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The loudness control was meant to be used as your volume control. You were supposed to set the MAIN volume as high as you’d likely ever want it, and then adjust down using the variable loudness. Loudness controls in general were meant to compensate for the ears’ decreasing sensitivity to low frequencies at low volumes, hence the loudness control was designed to compensate for that. My current daily driver is a Kenwood KR-6600, which I love. Previously I owned a Kenwood KR-7400 which I’d owned since 2005 but was lost in a fire a year ago. Obviously I love that Kenny sound.

Fllippy switches! Who doesn’t love them? Vintage receivers are aesthetically beautiful and so full of sound.

Good Christ does this bring back some memories...I've watched most of Randy's video's and have a particular interest in the "vintage" stuff. I'm a LOT older than most of the viewers here so some of this stuff I got to experience when it was new. I still have the Marantz Model 2230 that I bought new in 1974. It was refurbished, for lack of a better word in, 1989 and still sounds great. Among others I also have a 2245 that works but needs work if that makes sense. There's also a 90"s vintage Nakamichi, Sherwood, and Harmon Kardon down in the basement that get rotated to make sure some current is going through them occasionally. This video prompted me to get the Yamaha CR-2040 that I inherited out of the shed and play around with it in the garage today. I had promised it to a friend along with some Infinity floorstander"s because she wanted a "vintage" system. I'm currently listening to this old receiver with Randy's best buy Sony SSCS-5"s that I got from Amazon for $88 bones last week. Good Lord do these old receivers put out the volume effortlessly! When I brought it home it needed to be re-lamped and the capacitors redone ( not all of them) and it needed a ton of De-Oxit on the controls but it's flawless now. I also have a couple pair of original Advent speakers that have been re-coned that still sound excellent along with other vintage NHT and Jamo and Bose 901 speakers. Some of this "Vintage" stuff is worth saving!

I still remember the day in 1980 when my dad brought home a Conion (Onkyo) receiver with cassette deck and a turntable. All metal and wood and sounded good. The only flaw was that I was listening to my LPs at a slower speed because now I know Japan used 60Hz electricity and here in Portugal it's 50Hz. When I was a kid I thought my friends' turntables were playing too fast! :)

A number of years ago I decided that I was going to buy the audio stuff I wish I could have gotten when I was younger but couldn't (you know....kinda poor). So I built an almost totally early to mid-70's pioneer system for my work office (since I spend hours upon hours there and life is too short to listen to crappy audio) which includes as the cornerstone a Pioneer SX 828 receiver. I love the sound so much that I bought and cleaned up another one for my home "man cave" and a third to cannibalize for parts as needed. At about 60wpc it certainly meets my needs!

I just bought a Yamaha CR-820. I have recently been playing Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album along with several Stones records. Many reviewers say that the Yamaha receivers of the 70s had a more clinical sound. Personally, I love the crispness of Yamahas. I think they have a much more richer warmer sound than people give them credit for. I have mine paired with two bookshelf speakers and I connected a SW and the sound is full, dynamic highs and I can dial in bass with the loudness or SW controls. The aesthetic and design of a Yamaha CR series receiver makes them among the most beautiful to look at. These rock whether they're playing or not. There's sleek mid-century vibe. While the x00 series is more powerful, my bias is for the design the 820, dials and switches look amazing. The wood cabinet just adds a classy elegance to the design. I also have a Sansui 771 and that one may sound a bit better but, aesthetically, the Yamaha is a work of art.

I have a CR-1000 and it is absolutely magnificent! I just love everything about it.

Hi Randy, After watching your great video, I decided to get my Yamaha CR-600 repaired. I bought it brand new from Harvey Radio on Long Island back in 1976 for $425. I also bought a B&O Beogram 1900 turntable that I still use with an MMC 20EN cartridge at the same time for $325. All the receiver needed were 4 new internal fuses. My friend repaired it for under $75. It sounds great (no hum completely quiet). Of course I listen to it with the JBL Stage A 130 speakers you recommended (a great match). The original speakers I used with the CR-100 were the large Advents with walnut trim and vineer purchased at another retailer the same year for $110 each. Those have new foam and new soft dome tweeters. I use the Advents currently with a Yamaha RX-A3080 home theater. All sounds great! Thanks for your inspiration and ethusiasm. I love your videos! Joe C

I love this channel - just discovered it. Vintage audio changed my life. I bought a 1973 Sansui 555A integrated amp about 10 years ago to replace my 1995 Marantz and the sound quality difference was incredible. I have since moved to a tube pre with a solid state power, but that little Sansui holds its own even again that.

The 20Hz low filter is probably to reduce woofer flutter from warps in some records.

Just stopped by to say thank you for your service, it’s your day, and thanks for rocking the cheap audio heart of us all. Rock steady brother!!!

Great review Randy, Beautiful Yamaha! I met you last Sunday on the zoom meeting and I own mainly vintage equipment and I can appreciate your enthusiasm while listening to these precious receivers. I’ve been a happy owner of my Pioneer SX-1980 since 1979 and it’s my main receiver that I listen to on a daily basis.

I love Randy the Cheapaudioman. Your so down to earth. And I like your dry sense humor. Keep up the good work. I bought the Klipsch RP150 book shelf speakers after watching Randy's review of them. And I love my new speakers. Randy is right on the money every time.

Hey Randy. I have a Yamaha CR 600 from 1974. For years it was my only electronics and did it all. Still works like charm! Enjoy your show very much

I bought mine new in 1974 and still use it every day in my woodshop (garage). That hum you have might just be the mic volume turned on to the first click. I had that one time. As soon as I turned the mic volume off the hum was gone. When I purched it I also purched some 100 watt JBL speakers that at that time were $675.00. I also bought a Gerard turntable with the wood case as well. I also bought an Akai CS-FB Stereo Cassette Deck that I probably listened to 3 or 4 cassettes. That is sitting on a cabinet in my shop unused all these years later. In later years I also bought some cheaper Kenwood speakers abiout the same size as the JBL's. The turntable is in the basement inside the house hooked up to a newer Pioneer digital reciever. I noticed just now that the lamp fo9r the dial is burned out. I LOVE the sound all these years later. 👍👍👍

Awesome video Randy, like many of the other commenters, i love the vintage era receivers from the 70’s. I have owned the Yamaha 1020 which i passed down to my brother and also owned a Harman Kardon 630 twin powered receiver. I later regretted letting them go and eventually found used ones that have gine into a couple systems in the house. They still perform beautifully and get daily use. I also own a Yammy CR-620 which is also set up in my office and gets constant use as well. The videos you produce are very enjoyable and i live that you tell it like it is and pay homage to thus classic audio era which kindled my fire for great music. Thanks for covering this topic.

Seriously? A well made video about the CR-800? Yes! Yes! Yes! I run mine with a Yamaha CDX497, a Dual1209 turntable and a cheap bluetooth tube amp over a pair Polk Signature S20E!

Terrific video Randy! Thank you. I had a kenwood KT 5500 Integrated amp from 1980 and its matching tuner. Lots of my pals had Yamaha receivers of this vintage. They are just as beautiful today (maybe more) good to know it still sounds great. Yes- to fixing the hum. 😀 keep up the great work on your videos. Thanks!

Beautiful looking receiver and amazing that they held on to all the paperwork for this long.

It warms my heart, seeing uou dedicate time to gear from the Golden age of HiFi. Gear from my youth, and still holds a prominent place in my system to this day. I enjoyed this too much, if that can be a thing. Thank you, my friend. I look forward t o more!

I love my old Kenwoods and at times get flak yet do not care since sound is subjective! Great to see you talk of this great gear. Yamaha natural sound recievers and amps are great and a lot of them from the 60's and 70's into the early 80's all were. Keep up the great work!

Very nice! I love this attention to vintage equipment. I was only 8 when this receiver was made, but I was always interested in gear, even from that age. Another great video.

Great review, great vintage stuff, keep'em coming!

OMG Randy! I had a Yamaha CR-620 restored about 6 months ago, added a DAC w/ an IR remote to finish it off. paired with Monitor Audio Bronze 100's & am just in love with it for Streaming, TV & Phono. Nice pick up, man. Its beautiful.

Prompted me to bust out the Luxman l30... Glad I did! Thanks cheapaudioman !

You picked a good one Randy. I had the 1000 and the 1020 and absolutely loved them. The 1000 has some real cool listening options such as reverse and some filters that remove certain instruments. If you can ever get your hands on a CR 1000 it will be your go to in vintage

I have a Yamaha A-S1100 and the controls are pretty much the same, thats part of the appeal of the newer Yamaha's, great build and truly a bit of a vintage look with modern tech.

I often find vintage audio gear on the sidewalk on hard rubbish day. I also found a very nice flat screen TV.

I have 2 vintage receivers. A 1981 Fisher CA-880 which kinda sits in sweet spot of 1970's build/sound quality and 80's wattage obssession. The other is 1969 Sansui 800 which I'm now compelled to hook up since it's been a while. Awesome video!

Hi CAM! Thank you for your service!

Hi cheapaudioman, I'm a big fan here from Portugal and incredibli i'm also one of your's first subscribers here in the channel (since December 2020). Love your videos and i'm a big fan of vintage gear. Yesterday i've bought my 6th vintage receiver in 18 months and one of them is the brother of your's Pioneer SX 580 ( mine is the SX 690). Keep going with your's spetacular videos

I only now just saw most of this video. I like how you have lots of love for vintage audio. I love vintage audio, it is the very thing that planted the seed for me! I recall seeing wonderful receivers like the Yamaha, etc. at homes of family friends and such when I was little. I also recall sitting there for hours just staring at them. Maybe it was the meters (I'm a meter lover) or maybe the lights on some of them (I'm a sucker for lights...remember color organs?...there ya go). Anyway, way late in life and fortunately just before the market dried up I got into vintage audio. I went through my share of receivers (often a term used interchangeably with Integrated amp back in the day. The only separation was receivers had tuners and integrated amps did not). I also went through some speakers and a tiny bit of other components. My thing was to bring these great finds back to life and I would cosmetically restore them myself, doing a tiny bit of repair work inside, but leaving the bulk of that type of work to experts. At one point I had around 7 receivers, 4 pairs of speakers, 4 or five turntables, etc. The speakers I had included Polk Sevens, DCM Timeframes and Pioneer HPM 100. The Pioneer HPMs were my favorite, they were huge and sounded really good once you mastered tuning them. The fun stuff was the receivers. I had three Pioneers up to the SX1080, Two Marantz (2250 and 2236b), Sansui 8080db and a Yamaha CR2020. The CR2020 power-wise was a brute! After I had the service done on the power board it output around 135 wpc! 15 watts over it's peak of 120 due to some fancy work my tech at the time did. It was one of my top three pieces, but for me, over the last couple of years I grew tired of its sound. I don't know what it was, but it just sounded like a wet blanket even though in perfect condition inside and out. I recently gave it up (had to in a move) because it is too hard to sell such items safely. Of everything I had I still have the following and use them from time to time: Marantz 2236- It might only be 36 wpc, but it is a lively sounding little thing, fun to listen to. Sansui 8080db - my prized piece. There is just something very unique about the Sansui sound. A solid state that sounds like a tube. Talk about raw power! Only 80 wpc (actually a lot, I know) and I don't dare turn the knob past 1/6 the way up! I'm hopefully soon going to restore the cabinet in a way. (It was recapped about 5 or 6 years ago). In fact, I am using it right now. In December I will go back to my big boy system. Pioneer PL-510A and PL530 turntables and a Denon DP47f turntable. I use these frequently! Built like brick chicken houses and deadly accurate. I don't have a modern turntable and to match any of those I would have to come up with around $9000+! The vintage receivers and such are the foundation and grandfathers to modern day high-end.

Really like those classics recivers....... And combine them with today's classic Klipsch Forte IV or Cornwall IV 😍

I got back into 2 channel audio through a Yamaha CR-820. These things are great. The variable loudness is tremendous. If you can get ahold of one of the integrated amps (CA-600, 800, 610, 810, etc) their tone controls have selectable turnover frequencies too. So much flexibility in these units, you can make it sound like whatever you want.

C A M I LOVE your channel, I am addicted to all the fun and informative content. I especially like your Vintage gear stuff. I wish I still had my first stereo receiver which was a MARANTZ. bought it at Music Craft in Chicago. I did not credit so I paid for it on time for about 30 bucks a month. I paid it off and was then able to get my first credit card. Your episode today brought back many good memories. Thanks Randy.

Late 70's and early 80's were certainly the heyday of boss stereo receivers. That Yamaha is mighty sweet. Marantz isn't the only brand out there in this era that's great. Another channel recently showed off an integrated by NEC and it was stunning in its build quality.

Hey Randy: I happen to be a retired electronics Tech and have some quick vintage audio tips for ya: 1. 5:21 Any vintage amp that is a popular brand and has output TO-3 transistor packaging (I call them transistor kings) will have big awesome sound, when Im shopping for vintage amps I always do a quick google image search of the amp internals to look for these output transistors. Its whats under the hood that really matters.. 2. 16:15 If you replace the bulbs with LEDs it will get brighter and you can pick your fav color. 3. 17:05 You have some leaky capacitors, get it re-capped at least on the amp board & power supply section before it explodes. Btw this year I bought two awesome receivers, Sony str-7055a & Kenwood kr-6400 and yes they both use TO-3 output transistors and I can't decide which amp sounds better 😁

I owned a Yamaha CA-810 amplifier of that period. A beauty of an amplifier with a pair of illuminated Vu meters - it sounded great. The stick-out bar thing on the rear is for AM reception. A UK version would have a co-ax FM socket as well as 300 and 75 Ohm terminals on the back.

That's a drool-worthy Yamaha in fantastic condition. I have a Technics SA-700 that needs to be fixed, I miss listening to that thing. Awesome video as always.

Yes, the coupler is like a jumper as you said for pre to amp. And yes, "Switched outlet" will turn whatever is plugged into the same on or off state the Yamaha is in. I used that for my EQ and turntable. The IF out was for a short-lived 4-channel FM adaptor that never really took off. I think they mimicked 4-channel effects by playing with the phase on rear channels.

I absolutely love my Pioneer SX780, and nothing I have purchased in recent years can come close to the beautiful full and powerful presence it gives.

Randy, my heart went thump . I owned a 1976 CR 820 model. Best receiver I ever had for 26 years of constant use and abuse built like a tank. Replaced a 1972 Marantz 2215 receiver because I out grew the 2215 in add on capacity . The 820 had dual every thing A-B speakers, dual headphone jacks, 2 phono inputs, 2 tape deck inputs , bass midrange & treble knobs , 20 db switch, vari db knob .everything this 800 has, and was 60 WPC RMS . I boxed it up in the mid 1990's for a Sony 1010 100 WPC receiver with a built in parabolic graphic eq built in the unit. The one feature the Yamaha had that I wish more receivers would of have was the separate input /output circuits so you could record records to tape and listen to the radio independently while recording a tape. The only problem I had with the 820 was needed dial light bulbs replaced every few years . They burned out very quickly . It seemed a lot of heat got trapped in the dial panel and helped burn out the bulbs quickly. I wound up going back to Yamaha when my Sony did a quick dive to grave . Wound up buying a RS 700 receiver in 2010 or 2011 for a replacement . It had 100 WPC and similar features the CR820 had but didn't seem as clean and bright as the 820 was. Was running some Axioms M22 since 2004 and I am sold on Axioms . for a tall bookshelf speakers this was / is one of the best speakers I ever owned. Anyway I am putting together a small class d amp for tv / computer with the Sony's SSCS 5 from a ZVOX shelf unit . You rate the Sony's very high on your list and for under 100 buck a pair right now I am willing to try them. the amp issue is still out either fosi audio or dayton audio make a full amp with digital dac with enough support for all inputs (hdmi, usb ,opt out, coax, rca & sub outs. trying to keep it budget (I am cheap too in my old age). Keep the reviews coming I really enjoy your thought and comments . Peace !!!!!!!! Just for the record 1972 Marantz 2215 300.00 USD fair traded 1976 Yamaha CR820 400.00 USD fair traded 1994 Sony STR 1010 500.00 USD 2010 /2011 Yamaha RS700 500.00 USD

This stirs my old brain. I was stationed at an Army base in the early 80s that was moving tons of soldiers there from Germany and Korea. The guys from Korea were bringing with them all those amazing old receivers. Every apartment I visited back then had one or two of these museum pieces. It was so neat swinging those big, silky-smooth dials, and throwing those tactile, old lever-switches. Precision instruments they were. They rarely ever turned them off.... the biggest concern was thermal wear - from what I remember.

The IF output (from the FM tuner) is designed to feed an adapter that could produce an additional 4 channels of sound. The content of these channels are unrelated to the main broadcast programming content. The most common use of this output would for SCA, or StoreCastAdapter, that would decode the "Muzak" type of service that stores would have on in the background. These services were usually subscription based and the adapter would be programmed for your subscription and would expire if you didn't renew your subscription. Obviously not very useful these days.

My first system: Yamaha CR-1020 and Infinity Quantum 5's. Oh, what a sweet sound! They're both perfectly packed in storage. Yes the Low Pass is for turntable rumble, had to have mine engaged.

I used to own one of those. Loved it, wish I still had it

Thank you for posting this video. This era Yamaha receivers and amp's don't seem to get much love, and hasn't for many years. When new, they sounded every bit as good as any Pioneer, Kenwood, Technics, or Sansui gear of that era. Now that they are older, they do need a tune-up so to speak, but so does every other piece of gear from the same period. I had my SX-1050 completely restored a year ago (original owner)...an expense not for the faint of heart, and it sounds full and rich again. All of these audio pieces would have quite a story to tell if they could talk! Thanks again!

I have 2 of it's little brother, CR-400. They both sound fabulous

When i was searching for a new pair of speakers in 1984, i walked into one of the hi-fi retail shops in Sydney and i heard this fantastic demonstration of a pair of Rogers Studio 1 loudspeakers. I had found my new speakers. The amplifier used to drive these speakers was a Pioneer SM83 integrated tube amp. The combination of this amp and speakers was truly amazing.

Hermoso amplificador! Felicidades 🎉

Recently scored on a 1984 NAD 7155 on a Goodwill auction site, aesthetically it looks pristine, but I didn't dare test it out, I sent it immediately to my local Hi-Fi repair shop, he was also very excited said it looks to be in great shape but he's going to give it the once-over, hoping it works out to be a great find

I was handed down my dad's Technics SA-5070 and absolutely loved it. The right channel went out (beyond my ability to repair it) and took to Craigslist and found a great deal on the Pioneer SX-580. I prefer the warmth and tone of vintage receivers. And they look so classy! Great video, Randy!

Randy...thanks for the memory. I sold audio in the 70's and 80's. Those Yamaha receivers always sounded natural and kind of safe. There was a Pioneer Series in the late 70's SX 450, 550, 650, 750, 850 right up to the SX 1250 at 160 real watts per channel, the biggest receiver in the world for a while. The sound was MASSIVE . If you ever get to review one of those, that would be cool.....big sound from those Pioneer's, the Yamahas were more "polite"...LOL. THANKS for your videos.

I've heard it said that receivers were more popular than separate amps and tuners in the USA back in the 70s, and vice versa in Europe. My little vintage receiver collection comprises a JVC JR-S50, Hitachi SR-504L and Trio (Kenwood) KR-80L - plus a rare JVC R-7000 casseiver, which incorporates an excellent cassette deck for extra nostalgia feels!

I love vintage receivers! Sansui guy here. I have a 9090db that I restored and sounds incredible on some older Klipsch KG towers with 97db efficiency. With a rated 125wpc from the 9090db it really can crank out warm, open, spacious audio for hours and it looks amazing to boot. I love this video but one thing that I didn't hear you mention and is really overlooked is how good the tuners are on these older receivers. FM radio was really en vogue during the hayday and the tuners were built to a very high standard.

My first system included a Sansui 2000 receiver in a complete wood case, as you described. Purchased in 1970. Gave it to my son and he used it well into the 90's. Still sounded great. He took it to school with him and it disappeared. A lot of that vintage gear was replaced with home theater gear as it grew in popularity.

Nice score Randy! Yamaha vintage is excellent. Glad you're reviewing some older stuff! I have a CR 640 that unfortunately blew its IC chip. But before that I really liked that variable loudness control. I also have a SX 3700 as my work desk system and that series sounds super clean and clear when working correctly. Plus the glowing blue Fluoroscan is awesome.

I purchased my Yamaha CR-1020 a few years ago for $700Cdn. I thought I over paid until I got it home and listened to it. Wow! Moving it to our living room TV set up because it looks so beautiful. My wife approves. Also .. the phono stage is really impressive!

Beautiful amplifier...I have the CR 1000.. Similar to the 800...but the 1000 has more slider controls ..Beautiful looking and the sound is just so open and very clear...no matter how loud you listen..I love vintage.

truly enjoy the vintage review!!! do more! i just purchased a 2230 marantz! sounds amazing!! oh with a pair of JBL lancer77

I had a Sony STR-7065 I bought in the '70s and enjoyed until the 2Ks. Wish I still had it.

I have a Yamaha CR-840 and P-850 turntable. Love them!

Thanks man - I picked up a CR-450 - waiting for it to come!

It is an AM Iron Ferrite antenna. Un-switched does pass the AC thru even when the unit is off. The hum could be aging caps in the power supply.

Good Vid Randy… in 1976 in bought my SX 737….. for 35 watts it pumps out some music without breaking a sweat…..! Love vintage…!

Awesome receiver! I run a realistic 2100D and love it.

I've got a CR700 from 1973. Absolutely beautiful sound.

I picked up a partially recapped Pioneer SX-3700 in Feb of this year. I was very impressed with the analog/digital combo on the display and also the quality of the FM Radio sound. I was also quite impressed with the phono stage. I used a Audio Technica USB 120 TT with the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and the sound quality was warm and rich. It’s a very good receiver. If I’m correct the SX3700, 3800 and 3900 represent in 1980 the final year that Pioneer used the silver face plates.

Randy, brings back a lot of memories! I had a similar Yamaha back in the 80s. Bought it used real cheap. it had 110 watts as i remember. The whole dial lit up. Lots of bulbs that burned out. I replaced some with grain of wheat bulbs I had, but not quite eight. Had a great tuner! Wish I hadn't let it go!

That is a beautiful receiver. And 45 Watts of those years is more than enough. I think the very same output today would miraculously be around 100 Watts. Regarding the hum, my guess would be the power supply capacitor. I am not part of the re-cap brigade but the task of the power supply cap is to flatten the ripple after the rectifier. One thing you could do is to also (besides the pre-amp) try the power amp by it self. If the hum is still there, it must be something common and that is the power supply. I actually had a power supply cap going up in flames on a vintage solid state receiver from 1969. Luckily I was there to turn it off. After this incident I would not leave vintage amplifiers on at all times any more.

Nice Video, i love the Yamaha`s. I have a CR-420 from 77 in black and mint Condition in my setup. It sounds great with the Dali Spektor 2, a Fosixbox 2 at the Denon DP 37F with Denon DL110 MC. i pimped up the Scale light with four LED lights in a diskret light-blue. Thank for the Video Greatings, Tom from Germany

Nice video ! I have a 1979 JVC AX-3 and i love it ! 55 watts per channel into 8Ω with Klipsch R-620f speakers and a Klipsch R-100SW Subwoofer.

Love this video! Have you ever considered doing an A B comparison with newer Integrated amps? I bet that would get many viewers interests. You may want to check out Oaktree Vintage in Colorado, I have purchased a pair of Rectilinear lll Tall Boy speakers from them a couple of years ago. Hope to see many more of your videos!

Great Review. Connected Sansui Seven 1971 to Tekton Lore thru PowerNode 2i, wow what a match. They sound smooth, clean , clear, fast and powerful, and look great...

I love vintage gear. Currently have my pioneer sx780 paired with 3d acoustics 3ds speakers and matching passive sub. Absolutely amazing 1979 sound. Bedroom has my baby marantz 2010 running another pair of 3d acoustics 3ds speakers. And I have my Harmon kardon 430 twin running my klipsch heresy 1s or altec lansing bolero 890 b speakers. Theres just something special about vintage gear imo. Love the channel would love more vintage gear videos.

Yamaha is one of those brands that just knows what they are doing.

I love it. My old man collected classic receivers like he was stocking up for the apocalypse, and I grew up surrounded by old Yamaha, Realistic, Sansui, Marantz, Fisher et al receivers. I think he has more than a dozen of those old units still. Many of them sound really good. All of them look amazing. Some companies, like Luxman and Accuphase, still pay homage to that classic styling in their designs, but they're very spendy. How cool would it be if Yamaha and Marantz released some new affordable models like that?

I JUST bought a CR-800, also off of Ebay, and it also includes the original Owner's Manual. It is supposed to be here on Wednesday. The only thing wrong with it, is the four lamps are burned out, and I already have those on order. I cannot wait for it to get here. Greetings again, Randy. sorry it has been awhile...Rip from Evans, GA

Hifi Engine is great! I have a CR800. Very nice. Plenty of power for most speakers. Over 30 lbs. Nice silver face! I have it powering some vintage RSL 40s-Rogers Sound Lab semi-clones of the infamous JBL L100s. A classic pairing for vintage Rock sound, lol! I agree about the loudness knob. Can't really go below about half way as things get muddy. You have to play with it and the volume knob to see what YOU like! In a medium sized room they can drive you back, get quite loud! Rock on Dudes! I have an early Realistic CD player hooked to it, lol. And it's not bad. I got the CD player years ago from ebay as I was assembling an all Realistic System from the 80s. Got the CDP, a Realistic cassette player made by Hitachi, some Nova 7bs as speakers, a LAB 395 turntable, and the STA 2200! The 2200 is worth a look, it is the first and perhaps only Realistic receiver to use Mosfet audio output transistors and has a nice warmish, full sound. Only 60 watts x 2 @8 ohms, but don't let that fool you! Those 60 watts can PARTY! To me, this is one of the best sounding Realistic receivers EVER! Take a listen if you can find one! It is also one of the first to implement a digital tuner, which can be a little iffy or need work when you get it. I plan to set all this up in the basement bonus room eventually, with some Mach II speakers! The Mach IIs a kind of wish list Realistic speaker from the '80s. Those 15" woofers with the bi-radial horns, etc.

My dad just gave me his cr-800. It's a little beat up, some switches look bent and a knob is wiggly, but the sound is still amazing. I remember playing with the knobs as a kid =, just a good feeling to have again.

Pioneer sx-434 in pristine condition and oh my goodness, it sounds amazing. I also have a sansui receiver from the early '80s that sounds amazing with my low to mid-level Klipsch bookshelves.

Randy, great review. The CR-800 is great but the CR-840 is just a bit better because it has the wonderful “presence” knob. Nothing like a midrange on a vintage receiver. Plus, the CR-840 is 60 watts per channel. Just enough power for playing vinyl in my apartment living room. Keep up the great work!

Great, now I want one of these. Thanks at lot...lol.

I have a Yamaha 1978 model, next model down doesn’t have wood case but is all silver face. Sounds amazing

Nice choice Randy. The only quality stereo I've ever owned; Yamaha CA 810 integrated amp and CT 810 Tuner, I purchased new around '78 when I was 17. After decades in storage, they've been up and running again trouble free for the last 3 years. Yeah, there's a little noise in the 65W system but so what. The design is timeless, the sound / power is all I need, and they're a pleasure to use. And what's not to like about the variable loudness control. Regarding the Audio Muting 20db cut switch, It should be on anytime there is the risk of producing a loud sound while handling the tonearm as the stylus drops to, or lifts off the vinyl. Or if the phone rings. Back when you might have to get up to answer the phone.

I have a hybrid vintage/modern stereo system, Pioneer SX-750 (1976) into a pair of ADS L780s (1986) with a Topping D50s (2019) as my source. Sounds incredible, particularly the speakers. There are a lot of deals to be had in terms of 80s audiophile speakers. I picked up the pair used for $120.

I love the vintage stuff, I have a pioneer sx-1250, sx-3900, and an sx-d7000

I love this video! And came at the right time for me. Just picked up some vintage technics [SU-7300 amp, ST-7300 tuner and 631 tape deck) and was scared to test them out. Will just blow the dust out and test out with my back up speakers and go from there.....

I'm a huge fan of the Yamaha CR-XX20 series. I just upgraded from the CR-620 to the CR-1020.

Had the CR 1020-- awesome, would like to have it back in running order. I was young and dumb and kept overdriving my ESS AMT-1speakers. What a combo!

I picked up a CR-420 for ~$140 in mint condition (about two months ago) through a local listing and had it shipped to the house for about $10 (inside of Switzerland). Opened it up to blow the dust out and clean it up (not that it needed much cleaning). I also cleaned the switches/pots with either DEOXIT or F5 Fader cleaner depending on either metal to metal or carbon mechanisms. Everything works, caps looked good...no smells or visible leaks/burns, etc. Even the lamps are A.OK. I have paired them with some Mordaunt-Shorts (MS20i's) that I found at the Salvation Army...again in mint condition...that were for ~$45 for the pair. Look great/sound great when paired to this old Yammy. [My teenagers stayed in the parked car while I ran in to check on any unloved receivers that had been dropped off...no luck for the receiver search...but was in an out of the store in 10 minutes with the speakers under my arms! A nice Saturday a.m. purchase. The girls think I'm crazy...addicted to audio gear. They are probably right on this point...I am up to 6 vintage receivers by last count.] I love finding these deals and falling upon some real gems in the rough. My best grab...a 21 TUBE vintage (c.1965) Pioneer SX-82E for ~$130; all original tubes! Again, not a scratch on the damn thing. The optometrist retiree I bought it from is an electronics enthusiast who had a collection in his cellar of vintage commercial gear from radio, theater, and studio business that could occupy a museum. He had refurbished all of this equipment in his cellar workshop, which was incredible...he had every scope, meter, and tool one might want for such an endeavor. The workbench had a classic Variac built into the table...very cool! Even a second-hand storage cabinet from an electronics repair store that had every part you could imagine, meticulously labelled drawers for his FULL inventory. This venerable Pioneer has all of its original documentation and had been owned by his sister-in-law's dad from the beginning. This man had also tested the SX-82E and it is in working condition, though he recommended a recap. I surmised that his health was in decline and he decided not to take on a recap, but to sell it on. In any event, he was very kind and proud to give me a tour of his collection...which was amazing. A wall-mounted AMP from an old theater that was built in the early 70's; he showed me how it was made for easy access and repair; like MILSPEC in design/materials. A reel-to-reel tape system on a cart system that was purchased from a shuttered radio station...all tubes...MILSPEC like construction...completely revised. A revised mixing station...classic amps and receivers galore. Musical instruments...electric guitar with a custom built amp, a church organ, custom speakers, etc. He had all sorts of equipment he had collected and revised, over the years. What an interesting person...who was happy to spend a half hour in the early evening (just after the work-day) showing off his amazing collection of rare gear. The SX-82E will be a project for me to revise/recap. It works fine...but those caps are ancient so I will not be using it until this is done. It is all point-to-point work (axial caps), and the wiring will require some serious brain surgery (thank goodness for the documentation). In any event, I decent challenge for this old submariner.

Wow Godfather love the content 6 months ago picked up a vintage rotel rx603 receiver and a Kenwood 5700 integrated amp both recap to specs Kenwood paired with klipsch 61ii and rotel paired with elacs 6 2s both outstanding sound . yeah🤙

In 1988 I bought a Pioneer receiver from a guy who I worked with at my 1st job. He said he got it in the service overseas in Panama. It was a monster and weighed 40 pounds and had up and down push buttons for volume and glowing greenish volume meters. It was over 100 watts and I've never been able to find anything like it even looking through Pioneers archives. It had to be from the 80. It was silver

killer man just killer...i have passed on some old Yamaha's up in the past..guess i am on the hunt again now...( i need to sell TBH) great video thank you !

As a kid in the 70's I had a Sherwood 7900 a and loved the sound almost tube like. I got back into high end stereo 10 years ago and picked up a Sherwood 7225 a 30 watts per. Drives my Elac b-2s with ease and sounds As good as my Hafler amp and preamp combo. People do not realise that the stereo receivers from the 70's rival the integrated Amps up to $ 2000 in 2021

Marantz 2230 in mint shape here, withe jbl 4312 mint also with the orange grills, and original boxes, gotta love em. My favorite yamaha i had and used, and seemed like it would take any ohm load and one of the coolest looking amps to me, was an m4 power amp. Give the sansui au series 7900 etc and pioneer integrated models sa-8500 etc, youll really like those id imagine. Smoothest vintage amp id heard was a luxman l85v.

Since you asked, I am using my Vector Research VR-7000 from 1979. Love it. It drives my GR research X-LS Encores. I have a vintage cassette deck that plays all my old mix tapes.

My CR 820 is all metal knobs and is 60 watts per channel. Still works but needs new led lights. Love it.

I have the Yamaha cr400 alongside the Yamaha NS-625 40watt speakers, which is the set my dad bought back in the day (and a marantz 6300 turntable). Despite being 18watt 4ohm it can drive them loud enough. The ns 625 has an 8" woofer with a soft dome tweeter which sound very flat. The music has a lot weight, very good imaging and center soundstage. I leave the loudness knob to off and boost the highs just a little with my earsonic es100 USB dac alongside neutron android music player with FLAC files. The bass is tight and heavy, and it can go deep if needed, mids are very good, guitars and vocals sound amazing. Highs are very relaxed and not analytic, the details are there but have this warm sound. Overall the sound is very good. The only weakness that I found is that they are average in some music genres like heavy metal. Rock, jazz, vocals sound amazing