[Skylab]

The key I think is to send the restorers a unit that is cosmetically nice but already has electrical problems, as opposed to sending them one that is perfect. I was able to buy a 1980 that was sold as "non-working/for parts or repair", got it for a nice price, and had it shipped directly to Circle Stereo. There was a small risk that there would have been an issue that CS couldn't fix, but that generally isn't the case, and wasn't for me. Only thing that went wrong with my plan was the eBay seller did a crappy packaging job, and the faceplate was damaged. So when the restored unit got here yesterday, I put my good faceplate (and wood case) on the restored one, and so it's terrific. Unfortunately what that means is the stock one that I am selling is being sold with a dented faceplate. Had that not happened, I would have ended up with a wonderfully restored unit for about the same price as I could sell the stock one for...

 

[estreeter]

Is it just me, or does anyone else find the AK layout way too specialised at the top level ? They just slap a new forum in whenever and wherever the mood takes them. 

 

[nick n]

Was out today and ran into a nice old Nikko 4020. Have yet to look it up for specs because I was doing the usual once over and cleaning, but it's pretty nice. This was at the local Sally-Ann which is funny because it was so dirt cheap and that outlet usually prices super high sometimes.
 I'll have to check back in after and let you know how it's working.  Here's some pics. Inside shots can be posted if you care. Nice clean unit. Nearly flawless.



 
Just wish it wasn't so huge, now I have to get it a dedicated stand. It won't fit where I want it to.

 

[Meewoo]

Quote:

from what I know of the yamaha gear that I did used, the yammy sound is rather neutral. at least that was what they touted right? I was wondering whether or not class A with headphones is worth all the accolades that I have read with regards to class A. I did read about heat issue as well though. is class A what some others saying as one of better sounds out there? the one I was looking at by the off chance is a CA-800, which is 10 watts in class A, 55 watts in class B.
 
and is yamaha sound the most neutral out of all vintage receiver/integrated sounds?

 
Yes, Class A dose sound better on speakers or Headphones. To me, I just don't want to stress the old unit with that margin gain.
 
You can check me and RexAeterna talking Yammy in earlier thread. I would say Yammy is neutral (some may disagree), x50 and x80 Pionny sounds brighter than Yammy. I sometimes feel Yammy's high is a little harsh. I sometimes feel Pionny's harsh in high also, but Yammy makes you more fatigue. I think the airy sound of Pionny compensates the harsh a little. I still own CA-2010, CR-820, R-9 and R-8, I sold CA-1010, CR-1020 and CR-420. I have never heard 00 series though. Just my 2 cents, YMMV.

 

[BGRoberts]

@estreeter - Thanks for all the links!  I'll be checking them out. 

 

[Maverickmonk]

Random gear pron of my MOTL receivers. Love em both, even if I still can't get the Pioneer working quite right, still some kinks to be worked out. God, for being the same power, the Marantz weighs twice as much as the Pioneer!
 

 

[Meewoo]

Ok, I want to share another brand with you guys. I introduce Nakamichi 730.
It was built from 1978 to 1982, rated 105 wpc into 8 ohm, retailed for $1390 according to AK.
All sensitive touches without any knob, and a remote control system!!! It's definitely from future when it first came out!
I have two now, but one has problem with pre-amp parts. My tech doesn't want to fix it since some ICs are not available, what a pity!!
Hey, but I can bi-amp my speakers.
 

 

 

[Skylab]

Nice Nikko, Nick! Nice Marantz Maverick! And nice Nak, Meewoo!

 

[woody88]

Thanks Meewoo for your feedback; I will think about the CA series some more. I just noticed that you have a lot of vintage luxman in your avatar. are you a big fan I am guessing. Have not heard of luxman being described much in this thread, or I may have forgotten about it. but you would recommend it without hesitation I am guessing, even more so than the Pioneers?

 

[Meewoo]

Quote:

Thanks Meewoo for your feedback; I will think about the CA series some more. I just noticed that you have a lot of vintage luxman in your avatar. are you a big fan I am guessing. Have not heard of luxman being described much in this thread, or I may have forgotten about it. but you would recommend it without hesitation I am guessing, even more so than the Pioneers?

 
Yes, you can check earlier thread and find out I am gigantic Luxman fan. My favorite vintage stuff is Luxman, followed by Yammy, Rotel, Sui and Kenny, then Pionny Marantz and JVC, then Nikko, Technics and Sanyo.  But I never have chance to listen to Mac, Concept, and Accuphase. I also have Setton RS-660 and Lafayette LR-9090, they were almost identical innards. I have another Lafayette LR-120D which was built by Luxman. So I will recommend Luxman over Pionny without any hesitation. And for some psychic delusion, I prefer integrated amps to receivers!
Gosh, I forgot HK, Fisher, Sony, where should I put them in my preference list?  I never heard pre-1980 Denon, Onkyo, Scott, Philips, realistic and Sherwood also. There are really some sleeper brands in vintage stuff!
 
Just my 2 cents, YMMV!
 
Quote:

Nice Nikko, Nick! Nice Marantz Maverick! And nice Nak, Meewoo!

Always thanks, Skylab!!

I thought you have two recapped SX-1980 now, and one stocked one? And when will your Pionny shout-out come out?

 

[nick n]

Every time I get a new reciever/amp i have to change things around again. Such a pain. I was listening to this, it works perfectly except for a bulb in the signal meter to the far left there. truns out after some listening I thought, yeah it's ok but a little flat sounding, then I checked the toggle and once again it was accidentally switched it to MONO.  At least this time I didn't tune  headphone mods to it in mono like before.  Have to sit down again and see how it is all over again.
 
 
Guys this place has some nice stuff. Those nakamichis, wow too bad they are so exclusive.   Incidentally there's an engraved champagne faced Marantz 2215 about an hours drive from here. I think I should what do you guys think. It's been recapped even.
 
Any ideas on that one?
Let me know.
 
 I love the Aquamarine colour here. ( temporary supports until I find something about 2 inches high for the base )

 

[estreeter]

Meewoo, $1400 was a significant chunk of change in 1978 - most definitely a high-end pricetag. 

 

[ardgedee]

Quote:

Was out today and ran into a nice old Nikko 4020. 
 I'll have to check back in after and let you know how it's working.  Here's some pics. Inside shots can be posted if you care. Nice clean unit. Nearly flawless.

 
Are you kidding? Of course we care!
 
Nice to see Nikko get some love here; it's one of the sleeper makes here.
 
Also - nice Nakamishi, Meewoo. They only ever got known in the States for their over-the-top cassette decks, but they were (maybe still are) an audio company that made/makes complete lines of equipment. Items like your receiver don't seem to pop up here nearly as often as their decks do.

 

[Meewoo]

Guys, thanks for the kind words for Nak!!
 
I was lucky to get them. It's high price tag reflects the remote system in 1978.
 
[size=x-small]Nakamichi had previously released their System 1 components; the 600 Cassette, the 610 Control Amp, the 620 Power Amp, and the 630 Tuner-Preamp.  The 730 receiver used many of the components to deliver the same power amp section, and nearly identical tuner and preamp performance in a sleek, stylish black receiver that would look at home in Darth Vader's condo.[/size]
 
Now I am wishing I can put my hands on System 1!

 

[Skylab]

Always thanks, Skylab!! I thought you have two recapped SX-1980 now, and one stocked one? And when will your Pionny shout-out come out?:wink_face:

Yes, I have two recapped SX-1980 now, and right now I also have one stock, although I am selling the stock one. I do need to work on that comparison between the 1980, 1280, and 1250