The Most Powerful Vintage Receivers of All Time
A War of Watts. Back in the late 70’s audio manufacturers engaged in a war. You might call it a war of watts. The consumer seemed to have an insatiable appetite for more and more …
Altec 725A
Here’s a receiver you won’t see very often. It’s an Altec 725A and it’s a strange looking beast. I believe they were made in Anaheim California in the early to mid 70’s. The long row …
Modular Component Systems 3275
Many purists used to laugh at the MCS brand. Not anymore. Well, there are probably still some that laugh at it but less loudly then before. The Modular Component Systems receivers once marketed by J.C. …
Bang Olufsen Beomaster 8000
Most vintage audio enthusiasts will recognize this receiver as a product of Bang & Olufsen. Bang & Olufsen audio components have a very distinct modern look. This is the Bang & Olufsen Beomaster 8000 and, …
What Is A Monster Receiver?
I see forum threads all the time talking about this or that receiver being a “Monster Receiver”. Many eBay sellers of vintage receivers tend to throw around the term “Monster” pretty easily as well. Just …
Fisher 1800
This Fisher 1800 FM – AM Multiplex Receiver is fairly rare. It is basically the same as the Fisher 800C but with slightly different cosmetics. The front panel is two toned as opposed to the …
Carver MXR-2000
Ok, I’ll admit that some of Carver’s technology sounds like something out of a Star Trek movie. Magnetic Field Amplifiers (MFA). Sonic Holography (SH). Asymmetrical Charge-Coupled FM Detector (ACCD). Huh? Nonetheless, Bob Carver is known …
Onkyo TX-8500
Onkyo’s contribution to the Monster receiver genre is the Onkyo TX-8500. It was Onkyo’s top of the line receiver at the time and put out an under rated 150 watts per channel into 4 ohms …
Technics SA-225
This Technics SA-225 receiver was made during the transition from the analog era to the digital era in the early 1980’s. Similar to other receivers of that time it has both analog and digital features. …
Kenwood KW-70
There is not a lot of information on this classic Kenwood KW-70 tube receiver from the early 1960’s. It was also badged as a Trio WX-400 in Japan. As you know, Trio later came to …
Pioneer SX-3900
This is the Pioneer SX-3900 which was Pioneer’s top of the line Fluoroscan receiver. It’s the big brother to the SX-3800 and was introduced in 1980 at a retail price of about $800.00. It represents …
Marantz Model 19
You’ll find quite a few people that will tell you that the Marantz Model Nineteen is one of the best receivers ever made. It would be hard to argue with them given that each receiver …
Yamaha CR-2040
The most likely King of the Yamaha family is the CR-3020 but the Queen is probably the CR-2040. You might get some arguments from owners of the CR-2020 but the Yamaha CR-2040 could probably be …
Pioneer SX-450
The smallest receiver in the Pioneer lineup during the mid to late 70’s was the Pioneer SX-450. These entry level receivers were only rated at 15 watts per channel but were still built with quality …
Allied Model 333
This little entry level receiver from the 60’s is an Allied Model 333. It’s basically a re-badged Pioneer SX-34 and was also marketed as a Knight Model 333. Certainly not chock full of features but …