Anybody have monster receivers?

While not a true monster, I have a SX-780 that I plan to bring back to its former glory one day.
 
It was a SM in Columbus, OH. I bet a lot of people don't even remember them. It's been so long ago...like 30+ years, right? If I had to guess, I would think maybe between $800-900 or so. List was like $1295 I think. I just don't remember for sure. ;)

I bet that SX-1280 still sounds amazing...

C
 
Cory Cooper said:
It was a SM in Columbus, OH. I bet a lot of people don't even remember them. It's been so long ago...like 30+ years, right? If I had to guess, I would think maybe between $800-900 or so. List was like $1295 I think. I just don't remember for sure. ;)

I bet that SX-1280 still sounds amazing...

C
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Yep,I love it.It's a beautiful receiver as well.
 
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Pioneer SX-1250:crackedout:
Completely refurbed by Classic Audio
Got it hooked up to some HPM-100's in my basement billiards/casual TV/chillin' area.
Kinda cheesy but fun...

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I love the vintage receivers. I still remember my fist piece of gear. It was a 1970's 15wpc Pioneer receiver, built like a tank and it had this nice warm lush sound. I paired it with some Altec Lansing model 3's.

Take a look at this beautifully restored Pioneer that I considered buying-

Pioneer SX 5590 Stereo Recever RARE Black SX 1250 Awesome | eBay

scroll down the page to see the pic's and history. They don't mak'em like this any more.
 
In the mid 1970's my brother bought a Marantz 2325 receiver--125wpc.

One of the last really good Marantz receivers.
 
Mechnutt said:
I love the vintage receivers. I still remember my fist piece of gear. It was a 1970's 15wpc Pioneer receiver, built like a tank and it had this nice warm lush sound. . They don't mak'em like this any more.
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No, they certainly do not make them like the early 70s anymore! I love my Sansui 8080db more than any other modern receiver I've had, have or heard to date. The receivers back then were also built like tanks and had weight to them. The sound was absolutely pleasant to the ears. (My Sansui melts me). Back then the good receivers not only had good tuner sections (these days it doesn't matter with nothing but stupid crap on the dial), but they were built around the phono stages. Some even had switches for MM and MC carts! These days even if the modern receiver has a phono stage, one needs a separate phono stage because the built-in stages are usually crap at best. (Don't need no stinking separate phono stages with the vintage receivers though)!
Ok waxing session over.:)
 
MY Onkyo 8500mkII has a great phono stage,my Onkyo HT receiver doesn't.Maybe with vinyl becoming more and more popular they'll look to improve the phono section in modern receivers.I've never heard a separate phono stage so I can't comment on those.
 
Do you think that tomorrow's receivers will put back the emphasis where it counts the most, in the analogue stage?

You're right about turntables and LPs; they are in a comeback rise.

Digital music servers; should they also include a good phono stage? ...Some of them, you know, to be more complete.
Probably not as it is a very bad idea to have digital and analog components inside a same unit.
Best is to build one full separate analogue rig all on its own, and another separate digital home theater video/sound system.
If you mix them both then you are not truly a serious audiophile.

Vintage, monsters receivers, they belong in their own separate entity; one based strictly on yesterday analogue, I think.
 
NorthStar said:
Do you think that tomorrow's receivers will put back the emphasis where it counts the most, in the analogue stage?

You're right about turntables and LPs; they are in a comeback rise.

Digital music servers; should they also include a good phono stage? ...Some of them, you know, to be more complete.
Probably not as it is a very bad idea to have digital and analog components inside a same unit.
Best is to build one full separate analogue rig all on its own, and another separate digital home theater video/sound system.
If you mix them both then you are not truly a serious audiophile.

Vintage, monsters receivers, they belong in their own separate entity; one based strictly on yesterday analogue, I think.
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That would be great to see a little more attention paid to good ole analogue.I enjoy seeing abx tests done with vintage gear not just receivers.I like seeing vintage gear kick some ass. It's a testament to their build quality that they can still give all but the most expensive modern gear a run for their money.Quality audio seemed to be a big deal back in the 70's.All my friends had really nice gear and we'd get together,have a few beers and listen to albums lit by only the light of our stereo's......ahhh good times.:cryforjoy:
 
NorthStar said:
Which receivers have the best phono section? ...Vintage ones, and newer AV receiver ones.

And, even with a receiver's very good phono stage, would it be still better to get a separate one? ...Say a good inexpensive one.
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Almost any quality vintage receiver will have a good phono stage, hands down. Newer AV recievers?...none of them have good phono stages in my book and all require a separate phono stage.

An inexpensive separate phono stage on a good vintage receiver will not usually yield better results or sound much different at all. Back then, the receivers were built around the phono stage because that was the main medium of the day. also the receivers back then were much simpler and higher quality than today's AVRs. There were no IC chips, digital trickery or too much junk in the trunk, it was mainly straight power to the speakers, period. That's why many vintage receivers sound so good. My Sansui 8080db blows away every other receiver sound quality-wise I have new or old and rivals many new AVRs on the market except the ones high up the food chain from companies who also offer reference product.
 
NorthStar said:
Onkyo TXSR 705 and TXSR 805 AV receivers. - Free Online Library

* Check the phono section of the 805. ...Plus everything else (2007 era).
..It's not from 1977 but still weighs (805) 51 pounds nonetheless.
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I have the 705 and the phono stage is horrid, same as the 805. The problem with modern AVRs is that the phono stage is an after-thought and that's it. It's just an attempt to justify charging an extra $100, it doesn't actually function worth a darn.
 
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