Anyone recommend an affordable, durable receiver?

[missthedudeman]

I have this old JVC Stereo receiver from the 70's that I've posted about before and I still can't seem to get it in shape. I know nothing about electronics and I have a friend that looked at it and took it apart and soldered things that were loose (he goes to school for electrical engineering, so he knew what he was doing) but the receiver is still not playing fully in stereo and the sound is scratchy. A friend recommended getting electronics cleaner and opening it up and spraying the s**t out of it with that and cleaning the buttons with it too...

So, with that being said, can anyone recommend an affordable, durable stereo receiver? I need a tape and phono hookup, as I play tapes through it too. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Smoke Screen]

Not much experience with receivers,but from those i heard the Sansui 771 and the
Pioneer SX-626 were goodish.

[rhomanski]

For receivers, The 1974,75 Pioneer SX-939 and SX-1010 are highly regarded. The 1976,77 Pioneer SX-950 and SX-1050 would be a good choice. The 1978,79 Pioneer SX-980 or SX-1080 would be fine as well. The Sansui G series from the late 70's are well received. G-7000 or G-8000 are good sounding and a good size. You could try separates, The Sansui AU-717 is a great sounding amp. Pair it with the TU-717 tuner and you have the same as a receiver that sounds better. Even better, but way more expensive, would be the BA-3000, CA-3000 combo paired with a TU-9900.

I would advise to get the AU-717 and TU-717. They have a great sound and still aren't that expensive. All the problems are well documented. Count on spending about $100 Dollars more than the expense of the units for parts. Replacing the capacitors and some diodes and some transistors, a new relay and the unit will last another thirty years. They both sold extremely well in the seventies, so they are all over ebay. If you search the web and read up on them you will see what I mean. Audiokarma has threads on overhauling them. They detail the problems and solutions, give part numbers and all. If you get a pair you will not regret it. Unless you decide everything else has to be upgraded. That's a slippery slope.

Regards,

Ron.

[missthedudeman]

Ron, thank you so much for all the info.

The receiver I got from my girlfriend (it was her dad's), is a JVC JR-S300 Mark II. I've heard these are great receivers. Should I just invest to get it fixed? I have no idea where I would go to get it repaired. I literally know nothing about them. I also think I need to get a new turntable, and don't even know where to start with that.

The biggest problem is I am a just graduated college student and don't have a lot of money, with loans, credit cards to pay, etc., I'm a janitor. So I am on a budget. However, I know that I won't get something great unless I really save so maybe I should just invest???

[Brick]

Do you know if your friend cleaned all the switch pots while he was in there? Most of this old equipment needs them cleaned, and alot of problems like scratchy volume controls and dodgy channels can be fixed by a good shot of De-oxit into each one. I've brought units that wouldn't do anything at all back to life with just a good cleaning.

[rhomanski]

Brick is right, cleaning could fix it right up. I looked around, it seems as if it has 55 watts per channel. Quality looks about middle of the road. I had a similar one from Kenwood all through the eighties. It's a keeper until you get able to get better. Get a can of Caig deoxit and faderlube. Take it apart until you can get to the back of the switches and spray deoxit into a hole in the back of the switches. Move the switch back and forth a few dozen times. Spray faderlube into the switch and move it a few times. Repeat as necessary until they are clean.

Regards,

Ron.

[edwards464]

I have a Harman Kardon HK3485 that I like very much. I bought it a couple of weeks ago on eBay and it was only $206 shipped. There are several models in the HK34xx line and I feel you'd be happy with any of them.

[fscl]

Ron, thank you so much for all the info.

The receiver I got from my girlfriend (it was her dad's), is a JVC JR-S300 Mark II. I've heard these are great receivers. Should I just invest to get it fixed? I have no idea where I would go to get it repaired. I literally know nothing about them. I also think I need to get a new turntable, and don't even know where to start with that.

The biggest problem is I am a just graduated college student and don't have a lot of money, with loans, credit cards to pay, etc., I'm a janitor. So I am on a budget. However, I know that I won't get something great unless I really save so maybe I should just invest???

Don't know if you are still struggling with the JVC, however, the HFE (extreme right in the menu) HiFi Engine sister site has a service manual:

http://www.hifiengine.com/manuals/jvc/jr-s300.shtml

Download and hopefully you / your friend can get you up and listening.

Good luck.

Fred

[analogaudio]

If I was shopping for a new stereo receiver the Yamaha RX397 would be on my shortlist. Among many good features it has motorised volume control with remote.

[Binkman]

A tuner is a receiver.. a multi tasking amplifier isn't a tuner or receiver.

Regardless. If you want to "Get" performance from a tuner on any band i.e. a.m. /f.m. you'll need to assure good grounding and a good antenna that may go beyond a a 75ohm or a 150ohm job.

"hiss" on signal searching between channels is a good sign you don't have a good ground and the best of tuners will exhibit same without good grounding. Same goes for good transmitter/receivers, too.

Bink

[Alec124c41]

A receiver is a tuner ans an integrated amplifier in one unit.
I can stick any length of wire on one of the FM antenna terminals, and get good, clean stereo. We do have a number of stations in the vicinity. A good antenna will get more, and more distant, stations.
Noise between stations means the FM muting is not on. This connects the sound only when there is a reasonably strong signal. It is called "squelch" on a CB.

Cheers,
Alec

[jackfish]

We do have a number of stations in the vicinity.

I bet Jazz FM91 is one of them. I often listen online.

[Alec124c41]

We do have a number of stations in the vicinity.

I bet Jazz FM91 is one of them. I often listen online.

That, and CBC Radio 2 are my favorites.

Cheers,
Alec

[Jimii]

I have a Marantz SR4023 which is awesome. You could probably find one in the U.S. for under $300. This thing is audiophile quality sound and built like a tank.