Buying guides
The homework worth doing before you buy: comparing the Marantz 22xx receivers, picking a Sansui AU-x17 integrated, walking the Pioneer SX line, knowing what servicing a 1970s receiver involves, and checking a 1960s Fisher tube receiver before it ships to you.
Marantz 22xx Receiver Buying Guide: 2215B, 2230, 2238, 2245, 2270, 2325, 2385
How the silver-face Marantz 2215B, 2230, 2238, 2245, 2270, 2325 and 2385 differ in power and features, what wears out, and what to check before you bid.
Read the guide →Sansui AU-x17 Integrated Amplifier Buying Guide: AU-217, AU-517, AU-717 and AU-919
How Sansui's AU-217, AU-517, AU-717 and AU-919 integrated amplifiers differ, which suits your speakers, what fails, and what to check before buying.
Read the guide →Pioneer SX Silver-Face Receiver Buying Guide: SX-650, SX-780, SX-880, SX-980, SX-1280
How Pioneer's SX-650, SX-780, SX-880, SX-980 and SX-1280 receivers differ in power, meters and output stages, and what to check before you bid.
Read the guide →Restoring a Vintage Receiver: What Servicing a 1970s Stereo Involves
What a proper service of a 1970s receiver involves, from safe power-up and control cleaning to DC offset, bias and relays, and what 'serviced' should mean.
Read the guide →Fisher 500-C Tube Receiver Buying Guide (and the Solid-State 800-T)
What to know before buying a Fisher 500-C tube receiver or the later solid-state 800-T: specs, safe power-up, what fails, and how to read a listing.
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