What exactly is the vintage sound .?Sony ,Marantz ,Pioneer ,Sansui Kenwood. etc.
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- čas přidán 28. 08. 2024
- Here I discuss the 1970 s vintage sound ,Whats to sound like what brands
sound best .
Marantz Sansui Kenwood Yamaha Sony and more.
patreon.com/StereoreviewX
I'm a "vintage" guy who has been in the audio business starting in 1973...I sold all these. Optonica was a brand that came into existence as a "protected" brand so dealers could make some profit at a time when the most popular brands like Pioneer, Kenwood, Sansui, were being discounted to death. This followed the end of the "Fair Trade" laws in the US. It was inferior product with superior margin. Another was Setton,. I know because my employer at the time brought these in, and incented us to push them...along with some pretty mediocre "private label" speakers. Today's business is much more honest, at least where I am! BTW, my faves from the 70s...Sansui Eight, Pioneer SX-780, Yamaha CR-840, Marantz 2275. That's just receivers. You are absolutely right about the amps being the stars here...the preamps were almost always the weak point.
Hi Lewis well this is a really great story from the inside track as they say great to hear the reality from the people on the ground.
I am going to do a full review of the optiniica though the enthusiasm will be a bit low🤪 Thanks for the info cheers K
Completely new to world of vintage sound, and your video is an eye opener. Although my older siblings knew very much what it was while growing up in the sixties. Your video and others made me realize the many rare and hard to find pieces of rare vintage audio equipment I've passed up over the years.
Yes, through the retro spectroscope
Love the way you speak passionately about vintage audio and your honesty
You’ve nailed it on describing the richness,& the fullness of a quality unit. You’re spot on.
Great video. I just recently got myself a nice Pioneer SX-720 (SX-3600 clone). I totally understand what you are saying and I absolutely agree. Purists will say I'm actually listening to distortion, but for me what I'm hearing is nice, warm, full, deep, detailed sound, coming effortlessly from this 40 year old thing. Makes me rediscover my music collection. Love it!
You are the best audio friend one could ever want.
I bet all your friends drop the soap 🤣
how can we get the best cd sound? is there a way to tweak a cd player to get great audio.
@@michaelcruz7704 get a hi end cd player like marantz, pioneer elite, sony es etc...
@@michaelcruz7704 maybe get an external DAC. Some are quite expensive but most will say that they really do sound better.
I used to have my system hidden from sight in my first super small apartment, sound was amazing but a mystery component,always someone asking what kind of stereo do I have an replying by saying I got it at Kmart an asking does it sound ok? Especially after we lighted a doobie😅
Nice Video Kelvin, "Button Festival" Love It
Very interesting perspective and informative take on the industry trying to lower distortion till it wrings all the musical qualities out of the notes, I have never heard this aspect of the audio listening experience. Thank you for making this very informative video.
Vintage sound=music to my ears
keep up the excellent work brother! you're on to something with this channel. a lot of people are trying to go retro again and this adds to it. this is an excellent informational and historical channel!
Thanks mate
I have a Kenwood 4600 from 1975. I bought it when i was 22yrs old , I have collected about four speaker systems over years an now i am 68yrs an still have it, an incredibly it sounds great.Anyone who had some of that equipment knows what i am talking about!!!!
Kelvin, today I joined the ranks of the many people singing your praises. I was dead set on getting a Marantz because I grew up with my dad owning one. After watching this video I became a little bit intrigued by the Sansui. Definitely not the best looking piece of gear by any stretch, but your description of how clean and detailed the sound made me to watch some more of your videos. I watched the shoot out between all the Sansui‘s and decided to go with a 551, because it was fully restored and only $225 shipped. Needless to say, it sounded exactly as you described it and I’ve been sitting here with a smile ear to ear enjoying the art of “listening“ to music again. I have some old mid 80s fisher speakers that aren’t so hot, but I do want to get the new re-issue KLH Model fives. Wondering what your thoughts are of those speakers paired with the 551? In any case thank you so much for all you do and you’re great recommendation!
Keep the Fishers !!!!......they are like an old house....big and well made and have character...vintage is where its at !!!!....check out Parts express to replace your giant woofers maybe...
I own two Sansui units, a 1969 2000 and a 1970 4000, and have them paired with a pair of ZU Omen DW and Zu DW6's with the Supreme upgrade. These two units, the Sansui's, are simply magical, as are their phono stages. Both beat every piece of modern gear I have ever owned.
The Bass is simply nuts out of both of these units, more so out of the 4000. Both have incredible and airy midrange sections, very tube like, sounds fantastic with Blues and Jazz... The treble, just sweet to the ears, no harshness, none of that sterile modern sound, just so easy to listen to. Audio Nirvana, especially with the Zu's.
Hey Kelvin , once again very nice and detailed information about vintage stuff I like your approach to vintage Amplifiers and speakers.
Can’t say much but yes I do offer a big thank you 🙏 for sharing your knowledge.
I can only join in. Thank you, Kelvin! You are great!
This is such an amazing review. I really respect how humble you come across, despite it is obvious your level of competence and knowledge on the subject. Great job! 👏🏼
No, his level is incompetence. He talks a good game but doesn't know what he's talking about.
I was using a NAD C 340 integrated amp from 1998 50w per channel with my Klipsch Heresy 1 speakers and it seemed to sound fine but then I tried my JVC JR-S201 from 1978 at 35 watts per channel and the music seemed to come alive just as you mentioned. The JVC is just more fun to listen to. I now use the NAD as a preamp since it is quieter than if I connect my turntable directly into the JVC because there is a hum if I connect directly. Of course the Heresy speakers are very sensitive and 35 watts from the JVC is enough to rattle the walls if I wanted to. I don't know the reputation of JVC receivers but this one seems to work very well for me and it's a big plus that I only paid 50 dollars for it. I really enjoyed the video, keep up the good work!
Still love my ONKYO Model 732 integrated from around 1973.
My best late friend had a top end Realistic turntable, amp/receiver an monster speakers, he claimed it didn’t sound as good as mine a Kenwood 4600 Sony turntable pioneer project 100A speakers, I also had ten band Sound Shaper equalizer,he ended up getting a Realistic ten band equalizer an was quite satisfied an impressed with his equipment!!!
Kelvin, you have done a great job describing how vintage audio sounds. I can just hear it in my mind.
Enjoyed the video. I completely forgot about those spring loaded speaker connections. I remember the only thing that mattered back then was how loud your system played and how big your speakers were. Nobody worried about matching the speakers with the amplifiers, they all sounded good together. I don't remember anyone talking about soud stage, centre image or depth of image either. We are all so much more refined today.😂
Yes we are we still need to be able to spot a tree when we are in the woods Cheers K
You have never heard Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Love until you heard it on a vintage system like the ones described here. That song and that system would shake the pictures off your wall.
this is true K
Another sleeper vintage Japanese brand is Nikko! They made excellent separates but their NR-1015 receiver is a real treasure if you can find one. It kicks butt with style and power over many Japanese brands
@Martin Ru Nikko Beta II pre amp driving a Nikko Alpha III, Pioneer RT 707, Kenwood KD 500 turntable with a modified Formula 4 tone arm going through Phase Linear Auto Correlator.....All puchased in 1978 & '79. All in storage for about 38 years and now using. It sounds so sweet ! NIKKO !
My Nikko 7075 is a gem to listen to
Absolutely wonderful review. I started my journey in the seventies and understand the observations and consideration you point out.
The single most obvious element I truly understood was the sense of present and excitement of some of these components.
By “improving “ the manufacturer’s took away this presence and more importantly, the “excitement “ that engendered a smile and being involved with the sound of your favorite music.
To get back this , today one has to be prepared to spend a great of money and a great deal of research and auditioning, if you have this luxury.
It is sad we have to chase the original sense of pleasure.
TLR
My dad was a hi fi nut 🌰 and he built a twin channel mullard 5-10 valve amplifier and these drove two Goodman's 301 speakers with Midax and Trebax horn mid and hf drivers .... this was as loud as a twin 50 watt amp today !
I thoroughly enjoy your videos and the way you describe things. Down to earth content that I can relate to. My first receiver was a Pioneer SX-3700 with the analog tuner and analog plus digital blue fluoroscan display. My parents bought it for me in 1981. Fast forward to my midlife crisis, and I found one online and bought it, as well as a graphic equalizer, some HPM60 speakers, PL200 turntable, and also a Marantz 2226B. I had forgotten just how good all this vintage equipment sounds, and its longevity speaks to the quality of the time. Thanks again for all you do!
Thanks, appreciate that K
Brilliant as always kelvin. Love your passion and plain English. Vintage is like you say in the room you can’t put it any better .
I just stubbled across your channel, great stuff, i just got into putting together a vintage set up, Akia 2600 and late 70's Sanyo 80 watt speakers and Sanyo Q50 dual Quartz turntable, WOW !!! What a sound... your totally right, it fills the room.. your awsome and i subbed.
Nice work
@@stereoreviewx yeah i love it..
These videos always make me smile a bit - great insights - and a little philosophy to boot!
Enjoyed it a lot. I have 4 or 5 receivers from that era. You just can’t beat their looks and backlit numbered analog FM tuners.
Great video Kelvin. You are great at describing sound in a relatable non bullshit way. Keep on twiddling those vintage knobs and pushing those vintage buttons!
Thanks for your input, Kelvin - always worth a listen!
Something that's been increasingly on my mind lately has been the power of received wisdom via the internet, particularly in relation to the 'holy trinity' of Marantz, Pioneer and Sansui whenever "the vintage sound" comes up. Like you, I've owned a lot of items since I first got into hi-fi in the late 70s and, though Sansui were said to be a bit above average, I don't recall anyone - reviewers or punters - putting Marantz or Pioneer on a pedestal back then; they didn't stand above the rest of the Japanese brands sold by the likes of Comet, Laskys and Rumbelows: Aiwa, Akai, Hitachi, JVC, Rotel, Sony, Technics, Trio. Only Luxman, with their grand total of six retail outlets in the UK, was regarded as exceptional.
What I have noticed recently, though, is that Marantz, Pioneer and Sansui seem to have had far more penetration of the US market back then than their Japanese rivals, partly due to sales to US military personnel through PX stores. And the majority of audiophile channels on CZcams are American. Could this - and the nostalgia of youth - be why they're so highly regarded (and priced!) now?
I say all this because, in my experience, most Japanese manufacturers had good products at some point in their business cycle. I'm lucky enough to have a couple of Luxmans, for example, and yet to my ears the lush tonal qualities of their L-114A amp are well-matched by Trio's KA-60 - while the meaty sound of the Sansui AU-217 is echoed by JVC's cheap 'n' cheerful JA-S10!
Yes I know what you mean certainly Marantz and pioneer had the looks and the advertising budget.
That said they don’t do things much wrong and there was a lot of wrongness around in mics that have been completely forgotten now quite rightly
To be extreme I would say Teletón .
Luxman hour class act surely I didn’t include because they were a bit too high end at the time.
Something interesting I would say is there was just as much corrupt hyping going on in those days .
So it’s hard to use the press at the time as a good arbiter of quality.
I bought a JAS 11 based on high my hi-fi magazine reviews .
I already had a secondhand Sansui are you101 and it turns out that had such superior separation and general clarity ?
That was my first lesson in not believing that hype.
It is a minefield of a subject really cheers K
I have one grundig sv-2000, really nice sound, unbelievable quality craftsmanship on the inside (German engineering...). The reason this amps sound like this is because they're build with transistors for all the stages, pre and amp, and the funny thing is that they're actually serviceable, no ics or chips to get obsolete and out of production, making the amp unrepairable.
Very nice video and i like your passion and you have a very nice way of telling things. Sinds i whas a kid i whas crazy about audio and music. I still wonder what sounds the best vintage ore a modern high end amp . I love the looks of vintage special marantz looks sound en building quality . Thanks sharing your passion lots of love from Holland.
Just came across this video again - a little over a year ago I watched this for the first time. I had been listening to some vintage gear for a few years, but I wanted to start exploring the vintage options out there. A couple dozen sets of vintage speakers, integrated amplifier and receivers later I've settle into some pieces that really work for me. Sansui turned out to be my preferred pre and amplifier sound - in particular the AU-555a with an @leestereo renovation, as well as the AU-117 thru AU-717 series of integrated amplifiers. Klipsch Forte ii speakers with @critesspeakers upgrades - has really worked. ADS speakers also really sound good to me. Thanks for this video. Definitely inspired me with the truth that this old gear just sounds better. NO MICROCHIPS.
Interesting to hear thanks for sharing your info cheers K
I have a Sansui 9090db hooked to a pair of Pioneer HPM-1500's I got when I was in the Navy, in those days the US bases in Japan and the Navy Exchange Catalog had a great selection of Japanese audio gear (camera gear as well) and the prices were nearly at cost. To this day I have not heard a better sounding receiver, even my 6 channel Sony. I keep my Sansui and speakers that I have re-coned twice now in my basement play room with the pool table. I have friends that had never heard a high end Japanese system from those days and are just amazed how good it sounds and one of the most common comments is how "full" the sound is. Unlike the models in your video the 9090db has some serious power at 125 WRMS per channel, plenty to power any speaker of your choice.
Optonica was Sharp's Prestige Range. There's a SA 3131 receiver for £240 on eBay. Sharp made excellent-sounding personal mini disc recorders.
Hi yes I meant to say that it was manufactured by sharp but I forgot interesting to see if that receiver sells on eBay for £240 I’m going to guess it won’t because there is no known reputation and personally I would say that was correct simultaneously it’s big it lights up and it’s got tons of switches which is part of the attraction K
@@stereoreviewx optonica is easy to find in north america , they sold more units under that name than the Sharp brand
@@stereoreviewx Hi. You did actually mention the brand was made by Sharp. I don't think many people know it was their Top Of The Range effort. I think the RP-7100 turntable with track selection is the item most seem to be interested in.
Sharp's HP-400H "Skullcrusher" headphones aren't too bad. I have a pair. What about vintage headphones?
Great video !!! My system is as follows .... A 50/50 mish mish of vintage & modern ...a onkyo tx4500 mk2. Scott 675de cassette deck a proscan CD transport & pyle pcb4 loudspeakers. This combination is sweetness & light.
in love with my Sansui AU-101!
Me too! Love mine it’s connected to a pair of Celestion 15XR’s
Yes its magic is just one of my top amps
I have the 80s version au d101. It sounds pretty decent to my ears. Has that smooth sansui sound
I love the AU-101!! connected to B&W dma2a monitor speakers. Revised the amp last year. It will work for the next 40 years
@@josdejong58 just got mine recapped yesterday and am shocked on how good it sounds now! and i was impressed before the recap
Nicely done K. Straight talk. Refreshing to watch as usual you bring it home on a level... ‘love the ‘button festival bit’ :-)
Hilarious....
A nice, realistic way of explaining vintage sound. I get it. I would like to hear your opinion on vintage Harman Kardons, since I haven't heard you talk about them in your videos.
I was brought up with music coming out of a H/K 330C that my father bought new. I'm still using it today, and right now I'm actually waiting for a H/K 930 to arrive. Although I love many things about 70's aesthetics, for me the silver faced receivers/amps of the era are a bit too much. I mean, they're not bad but I wouldn't want an instrument panel out of an X-Wing sitting in my living room. There's only some many buttons you need to enjoy music. I've always thought that the H/K x30x receivers look more understated and classy.
If anyone knows how to articulate sound in words, it is you Kelvin....you know exactly how to tell anyone what sound is.....😉
knowing its vintage is the start ! that's a nice stack ! my Sansui 661 truly blew me away ! love your page !
Yeah I don’t think I found a single person that said I don’t like the Sansui sound he never happens
Hi Kelvin.I hope you can get a chance to review some vintage Harman Kardon one day. Specifically the twin power line of receivers - HK630,430,630,930's.I enjoy your work.MOre power!
Yes I think I did one or I compared it to the pioneer AMP They are nice basically Harman Carden probably not properly recognised by the public
Great video. All electronics has improved dramatically over the last 50 years...except the hifi industry lol
Not necessarily. Lots of great affordable speakers out there today that perform better than speakers from the 70s. CD and HD streaming also statistically are a big improvement over vinyl and tape. Class D amplification has become very powerful yet clean and accurate. DSP easily trumps and old rack stack graphic EQ. If anything great audio has never been so affordable thanks to technology and.... China 😕. Yes home theater AVRs are plastic faced toy boxes but they serve their purpose and theres lot of other options out there. You just never see them in a store like best buy. Many of these companies like Marantz, Denon, Onkyo, Sony, Pioneer, Yamaha still make good 2ch stereo.
LoL what it's true
He's talking about amps the speaker world has improved especially if you know how to build your own
I love the best of both worlds but vintage is my one passion for sound and appearance.. I recently came across a 1976 era Pioneer SX-550 receiver in decent shape.. Some lifting of the side panel but a tab of glue fixed and a small 1/2" or so rear top edge piece of veneer missing.. One burnt out bulb an easy replacement... Circuit board looked good and all caps on all transistors are good... A thrift store find for $9.49 and after a through cleaning and de-oxing of all switches it's now static free... Sounds great paired to a vintage New Large Advent speakers...
Well that’s a result as we say in London is kind of annoying though because we don’t have these goddamn thrift shops and charity shops here won’t sell electrical goods a lot of it gets just thrown in the recycling bin
I love vintage Audio the sound has more life to it smoother sound makes a happier experience when listening
I just have a basic setup a Harman Kardon HK6100 Amp and Yamaha HS-100 speakers seems to work well for me any way
I also think that the new equipment that you can buy now has got to the point were there just reinventing the wheel over and over and some of it has no soul of life to the music
Great video; want to see the receivers in action 😀
After collecting 150 + receivers for years and years and mostly skipping early Sony i now am a convert , together with ( early ) Sansui , some early Pioneer ( sx800a) and the HK 430 my keepers
Could you give a recommend list, as well as ones to avoid?
Two Sansui units here, their 1969 2000 and a 1970 4000 unit, paired with Zu Omen DW's and a pair of Zu DW6's on the 4000... A Mofi TT, and a, don't laugh, WiiM Pro streamer through a PS Audio Gaincell DAC/Pre, I call it FUN-FI! And it is!
I sold all of the modern gear, less the PS Audio unit...
Now, music is so much fun to listen too, I cannot believe what these two Sansui units can do, and only $400 for the pair, in working condition.
None of the modern gear, none of it, could give me the sound these two Sansui units do. Huge deep engulfing bass, airy tube like midrange, and simply delicious highs, no fatigue, no modern sterility. Just incredible what these Sansui units still can produce. I can now understand why they were so popular back in the day.
Great video Kelvin, I'm still using my 1980's NAD3150.. Just recapped and serviced it, gonna keep it going for as long as I can. Love Love it...
Your the only person I know that can even attempt to put this into words. That SONY unit must have been introduced in '74 or '75 since it has the same type of control as my (re-built) TA2000f preamp from '75. Those toggle switches last forever, much better than cheap push button "contact" switches. The selector knobs are really well constructed with a good "tactile" feel. I really like the look of the equipment back then..before everything went "powder-coat black" with cheap buttons and remote controls. I always thought Marantz should get a design award for their panel designs.
Yes, the toggle switches used on early STR series Sony receivers were ALL made out of steel, not like the later version or Pioneer type, which were partially with plastic. My STR-6050 is built like tank, will last forever.
I always thought the toggle switch was the way to go for longevity....good point
I'm a fan of vintage. I have a Luxman L-430 amp I really love along with a Thorens TD-160 turntable playing though a pair of B&W CM2 bookshelf speakers and a Polk Audio subwoofer. It all sounds great. I also have a SuperScope (Marantz) receiver playing though a pair of Acoustic Research AR94s. I'm amazed the how loud that 35 watts/channel SuperScope receiver gets. Power isn't everything. It sounds clean too. The specs say it has 1% distortion but it still sounds great.
Yes, it sounds good to me. Some valve vamps would also have one percent distortion and people are completely mad about them.
@@stereoreviewx
Yes, part of the attraction of valves (or tubes are we call them) is that little bit of distortion that can add to its warmth.
Hi Kelvin, you do make sense, yes.
At least to me :)
THANKS KELVIN…I WAS ON FIRE 🔥, BUT MY BUDGET WAS NOT…even then 😁💚💚💚
You can practically hear that Optonica screaming "Get those boat anchors off my back!!!" Says a lot about the mechanical build quality at least, even if she doesn't sound so sweet.
My first 'real' stereo was a Nikko NR-715 with a Garrard 990B turntable...don't remember the speakers. Probably sounded awful but not to me and that Nikko sure looked cool with the blue backlight and VU meters!
Thanks, good job!
I love vintage Sony sound your right
I just picked up the Marantz 6000 in your clip. I love it. Have it connected to Marantz Imperial 7's
First time I saw a video of you while searching around for sansui amps. Now I want even more to buy one.
Sansui is addictive
@@stereoreviewx Well here I am, bought a 7070! I can confirm what you saying at your video. Sound is super
@@stereoreviewx yes, addictive, that how I'd describe how I feel with my Sansui 8080. It's sweet and warm. I have Hafler and Adcom seperates but continue to be addictive to this fabulous Sansui receiver. I spent hours polishing all aluminums. Love it.
Have a technics 1970's Amp / Preamp and use it in consort with a set of old 1981 Koss Dynamite speakers and an old American "music" Sub. But it is the Maverick D1 DAC which makes the whole thing sing so well.
Very good Sir ,.....all point covered in 1video fantastic keep it up
On point, thank you. Regards from Poland.
💯🎯🎼✨
Thank you too!
Hi, really like your vids. Subscribed . Been a critical listener for 50 years, and still have excellent hearing. I am also a professional musician playing sax. My take - 1970 to 1976 - use efficient speakers since 15 to 30 watts was the norm. 1976 to 1982 gets interesting - stereo wars. Grew up on Pioneer SX Series ( SX 650) and a Marantz 15 watt receiver. What is the Sound? I would say, full (but not over powering) bass, clean treble, but , especially, warm mids that reproduce creamy sweet vocals and beautiful guitar and other acoustic instrument tones. The mids arent AM radio peaky, they are smoother. I favor the pioneer SX series and bought an SX 750 2 years ago ( a great buy at 250 with shipping). I also have 70s Kenwood and '80s NADs. The Kenwood sounds very close to the Pioneer, but isnt built with the same quality - I had to replace the power switch, and it blew a fuse after only 3 months. My NAD 3030 sounded good, but not as warm as the Pioneer - it had a bad short after a month. My 2nd NAD, a little newer, has a bad hum you cant get out of it.
My take on quality - If you want a 70s vintage unit that will keep going without major problems, stick with the 70s Pioneer SX series, up to SX _80. Their 80s stuff still sounds good, but appears to be cheaper made. Marantz has good build quality, too, but cant afford them anymore. I am using 90s Cerwin Vega SV 120s and they are a fine match for the 40 watt Pioneer. keep up the good work!
Full of older type caps and resisters, powered by low to medium wattage power transistors, real gems these amps.
Hi kelvin, I love your channel but just wanted to say that I have had several vintage receivers and amplifiers including marantz, pioneer and yamaha. For the last few years I've had a TOTL Toshiba SB620 amplifier and my dad has a Hitachi HA 7700. I can assure you both of these companies, to my ears anyway made some equipment that easily rivals the brands you have on show here. I think it's important to remember that both hitachi and toshiba made a good 50% of all the components used inside the bigger brands products and only used the best in their own. I agree that marantz and sansuis have a beautiful tone but you are truly missing out in my opinion if you haven't tried the better offerings from hitachi and toshiba. I recently had a toshiba sa 750 receiver and it knocked spots off it's pioneer 750sx equivalent. Any way great video as always. Keep up the great work.
Okay interesting
@@stereoreviewx if you look particularly at the aurex line which was toshibas best stuff and hitachis offerings from very late 70s. 5300, 7700, etc.
What a timely video. I have an Audiolab 6000A hooked up to a pair of KEF LS50 Metas and am trying to solve exactly the problem you describe. Particularly at low volumes there's just nothing to the sound - no meat, no kick, no slam. The speakers get the best write up one could hope for at the price, so I assume that the amp just doesn't have the juice for the job.
Hi Gavin well I would say a couple of things the Kef last 50 I have reviewed you can look at my channel truly they’re just not lively exciting speakers not the metas but I can’t imagine it’s enormously different.
And they definitely don’t come to life at all with low power I think I put 30 W into them and they were just super uninspiring now people say you’ve got a put power into the speakers but it seems like you need to like 200 W which seems a bit mad to me.
And expensive .
Not sure what I should say to you but part of me thinks you should just take those metas back if you can .
I can’t explain to you why they get such great ratings but I’ve got the original LS 50 is in my house and nobody that comes in here thinks they’re any good.
Good luck K
@@stereoreviewx Hi Kelvin, thanks for the reply. I've now watched your second review of the original LS50. Taking the speakers back isn't an option because I've had them since late September last year. Also, going back to a traditional HiFi setup from a Sonos Playbar caused some domestic...controversy😜...the reason I could get away with the LS50's is that they are small and look great. It has taken some living with them to put a finger on the problem.
Given how much power KEF give the LS50 Wireless II, the Audiolab 6000A can't be fully up to the task, but I totally hear and agree with most of the other things you say about the KEFs.
I do see why people like them - played with a bit of Norah Jones, or Phil Collins' Another Day in Paradise, for example, they sound stunning. They are extremely sensitive to placement and toe-in, but if in the IDEAL position, the imaging is incredible. However, how many of us have the luxury of putting speakers in exactly that sweet spot and leaving them there?
Then when I try to play some music that really rocks, I'm just not feeling it. Part of the problem is I grew up with an amazing "vintage" (it was new at the time!) HiFi in the house, consisting of a Luxman amp and a large set of Infinity speakers, with 10" woofers and EMIT tweeters. My Dad still has that system and I've yet to hear anything that comes close for all around enjoyment across almost any genre.
Lockdown permitting, I'm hoping to try the Metas with some much more high end amps to see how they sound, but it does raise the problem - it would be easy to spend money on whatever amp, have it at home for a few months, only to decide that the setup still isn't "doing it".....🤔
"Sharp mind comes sharp products" was a famous saying from Sharp. That Sony STR-7055A should put out around 50w/ch. rms. That is why it consumes over 300w power. I have Sony STR-6050 puts out only around 35w/ch. rms but this really puts out very deep bass, much more than similar Marantz, that is very good bass. Hooked up to AR3a speaker, which is NOT an efficient speaker but AR3a's bass response will go way down and this tiny 35w receiver will drive it well with very good, deep bass. So he is right about this analysis. Vintage Marantz seems to sound cleaner than Sony but vintage Sony have the guts.
Inherited my dad's old NAD receiver 7020 or something. He had with this huge old English Mordaunt speakers. When he had Jazz on Radio 3 I think used to sound really good. I would certainly recommend it and still about £100 to buy.
Love vintage stuff brilliant
No matter what your listening to on the old stuff it sounds like a spring day not an annoying grinding truck coming down your street
What is (how) the vintage Sansui AU-a707DR sound? Back in 1995, our neighbor heard of my fledgling hi fi repair / modding biz. He asked me to repair his Sansui that was dead since 1990. Long story short, the only transistors matching the burnt out ones that I have are taken from a Vietnam War era B-52 Stratofortress bomber. After fixing he said his Sansui never sounded this good when it was new. He's almost 90 now and still using the Sansui. But back in 2013, I was fortunate enough to hear an "unmodified" Sansui AU-a707DR and the one that I repaired and used by my neighbor sounds as if it was a collaboration flagship amp by Tom Evans (Michell Argo) and Antony Michaelson (Musical Fidelity ) in comparison to the original stock sound of the Sansui AU-a707DR. Some purists might find what I did a sacrilage. 🤔
Did you hear the original amp over the same speakers in the same room (same room interior) with the same music - material and the same volume and sound - settings like the repaired one of your neighbor?
You didn't do a sacrilege, you just built in fittable transistors :-)
The one I heard back in 2013 was paired with Epos ES25, same as my neighbors but the one I heard in 2013 was in a much smaller space - a second hand vinyl shop - but I noticed that its highs was less detailed than my neighbors. Speaking of military grade transistors that are encased in brass - instead of magnetic staineless steel ones for civilians - brass encased transistors have more detailed high frequencies that are easy on the ear - virtually almost sounding like vacuum tubes. But I haven't found them being sold on the civilian market since I started in hi fi back in 1985. I got my few samples from my ROTC days after the USAF Strategic Air Command was disbanded back in June 1992.
Love your videos, very informative and your enthusiasm for hifi and audio quality comes across very well on camera. Would love to see reviews of your equipment, perhaps a tour of all of your gear, amps, receivers and speakers. How do you interact with multiple amps? Do you rotate them for a few weeks as a daily kit? Do you buy and sell a lot? Anyway, great channel, I enjoy watching very much, thank you.
Great video, you really put words on what I have been feeling the last 3 years since I fell into the vintage world after getting tired of lifeless sound of a modern Nad...
Sony of that period (late 60s early 70s)are gems, if you can find str 60xx or amp TA 11xx you won't be disappointed.
It was (I believe) a complete system, with the 'Optonica' emphasis being the turntable where you could track select. The arm's 'optics' could sense the gap between tracks.
For me , the vintage sound is partly a musical sound. I have modern equipment in terms of Denon, Emotiva , Marantz & Magnat amplifiers & vintage Marantz 1122dc , Marantz 2226b , Marantz 2130. If I want to listen a whole day , I switch on the vintage gear . For short sessions the digital or new sources . Why ? Because the vintage gear does not fatigue my ears for reason that the bass is less precise and the highs are more soft. And to be honest the loudness function is amazing for background music.
Not only are those old units nice to listen to , they have functions which you have to search for nowadays , such as A+B speakers ( sometimes even C ) , loudness , tape-monitor , rec-out . If I want to record to my Revox it is almost impossible to find a hi-end amp which has a rec-out option , not so with vintage.
In case someone wants modern gear sounding like vintage , you'll have to turn to tube-amps which are hopefully not tweaked to sound like transistors & use an external vintage pre-amp with rec-out if you want to record.
In pure terms of quality the modern gear will offer a better soundstage, details , but that is not always a positive, certainly not with bad mastered cd's.
Oh yes true model lamps really give you many functions and if they do you have to pay for them
And between you and me I like having buttons to press😂
Great video! You are just as enjoyable as a good sounding vintage system.
I have owned Quad and Harman Kardon and hope the collectors of the heavy huge gear will still remain among for the historical value. For use I prefer the lighter model amps since fm is off the cable in my country and tuners become obsolete (hifi shops give them almost away for free). Also given I only aux with a pre-amp / streamer and maybe a record player again someday.. makes the less weight, bells and whistles the better. And that brushed steel front is a big plus. The lighter Sansui and Pioneer models are my current favorites.
Well I’m sure you know, I’m a mad fan for Sansui
Bought a Marantz 2270 in 1973. Loved it. It was musical, but I was later seduced by "technical improvements" and by 1985 I traded it for new Yamaha separates. Long way around but I just bought a Marantz 2215b. Only 15 watts per channel and very few buttons paired for now with Klipsch RB-5 speakers. However, my "new" low power 50 year old Marantz is a musical masterpiece. To me, vintage sound is robustly musical, not technical. Besides, it just looks fantastic vs today's electronics.
I completely agree with you Sir. I own new Technics Su g700 mk2, Nad 3020B, pioneerA-400 and kenwood/trio Ka 4002. From all of those amps Kenwood sound excellent like you described. Ist only 18W but can drive really nicely my pair of Monitor Audio Gold GS60 at reasonable volume. Sound is round , mids are velvety and warm. Bass is bug and punchy ( very similar fo nad 3020) mids are present in the room almost like the singer is in front of us . New Technics is good but it's analytical, dynamic and precise but it's learning me wanting that old sound . kenwood sound a bit valvey . I love Nad sound but bass is a bit overcooked . PioneerA-400 is really nice too with sound stage much bigger then kenwood and nad but bass can get a bit boomy . Vocals are really forward and present . Really like it with woman vocals . All of them are different and I'm no saying that new Technics is not bad but it's a bit castrated from that worth and loveliness. Love you channel great work Sir 👍
Try some Sansui stuff. You would be surprised
I got a "Pioneer SA-410" amplifier in my basement that was what we had at home when I grew up.
I still have dreams about the sweet delicate warm sound of music playing on that.
A sound I feel I am not able to hear that sound any more from modern setups.
Anyway. The speakers we had then is long gone, So I have thought about getting new speakers for it for a while, but are not sure what I need to get to replicate the sound I remember.
I guess the speakers has a lot to do with it as well.
I think Pioneer is special....had a Yamaha and now have an ONKYO...but Pioneer is that sound that I think I want....bassy super non fatiguing....hard to explain
I have an old Panasonic 8-track receiver/ recorder lol. Works perfect and used everyday
Kelvin it would be great if you could arrange sound comparison especially with the speakers :-)
I began my audio adventure by buying new audio equipment: Nad 325BEE amplifier, Audio Monitor Bronze speakers, replaced by Tannoy Sensys DC2 speakers later. There was always something missing, I was never happy and always searching. I had a clear, transparent, resolute sound and no music. Helped by a friend I switched to vintage staff and I am so much happier. Great review, your explanations are spot on.
That’s interesting to hear K
Though you got a point with the "button festival", exchanging the preamp with a tube pre amp is not a good idea though, because tube preamps - especially with phono sections that is - are so expensive, you better get a vintage tube receiver and have it serviced - and still are better off. Soundwise anyway.
There is a case for tube preamps, but not to drive mediocre low watt mid-fi receivers, but "real" - and expensive poweramps.
The better choice are high sensitivity speakers with full tube amplification.
Nice video's Kelvin; i agree, ik like the vintage sound also. Now playing with a restored Sansui AU-515(1978); Spotify on laptop>Micro Mega dac>Sansui AU-515> Dali Oberon 5 (just bought a month ago). Sounds great, for my ears at least.
Sorry.sorry its the Sansui AU-505.
Some cheaper vintage stuff are solid too. Technics, hitachi, realistic, akai, are rly good for their
Another video! I always wondered how it would sound to add a tube amp using an integrated as a power amp. I may try a tube amp if I can find one at a decent price.
Yes vintage parent section more modern valve section sounds like a winner to me
Once again, nice video. Learned a lot from you, keep it coming K
Thank you for getting back to me k. Got a sansui 331 ebay 100 squids but only one channel working the seller thinks this may have happened in transit....tut,tut,tut....He did offer giving money back as I politely reused and am gonna return it...A bit nauseating, however the one channel that was working...my god was amazing!! I get you first hand ma man in the room and REAL... I get it and am hooked on that quality sound that to me is a bit valve like lossless high end treat for the eargasm experience...I GET IT K....thank you
Yeah be careful though it’s incredibly easy to think it’s not working I do it all the time unplug everything and plug it back in and then swap your input do some deduction
Try headphones to if you can that will make you know whether it’s the speakers
I enjoy your videos! Thanks for posting
My sansui 441 pushes 11 Watts it sounds as good if not better than my Kenwood which pushes 80 watts. The difference in the two is the sansui magnifies instruments and makes them sound phenomenal while the Kenwood magnifies vocals and makes them sound like they're right in front of you. If I could just get the two together it would be phenomenal!
Let me know if it happens
Already using the old technology and the new technology with streaming music on CZcams everything in HD and remastered playing this through aux on the old equipment the sound is nothing like before even with vinyl! It's kind of like the two technologies finally had their chance to meet and come together and create something special!
I like "button festival" also. Have you seen Sony TAE-8450? That comes with zillions of buttons.
another great video Kelvin so passionate about audio .always look forward to your videos 😊😊😊
Good video Kelvin, would be really interested in your review of the Sony STR 7055, I’ve had one since 1976...
Coming up soon my friend
@@stereoreviewx Thank you for the review. It's a pity that I don't know English. But I still have a Sony STR 7055 playing and it's great! I'm also waiting for a video about it with detailed work in practical use. There is also a Toshiba sa-304
Can I please suggest that you review the Arcam AV50. It's a 5 channel amp, and you can get some (in my case home made braided) interconnects and connect the tape and video outputs to the processor input and have it biamping in one box. They are pretty cheap, being an old AV amp, and for this price I think they are probably exceptional. I note that the Arcam AVR350 and AVR 600, for instance, will let you biamp in the set up menu. This AV50 is an older beast though, and more in keeping with the vintage theme of your channel. Arcam were always very keen for people to biamp and I'm sure it was very good for their profits, but it does seem to improve the sound a lot. It also has an enormous transformer to power all those channels. Maybe that helps.
Also, I'd be very interested to hear what you think of the NAD 302, how it compares with the NAD 3020. Is it an improvement, as the 3020 is where the original reputation was. Inside they look very different beasts. Incidentally the speakers run through the headphone sockets on these amps, so unplugging the headphones with the volume up while playing destroys the contacts in the socket which is in the speaker path. I've had to do extensive rerouting to bypass this on my amp with a dedicated speaker switch, and replaced the source switches, and put in a volume control switch so that the volume control can run near to maximum, all of which I think have made a big difference for little money. Food for thought.
Can’t beat the sound from vintage hifi
Another great great presentation... I was wondering how do vintage amps from the same company sound compared with newer ones. I have a marantz pm7000...how could it stand against a vintage marantz?
Well I would say it will be different
It’s the times that seem to change the sound everyone cheap and things everyone used different components across time
I wouldn’t think I Marantz today had almost anything to do with the Marantz of the 70s
And so many of these companies were bought by larger companies
Sansui's are just... G O O D. and all those other ones... :)
Great video again Kelvin,if I remember right the Optonica gear was made by Sharp.
Yes you’re right I meant to say that it says it on the back actually
1978's full stock Nikko NA-550 here ! Better sound (acording my taste) on my new JMR Lunna than a Dayens Menuetto or, more surprisingly, than a Sugden A21 Signature, all tried during several days at home (the Nikko is in the family since 2005).
I'm a fussy person with sound too. I like the bunch and clearty.
I love the sound of this old kit but let's have it true, it's coloured, scooped in midrange to give a pleasing deep lows & crisp highs. That's the classic HiFi sound. As a musician & recording engineer with very neutral gear in my studio you'll be gobsmacked at the difference. That said, I do have some Mission 751s powered by an old Kenwood amp for reference.
Agreed, but I just want to say this: on these coloured vintage systems, I can submerge myself in their sound for hours and not feeling any fatigue, in fact, I just want more. When playing those modern and more accurate gears, I normally stop after one album or less.
@@kclee1 yep very true. The equipment plays it's part in what the listener gets from the music. If we love a pair of favourite speakers & nearly everything sounds great on them, then it's irrelevant how accurate the are. It's a very personal thing. Sound engineers need to realise that too.
As a sound engineer I spend a lot of time eqing the room and often each voice and instrument. I do mostly live sound so I know how it is supposed to sound. At home I mostly listen to vintage gear. I've had monster receivers like a Kenwood 8010 125WPC a Yamaha R-100 100WPC but my favorite is a Yamaha CR-820 55WPC. Warm yet crisp. I currently use a McIntosh C-26 preamp and 2100 power amp through ADS L710's. People all think I will have a $50,000+ system at home. I have heard some that sound amazing and many that look cool, yet don't match my old gear for musicality.
Very good video. Thanks for your work!