2. amps-preamps
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Vintage flagship japanese amps, late 70's early 80's, some questions...

Greetings to all music lovers out there.

Recently I started have interest in vintage amps, especially from late 70's and early 80's, I noticed that some high end gears from this era, from Luxman, Yamaha, Sansui, have a impressive built quality, the construction of the top of the line gears appears to be made to last a life time, for example: the integrated Sansui AU2000, Yamaha Centennial Series, Denon POA-8000 monoblocks...

I appreciate very much if enthusiasts of this types of gears can clarify some questions that I have:

For what I know, (maybe I'm wrong about this, i don't know) even considering this gears in impressive Near Mint condition, they still will need to be refurbished right? because 40 years old is too much for some internal components keep their optimum quality?

What are the situations that unfortunately, it will be impossible to make this equipments deliver their optimum performance? (remember that just Near Mint equipments are considered)

Anyone had the surprise of equipments from this era surpass the sound quality of modern gears, that you could not imagine that this would happen?

I know this question can falls down to subjective taste, and other objectives like recreate a sound experience from this era, enjoy the nostalgia of vintage equipments and etc...

but what about really be surprised by the quality of a 40 years old equipments don't loose in anything for the modern standards?

Thanks, all additional info that you can add about this subject are very much appreciated, best regards.








128x128cosmicjazz

Showing 1 response by jrpnde

jrpnde
271 posts
 
I owned a Pioneer SX1250 in the 70's for several years. Used it almost daily. Sounded pretty good with the speakers I had. After some years of use the first thing that went was the FM radio receiver section (folks listened to a lot of FM in those days). I could live with that since my serious listening was with vinyl and tapes. Then, one day, the left channel died. In those days most people just resigned themselves to buy a new amp and scrap the old.
Some of those Japanese amps were among the best that could be had. There is a nostalgic and logical purpose to restore and keep that equipment. But, as some have stated, the capability to diagnose problems and find quality parts is a challenge.
I have much respect for those who have a desire to preserve vintage equipment.

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