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Seeking Guidance on Vintage Amps and Receivers

Al Griffin  |  Feb 18, 2016

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Q I’m on a vinyl kick. I recently purchased an Audio-Technica LP120 USB turntable and am converting a few of my old LPs. I have it connected to a Sony AVR and am listening through my Klipsch Reference RB-5II bookshelf speakers. Now I’m thinking about searching for a vintage amp or receiver. I’ve read good things about the Marantz 1060 integrated amp (circa 1975), which is rated at 30 watts per channel. I also hear good things about some of the old Pioneer gear. I want to crank old classic rock, and I know the RB-5IIs can handle it. Any suggestions on what I should set my sights on? — Lew Collins/Via e-mail

A There’s an active online market for vintage integrated amps and receivers, many of which still sound great 40 or 50 years after they were first manufactured. A quick Google search will turn up many sites worth perusing, including AudioClassics.com, SoundClassics.com, ClassicAudio.com, UltraElectronicActive.com, and eBay Vintage Audio & Video. Along with Marantz and Pioneer, in-demand vintage brands to look out for on eBay and elsewhere include Sherwood and Sansui. Decades-old audio electronic gear often requires maintenance to restore it to good working order, however, so be prepared to pop the hood and replace leaking capacitors and clean up grunge-coated potentiometers as necessary.

With their efficient, horn-loaded drivers, Klipsch speakers are known for their high output. This would make them a good match for vintage electronics, which generally have a lower power rating (20 to 30 watts per channel was standard back then) than present-day gear. But wattage isn’t everything: Many Integrated amps and receivers from the 1960s and ’70s were built ruggedly and with high-quality components. Their ability to cleanly crank classic rock to a high volume over your Klipsch speakers might surprise you.

COMMENTS
brenro's picture
Submitted by brenro on February 18, 2016 - 7:49am

Remember when FM radio was something worth listening to?

Bosshog7_2000's picture
Submitted by Bosshog7_2000 on February 18, 2016 - 9:06am

There is a TONNE of high quality vintage gear from the 70's available and much of it sounds better than anything new under a $1000. I bought a Marantz 2226 receiver which is connected to a Marantz 170DC Power Amp. For a source I use a Marantz 6300 and a Sony HAP-S1 Hi-Res DAC.

I was lucky that the Marantz receiver and AMP are both flawless cosmetically and a quick clean of both internally and replacement of bulbs with LED's gave me brand new looking gear that sounds amazing. As the article states be prepared to replace caps that will eventually leak but the bang for the buck is incredible with some of the vintage gear.

My Marantz 170DC is rated at 85Watts/channel @ 8ohms but I can tell you it is WAY stronger than that. It effortlessly pumps sound in a way my 120 Watts/channel Home Theater receiver couldn't even dream of.

msardo's picture
Submitted by msardo on February 18, 2016 - 1:26pm

Luxman is another good brand. I really miss my Luxman Integrated AMP - it was a Duo B Circuit and it sounded great. I think it was a "massive" 40 watts per channel - but this was all a long time ago, so I hope I haven't remembered anything I shared here incorrectly.

CJLA's picture
Submitted by CJLA on February 18, 2016 - 4:56pm

Just a quick reminder. Most good integrated amps & stereo receivers of this generation had them but not all. But if you are spinning vinyl, you should get one that has a subsonic filter.
I use to have a Kenwood integrated amp. 45watts/channel with Darlington circuits. God I loved that thing! Turn down the lights, put on Steely Dan Aja, or Herbie Mann's Underground, and get hypnotized by the VU meters!

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