2. misc-audio
  3. 1193061574

Need ideas for replacing a Tandberg receiver.

I have a early-1980's vintage Tandberg tr-2080 stereo receiver (100w/channel) that I use in my 2 channel A/V system. REcently, I have relegated it to another use and I would like to replace it with another receiver. I loved the sound of this unit (smooth , powerful and sweet would be a good description) in my system and would like to replace it with something similar or slightly better, probably something I would acquire second hand off of Audiogon or ebay. I'm looking for suggestions. If anybody has experience upgrading or replacing a similar Tandberg unit specifically with good results, I would be interested in hearing. ALso, if anyone has had a similar TANdberg unit refurbished successfully for reasonable cost, I would be interested in any leads regarding where to send my 2080 to get it fixed up, if you think this would be a good investment. The unit has had some bulbs out for years but has worked well (with occasional switch cleanings) over the years. REcently, I'm experiencing more serious trouble with the volume going intermittently on the right channel, so I have switched it for use as a power amp only for now.

THanks in advance for any advice.
128x128mapman

Showing 3 responses by rar1

rar1's avatar
rar1
1,745 posts
 
The Soundsmith in Peekskill, NY specializes in Tandberg repair.

Regards,

Rich
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,745 posts
 
Hi Mapman:

I had vintage Marantz receivers (2216B and 2240) in service for a number of years. What did I like? The very warm sound with both the amplifier and the tuner. The Marantz seemed to handle CD players pretty well.

I never paired the vintage Marantz receivers with vintage speakers and that may be where I went wrong. Over the years, I began to realize/believe that vintage receivers must be paired with vintage speakers, as "garden variety" modern era speakers are designed to be more accurate than most vintage speakers ever were.

I could be all wet with this theory, but I was never quite satisfied with the Marantz' performance and I had wanted a Marantz since I was 15 (1972). The Tandbergs are in a similar, but different league as the Marantz receivers. I went through a whole number of small monitors with the Marantz (B&W, EPOS, Wharfedale, Omega) and only NHT SB2's really worked for me.

I have been extremely satisfied with the Outlaw and Rega Ara speakers. The Outlaw is a bit more detailed sounding than the Marantz, but also more alive sounding. The Outlaw is still warm and musical, but it has a nice pop to it. I wound up giving my Marantz 2240 to Les Paul last year. The 2216B sits in a closet.

Restoring your Tandberg will wind up costing you somewhere around $400 to $500. Before you go the restore route, I wonder what your other plans are. The Outlaw at $650 is equal to anything that I have heard under $1000.

Regards,

Rich
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,745 posts
 
Which Tech Hi Fi did you work at ... the one on 8th Street in the Village (opposite from Shakespeare's)? I lived at that store when I was going to NYU in the late 70's.

It's interesting that the Tandberg and the Triangles go so well together, as the Titus is known for its speed and pairing up with tubes.

The FM tuner is the icing on the cake with the Outlaw RR2150. Outlaw's owner, Peter Tribeman, is a radio fanatic and held up release of the Outlaw for two years to get the tuner right. The RR2150's is as good as anything in a vintage receiver and I use my unit in a steel beam and frame coop in Queens. Most stations are crystal clear and on a good night, I can pick up jazz 88 in Newark with just a set of rabbit ears.

Regards, Rich
More to discover