which one to choose

[jim5057]

Hi my first post so hope you can help.

I have been looking at vintage receivers seeing that I have vintage speakers. Tannoy Monitor Golds. Three have caught my eye. If they could give the same level of performance as my speakers. Then I will be happy.

Marantz 2270
Yamaha CR-2020
Sony STR-6060F

The Yamaha and the Marantz are really nice lookers, the Sony more of a solid look. In the end it's which wins in the sound and looks next for me. Your thoughts on these would be most appreciate. Hope you can help. Jim.

[danilo]

Have owned My golds since new.
I've tried a 'lot' of amps over the decades
Seriously suggest getting a Pass labs or Firstwatt etc amplifier... pick one :-) these really do produce Magic on Alnico Tannoys.
Interestingly, a Class A amp is about as vintage a concept as electrical amplifiers.
Nelson Pass uses HPDs as his reference speakers.. to evaluate his constant stream of amp designs.
Tannoys may be vintage designs but they respond astoundingly well to upstream gear quality.. more so than most others.
Don't hobble them with mediocre gear.
G'luck

[walpurgis]

Yes. I agree with Danilo. Class A works extremely well with Tannoys. That's what I have too. A vintage receiver would be a disaster in my system.

[Firebottle]

Armstrong 600 series possibly?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291741980491?rmvSB=true

[jim5057]

Hi danilo and walpurgis.

Have you both tried any recievers from the 60s or 70s? Some regard old receivers as better sounding as the new amps and tuners. The three I chose were either top of the range or the next one down.

Thank you fire bottle, will investigate.

Thanks Jim.

[walpurgis]

I had a liking for seventies Harman Kardon and Luxman receivers. They sounded pretty good to me. They are in my view not the ideal option for use with vintage Tannoys though.



If the budget extends to it, I'd suggest having a look at something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USHER-R-1-5-class-a-power-amp-150-watts-channel-/281995537860?hash=item41a83e6dc4:g:JvwAAOSw8RJXBiM J

Used with a decent pre-amp, passive or TVC, the sound should be very nice.


Or this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-CA-1000-MK-II-Class-A-Natural-Sound-Stereo-Amplifier-Classic-Vintage-1973-/272218503206?hash=item3f617cb826:g:JvwAAOSwgk1XF66 a

The Yamaha runs in Class A at normal listening levels, moving to A/B operation at higher levels. The sound is excellent. This one was top of the range at the time.


Or maybe a Sugden? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sugden-A-21a-Class-A-Amplifier-/301931668526?hash=item464c87a42e:g:ArkAAOSwu1VW6vX 4 Very lucid sound.


A Leak perhaps? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/leak-stereo-20-amplifier-GOOD-example-serviced-and-working-well-valve-tube-amp-/252187846540?hash=item3ab791278c:g:W5kAAOSwHQ9WWB~ G

The Leak works well with Tannoys and sounds very sweet, surprisingly punchy too. It's a combination I've used many times. This also only needs a passive pre-amp, although an active one can of course be employed.

[jim5057]

Hi again

Went on the hilberlink site which like Tannoy gold's. What about luxman M4000.

[walpurgis]

Hi again

Went on the hilberlink site which like Tannoy gold's. What about luxman M4000.

It'll be powerful, but Tannoys will reveal any graininess at the top if present. Also, it's an old amp and will likely have aging components, so if not already done, a full (and probably expensive) service would be very wise. Some replacement parts might be tricky to find.

[walpurgis]

Have you seen this sale thread?

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?43585-FS-Restek-Challenger-integrated-amp-130wpc

Could be the answer to your quest. Great price too. And the seller Jerry is a decent bloke.

[jim5057]

Hi

They may be hard to find too. Just taking a peek at the Usher. It sounds like it may be a contender. Have they finished trading. It's a beast.

[Pieoftheday]

Hi

They may be hard to find too. Just taking a peek at the Usher. It sounds like it may be a contender. Have they finished trading. It's a beast.

usher are still trading and the R1.5 still shows on their website, Mackenzie hifi have them £2249 new, certainly looks a beast:)

[walpurgis]

certainly looks a beast:)

Yes. It does look the part. I'd like one myself, Usher gear is extremely well made. Their amp looks like a bigger version of the amp I'm currently using.

[Pieoftheday]

Yes. It does look the part. I'd like one myself, Usher gear is extremely well made. Their amp looks like a bigger version of the amp I'm currently using.

I bet it would get my s520's to boogie:)

[walpurgis]

I bet it would get my s520's to boogie:)

While I had my S520s, they were on the end of my Class A amp and sounded great!

[Pieoftheday]

While I had my S520s, they were on the end of my Class A amp and sounded great!

I was going to get mine out again to try with my freshly serviced quad 306, I'm buggered if I can find my stands though:scratch:

[sumday]

hi james...I would go for the Yamaha.
I had a cr1020 a few years back and it was a great with all types of kit.
sadly I let it go in swap for a TT just as the price of this style of vintage kit was about to climb to the moon.

one thing to bear in mind with the CRs is the preamp section runs mighty hot....almost all will show some staining around the silver grille on top...you may need to have some parts in this section replaced.....and buy yourself a can of switchcleaner, you will need it!!

NIGE.