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Grab An Old Receiver From Goodwill [message #74455]

Mon, 12 November 2012 16:26

24KPython
Messages: 16
Registered: October 2012
Location: San Diego, CA

Chancellor

Just wanted to share this tip for audiophile newbies...

If you want one of the best bang-for-buck audio "upgrades" available, go to your local thrift store and look for an old receiver from the 1970's and talk them into giving it to you for $20-40.

How do you identify a great one? Beyond the obvious things like "does it work?":

1. They're really heavy! The best receivers have a huge transformer core. Accept nothing under 30 pounds.

2. Look at the model #. The best of the brand-line usually have high numbers like 9001.

3. Once your curiosity is piqued, google the model # on your phone. If it's really a treasure, it'll show up on an audiophile site with raving reviews.

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Re: Grab An Old Receiver From Goodwill [message #74477 is a reply to message #74455]

Wed, 14 November 2012 21:45

Shane
Messages: 1117
Registered: May 2009

Illuminati (3rd Degree)

Pick up one of the better model Marantz, Sansui, Kenwood, or Pioneer models--recap and you're set if the tuner doesn't need work. They make great second systems.

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Re: Grab An Old Receiver From Goodwill [message #74481 is a reply to message #74455]

Thu, 15 November 2012 15:22

VoigtClub
Messages: 15
Registered: October 2012
Location: Cambridge, MA

Chancellor

Ah, my old haunt Salvation Army, LOL. I've found so much great stuff there over the years. That reminds me that I still have a Sansui QRX-9001 sitting in the garage that I haven't gotten around to testing. (That sucker weighs 50lbs!)

Btw, a similar principle applies to speakers. There are so many speaker manufacturers and levels of quality that it can get hard to keep track of. But as a general rule, the best speakers have a huge magnet and a thick non-resonant cabinet... so they're also absurdly heavy for their size.

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Re: Grab An Old Receiver From Goodwill [message #74498 is a reply to message #74481]

Sun, 18 November 2012 19:35

gofar99
Messages: 1902
Registered: May 2010
Location: Southern Arizona

Illuminati (5th Degree)

Hi Everyone, I love thrift shops. I have made many scores from them. Two pairs of vintage Altec Lansing Speakers, A pair of Klipsch speakers, a Phillips TT, a Dual TT, a Marantz 2265B receiver, and much more. All at bargain prices.

Good Listening
Bruce

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Re: Grab An Old Receiver From Goodwill [message #74597 is a reply to message #74455]

Mon, 26 November 2012 09:55

Chicken
Messages: 300
Registered: August 2011

Grand Master

I would love to find some vintage Altec Lansings! I agree that thrift shops are wonderful places to find old gear to refurbish, although I don't personally have much experience with that yet.

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Re: Grab An Old Receiver From Goodwill [message #77369 is a reply to message #74455]

Wed, 31 July 2013 19:43

Soundsensor
Messages: 7
Registered: July 2013
Location: The South

Esquire

Thanks for this wonderful tip. I think I'm going to do a little shopping around and see what I can find. There's so many resell thrifts in my neck of the woods.

I will report back here with some of my finds, and maybe ask for a little advice.

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Re: Grab An Old Receiver From Goodwill [message #77401 is a reply to message #74455]

Sat, 03 August 2013 18:16

Soundsensor
Messages: 7
Registered: July 2013
Location: The South

Esquire

I was able to find an Aiwa model# AV-D55U receiver. Not exactly what I would call vintage, but it looks to be in pretty good condition. Pretty heavy, and boasting 100 watts per channel.

I am getting mixed reviews for it online. What do you guys think is a good price for it? The store is asking $25.

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Re: Grab An Old Receiver From Goodwill [message #77404 is a reply to message #77401]

Sat, 03 August 2013 18:39

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18675
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Can't go wrong for twenty-five bucks! At that price, you'll spend more money in gas getting the thing from the store! I say go for it - If you don't like it, you aren't out much.

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Re: Grab An Old Receiver From Goodwill [message #77412 is a reply to message #77404]

Sun, 04 August 2013 19:20

Soundsensor
Messages: 7
Registered: July 2013
Location: The South

Esquire

You know, I think you're right. I think I am going to try and get it a bit cheaper though. Not sure if I will have much luck talking him down. There really wasn't very many receivers available in resell shops in my area.

At any rate I think the thing was selling at around $250 new so it's only 10 percent of that.

Thanks for the feed back. Smile

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Re: Grab An Old Receiver From Goodwill [message #77946 is a reply to message #74455]

Fri, 27 September 2013 09:47

Fannie
Messages: 15
Registered: September 2013
Location: Alabama

Chancellor

I love searching thrift shops for great finds. People donate so many things just because they 'inherited' it from someone else. Sometimes your thrift shop doesn't really no what it's worth and then you really get a good deal.

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