I'm a "vintage" guy who has been in the audio business starting in 1973...I sold all these. Optonica was a brand that came into existence as a "protected" brand so dealers could make some profit at a time when the most popular brands like Pioneer, Kenwood, Sansui, were being discounted to death. This followed the end of the "Fair Trade" laws in the US. It was inferior product with superior margin. Another was Setton,. I know because my employer at the time brought these in, and incented us to push them...along with some pretty mediocre "private label" speakers. Today's business is much more honest, at least where I am! BTW, my faves from the 70s...Sansui Eight, Pioneer SX-780, Yamaha CR-840, Marantz 2275. That's just receivers. You are absolutely right about the amps being the stars here...the preamps were almost always the weak point.

Kelvin, today I joined the ranks of the many people singing your praises. I was dead set on getting a Marantz because I grew up with my dad owning one. After watching this video I became a little bit intrigued by the Sansui. Definitely not the best looking piece of gear by any stretch, but your description of how clean and detailed the sound made me to watch some more of your videos. I watched the shoot out between all the Sansui‘s and decided to go with a 551, because it was fully restored and only $225 shipped. Needless to say, it sounded exactly as you described it and I’ve been sitting here with a smile ear to ear enjoying the art of “listening“ to music again. I have some old mid 80s fisher speakers that aren’t so hot, but I do want to get the new re-issue KLH Model fives. Wondering what your thoughts are of those speakers paired with the 551? In any case thank you so much for all you do and you’re great recommendation!

You are the best audio friend one could ever want.

I MISS THE 70s ,STEREO RECEIVERS AND MUSCLE CARS IN AMERICA.

Bought a Marantz 2270 in 1973. Loved it. It was musical, but I was later seduced by "technical improvements" and by 1985 I traded it for new Yamaha separates. Long way around but I just bought a Marantz 2215b. Only 15 watts per channel and very few buttons paired for now with Klipsch RB-5 speakers. However, my "new" low power 50 year old Marantz is a musical masterpiece. To me, vintage sound is robustly musical, not technical. Besides, it just looks fantastic vs today's electronics.

I OWN SANSUI 9090DB,PIONEER SX1080, SX636,TECHNICS SA500,KENWOOD 6600,SANSUI 6. MARANTZ 2325.

If we could listen to them we could make our own judgement...

You have never heard Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Love until you heard it on a vintage system like the ones described here. That song and that system would shake the pictures off your wall.

I'm a fussy person with sound too. I like the bunch and clearty.

After collecting 150 + receivers for years and years and mostly skipping early Sony i now am a convert , together with ( early ) Sansui , some early Pioneer ( sx800a) and the HK 430 my keepers

You’ve nailed it on describing the richness,& the fullness of a quality unit. You’re spot on.

Completely new to world of vintage sound, and your video is an eye opener. Although my older siblings knew very much what it was while growing up in the sixties. Your video and others made me realize the many rare and hard to find pieces of rare vintage audio equipment I've passed up over the years.

Love the way you speak passionately about vintage audio and your honesty

Great video. I just recently got myself a nice Pioneer SX-720 (SX-3600 clone). I totally understand what you are saying and I absolutely agree. Purists will say I'm actually listening to distortion, but for me what I'm hearing is nice, warm, full, deep, detailed sound, coming effortlessly from this 40 year old thing. Makes me rediscover my music collection. Love it!

I have a Kenwood 4600 from 1975. I bought it when i was 22yrs old , I have collected about four speaker systems over years an now i am 68yrs an still have it, an incredibly it sounds great.Anyone who had some of that equipment knows what i am talking about!!!!

Very interesting perspective and informative take on the industry trying to lower distortion till it wrings all the musical qualities out of the notes, I have never heard this aspect of the audio listening experience. Thank you for making this very informative video.

My best late friend had a top end Realistic turntable, amp/receiver an monster speakers, he claimed it didn’t sound as good as mine a Kenwood 4600 Sony turntable pioneer project 100A speakers, I also had ten band Sound Shaper equalizer,he ended up getting a Realistic ten band equalizer an was quite satisfied an impressed with his equipment!!!

Vintage sound=music to my ears

Nice Video Kelvin, "Button Festival" Love It

Still love my ONKYO Model 732 integrated from around 1973.