR-804, the Hitachi SR-2004. It is also labeled "Class G", and has the four meters. The output meters top out at 600 WRMS for each channel. Very solid. Mostly Hitachi's own components, including the output transistors. Huge toroidal transformer, capacitors and side-mounted heat sinks on each side for the 8 output transistors. Very good sound. Insanely loud. AC power consumption is 1190 VA / 850 W... Serious stuff. Those mini Mesa speakers look great !! The Toshiba shows how much quality went into even small, low wattage entry-level receivers in the late 1970s. Five internal fuses and three external fuses. *_Eight_* fuses to protect an 18 watt / channel receiver !!

[@theclearsounds3911]

Hitachi is a very underrated brand. They were less expensive than other comparable units, and not as flashy, so I don't think they sold very well. But I've had 2 tape decks and one TV made by Hitachi (one under the Realistic brand), and I've been very impressed by all 3. They made some surprisingly good stuff for the money.

[@LakeNipissing]

@@theclearsounds3911 I believe I read somewhere (years ago), that the SR-2004 was close to 1,100 $ when introduced in 1977.... and that's Hitachi 'value' !

[@Audiojunkabus]

cool video. do not pass up on Nikko receivers -- I have two NR-1019's --- amazing looks and sound. Their story is very interesting IMO .. If I remember correctly, Nikko was started by an audiophile/electronics engineer that had a very wealthy father in-law. I also have the Beta II pre-amp and love it.

[@WC0125]

The JVC turntable is pretty decent for what it is. It was their entry level DD model built to look like the JL-B51/55/T77 and incorporating an arm with their TH (Tracing Hold) technology. For the technology in it, the JVC Jl-B31 had a list (without cartridge) of $355 but a much lower street price of about $199 (even with a budget AT11/e cart) when it was introduced in the fall of 1975. By 1981 leftover stock was going for $100 As for more on the arm, JVC described the tone arm as using the "TH method to improve tracing capability by lowering the center of gravity of the moving part. This tone arm has a non-resonance design with anti-vibration material in the bearing and pipe, and is equipped with an anti-skating mechanism with a 0.5g click, a lifter point for accurate lifter operation, a rubber ring-wound shell locking nut, and a counterweight." While the upper end arms used machined aluminum components even for non-critial parts, some of those parts on JL-B31 were made of plastic to save cost.

[@ripjones5294]

Enjoyed this installment. I still own a JVC table, and it has served me well over the years. I also still own the JVC JRS-501 that I bought new from Franklin Music, just as I was leaving. Yes, it too, has served me well. Another lesser known vendor was Setton. We sold them, and it was created by I think, the major Pioneer importer. Some of the Pioneer engineers did some of the design work. When I see one pop up on eBay, they are asking what "they" think they are worth. Rare, and think "Marantz Tax".

[@danwheetman6914]

That was fun, thanks!

[@carloreubenvongerkin9760]

I had a 2 foot Graffix device in the 80's. best "speeker" I ever used. LOL! Aquarium rocks in a soup can.

[@Richard-jq6mq]

Truly enjoy your videos. I learn a great deal from your knowledge. If it’s ’stereo related’ I’m interested. Great channel….

[@skylabsaudio]

I appreciate that!

[@kerryedavis]

The balance control being around the volume control, reminds me more of many HH Scott receivers.

[@chucku00]

You might be right about the JVC tonearm being manufactured by Denon. In addition, the oblique shape of the platter's edge and its silver colored circling reminded me of more recent Denon models that were popular with hip-hop DJs in the mid-80's. Edit : Yup, just checked it out on google images and this JVC turntable design is quite close to the 1981 Denon SL-7D. Even the controls under the tonearm are the same.

[@bazza2825]

Agree with other comments, just getting back into the the vintage equipment with not a lot of money but found this really nice looking receiver on Ebay a Realistic STA -850 I was a bit worried because it looked like he had used pics of it from the internet but boy was I pleased when it arrived it seriously looks brand new and a really nice sound, friends are also impressed when they hear it, it was about $380 US when new in 1982 I think it was in their mid range and its heavy about 7-8kgs or 17-18 pounds going by the shipping docs, I have seen some of their higher end equipment which others on youtube rated highly, there could be a couple of sleepers in the realistic brand for sure. this cost me $250Au or about $150 US. recently found you channel Kevin and I am enjoying it, thanks.

[@kerryedavis]

Back in the day when Toshiba started coming out with their own stereo gear, some of their ads showed things like a Pioneer receiver with all those "Toshiba"-labeled components inside. And I have a couple of those sets shown at 14:04 but I prefer the analog tuner.

[@scottlowell493]

Were I to delve into some other vintage receivers/integrateds: - Carver receiver - Acurus DIA-100

[@topekasub]

Love the bong reference!🤣

[@blackpowder4016]

Class G amps are Class AB derivatives that use multiple power supplies. At low power they are Class A. At higher power the extra power supplies kick in and they become Class AB. They are efficient but expensive to implement.

[@69eddieD]

It toggles the voltage up and down. When more power is needed it steps the voltage up. This allows much smaller heatsinks to be used. Less heat is generated, and the amplifier is more efficient and uses less power. electronic components last longer when they're run cooler as well. The issue with class G is switching the voltage in a timely and hopefully inaudible manner. Class G was superseded by Class H amplifiers (look that up) and then Class D amplifiers became the choice for efficiency. But Class G and Class H amplifiers still operate as basically class AB amplifiers, which are arguably more appropriate for hi fi, while Class D is another animal ( and generates far less heat).

[@johnbrender7635]

Sherwood HP 2000 Integrated Amp 120 watts and Sherwood S9110 Receiver 110 watts. Both are very well built, Sound Phenominal, have a warm Marantz and Fisher like Sound, Both can run 4 speakers at the same time in ARS mode which would be best described as Stereo Surround (Not Quad) My repair tech says they are easy to work on and rebuild kits are available to recap if needed,

[@ericschwartzberg5083]

I agree I have owned several Sherwood receivers s7225 s 7300 my favorite S 7900a better than Yamaha and kenwood

[@brentdolde3327]

1 ​@@ericschwartzberg5083

[@andyhowat4624]

I have a sherwood S E L 200. 60 Watts. Concert sounds

[@richardburkow3792]

So cool to see my old Toshiba - wish I never sold it - great unit.

[@stephenbarr2735]

Hilarious “Graffix” reference!! FYI, still selling products.

[@phildirt3]

Infinity 305 s, phillips turntable, kenwood 60 watter, sony cassette. 1978 really miss that system

[@markmurray5619]

I love the vintage equipment. Being a "boomer", and having an older brother in Nam that sent equipment state side, he was into Pioneer, Garrard, Akai, and Coral. It would be interesting to see an evaluation on the late 60's early 70's receivers specifically the Pioneer SX-1000tw , which I own a minty full functioning survivor, or the SX-1500 receivers. There is something about the sound of the early Pioneers receivers that is unique.

[@chelle12368]

I'm so excited that you mentioned Grafyx speakers! I have the SP-10 which is actually my favorite speakers. They sound pretty fantastic. I also have the SP-6 and had the SP-8 which I'd still have if I hadn't made a cross country move. It is very difficult to find info on these speakers. The SP-6 sounds decent for its size but the magic is in the 8s and 10s with the Phillips tweeters.

[@Blitzkreger00]

I've always went for the more popular vintage brand throughout the years of collecting. But I think I've found my most favorite receiver that not many people even look at because of the brand. The SANYO JCX-2400KR Receiver & SANYO TP-1030 Turntable are my reference pieces. My speakers are DIY with JBL 8340 cinema crossover and drivers. It's a killer set up! Great videos!

[@skylabsaudio]

Thanks Blitz. Sanyo had some winners to for sure.

[@Blitzkreger00]

@@skylabsaudio wow! Thanks for replying! Hope to see some SANYO stuff in another sleeper video. Thanks again!

[@jeffreyklaum13]

I collect Realistic and Superscope stuff. Realistic has a lot of sleepers. I was running a STA-76 as a daily driver for my office system with a set of Jamo S803's for the longest time. Always sounded warm and full. My daughter has a STA-64 and it's also a real nice receiver for it's size. I am currently running a Superscope R-350 on my office system with a Lab-500 turntable. The Superscopes phone stage is so warm. I listen to mostly jazz. My living room system has a Zenith MC 7051 pushing a set of Mach 1's and Optimus Pro LX8's on top. Again...awesome. I have a MC 7041 that still needs gone through. So many sleepers out there. I recently had a Olson RA-195 redone. Mostly because it was a Akron Ohio company (the area where i'm from). I like it for the history. But, it does sound very good. I'm currently looking for a Fisher RS-1056. I had to sell one years ago. Wish I never did. That was also another nice one.

[@WildHorses9958]

yep! My first receiver in 1972 at 15 years old was a realistic sta-120B and it sounded pretty nice! Later I purchased a sta-2500 which had lots of power and sounded excellent!

[@jeffreyklaum13]

@@WildHorses9958 I have 2 120B’s sitting on the shelf waiting for repair. Nice looking unit.

[@jeffreyklaum13]

@@WildHorses9958 lol I have 2 120B's and 2 65c's (the little brother) sitting on my shelves. Cool looking units. The 2500 is hard to beat.

[@WildHorses9958]

@@jeffreyklaum13 totally agree....I wish I still had my old optimus 5 speakers and miracord 40a turntable with the shure m91ed cartridge.......those where the days🙂

[@bobasher2197]

I have a small collection of vintage stereos, a couple Sansui G series, a Kenwood model eleven, and an Onkyo A-10 integrated( an absolute beast!), but my favorite is my Sherwood S-7200. It is in original unrestored condition and sounds great. It's not a powerhouse by any means, but to my 60 year old ears sounds nice and warm with a fantastic tuner that pulls in all the local stations w/o an antenna. I found it in the trash 15 years ago, replaced a fuse, and it has been in service in my workshop ever since.

[@tf7274]

Find a low price 2215B Marantz. Put all your audio thru it before going to a Kenwood. Warms it up nicely.

[@dubious3749]

Class G is a hybrid between class A (at low/mid volume) and A/B at high volume. Recently bought the Arcam sa20 class G. Very nice for low/mid listeners.

[@muddymo7641]

I had an mcs from jc penny's. Mid 70s. Still have it today.

[@blubyu]

Ha ha - love the shout out to G-Graphics!

[@patmx5]

Just looked up class G amplifiers as this was the first time I'd ever heard of them, too. Basically it is a variation on class AB, but is designed to be more efficient by using multiple supply voltages, and 'shifting gears' so to speak in order to use the minimum supply voltage required for a given signal level. At low levels, the amp will be fed by a lower voltage supply rail that is sufficient to provide the required amplification; as power draw increases the amplifier will automatically switch to the higher voltage rails as needed to provide the necessary output. And dammit, you cost me $$ - just bought one from the Bay of Evil. Looks like a nice little unit.

[@bradleydurbin6784]

Was it similar to the Class H technology? I have a technics receiver that I found. Circa 1995 This unit rocks!!!!

[@patmx5]

@@bradleydurbin6784 I just looked up Class H - it appears to be a more advanced iteration of class G, with continuously variable supply rails as opposed to the distinct rail 'steps' apparently used in Class G. Almost like an amplifier powering an amplifier.

[@bradleydurbin6784]

Paul McGowan of PS Audio did a video explaining class h technology. I guess it’s not really a thing to much anymore because they run really hot like this Technics receiver I literally found laying on the sidewalk. I took it to the local vintage repair dealer here in Tucson and they said it’s a keeper. I can’t afford what’s out on the market now. I bought a used Adcom power amplifier from there and it’s amazing. Adcom GFA 535 250.00 can’t beat that!

[@quiksr20]

I think when you knock certain brands ill use Kenwood vs Sansui, Its not that Kenwood didnt make a good unit its that they didnt "Consistently" put out a good unit. Some brands IE Marantz/Sansui every model at a certain time was good regardless of its watts.. Not so much with Kenwood / Technics etc.. I totally get it, I also dig that Hitachi.. The Fisher 202 im working on is made by Hitachi and socket'ed driver boards seems to be a key to their design and I wish more brands did this.. Dream to service! Another cool brand ive come across is PhaseTech, I thought it was whitevan and its far from whitevan. Great vid!

[@ThaxterTewksbury]

Concept. Some the absolute best sounding 1970s era audio receivers I've ever heard. The smallest , the 2.0 was their 20 wpc receiver. I still own it and it sounds wonderful. I've owned the 4.5 and it was equally great. The 12.5 was their flagship 125 wpc monster and packs a massive punch and I would put it up against any of the big Sansui, Pioneer, Marantz, etc. of comparable power. If you find one in good working condition, don't wait.

[@BobBlarneystone]

There are still many many excellent receivers and amps at garage sales. Just add and aftermarket Bluetooth receiver and plug it into the phono receptacle jacks, and you're set.

[@maxique]

I have a Nikko 7050, build quality is superb and sound is big and very lively.

[@ctrlzyx2]

Most of the descriptions of class g here are close enough. The refereced internet post severely overstates the duration these amps can operate on the higher voltage rail. It is not minutes, but milliseconds, like 500 or so. So you get doubled to quadrupled power for about 0.5 second, enough to support transient peaks. Whether this headroom is 3 or 6 dB depends on the voltage difference. The duration depends on the capacitors supporting the rail.

[@pmp6972]

I'm with all these folks. I am a bit of a collector of older amps. I currently have two GAS AMPZILLA' S when matched with the right speakers, pound the hell out of my drywall. I also have a nice SAE power amp that is just as strong. Unfortunately, the last five years prices have creeped up making the hobby pricey but still viable.

[@williamcampbell3868]

The Hitachi receiver you opened up had a clean layout inside. The good sound quality you mentioned is probably due to the Mosfets that Hitachi was known make and put in some of their amplifiers and receivers. Knowledgeable hi-fi enthusiasts know about the tube like sound quality of Mosfets. I have a classic Hafler 120a 60 watt power amp that I love the sound of. I use it in the spring and summer, then I switch back to tubes in the fall and winter.😊 It shares biamp duties covering midrange and treble with my Adcom 555 mk2 on bass. In fall and winter i use my Conrad Johnson mv55 to cover those frequencies, while the Adcom is on bass all year round. I'm biamping Maggie 1.6's with Vandersteen stereo subwoofers.

[@Thetimeisnow78]

The Montgomery wards Model 450. Dual power, Sound stages like crazy. It has a Smooth heavy flywheel with a big clicking volume knob with its tone control knobs being buttery smooth. A thick face plate and pre amp/amp inputs in the back to boot.

[@dwyntsch]

I have s A Wards model 650 2 TT input bass treble and midrange controls 65 watts per channel. Souns incredible, !!!

[@Thetimeisnow78]

@@dwyntsch yours was the top of the line right above the 450. I have the ad that shows both models with receiver specifications. I think the 650 might have been built by optonica/sharp. It looks very similar to optinica gear of the time. The 450 is HK built and designed through and through

[@kerryedavis]

My favorite "sleeper?" (Aside from HH Scott anyway, which Kevin never seems to mention...) Cybernet! I have some sets of matching preamp/tuner/power amp/cassette (SPA-80, SPR-80, STL-80...), and some matching integrated amp/tuner/cassette (CA-110, CT-22, CTS-300A, CTA-100T) sets. Nice stuff! Their cassette decks didn't have Sendust Alloy (SA) heads like most JVC did at the time, so they were just for "matching" purposes, I don't use them seriously.

[@antoniogarciaalgarra5025]

Nice interesting and comfortable to listen to. …and i like your T_shirt !!!!!

[@JohnReall]

I'm listening to this through a Sansui 661 receiver I bough for a dollar at a tag sale about 15 years ago. It still works great. I think I got a good deal.

[@martyjewell5683]

The difference in the class G amp is that there's two sets of outputs. One for normal A/B operation and one for reserve power above 50wpc. Reviews I've read in my hifi magazines (including High Fidelity magazine) say that Hitachi's rated 3dB's (twice steady state power) of headroom existed making the SR-804 a short term 100wpc amp. With less possible clipping distortion the SR-804 could play quite loud/clean and stay barely warm after hours of use and it weighs under 25 pounds for a 50wpc receiver. I got my SR-804 in 1979 (at Tech Hifi) and like the looks. It has bidirectional dubbing but the filters have too gradual a slope to be more than marginally effective. I use an ADC Sound Shaper Two IC (and Pioneer RG-2) with my SR-804. Some were labeled Class G as is mine and yours and some were marked Dynaharmony. With only minor adjustments/repairs mine has lasted forty five years, not too shabby.

[@markmorrow3250]

I enjoy seeing what you come up with on journeys like this one. My first receiver was a Rotel Rx-403 if I remember correctly. I bought it and a pair of AR 18 speakers in about 1978. My brother in-law has the Rotel and uses it to this day. I don’t remember where or when I parted with the AR 18s, probably in the later 80’s when I bought a pair of Boston A-400s. I sold audio in the 80’s and 90’s, and Onkyo, Sony, Denon all offered a wide range of products that went from budget to pretty serious stuff that was really excellent sounding and reliable. Why isn’t there more interest in them? And a couple other brands that were more expensive and harder to find, but offered prime performance are Kyocera and Nakamichi. Both companies offerings were a cut above the rest. Especially Nakamichi tape decks, they rained supreme. If you can find one of their products from the 80’s or early 90’s , you would probably be very happy.