it finally gave up half the ghost

[lizzyhermit]

My stereo reciever/amplifier blew out a channel and will probably be replaced. I bought this Sansui 4000 in the spring of 1973 and have used it everyday since, even now with TV/CD/DVD/VCR/tape deck/phono/AM/FM/cassette all going through it.



We think we'll buy a new one that has remote control. We're not the hone theatre type but do enjoy good sound and a centralized amp.



Any recommendations? I looked at a SONY STR DE897 over the weekend.

 

[MLimpert]

Why not have someone repair it? I would love to have one of those old Sansui recievers. They are heavy, powerful and built well.



I just purchased a Sony STRDE-995 about 6 months ago and it sounds pretty good for what it is. It has 7. 1 capability with 7 channels x110 W. I've been pretty happy with it so far. I think I dickered circuit city down to $435 or so IIRC.

 

[fkovalski]

Unfortunatly, we are a "throw- away" society. I had a similar experience: A Technics reciever bought in '82. It was the first digital model housed in real simulated wood! Worked great for 20 or so years. I tried to have it repaired and was supposedly fixed. I gave up on it after spending too much as to have it replaced (but I still have it!)



I replced it with a Sony about 2 years ago. My first Sony was a DiscMan bought in '85. That thing took a beating and was worth every cent paid. I bought a Sony CD player in the late 80's and it worked great with out complaint too... BUT... now I believe that Sony is trying to sell items based on thier once good reputation. I have good experiences with the DiscMan and CD player and based all my new equipment components on my past experiences. The new stuff is just crap! My VCR had to be fixed under warrantee and again after experation. A CD changer was exchanged twice in the first 90 days and eventually for a Panasonic (the first one did not work right out of the box. ) My reciver clips unless I run a fan behind it (yes, it's ventilated properly in the cabinet. )



I had good results with the early stuff and never thought I would have the troubles with thier newer equipment. However, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND SONY!

JMHO -frank.

 

[snowracer69]

I bought for my Mom and Dad a Harmon/Kardon receiver/amp and it is great! You couldn't give me sony crap. You definitely get what you pay for... if you want it to last as long as this last one, spend the $$$ on quality. H/K is about the lower end of quality stuff, and there are names out there I've never heard of but they're very proud of their stuff, and after listening to it, I see why... it'd be worth it if you wanted to spend the $$$.

 

[Bertram65]

I bought a SONY STR-DE697 about 3 months ago, it replaced my old Sony that was about 12 years old, never had any problem with it I just wanted something that could take a digital optical input from my cable box and DVD player. Sony makes pretty good stuff, the days of the old Macintosh and Harmon Kardon being far superior are over, with everyone having digital signal processing there is very little variation left between different brands of equipment. My sub woofer is self powered and takes a line output from the reciever, which with Dolby Digital is the best way to go. I am running 5. 1 as my room is pretty small but the STR-DE697 provides more than enough power. Setting it up took some time but it is a good piece of equipment, I think you would have to have a pretty large space to need more power. Spend the big money on speakers, that is where you will notice the biggest difference when it comes to $$$$.

 

[KBennett]

I had the same thing happen to my Studio Standard Fisher from the 70's.

The replacement is a Pioneer that at the time was a step below the Elite series. I have had it almost 3 years with zero problems. The remote and surround sound are the best features.

 

[MMeier]

My 'ol Studio Standard is still going strong after all this time, volume control can be a bit tricky at times. I have the model with the 5 band EQ on it, (were they all that way?)Still get the fins on the back nice and hot at times when I attempt to "clean out" the Fisher speakers with the 15" woofers!! :-laf

 

[rmrc]

I didn't realize that there were so many of us with older stereo equiptment around. I still have my Layfette which I bought around 1968. It was the top of their line model back then. It still works although you have to wait a minute or so for the static to settle down after you first turn it on. I know it's a dirty volume pot. I just never got around to openeing her up and shooting some cleaner in there.

 

[lizzyhermit]

older equipment !

how 'bout a Sansui SR2050C turntable, a SONY TC-651 open reel tape deck, 2 80w Pioneer CS-88A speakers and 2 CS-77A's? All from the mid-70's and still going strong. I can easily rattle the windows and drive the dogs to cover !!

 

[Mactruck]

I just purchased a Yamaha RX-v 1400 and have been thrilled with it.

Not to knock Sony but I don't feel they have the quality level that they had ten years ago (personal opinion) and have had great luck with Yamaha.

 

[Royk]

I would suggest the Sony ES line of receivers. They are much more rugged than their regular consumer equipment and come with a 5 year warranty. They are also more expensive. I have had the STR-333ES (now discontinued) for several years. The newer equivalent to mine is the STR-DA1000ES. You can see it here.



One good thing about the Sony's is that if you want to keep that turntable, Sony is one of the very few brands that still includes a phono input on their receivers. When I was researching receivers for my new home theater, Sony had everyone else beat on the number and variety of inputs/outputs. My 333 provides both coaxial AND optical inputs for ALL off the digital-possible inputs (LD, CD, MD, Satellite, DVD), something basically unheard of when I bought the receiver.

 

[KBennett]

I didn't realize that there were so many of us with older stereo equiptment around. I still have my Layfette which I bought around 1968. It was the top of their line model back then. It still works although you have to wait a minute or so for the static to settle down after you first turn it on. I know it's a dirty volume pot. I just never got around to openeing her up and shooting some cleaner in there.

That's what my Fisher did for about 3 years before it died. I cleaned the pot and it didn't help. I think it was an electrolytic cap drying out.

They can't last forever :{

If you have ever had them apart all the brands are very similar on the inside.

My new Pioneer is about 1/4 the weight of the Fisher. With the switching power supply and no mechanical tuning I guess they put stereos on the Atkins diet :-laf