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Vintage Receivers- what to look for

Posted by sony6060 (A) on May 3, 2021 at 07:35:43

Some vintage receivers sound good and after a rebuild sound excellent. But, the 1974 to 1980s receivers for the most part have an op-amp in the phono-stage. Those early op-amps sound poor. Op-amps have come a long way for audio since the 1970s, but the early op-amps have a different physical pin-out making replacement with a new op-amp very difficult. However, I am shocked of the sound of the Onkyo op-amps used in the TS-2500 MKII & TS-4500 MKII. Other early op-amps and even new do not sound this good!

Anyways, for power output, around 50 watts per channel will not clip at fairly loud listening levels using the common 87dB sensitive speaker. Most vintage receivers produce more power than their advertised RMS power output too. I did not include the Sansui G series that has no op-amp, but the receiver has a super hot operating regulator chip that fails.

I looked at the schematics of Pioneer, Marantz, Kenwood, Onkyo, Sansui and Sanyo. These are mainstream receivers and appearance is fantastic. Only three vintage receivers are fully discrete. Some Pioneer, Marantz and Onkyo. Onkyo certainly have the same build quality of Marantz and Pioneer.

Pioneer lower power models use the op-amp. The SX-850, SX-950 and some higher number power series are fully discrete. For example the SX-980 has op-amps, so check the schematic at HI FI Engine. I believe any SXxx80 series have op-amps, except the SX-1980 (no-op amp). The Pioneer SX-850 produces 65 watts per channel. These are rather expensive receivers so if on a budget are out of reach on ebay. Average price is $800 in working and good cosmetic condition.

Marantz models are fully discrete no matter what the power output. The 16 watt 2216 is fully discrete, but under powered, of course. Marantz are also expensive and a clean and working Marantz 2250B that produces 50 watts RMS per channel costs about $800.

The bargain vintage receivers are Onkyo TX-2500 (not MKII) and TX-4500 (not MKII) are fully discrete. But, in the case of the Onkyo their op-amp sounds as good as discrete- go figure. These Onkyo look great and produces either 27 watts or 60 watts per channel. Onkyo MKII models are 40 watts & 65 watts per channel. The TX-2500 are about $150-$250 and the TX-4500 about $250-$300. The Onkyo TX series is an impressive large receiver at 19" long x 6-1/2" high including feet. So, no worries with the Onkyo op-amps. Onkyo TX-2500 picture above.

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