Vintage stereo receivers

If you get any vintage receivers, be sure to check for value before scrapping!
The other day I got an old Marantz 2250 receiver along with a load of desktops. I didn't think much of it, I was ready to scrap it.
Then I saw an ad on Craigslist someone looking for this kind of stuff. I gave the guy a call, ended up not making a deal with him as he was too far away. But the conversation lead me to do a bit of research on ebay and it turned out the receiver I had was quite valuable. I listed it and it sold for $229 + shipping, in non-working condition! (Working ones of the same model sold for $500+)
The lesson is to check for resale value before scrapping!

Audiophile's pay large for most tube amps, I've sold a few but mostly I find vintage transistorised stereo equipment.

One of my better finds was a Quad II tube amplifier found in a woodshed, I did not know was an amp until I researched it and found out these were a highly coveted amp. The one I sold went for $800.00 to a guy in Italy.

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...skrw1oa1j.jpeg

Marantz is very collectable. I think its American hand made version of a jap brand, owned by Americans.
I sold a Marantz CD player for NZ$100, worth English £100 (NZ$270). Only paid a few $ for it.

I have a very early and collectable transistorised audio Amp, a Sansui AU222 . That I found in scrap for free....
http://www.vintageshifi.com/images/SANSUI-AU-222-10.JPG

And a valve elpico amp, that for sound quality just blew away a modern Yamaha amp. And it was the best amp I could find sub$800...
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...fZTP4bZE1d4WwA I found that and a even better value stero amp for free in scrap once.

Along with a 'Valve powered amp'. I thought this could be worth something...
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...4oYcIiX5CzwSxx
Its a scam, its a 'Valve powered, amp...."
Yes the power supply uses valves, and the actual amp is a transistor board the size of a cigarette packet.

The Quad, "ouch." I sold a Quad mono amp and tuner for $90 and another two bigger amps with no preamp for even less..
I still have the Akai electrostatic headphones that I brought in that deal though, need oil filled ear padding fixed first. Amazing quality, no background noise at all.

Oh, and one of these tapedecks. Its the sort that was used by reporters in Vietnam and also to record bootleg versions of live Grateful dead concerts.
And, surprised to notice it, in the movie 'Wonderland avenue'. It was used by the Police to record a conversation. Nice touch of authenticity.
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...KUbne7ma84687g
Note, of you ever get the chance, read the book 'Wonderland avenue' by Danny Sugarman. It involves soo many famous people and a insight to 'The Doors' Jim Morrison, Iggy Pop, John Holmes and well even Danny....

There is also a good profit in selling the parts of vintage stereos and antique tube radios. So "think" before you destroy, what is no longer made and harder to find at a ever increasing rate. I would and do "hold" and not scrap all 1960's, 70's and 80's quality "name brands" electronics. There's also good stuff before that, Gibson guitar tube amps 50's - 60's just for example.

Vintage Audio in the early 70's was not only state of the art, it was nice to just look at and built like a tank! Think components all connecting to make the next box sound even better. Amp, Preamp, Tuner, Graphic Equalizer and big wooden tower speakers (could spend more money on these then all of the other components combined). By the late 70's stereo receivers, was not only piratical, but perfected "scientific sound" machines. These would be built with hardwood cabinets, brushed aluminum face plates, with a steel chassis to hold it together (weighing between 40 and 50 pounds).

I could go on and on about vintage audio, I haven't even mentioned turntables and pick up arms and cartridge for the best way to listen to music (IMOP).

Aurum - I totally agree with you on vintage receivers, I would not limit myself to just receivers, as there is a lot of collectible audio equipment, just because it's not working doesn't mean it is a scrap item either. Simply put "they will probably never be made like that again".

I watched the movie 'Black mass' last night, its about Whitey Bulger, a criminal mastermind during the 70's early 80's.
In it they were using one of these tapedecks too.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...KUbne7ma84687g

I have quite a few receivers and radios, stemming from sort of a fetish I have for vacuum tubes, though most of what I have is not quite that old. I've been wanting to part out some of the less attractive units. Any advice on where the best value for the work involved is to be found? Caps? Boards? Dials?

OEM GM CB radio with mic in mint condition.

Oh yea, Vintage receivers have been a money maker for me for a few years. Love the sound from these 70s Pioneer, Onkyo, Marantz, , Scott , Fisher, Yamaha .
Those are just a few brands I can remember selling over the past 5 or so years. I post them on Craig's List and being close to NYC I get them sold pretty quickly.
I won't part with my Technics turntables that I used to use for DJ ing cause I still have tons in Vinyl to play on them and there is something to be said for the sound of a needle on a record.
I got a nice Panasonic receiver with an 8 track player( some of you may not know what that is ) that still plays listed on CL .

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Originally Posted by Kalvlin

Oh yea, Vintage receivers have been a money maker for me for a few years. Love the sound from these 70s Pioneer, Onkyo, Marantz, , Scott , Fisher, Yamaha .
Those are just a few brands I can remember selling over the past 5 or so years. I post them on Craig's List and being close to NYC I get them sold pretty quickly.
I won't part with my Technics turntables that I used to use for DJ ing cause I still have tons in Vinyl to play on them and there is something to be said for the sound of a needle on a record.
I got a nice Panasonic receiver with an 8 track player( some of you may not know what that is ) that still plays listed on CL .

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My very first stereo had at the heart of it a Panasonic receiver w/8-track. I remember listening to Steppenwolf "Monster" on it, killer! Recently I came across five JBL studio monitors for $50 for all. I kept the best pair(surrounds were good) and dusted off my Bang & Olufsen turntable. Back in the day I couldn't afford the JBL's. Today they go for $500 per pair. And just a cartridge for my turntable costs $700 today.