Suggestions on a good mid-fi receiver?

[IROC]

OK, the thread on refoaming speakers got me thinking. I currently have a worn out Denon receiver that I use with an extra set of speakers (refoamed Advents that sound really good) in a bonus room. I bought the receiver off of ebay for dirt cheap years ago just to have something to power the speakers.

I have been casually looking for something better, but I'm not sure what to look for. This would be purely for 2-channel stuff - don't need an A/V receiver for sure. I'd like something good without spending a fortune. I'd rather have something interesting than new. I'm thinking an old Yamaha, NAD, something like that. Probably 50 watts per channel or so with good signal to noise, THD, etc. Budget would be less than say...$400. I only say "mid-fi" because I don't want a cheapo from Radio Shack, but I don't want a Krell amp, either.

Any ideas?

[myamoto1]

Yamaha RX-770

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/yamaha/receivers/rx-770/PRD_118863_1593crx.aspx

Way under your $400 budget, if you can find one. The only downside is if you use an external amp, you can't use the "Pure Direct" button (not sure that's the exact name). I had that hooked up to a pair of Paradigm Studio 20's V3 in our bedroom and it was fantastic. Unfortunately, the wife isn't a fan of "ugly electronic junk" and it now sits in my garage

[IROC]

Originally Posted by myamoto1

Yamaha RX-770

Good suggestion. Reading the audioreview comments make it sound like what I'm looking for.

BTW, I used to love those Paradigm Studio 20s...

[tchanson]

For your budget, this two channel NAD C-720BEE would fit the bill nicely.

And, its on sale for $399 at Audio Advisor, who are great people to deal with. Free shipping, too.












Tim

[nostatic]

+1 for NAD

[rammstein]

Before I curtailed my spending 2 years ago, I was looking into audio gear. Ended up realizing that I couldn't afford a truly good A/V setup, so I started looking at 2-Channel. The NAD gear really sounded good to me. I like their basic concept- simple face, no flashiness, but really good guts. I'd find a local place with NAD gear and bring your speakers in and give it a whirl.

[Rot 911]

Get away from digital and you won't wear the equipment out. I still have the Sansui amp and tuner I bought in Germany while in the Army back in 1976. Still going strong. And you can find these units on ebay for much less than $400!

[IROC]

I like the NAD stuff for sure. I'll check that out also...

Good suggestions!

[Heel n Toe]

Give Onkyo a listen... they make solid stuff... excellent, clean, warm sound.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_580TX8255/Onkyo-TX-8255.html?search=onkyo+stereo+receivers

Excellent receiver for the money.
Written By , Salt Lake City, UT on Saturday, September 20, 2008

This unit honestly lives up to the description. All I wanted was a receiver for
listening to music and I didn't want to pay for home theater features that I wouldn't use. The 8255 was exactly what I needed. It's a very well built and sharp looking outfit with the best sounding AM/FM tuner I've ever heard. One feature that impressed me most was the Phono input. The sound quality produced when connected to my SL-1200MK2 turntable with a Shure M97 cartridge was absolutely outstanding. It's nice to see there's still someone who hasn't forgotten us vinyl aficionados. And with the tape and line inputs there's room for both my cassette decks, CD player and my
other Technics turntable. The output to the speakers is very clean and more than enough to fill my living room with fine audio. This is the first Onkyo product I've ever owned and it certainly appears to be a good one!

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_580TX8255/Onkyo-TX-8255.html?search=onkyo+stereo+receivers&tp=179&tab=review

http://www.hometech.com/hts/item.html?item=ON-TX8555

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by tchanson

For your budget, this two channel NAD C-720BEE would fit the bill nicely.

And, its on sale for $399 at Audio Advisor, who are great people to deal with. Free shipping, too.



Tim

Have had this identical receiver in our family room system for a couple of years. Great choice. If you're after something more interesting, I picked up an older (late 70's) Rotel receiver about a year ago that sees daily use in our downstairs den. Great sound, looks cool, and reliable as a brick. Lots of cool stuff out there. Lastly, I have a Sansui AU-717 Integrated that I bought new back in 78 (ish). Also sees frequent use in our sunroom. Check Audiogon for all kinds of cool vintage gear that wont break the bank.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

Get away from digital and you won't wear the equipment out. I still have the Sansui amp and tuner I bought in Germany while in the Army back in 1976. Still going strong. And you can find these units on ebay for much less than $400!

Yep, I have a Marantz two-channel amp sitting in my garage waiting for a bigger house for a dedicated music system.

I'd buy a used Marantz off of eBay any day over most new stuff.

The old stuff also uses leaded solder, and won't die in a few years because of tin whiskers.

[myamoto1]

Audiogon is a great resource for finding gear, but it's typically higher end gear. My only caution w/ buying older tube gear is the condition. Most folks now-a-days research the internet to find out what their "junk" is worth. If you're picking up an older tube integrated amp for next to no money, make sure you audition it first. Check the sound a lower levels, as a lot of background noise is hidden at higher levels. If you hear any, there's a good chance the unit needs a good cleaning or worse, the tubes are on their way out. You're looking at $50 to several hundred for that.

[IROC]

Well, I'm not looking for an old tube amp (I'll save tubes for my guitar amp ) so something solid state is fine. It just seems like some of the newer stuff is focused on home theater and to me just doesn't sound as good (and I don't even have golden ears). I like the NAD and Yamaha suggestions for sure. My Dad had a Yamaha CR-220 receiver paired with the Advents I have now back in the late '70s and it sounded wonderful.

I had actually been looking for NAD stuff on my local craigslist, but didn't know what was good or bad...

Thanks for the suggestions!

[70SATMan]

You wont go wrong with 70s Sansui, Marantz or Harmon Kardon. Really a golden era of brick shyte house builds and low THD wars. I like the dual power supply Sansui receivers.

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Give Onkyo a listen... they make solid stuff... excellent, clean, warm sound.

Yep....I like the old Onkyo tape decks but, am probably going to try and find an older Nak.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by IROC

Well, I'm not looking for an old tube amp (I'll save tubes for my guitar amp ) so something solid state is fine. It just seems like some of the newer stuff is focused on home theater and to me just doesn't sound as good (and I don't even have golden ears). I like the NAD and Yamaha suggestions for sure. My Dad had a Yamaha CR-220 receiver paired with the Advents I have now back in the late '70s and it sounded wonderful.

I had actually been looking for NAD stuff on my local craigslist, but didn't know what was good or bad...

Thanks for the suggestions!

I recently sold an NAD 7240PE receiver for $80. Sweet piece but I just didn't use it any more. Mine was from the late 80's. Look for a used NAD receiver and you likely can get a killer deal. Many clean ones out there that have been put in the closet, replaced by A/V units.

[tabs]

Look At McIntosh..American bilt, made to last a lifetime or TWO.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I have my dad's old Marantz 2238B . Made in the 70's, built like a tank. SOunds awesome to this day.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Not the same one I have. Wonderful fit and finish on the thing.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by tchanson

Audio Advisor

+ 1. They are a dealer of ours. I have known Wayne (the owner) for over 10 years. A loyal, reputable dealer.

Ian