Need advice - I know you're not shy

hale2thechief
hale2thechief Posts: 42
edited September 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
I am an absolute newbie and I'm looking for a little input.

Here's the history: A few years ago, I got laid off and ended up pimping electronics at a big box retailer. The only benefit is that I got my gear at a big discount. I started off with several Onkyo receivers, ending with an Onkyo TSXR800, four Polk RT35i and a Polk CS245i, along with a Yamaha crap sub left over from a previous open box deal. Fast forward to 2007. I sold one pair of the RT35i and bought a pair of very nice Monitor 10b. My wife has conceded to having the HT, but she would rather not have the floor standers in the living room.

I've recently re-discovered vinyl (hand-me-down Pioneer TT) and I'm looking to move the Monitors to a 2ch music zone. I want to find a vintage 70s or early 80s receiver or amp/pre setup for vinyl and CDs. What would you recommend as a good setup (reasonably priced) to drive my "new" Monitors?
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited September 2007
    for reasonably priced vintage receivers.. look at Sansui, Pioneer, Yamaha, Marantz ones. go with 70's era gear.. 80's was the "black" period of stereo gear.. some of the worst looking stereo gear ever made in my opinion was from the 80's.

    Do a little research into the mid level and upper level vintage receivers from those brands.. you might just be amazed at how much volume you'll get out of 30 wpc compared to today's 125wpc.

    Also keep in mind.. that not everyone likes vintage gear.. it comes with a price some times.. you'll be using gear that is 30 yrs old.. meaning the parts inside are 30 yrs old... parts tend to fail over time.. so it's not uncommon to have to buy and sell a couple different receivers before you find the one that's right for you.

    I sold a Luxman receiver earlier this year.. i wish I still had. Not the most pretty designed thing.. but dang, it was powerful and sounded really good. It was easily an 8.5 out of 10 scale for condition.

    Be prepared for (some) people to poo poo vintage gear. I love it. Some of the best bang for my little buck. :)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited September 2007
    NAD excellent match for the 7B.

    A nice power envelope 2200/2600/2700 amp and a pre ( I have an excellent 1130 with an outstanding phono stage), you can get both for well under 500 beans.

    The Carver gear is also noted as going well with Polk vintage speaks as another alternative.

    Or get thee some tubed gear I heard some little ASL mono's with the 7's that were awesome.

    RT1
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  • hale2thechief
    hale2thechief Posts: 42
    edited September 2007
    There's a guy here that specializes in vintage gear. He currently has a Pioneer SX-1080 and a Sansui 8080DB (Dolby section has crapped out). The Pioneer is 9/10 at 325.00 and the Sansui is nice, but not pristine at 180.00.

    Which of these receivers would be better and why? Is one or both a screw-job on the price?:confused:
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited September 2007
    both are overpriced.. or else i'm just a cheap ****.. the Pioneer i'd only buy if the price was closer to $250 - $275-ish, and is the better looking of the two.

    soundwise, I think they are probably pretty close there.. but I still think the Pioneer would win slightly. See if you can find a TOTL Sansui 9090DB instead..
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited September 2007
    Can't go wrong with NAD! I think for what you are looking for it is the best bang for the buck.
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  • dudeinaroom
    dudeinaroom Posts: 3,609
    edited September 2007
    hale2thechief wrote: »
    He currently has a Pioneer SX-1080 and a Sansui 8080DB (Dolby section has crapped out).

    Personally I would not what to buy anything that has this or that crapped out.
    do a little looking and you could find a decent integrated fro around $300-$500 be it tube or sand, and maybe cheaper if you look on E-bay.

    Later,
    dude
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited September 2007
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57008

    Everything you need to make them sing.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,724
    edited September 2007
    danger boy wrote: »
    both are overpriced.. or else i'm just a cheap ****.. the Pioneer i'd only buy if the price was closer to $250 - $275-ish, and is the better looking of the two.

    soundwise, I think they are probably pretty close there.. but I still think the Pioneer would win slightly. See if you can find a TOTL Sansui 9090DB instead..

    Or find someone with a Sansui AU11000 integrated amp, and a Sansui TU9900 tuner ...... and kill them. Take their gear, and enjoy.

    There's not a jury in this country that'll convict you (if caught).

    :)
    Sal Palooza
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  • dudeinaroom
    dudeinaroom Posts: 3,609
    edited September 2007
    RuSsMaN wrote: »
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57008

    Everything you need to make them sing.
    +1 on that, Marantz makes some really solid good sounding gear.
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