Receivers - Fisher Studio Standard RS-1022

I had this receiver for about a year, and used it as part of a small garage system. It sounded fine, but I never pushed it hard. I liked the styling, but wasn't a fan of the grey buttons or plastic knobs. Pioneer, during the same era, used metal knobs on most receivers, and there's a quality difference you can feel. That subtle tactile difference between often-used controls makes a difference in the long run.

Wasn't able to pull up too much info on this receiver online. Looks like it was made between 1977 and 1983, although the exact production dates are buried in the deep Web. Feel free to add any info you'd like in the comment section below or email me hificollector88 [at] gmail.com. Thanks!

Receiver - McIntosh MAC 4200

My McIntosh addiction continues to rage out of control. I found this MAC 4200 on eBay two days ago and thought it would complement my collection well. . .plus it was a local pick-up so I'd save on shipping. See all the excuses I come up with?!?

The MAC 4200 is a mean-lookin' motha. The menacingly-dark faceplate, black pushbuttons, and large red LED tuner window give this unit a real Darth Vadar feel. This is in stark contrast to the white and silver purity of the MAC 4100. This is what the 1980's did to gear design, and even McIntosh decided to follow suit with their receivers. It's okay by me - I love this look.

But this isn't what you wanted to know, now is it? How does it sound?

It sounds every bit as good as any other good-sounding receiver I own. To me, the real strength with McIntosh gear lies in its retention of value, build-quality (MTBF), brand prestige, and industrial design (in the eye of the beholder). Sure, the specs tell me that this puppy will put out cleaner sound (lower distortion) at much higher volume levels than comparable receivers, and this is a good thing, but it's not how I listen to music. Don't get me wrong - I love the idea that, if needed, I could crank this puppy up to near-clipping and it will still output clean sound, it's just that I doubt I ever will. That's what the bigger McIntosh amps in my collection are for :)

I do love the five band EQ and the variable loudness control. Typical loudness controls apply a fixed amount of compensation for listening at low volume. McIntosh employs a separate volume circuit that applies loudness proportionally. Between this and the five band EQ you can cater the sound to your listening volume and environment very effectively.

Here's the data sheet from Berners.

Have any stories or photos of your McIntosh receivers? Leave a comment or shoot me an email - thanks.

Receiver - McIntosh MAC 4100

Just picked up this very clean McIntosh MAC 4100 receiver off of CraigsList. The FM tuner section isn't working, but I'm going to remove the cover tomorrow and do a little poking around under the hood. If that doesn't do the trick then I'll take it to Brooks Berdan in Monrovia for a check-up from the feet-up.

It sounds terrific using my Sony HD radio through the Aux inputs. Dial lights are all good, the cabinet is beautiful. Strange - looks like McIntosh skimped on the cab- vinyl veneer? Will check more thoroughly manana.

Any stories about your McIntosh receivers? Comment below or shoot me an email. Or chime in on the forum!

Receiver - Sansui 7900-Z

Sansui gear has always fascinated me. They made some outstanding amps and receivers and some real clunkers - depending on the decade, usually, but this one falls outside the pattern. This 1981 little gem sounds quite good to me - both the tuner and the amp section hooked to a CD source. What it lacks in punch it makes up for in. . .well, not much compensation there, but it's perfect for a small room system. Quite an attractive dial and front panel as well.

This is not mine - had the opportunity to buy it from a pawn shop, but decided against it. They wanted $100 for it, and I think it's worth about $75. Took some pics though to share :)

Any of you have any experiences with the Sansui 7900Z? Chime in through comments or email. Thanks.

What's it worth?

In very good condition: $75 - $100

Receiver - Sony STR 6055

Took this Sony STR-6055 out of storage this past weekend and still need to do a faceplate cleaning. Can't get the left channel to work either, but I'll open it up on Sunday and poke around inside.

From what I remember, this little early 70s gem sounded really nice when it worked a couple years ago. I'll check it out and give you an update soon.

Have any stories about your Sony STR-6055 receiver? Leave a comment or shoot me an email. Thanks!

What's it worth? In this condition (without optional wood cabinet) and not working well: $25. In excellent condition with wood cabinet - $65 or whatever a collector is willing to pay.

Receiver - Realistic STA-2250

I bought this, not because of the strong Realistic legacy of producing high-quality audio gear, or because I can't wait to brag to my friends about my new Radio Shack receiver, but because it looked cool. An impulse buy, if you will. I'm a bit disappointed in the FM section of this. It is nearly 30 years old, so perhaps it just needs a tune-up.

Looks nice though, and will look even better after a shine-up. Real walnut veneer side panels - perhaps one of the last years for wood on receivers until Onkyo used it in the mid-80s in its Integra line.

How does it sound? Okay. Didn't blow me away, but I also didn't put much time into critical listening in my garage. On par with a lower-end Pioneer, I'd say. Not too much punch, but 50 watts of fairly clean power should be fine for a small space and a pair of bookshelf speakers.

Not impressed by the speaker terminals though - flat head screw-tight - they're SO 1969! Unless you're McIntosh and can simply get away with user-hostile terminals like that because you're. . .McIntosh (geesh!), you've got to get with the program. C'mon, folks. I suppose they had to make cuts somewhere to afford the wood.

Have any experiences with the Realistic STA-2250? I'd like to hear your story.

Receiver - Fisher 395b

Another fine specimen from the late 1960s, the Fisher 395b receiver. Rare? I don't know for sure, but if Google is any indication. . .well, here - go ahead and type "Fisher 395" into Google and see what comes up. Want a laugh? Try typing "Fisher 395b". This page will probably be the only result of your query.

So, with little-to-no information on this item I'll need the help of the HiFiCollector.com community to fill in the blanks.

In the meantime. . .How did it sound? Old. This unit, like so many others in my collection, needed some serious TLC which I was unable to provide. I did trade this unit to a buddy for a pair of DCM 400 speakers - nice deal. Unless of course this Fisher turns out to be part of the private collection of one of the engineers - a one-of-a-kind prototype worth millions. Naw. . .

Have any info on the Fisher 395b receiver? Please leave a comment or send me an email.

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Receiver - Bang & Olufsen Beomaster 1900

My Favorite System of the Week Award goes to: The Bang and Olufsen Beomaster 1900 receiver. Sorry for the stock photo - I wasn't able to get a good photo of the unit before storing it in my closet.

This beauty was launched in 1976 and was a huge departure from the more traditional gear designs of the day. . .or any day, for that matter. There may come a day in the distant future where this fits in perfectly within “normal” household decor, and I’ll betcha the keys to my flying car that it will still work perfectly then as well.

I have to wait a few days for the 2-pin DIN plugs to arrive so I can hook up my standard speakers to it. I also ordered a 5-pin DIN/RCA adapter from eBay so that I can hook up a standard CD player. This is the perfect size to fit in our guest bedroom. I can’t wait to plug it all in and test it out later this week. There are many sites on the Web describing this unit, so I’ll point you to this one for starters. Stay tuned for a full report and listening test.

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Receiver - Pioneer SX-939

I didn’t purchase this Pioneer SX-939 because the guy at the pawn shop had been told by his “source” that it was worth over $500. Even producing a print out from the Orion Blue Book couldn’t convince him to accept my offer of a very reasonable $160. So, I snapped this photo and walked out. I think the owner wanted it for himself, but if someone with enough cash walked through the door. . .well, everyone has their price.

I have never been a huge fan of the looks of the darker-faced pioneer gear from the early 1970s, and I think I know why. They say you covet what you know, familiar things. Wait, Hannibal Lecter said that. . .well, this wouldn’t be the first quote on this site form a psychopath. I didn’t start coveting hi-fi gear until I was about 12 years old. That would put the year at 1977 - past the dark-faced gear – into the brighter-faced, clear glass and stainless look. Those early days of cutting ads out of catalogs and audio magazines and taping them to my bedroom wall laid the foundation for my affinity toward the mid-to-late-70s gear I have today.

What? You had posters of Corvette’s and Charlie’s Angels on your wall as a teenager? What kind of a freak??? . . . Ahem, yes – those might be considered more “normal” things to lust after as an adolescent. Well, it took 20 years before I could afford the gear I always wanted, and another ten before collecting became an obsession, errr – hobby. So – now I collect the gear I once couldn’t afford, and instead of a wall filled with advertisements I have racks filled with actual gear. And oh yes, just for a dash of retroactive karmic adjustment, I also have a poster of Kate Jackson in a bikini on my garage wall.

Have any stories or photos about your Pioneer SX-939? Please leave a comment or send me an email.

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Receiver - Sansui 5000

This Sansui 5000 came with a beefy wooden case similar to the one on my Sansui 2000 shown HERE. I removed the case for cleaning just prior to powering it up and taking these photos. A little wasted effort as you'll read below.

What happened to the days when stereos were considered furniture? When I was ten my friend’s parents had a stereo console that spanned three quarters of the length of their living room wall. I’m talking big! NASA claimed it as one of the four features on Earth’s surface that astronauts could recognize from orbit. It was dark oak in color, had intricate lattice grills, and weighed just under 4,000 pounds. There was a Garrard record changer inside and a Fisher or Magnavox tuner – I can’t remember which. This massive, beautiful beast kept many a house party going until early morning, or so the stories went. When not in use, it was indistinguishable from a wall cabinet or large hutch. My friend and I raced Hot Wheels cars along the slick, well-polished top and tried to jump over the adjustable canyon we made with the sliding top cover. Yeah, good times. No wonder so few of these are still around.

When consoles lost popularity, stereo manufacturers continued to “dress up” their components by offering wooden cases for them. Well-made, solid wooden cases made way for wood veneer, then vinyl veneer, un-veneered plain metal, plastic, and eventually a fibrous amalgam of egg shells, baker’s yeast, and discarded pizza crust. Okay, I made that last one up. During this time, as the stereo became more and more “naked,” people found other places to put their gear. This new era of stereo shelf units not only helped get the 55 pound Kenwood off of the diaper changing table, but also resurrected the smoked glass industry which had suffered gravely, and for no good reason, for decades.

So, how does it sound? It doesn’t. I plugged it in once and it popped the speakers so bad at startup that I haven’t powered it again. I took the photos during its maiden, and only, power-up. From what I’ve read on AudioKarma, the 5000 suffered from a bad output board. Some were fixed prior to leaving the factory and some were not. The 5000A and 5000X didn’t have this problem and had other differences as well. I believe the 5000 was rated at 55 watts, but I’ve seen conflicting numbers online.

Have any stories or photos of your Sansui 5000? Please leave a comment or email me.

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Receiver - Sansui 2000X

Okay, what do the following have in common: Carmen Electra, Elizabeth Berkeley, Cameron Diaz, Sansui 2000X?

Probably more than you think.

1) They all were once considered the hottest item on the block.
2) They all have the potential of being quite stunning, depending on how well maintained they are.
3) They were all “born” in 1972.

The 2000X was one of my first vintage receivers. I found this one and a Sansui 5000 the same week and was immediately hooked on the vintage Sansui sound. With 39 watts per channel, the 2000X wasn’t a powerhouse, but remember folks – these were 1972 watts, made to be played through 1972 speakers which were rated at 30 watts continuous, 45 peak! In ten short years they’d be making boom boxes with more power, but for the Nixon era, the 2000X had enough power to draw in the neighbors for a Saturday night lunar landing BBQ.

How does it sound? Warm and full of static, but that’s not the receiver’s fault. I’m sure in its day it sounded great. The board components, caps have gone out of spec on mine and I’ve got one heck of a DC offset problem as well. BUT, like Carmen, Elizabeth, and the rest, a few minor glitches won’t tarnish this star. Someday, the 2000X will have a comeback, and when it does, it will once again rock the neighborhood under a summer sky.

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Receiver - Fisher 450-T

There are quite a few vintage Fisher collectors out there, and I ended up trading this nice unit to one for a pair of JBL bookshelf speakers. This Fisher had the optional, RK-40 remote control. Quite an advanced unit for its day, the 450-T sported a scan function in its tuner so you could remotely search for the next station on the dial or let it pick the next strongest station for you. This particular unit had a really nice walnut cabinet which had only a couple of tiny blemishes on it. By the collector's wide eyes, I could have probably asked for the keys to his car as well - he was quite taken by this 450-T. Apparently, the remote is hard to find these days, and the auto-scan function is rarely in working order. Finding value for these isn't always easy, and collectors will claw over each other to find one in great physical condition because they can always get the insides working one way or another.

How did it sound? It sounded fine (lots of help here, I know. . .) - a lot like many of the 1970 early solid state units Ive had in the past like my Harmon Kardon thirty three, Sansui 5000, etc. Again, who knows how this sounded 38 years ago when it rolled off the line. So many changes to the sound over so many years. I suppose it's fair to rate these more on how they look than sound. I've got an article in the works that I'll post on HiFiCollector.com that talks about rating the sound of vintage units. Stay tuned.

Have any photos or stories about your Fisher 450-T, please leave a comment or send an email.

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Receiver - Yamaha CR-840

This 60 WPC Yamaha CR-840 has some condition issues, and unfortunately those manifested themselves as oxidation pits and some rust. Looks like the previous owner had left this in a damp garage for the last decade or so. Still, it's nice-looking and sounds great.

How does it sound? A little warmer than I remember the other Yamaha receivers sounding. Again, with 30-year-old gear, capacitors go out of spec, wiring connections go bad, etc., so sound variance between even the same models isn't rare. Still sounds nice though - a little less "natural" sounding than most other Yamahas, and that's okay with me.

If you have any photos or stories about your Yamaha CR-840 Receiver, please leave a comment or send me an email.

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Receivers - Yamaha R-300

I sure like these Yamaha receivers from the early 80s. This one had some handsome wood grain metal going on and a striking black face. Only 30 watts per channel, but when you look this good, you don't need to show off. . . .the reciever, not me.

Have any more info, photos, video links for the Yamaha R-300? Leave a comment or send me an email.

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Receivers - Yamaha CR-440

Like the high-tech display stand? I may not be the biggest fan of early Yamaha sound, but they sure make good-looking units. This was one of the final "classic-looking" Yamaha receivers and was produced in 1980 and 1981. Only 30 watts per channel, but had that simple elegance that many collectors appreciate.

How does it sound? This unit needed some contact cleaner sprayed on all the pots (potentiometers - volume and tone controls), but once cleaned it sounded fine. Yamaha receivers to me sound very natural (perhaps their "Natural Sound" marketing claim is true?). Unlike the BIG sound of Pioneer or the bass-heavy sound of a Marantz, these sound uncolored and clean. These can be had for $30 on eBay, so go get yourself one!


If you have any photos, video links, or stories about your Yamaha CR-440, please leave a comment or email me.

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Receivers - Marantz 2245

Forty-five watts per channel of clean, warm Marantz gooey goodness. Found this one at a Goodwill store for $15.00. Static was eliminated with contact cleaner, now it works like a charm.

For me, Marantz receivers are second only to Pioneer as far as build quality and sound. They have a powerful, room-filling sound, like there's a switch for "Super Loudness" on them - kicking everything up a notch. Like your sound more natural, look to Yamaha. Want something in the middle? Try Sansui. Want to ROCK the house? Pull out the Marantz.

If you have any more info, photos, video links for the Marantz 2245, please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.

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Receivers - Marantz 2275

Another highly-successful, mass-produced receiver that has become a classic favorite amongst collectors. This one is particularly clean with all dial and indicator lights working. The tuning dial was off a little, but that doesn't matter too much to me. 75 watts per channel - clean, warm, nice sound. If you have any more info, photos, video links, stories on the 2275, please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.

Receivers - Marantz 2250B

Love that blue dial and blackout styling. This 1976 classic is rated at 50 watts per channel. I had it for a short time before trading it for the 2270. It sounded great. Have any stories, videos links, or photos of the 2250B? Please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.

Receivers - Marantz 2270

The Marantz 2270 debuted in 1971 and was manufactured for four years. This one came with the optional walnut cabinet. I love the Marantz "punch" that the receivers give to music. To me they provide a more 'colorful' sound than Pioneers of the same vintage, but this also helps them sound great at low volume. I got this one at an estate sale. It was the last one left after a collector grabbed three others, including a 2325! That's okay - I got my 2325 about two years later. Got more info, photos, video links, stories about your Marantz 2270? Please leave a comment or email me, and I'll add them to this post.