need recs for vintage hi-fi receiver for monitoring

[theloniusjones]

i've decided to go with an older model hi-fi receiver to power my yorkville ysm-1 passive monitors, and i'm planning on searching classifieds and ebay to find one. the reason i'm going with a receiver over a power amp is that i'm also going to use this setup for pleasure listening and i'll need to connect it to my record player, sacd/cd player, etc. in addition to my computer. i also just like the look of vintage receivers. i've also read that some studios monitor with high-end vintage hi-fi receivers instead of power amps. anyway i was wondering if anyone had recommendations for a particular brand or model. i'm thinking of going with something from the 70's or 80's. it seems like i've read some good things about nad here. any help would be much appreciated. thanks! tim

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Thelon-Tim:

I use the Yamaha AX-392 integrated stereo amp -- marvelous unit.

There are plenty of ins: CD, AUX, phono, and two cassette decks. The 392 also comes with a "pure through" switch -- cuts off any coloration from the amp but there isn't much.

Also, I run a set of monitors and hi/fi speakers through the unit. You can record from CD to either tape deck or from deck to deck, etc.

I run the stereo outs from my 2816 directly into the unit so I can listen to the mix before I do the stereo track and later, a CD.

As I recall, this unit runs around 500 dollars new. Might be tough to find one but I think the unit is still produced.

There are many others, some may not have enough inputs for what you described.

Good luck shopping.

Green Hornet

 

[theloniusjones]

thanks hornet - i'm looking into the yam. seems like it's a newer model - does anybody have any experience with the older 70's and 80's receivers? some names i've heard searching on the net have been nad, marantz, harman-kardon, and mcintosh. call me crazy, but i just like the look of the old receivers - the silver faceplate and the whole feel of the tubes warming up. reminds me of my dad's system when i was a kid. anyhow, any recommendations would be great.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Marantz and Macintosh are popular. Monty is a member here who seems to be up on some of the older receivers. You can usually find him in The Cave.

Personally I could find better ways to spend a few grand but to each his own.

 

[reel buzzer]

Man that sounds like a cozy setup to me. Harmon-Kardon made this receiver that has a joy stick for quadra-phonic sound to 4 speakers.
You could twirl it around and make the music travel around the room or do other quad image tricks with it.
I wish I still had that thing. Sold it at a garage sale.

 

[tonyA]

I would go with Green Hornet's advise. The YAMAHA amps and receivers of the late 70's and 80's deliver a very natural sound and they offer those additional "through" connections for a totally uncolored sound.

The Mid 70's Marantz (I have them) will make your sound great. They normally have tubes. But for the studio, this is not accurate.

Hope that helps.

 

[theloniusjones]

hornet or anyone else - i'm having trouble finding the yamaha ax-392. any ideas where i might find it? about what year was it made?