Doesn't hifi already employ a very liberal usage of meaningless superlatives? Just as "reserve" has no agreed upon, or legal definition in the wine biz, "reference" appears on many audio products that just ain't, right? I actually stumbled upon this site as I was searching for yet another Pioneer SX series receiver about six years ago, and because of landing here gifted away all of my Marantz, Pioneer stuff. (For the record I continue to have a soft spot in me head for Pioneer, Marantz, and Sansui receivers.) My ex gf has both a Pioneer and a Marantz receiver in her home...
Obviously I have a somewhat local "guy" who is capable of keeping them running. There's always a "guy."
To the topic, I suggest that to be considered vintage a piece of gear should be at least 21 years old. (Cars are registered as "classic" at 20 years, correct?) I cannot think of a piece of consumer-grade gear from 21 years ago that is anywhere near as popular as those 1970's era stereo receivers still are - but then, I was out of the audio game for a good stretch of time. It was searching for that Pioneer receiver that started me again.
This being suggested, the pair of Klipsch CF-3 towers that I bought when I first moved into this house 25 years ago would qualify. (And they still have a somewhat devoted following amongst Klipschsters currently.) The Bob Carver cube amp that powered them would also qualify even though I forget what the model designation was. Definitely the NAD 7020 PE receiver I had whilst living on the beach would qualify, as well.
I believe that I may have used a Pioneer receiver along with those Klipsch, but I can't be 100% certain. I never got into separates before finding this site, so I am obviously dismissing a LOT of gear that contributors to this thread are still fond of.
I'd like to read about 'em.
