Old Classic Receivers: A Mistake to Buy?

The build quality, and component quality of Pioneer, Sansui, marantz, Harman Kardon, & McIntosh was outstanding. My kids all are into vintage hi-fi as am I. Pioneer SX-1250 has about the most impressive receiver amp I have ever heard. It is extremely listenable. My Daughters Sansui 9090 is not only beautiful to look at, it sounds wonderful. The Pioneer seems to have a little more balls, but just a little. My youngest uses a Realistic STA-2000 which was built by Foster/Fostex for Radio Shack. The amp in this thing looks like it could safely drive a 2ohm load. The fit and finish is of higher quality than either the Sansui or the Pioneer.
The point being, that these were all bought used, and after years of service by my famiily have never require so much as a light bulb change. And they seem to run 24/7.

I am also very impressed with the Pioneers and the Realistics phono sections. They are dead nuts quiet. Your audio buddy needs to get a life. You may prefer something that to you sounds better, but there is nothing wrong the gear from the 70s. I personally run a Citation 17 preamp and Citation 16a amplifier. In thirty plus years I have never had replace or repair anything, nor have I ever felt that the sound of the equipment has deteriorated. My close audio buddies are always impressed with a listening session at my home.

I have had most mixed experience with old receivers. I have an Advent 100 radio from the 70s that still sounds as it did then. I had a Fischer 500 which needed new caps, but sounded quite good, but I got tired of worrying about the caps and tubes. I had a NAD with corroded jacks. I tried to clean them but they never sounded very good. I donated it to charity.

I'm in the middle of re-capping a Marantz 2230 receiver right now. It's not hard - just unsolder the old ones and solder in the new ones. This receiver has 70 electrolytics, so it takes a while, but it is fun. Since the new caps are much smaller than the old ones, I was able to double the power supply capacitance and double the output cap values for more bass and punch. Here's a picture with the main filter cap and output caps replaced - the filter cap is a Panasonic THA, 10000uF, 80V, the output caps are Nichicon KG Gold Tune 4700uF, 80V, bypassed with a 1uF Solen polypropylene. Total parts cost is ~$50 for the entire re-cap and I paid $20 for the reciever at a flea market. Outstanding bang for the buck!!

Marantz 2230 re-cap

Oh, and by the way, I own the following vintage receivers:

Sansui 2000X, Pioneer SX-750 and SX-626, Lafayette LR5555A, Marantz 1150, Marantz 2030

and dozens of vintage speakers, tuners, radios, etc. I also have "modern" high-end gear as well, so I enjoy both sides of the argument, so to speak.

I'm the original owner of a 1975 SX-1250. All of the things your friend says about the parts are pretty much true. BUT, the receiver CAN be restored by a knowledgeable repair outlet. The original caps are not available but better substitutes are.

The sound of a restored SX-1250 is a bit better than a non-restored piece and still possesses the trademark warm and almost limitless power.

I am less certain about resale value. The key would be to fine that individual looking for that specific model.

-Scott