A five-year-old surround-sound receiver has all the appeal of a five-year-old banana. But a five-year-old (or even 25-year-old) stereo amplifier might sound and perform every bit as good as one built last month. Much stereo equipment is timeless, which is why so many audio enthusiasts are getting back into vintage gear. And a lot of old stereo gear is also extremely affordable.
These old-school components still sound great today - and you can pick 'em up for a song.
Here are five vintage amps and preamps I've had great experiences with - and in a couple of cases still own and use. If you see these guys selling on eBay or Audiogon for a reasonable price (or even better, at a garage sale for a crazily reasonable price), give 'em serious consideration if you're in the market for something in that vein.
Kenwood KR-6170 "Jumbo Jet" stereo receiver Pictured above
Today's A/V receivers may seem feature-packed, but the KR-6170 makes them seem pathetically parsimonious. This fabled early-1970s receiver, commonly referred to as the "Jumbo Jet," is stuffed with features you'll never see on anything made today. Front and center is a spring-loaded sleep timer knob that works just like the heat lamp timers you find in motel bathrooms. A built-in rhythm box gives you a dozen different ultra-cheezy beats, and you can plug in a guitar and a microphone and play right along. There's even a spring reverb, the same type found in classic Fender guitar amps. Choose from the 50-watt, 100-watt or "full power" setting. I don't know what the KR-6170 originally cost, but you should be able to pick one up for $100 to $300. I got to play with one during my recent visit to vintage dealer Innovative Audio, and I guarantee it'll inspire more conversation and admiration than even the most high-end A/V receiver made today.
Sound+Vision gets under the hood of the best new audio and video gear—and goes behind the scenes on the music and movies that make the tech worth owning.
View the original article here
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.
