[JLM]

Sorry for not searching through all the old threads (but maybe the latest thinking/market has changed anyway)...

I have 3 rigs.  The main audio system (about $7k) is in the mancave/listening room.  An ow priority A/V system (about $1,500) is in the family room.  This piece would go in the 2nd audio system (large living room, very casual use) and replace a 12 year old Rotel 2.1 receiver that has died.  This system is where my old stuff goes, so speakers are old (good sounding) 2-way floor standers with a SACD/DVD carousel (total $450 invested roughly 10 years ago).  I have an old turntable in storage that hasn't been used in forever which would be a bonus to accommodate (have no other phone pre). 

Some retro eye candy might be nice, but want to stay south of $200.  Thinking 70's Pioneer (had a 626 in college) or Marantz 2270.  Maybe a Yamaha from that era.

Any suggestions on reliable equipment and/or where to buy?  TIA

[Guy 13]

Sorry for not searching through all the old threads (but maybe the latest thinking/market has changed anyway)...

I have 3 rigs.  The main audio system (about $7k) is in the mancave/listening room.  An ow priority A/V system (about $1,500) is in the family room.  This piece would go in the 2nd audio system (large living room, very casual use) and replace a 12 year old Rotel 2.1 receiver that has died.  This system is where my old stuff goes, so speakers are old (good sounding) 2-way floor standers with a SACD/DVD carousel (total $450 invested roughly 10 years ago).  I have an old turntable in storage that hasn't been used in forever which would be a bonus to accommodate (have no other phone pre). 

Some retro eye candy might be nice, but want to stay south of $200.  Thinking 70's Pioneer (had a 626 in college) or Marantz 2270.  Maybe a Yamaha from that era.

Any suggestions on reliable equipment and/or where to buy?  TIA

Hi JLM and all Audio Circle members.
Here are a few link to some places where you can buy used/recondition receivers and more.
Your south of 200 USD limit is a little low, I would jack it up to about 350 USD.
Good hunting.

Guy 13

vintageelectronics.betamaxcollectors.co m/vintageaudioequipmentgallery.html

thevintageknob.org/

classicaudio.com

oaktreevintage.com/Stereo_Receivers.htm

soundsclassic.com/receivers.html

[Wayner]

Your not going to get a good working order Marantz 2270 for $200. For that price you might get a 2230.

Wayner

[PMAT]

Maybe a Marantz 2252 which is amazingly powerful. Eye candy too with great sound. I have a Pioneer 626 also. The Marantz is MUCH sweeter in sound and looks. Be patient and be a little flexible on price. Most people spend two hundred a month on Starbucks. Guess what that gives you?

[JLM]

Thanks for the feedback.

The budget is based on what a new/minimal receiver would cost, the amount of use the system gets, the value/age of associated equipment, already have a pair of monoblock amps sitting around, interest in moving to a wireless (digital only) source with active monitors to improve WAF, and a $150 A/V receiver is currently working fine in the system (which could just stay and could justify a nicer receiver for the A/V system downstairs for roughly the same price).

So lots of options and little pressure to bump the budget or invest much time in going vintage.

(I like good coffee, but only visit Starbucks/etc. with coupon in hand - a frugal Irishman.)

[geowak]

I had a 2230 which I loved. Sold it to a co/worker who needed a simple phono preamp for his turntable. Now I'd like to get a 2230 or 2270 with a nice wooden case. I like the old Marantz stuff, really sounds great. 2nd choice would be Sansui, then Pioneer.

[Guy 13]

I had a 2230 which I loved. Sold it to a co/worker who needed a simple phono preamp for his turntable. Now I'd like to get a 2230 or 2270 with a nice wooden case. I like the old Marantz stuff, really sounds great. 2nd choice would be Sansui, then Pioneer.

Hi Geowak and all Audio Circle members.
It's funny, because my choice is exactly the reverse of yours.
First Pioneer, second Sansui, then the third Marrantz.
A long time ago I have owned a Marrantz. (Forgot the model)

Guy 13

[SteveFord]

How much power do you need?

[jarcher]

You're probably wise not to put more than $200 into it because frankly it's more for nostalgia and fun than sound quality - and regardless of what you buy, if it's vintage it'll require repair sooner probably rather than later.

I own a few vintage receiver's / integrated amps and have to say that a 5 year old Marantz receiver, which might run you $150, will probably sound better than most solid state receivers more than 20 years old. I'm honestly very surprised how good my Panasonic Home Theater In Box sounds, which not only plays blu rays / has an ipod dock / tuner / network connectivity / netflix etc, but comes with 5 speakers + sub, all for $200 new. 

Last year I bought an early 70's Sansui 2000A for about $50, a 90's (?) NAD 314 integrated for about $30, and a Pioneer SA 9800 integrated circa 1980 for under $300.  All of them are in various states of operation despite the original owners saying that they were 100% operational.  Sometimes they stopped working properly within a few hours to a few days after I first got them.  Spent a bit of money having some of them fixed, and with other's I just live with their various problems. I keep them because they are fun to look at and mess around with, not because they sound so much better than newer and equally priced gear. 

For $200 or under you can probably get a Sansui 5000A or Pioneer SA 7800 if you're patient and used Gixen or similar snipping software for Ebay.  The Pioneer would probably look and sound a bit better than the Sansui.  Both are fairly gutsy and can drive modern less efficient speakers to more than reasonable volumes.

Lot of folks out there driving up the price trying to cash in on nostalgia or fad for vintage stereo gear who buy them, spray a bit of Deoxit on it claiming they've been serviced, take a few nice photos & try to flip them for a profit.  So, again, you're probably wise to be cautious on the spend. 

[PRELUDE]

Sorry for not searching through all the old threads (but maybe the latest thinking/market has changed anyway)...

I have 3 rigs.  The main audio system (about $7k) is in the mancave/listening room.  An ow priority A/V system (about $1,500) is in the family room.  This piece would go in the 2nd audio system (large living room, very casual use) and replace a 12 year old Rotel 2.1 receiver that has died.  This system is where my old stuff goes, so speakers are old (good sounding) 2-way floor standers with a SACD/DVD carousel (total $450 invested roughly 10 years ago).  I have an old turntable in storage that hasn't been used in forever which would be a bonus to accommodate (have no other phone pre). 

Some retro eye candy might be nice, but want to stay south of $200.  Thinking 70's Pioneer (had a 626 in college) or Marantz 2270.  Maybe a Yamaha from that era.

Any suggestions on reliable equipment and/or where to buy?  TIA

I would say LUXMAN R-117
Here you can get more info and some reviews:
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/receivers/luxman/r117/prd_118644_1593crx.aspx
I have one and it is in mint condition. I bought it 2 years ago for my work shop but due to it size and my space few times I decided to sell it but I hate to send it to someone who would not appreciate it. I am not home right now but I can send picture and more info tomorrow morning.
I might want to sell it but not sure yet. Just in case if you are interested in, I do not exactly remember right now but for sure I paid $200 or $250 and you can have it for same price. I do not know how much they go for now.

[JLM]

Steve (power req'd?) - good question (large room, very casual listening) I'm guessing 20 wpc would be more than sufficient

jarcher (motiviation) - eye candy, nostalgia (yes the expected repairs is a factor in my budget number, not motivated enough to do much hunting)

Prelude (offer) - thanks, but not eye candy or nostalgic for your piece.

Thanks for the replies.

[Freo-1]

I would say LUXMAN R-117
Here you can get more info and some reviews:
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/receivers/luxman/r117/prd_118644_1593crx.aspx
I have one and it is in mint condition. I bought it 2 years ago for my work shop but due to it size and my space few times I decided to sell it but I hate to send it to someone who would not appreciate it. I am not home right now but I can send picture and more info tomorrow morning.
I might want to sell it but not sure yet. Just in case if you are interested in, I do not exactly remember right now but for sure I paid $200 or $250 and you can have it for same price. I do not know how much they go for now.

Good call on the Luxman.  One of the best receivers ever made for the money.

[Minn Mark]

I bought my Marantz 2250b from an eBayer (morgan) in 2009 and it's working flawlessly. I can recommend him and his work and he usually has some lower powered Marantz's for sale on line. He recently sold a refurbished 2330b (130 wpc) for crazy money (north of $750).

Good luck hunting,

Mark

[starkiller]

Have a H/K 330b that is nice and vintage and works too!

Nice warm sound, at least to me it does...

[SteveFord]

This might do the trick?

 

[starkiller]

Yep, guess I could have included a pic eh?  Twas half a suggestion and sorta offer on my part