5 Vintage Stereo Pieces That Are Way Overpriced! 

Kevin, you justified all your choices here. I don't think you'll get any backlash from this video. Thanks for another "Coffee with Kevin" video.

Your blessed, I lost my dad 6 years ago yesterday, what I would give to have him back, thanks for sharing him with us.

Kevin, you don’t need to apologize for anything. Just keep bringing the great content. Thank you

Your Dad's Laugh is so energetic and genuine. My Dad's not around anymore, or I would give him a call. Instead I'm going to call my Son. He's a fine young man whose laugh, like your father's, is infectious and heart warming. Peace 🎩✌️🐀💿

Lovely video as always, that chat with your dad was the cherry on the cake.

We see your appreciation for your Father, and we know where you and he got that. Keep passing the good traits down.❤️

Ah! I feel attacked! 😂 Um let’s see, what over-valued items do I own? ☑️ Klipsch Heresy ❌ Pioneer 1980 ☑️Marantz 2270 ☑️ Sansui 9090 (ok, not the DB version) ☑️ Pioneer PL-530 I totally get where you’re coming from, and I’ll do my best to move on. 😆

More Dad videos please Kevin - you're so lucky to have him with you. He reminds me so much of my own...

Had to laugh about your comment on the SX 1980 and Hughes H-4 aka Spruce Goose. Was a sales rep for the SX 1980 in the '70'sand now give personal tours in the Spruce Goose! Thanks for the McMinnville, Oregon plug!

Hey Kevin, I really enjoy the videos you put up. Your opinions are spot on in my book, and these videos are time well spent listening to your "Laid back" delivery about vintage audio. I didn't have a lot of cash to drop on this stuff back when it was new, so I have my eyes open now to pick up items at garage sales or wherever. So I have a small list going on what to keep an eye out for now, because the hardware is out there! Thanks pal!

Kevin I did not comment on the earlier video showing your Dad. I thought he was fantastic. Knows his stuff in quiet and unassuming manner. He was just plain cool to meet and see. It is easy to see how you got your pleasant and honest demeanor. Please show more selections of your Dad, and for that manner, the other techs doing repairs/checks. ( if they are not too camera shy ) Hi Dad!

2 sets of Pioneer and Marantz. They are Pioneer 's SX 1010 and SX 737, the Marantz 2230 and 2245. All have been recapped and serviced. Which sound better to me? The Marantz sound fuller and more dynamic over the Pioneer systems. Speakers I used are Pioneer HPM-100's and JBL L-36 Decades. I love my Pioneer receivers but the Marantz receivers sound and look amazing!

Thanks for doing these videos, I look for them weekly. Having your Dad in them is great, I lost mine 1 year ago. I have a PL 530 X (black) which looks really nice and no veneer peeling off, but was really tuff to work on and sounds really clunky when auto return picks up and returns. Have a great week Kevin, All the best from Canada👍

Great info and thanks!!! You are so blessed to still have your Father, keep him near you. I have a Sandy’s 1000A I will be recapping soon so should sound great, I hope as it is all tubes, love the tube stuff.

Great videos Sir ! Love any Vintage Audio talk. Cheers!

Great listening to someone that has a truly honest opinion that is certainly is in the ear of the beholder! You have the experience and profession to give this type of review and no one can say boo. I have watched your clips in the past but never subscribed. I certainly have after this one, keep up the heartfelt honesty which is very refreshing in today's enviroment!

I am a Marantz owner and love your channel!

Hey Kevin! Thanks for your videos! It is great to see that you have such ties with your dad! God bless you!

Kevin, having your dad there is golden, soak up as much as you can, Life is a timed event. Really straight ahead. I thought your opinions were well thought out and honest. I will say, for me, I have an SX1250 and a Marantz 2325 and I run them through ADS 1290’s and 1090’s. To my ears there is a difference and I love pushing the rock and roll through the Pioneer and my acoustic/classical/jazz through the Marantz. I was lucky and bought both receivers way under market so I’m a happy camper. Keep ‘em coming. Thanks

I had a couple figured out after talking to you in your shop but that’s it. Good job and having your dad there makes it even more enjoyable. Keep it up Kevin.

Tuned into your channel a month ago..and enjoy all of them..and just bought 2 tee shirts. Wish your shop was closer to me! Keep up the good work Kevin!

Great work! Easy to understand, great message of value to everyone. Thanks!!!

Individual preference in vintage audio is the wonderful outcome of consumer choice. Why do some drivers swear by Ford while others swear AT it? You thoroughly explained your rationale each time.... whether it was serviceability (9090dB, PL530), supply & demand (2270, 1980), or you just didn't care for them (Heresy). No fan of audio can reasonably attack any part of this video.... not the least of which is your obvious love of your vintage dad! (my kindred spirit here....)

It seems to me someone may have said "The show must go on" before Pink Floyd 🙂 I have to say it would be a pleasure to walk into one of the few remaining hi fi shops and encounter a sales person as laid back as this one. I would prefer that the videos go at a slightly faster pace, though. None of the vintage pieces are remotely on my radar, but I still enjoyed the video. I might consider vintage McIntosh, but only because I know how to fix stuff. I know well the experience of looking inside a piece of gear and thinking "no way I would touch this!" Particularly heartbreaking is the Pioneer turntable: having to dismantle the entire thing just to fix what should have been higher quality veneer to start with. In general, due to the nostalgia factor, vintage things are not always priced rationally.

Love to see your dad with you. I work with my son. We are both welders, and I'm showing him how to do it. I hope when he is older he will appreciate it cause I don't think he does currently. Maybe one day I'll have to stop in your shop while driving to my dad's house. I'm in michigan and he lives on the west side of Iowa

YES! The rooms I tried KG’s and others, ouch! Harsh. Moved maggies in, nice! Moved them to upstairs, yuk! All about the room no matter how much $ spent

Whoooow what a great relation with your dad. Bless the moments you have.

Love my 9090 and not once have I regretted passing the DB up, I couldn’t justify the expense

I have a pair of Klipsch KG4's that I bought in 1987. They have always sounded amazing and I would not think of trading them for a pair of Heresys. Powered by a '74 Marantz 2240 that Skylabs' service team brought back to life. My music room is my sanctuary. Thanks for another great video Kevin!

Family is always important; it's refreshing to see that with you and your father. Thanks. Great content.

Very helpful stuff for someone getting back into vintage hi-fi like myself! Thanks Kevin

Thanks for all these! Cool Dad you have there man!

I think you are spot on about overvalued stereo equipment. That being said I really enjoy my 1971 Maranz 2270 with a pair of 1984 Heresy’s with a subwoofer. Might try a set of Fortes next. Thanks for all you do.

sure, the Marantz 2270 can have issues after 50 yrs like any component that old, and in need of maintenance. However, it's a fantastic warm sounding receiver. Mine was from 1972, and I wish I still had it

I had the 7070, paired with a set of ESS speakers. Served me well for many years and parties. Saw a full page add in Rolling Stone. I was hooked.

Great video, you're right about the Sansui 9090DB, I was looking for one myself and after finding out about the Board issue, I switched to a Sansui 9090 which I got for the same price you were showing. Thanks for the great video information for vintage stereo.

Thanks for the information and your knowledge on these

Great video. You made me feel better about not splurging on a Marantz 2245. I've been using a Kenwood KR 3090 for the longest and recently switched to an Onkyo TX -4500 that I picked up. It sounds great, but I think the Kenwood 3090 and 4070 (gifted to my daughter) actually sound warmer. Kenwood seems to not get as much love either, but I'm a big fan. I really enjoyed the video with your Dad and was happy to see his response to finally watching the video himself. Thank you for sharing. 😎✌🏻🎶

Just subscribed my friend. Really enjoyed this. Would die for just one shop in the 🇬🇧 like yours 👍

Awesome video. My first good stereo was a Marantz 2220B. Sadly it was sold with a business. Later ended up with a couple of 2230's that I later sold at a fair price. Always easier to sell things that people like, no matter the reason. As for that turntable with the peeling vinyl.....I did a big CEC built table during covid. it is a Taya and I covered it in Maple veneer. My first project of that kind. It turned out pretty good and was extremely satisfying to do. Get at it! Thanks again for the video and for sharing your Dad with us. I lost mine 20 long years ago.

I agree with everything you said about the Pioneer SX-1980. I had one for 5 years. It was awesome to look at.The 1980 sounded great. I owned all of the receivers in the 80 series with the exception of the SX-580. My favorites are the SX-1080 and the 780.I also had an SX-1250 When prices started getting crazy I sold the 1980. Regrets... sometimes,but that's life. I've owned Pioneers since 1977.

This has been due a while. Thank you!

Very well put together video! Hearing tge way you reason cost and power, makes me appreciate my Realistic STA-2000D more than ever.

Yes, so much of it is overpriced. I really appreciate you pointing to the components that are overpriced and then pointing out components that compare in quality and sound at a lesser price. Would like to see more of these videos keep up the great work.

Definitely was a fun one. I've enjoyed and learned something new from all your videos.

I had so many different units back in the day when i was in high school,the 2270, the 2275, sansui au919 and tu919, mac4100, and finally an mc2200 with an apt holman preamp. I was using a thorens td160 with an sme series 3 arm with a signet tk7 cartridge. I was living the life and didn’t even know it.

Great video, Kevin! Agree, especially with the Hereseys. Thanks!

Such a chill dude. Thx.

I really love my Marantz 2325, and I love your videos. Thanks for all the work you put in. I appreciate you.

Interesting take on old Hi Fi. Was an audio engineer/repair person for about 50 years. Started on valve kit onwards to Bang and Olufsen early computer run gear etc, and some high end. In UK, generally, it is purely the sound quality that rules the prices on old equipment. Early Quad II series, SME arms, Revox reel to reels, Michell Gyro decks, Sugden etc etc.

I love that you give your opinion! All in the ear of the beholder!! I have two SX-1980s and they are awesome to me. They are a clown car of a receiver-ridiculous, big and funny looking. I also have a SX-980 and It is all I want and need. But damn it is great showing off the SX-1980!! When I got into this hobby the 1980s were 3000 and now are 5000 plus. Buy and sell a few and work your way up to a bigger pioneer. You won’t regret it.

I just wish the newer receivers were made to the same styles and standards as these older ones. The brushed aluminum and the backlighting look beautiful. One of my relatives had the Pioneer SX-1010, it's a monster.

To see an SX 850 or SX950 in the flesh beats the ass outa seeing it online. When I saw an SX850, at the tek's shop, sumthin happened, I became obsessed, I got it, then I wanted the SX950.

You sir are a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. Love your video's never miss a single one.

I owned a Marantz 2240 in about 1970 and knew two others who did as well. Mine cost me about $400 then. Two of the three failed and of course needed repair. I sold mine and never regretted it.

Excellent list and knowledge bomb. Thank you

Another great video ! Would like to see more videos of equipment that "fly's under the radar" for affordability & build quality. Serviceability is key, you could do a whole video series entitled "From the Bench" to help point out what equipment is a nightmare to repair & avoid .....

I have 50+ pair of speakers including many Klipsch models......I sold my Heresey's. My KG's are in my top 3 of my speaker collection I can listen to them all day.

When you were talking about the kg series with passive radiators. Made me think of my speakers with passive radiators. The old vintage EPI A500 with dual 12 inch passive on the sides. I love these speakers. I bought from my uncle for $1.00.. he bought them brand new back then..

Your dad is the best and you, Kevin, are awesome!

9:05 Haha! I knew the Marantz 2270 would be on the list and prices for this unit are indeed insane, particularly within the past two years where asking prices on eBay are in the stratosphere.

I paid 700 dollars for the Marantz 2270 last summer (2023), in near mint condition, at an estate sale.

Just had my 9090db completely refurbished. Only cost me $1,000. It was worth it. Great video! I know you are a Sansui guy.

Great video, and yes the time with dad is priceless I miss my dad every day and he’s the main reason I m even into Hi Fi and have learned what I did , but on to your choices IMHO we share the same sentiments on over priced vintage gear. Take it from me I have owned a cherry PIoneer PL 41 over 10 years ago and I’d would take it over the PL 530 especially considering that cheap vinyl wrap. The only other weakness for me is the rare and seldom seen PLC 590 now that was a beast and look wise more longevity as far as the plinth finish. Anyhow great videos man keep it coming!👍🏽👍🏽🔥🔥💪🏽

As someone who bought, sold & traded vintage audio for years, I've owned three 9090DB's & never once had a problem with the dolby. I also never paid more than $450 for one & they all were in excellent shape. That's not to say they are not troublesome as many have said, it's just that "I" never had a problem with one & still use one as my main source. It was totally restored 4 years ago & I wouldn't sell it for anything.

Thanks Kevin for another great video. I appreciate your opinion and I agree that at the end of the day it's the listeners ear that matters. Keep up the good work 🙂

Great video as always. Thanks Kevin 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Thank heavens you didn't go after my Yorx all-in-one driving Lloyd's speakers!😊

Kevin, we love and respect your opinion! Most people totally agree with you! Either way you got us, as buyers and viewers! Great channel!

The more I watch, the more I appreciate you as a person.

Right on man! No nonsense, Kevin

The thing about the Marrantz that you fail to take into account was that the tuners on their receivers often blew out the competition. I sold high-end audio and video equipment during the 80s into the early 90s, just after the "Receiver Wars" had ended. And the thing that really set the Marrantz receivers apart was their tuners. My store was in the North end of San Francisco, an area where radio reception was difficult, because of hills and tall buildings. The better Marrantz receivers we took in on trade would almost always be able to tune in stations clearer than new digital separate tuners, and easily blew away all of the digital tuners on the receivers we sold. In fact, we could often tune in stations clearly without an antenna that were nothing but static without antennas on other units. Not only did they tune in stations better, but they also sounded better too, because the tuner section of receivers was an area where most other companies could skimp on and not be noticed by most consumers. I know that in my store, for example, that customers would come in to audition equipment with their favorite LP, CD or cassette, but wouldn't spend any time listening to the tuner. That's just how things were. In the meantime, I built my system that I have to this day, while I was working there, and it still sounds amazing. It consists of entirely separate components, including a Marrantz tuner that I overpaid for to take in on trade, with the intention of buying it myself.

Klipsch mounted drivers from the inside. It ruins the dispersion, particularly the tweeter. My 1974 Klipschorn mid and tweeter were greatly improved by mounting from the front, which I did around 1996. I called Klipsch about that and they said they didn't mount them that way at that time. It made them easier to remove and allowed the grill cloth to be stapled to the front panel. I haven't yet fixed the appearance as I just cut the grill. I have replacement, a close second cloth, from Crites. I am thinking of routing a new front to flush mount and going bare black without grill cloth. I think the way they mounted them may have contributed to some negative reviews.

I have a Marantz 2220b,Pioneer SX-780 and Sansui 551,661,5050 and G2000.None of them are monster receivers and like you say i'll never need more power than what these can provide.I also have two Marantz 6110 turn tables which are simple semi-automatic belt drive tables that sound and work beautifully. Oh,yeah and a nice pair of EPI 100's...Always enjoy your videos.Thanks for the info.

I'm subscribed. Really like the content. Wish my dad was still here.

You always say it's going to be another fun video. And you're always right! LOL My son gave me a Marantz 2220b so the value is incredible for me. You're so lucky to have a great dad. My dad was a hard hearted, miserly SOB and when I found his dead body in his back yard, I felt a bit of peace in my life.

Great video Kevin, I still love vintage gear and engage in the hobby via these kinds of videos. Having owned most of the popular gear, I’m one of those who think they’re all overrated and priced. They sure win the style points though.

Spot on!!! I have a few 22xx's and while they are great, The tax is real.. Even comparing my 2235 to a Realistic STA-85 I have... They dont sound that much different for the difference in cost they bring.. Love the x3x line, that 939 will haunt me forever when I passed on one for $225 a few years back ugh. Keep up the great content!

Great points! Thanks!

Just found you today. I like you channel. I like the content and the down to earth honesty. New suscriber.

another great vid, the AR Integrated is still working fine!

I have a Kenwood KR 9600, bought it for $350 fifteen years ago and I would put it up against any of the "Monster Receivers" if the 70s. Love it and the channel! Great video as usual! Love the Des Moines area too!

Great video with your dad and I totally agree with your list. Other receivers that keep going up are the Harman Kardon Twin Power. Not too many on eBay and prices keep growing, soon reaching that level if not there already.

Another good video Kevin! I own a pair of Heresy’s and I love them. But I respect your opinion and understand that what people hear and prefer is subjective. Keep up the videos!

Kevin, great video! However, in my opinion what you say does matter. It’s important that those of us deep in the vintage gear addiction realize why we truly desire a piece of hi-fi gear from the 70s or whenever. Whatever the reason, as long as we are happy with the choice and honest with ourselves, it’s all good. Repairs are not fun or cheap so this needs to be recognized in our decisions.i also believe you are spot on having personally dumped Heresys but love my Kg4s-both sets. My 2270 was satisfying for about 10 minutes…so my experience mirrors yours. Keep it up- Skylab viewers need to hear and learn from your experience. Thanks Scott

I had a 9090db and the only problem was that Dolby switch. Cleaning did no good, constantly played with it to get both channels to work. Loved that 9090db but sold it when the prices went high. I paid 320.00 for it back in 1984 from a re buy Hi Fi place. Worse to work on than the 9090db is the QRX-9001. Those also have this same Dolby setup. Really enjoy your videos and appreciate your knowledge.

Another excellent installment. I see no flamethrowers thus far, and do not expect any. You're correct on the items that made your list, even if I do truly want to own a couple of them...😁 There just IS something about the Marantz 22XX receivers, and I guess I will just have to pay "The Marantz Tax" at some point in time. Lastly, you DO have a gift, to be able to see your Dad each day -- I miss mine. Give your Dad a hug...Rip

Great video Kevin! I had a feeling multiple of those that you mentioned would be on there! Don’t understand your dislike for heresy, but to each his own! I myself I’m not adverse to a little differences in patina, since these things are old! What ticks me off is when people want something that looks and works absolutely as newwhen it’s 40 years old!

like the way the little kid comes out in you when you're with your pops!

I love my sx-880 it takes me back to being a kid in the 80's, and a teenager in the 90's. I only have a pair of sc-r590's hooked to it. Thanks for all you do for the vintage "kids".

I feel that the stereo equipment of the 70s appeals to me for the same reason I love cars from the 50s and 60s. It's not all about the performance but the look and feel of all the dials and controls that completes the experience.

My dad still has his sx-1980 that he bought new in 1980. He is very particular so it looks like it is brand new. Its all be recapped and clesned recently and it is a monster. He has it paired to JBL L220 speakers. He also bought those new when he bought the receiver.

Thanks for the video

I buy broken ones and frankenstein a receiver together - back in that day, lots of the same parts were used from reciever to reciever --

Great video is always keep them coming

@Kevin As you say, it was a fun one! Your videos usually are. Since I learned that you mostly post videos on Sunday, I now anticipate your latest post. Once again, I agree with just about everything you mentioned here. Klipsch Heresy - Given the high cost of Klipsch vintage speakers, it seems that the Heresy was the only affordable one for the longest time. But I did learn that the speaker was designed as a center channel speaker and is is too small to produce good bass response. Yet, it still comes off as an affordable speaker in the Klipsch Heritage line. Many people do think that the speaker, because of it's small size can work right in a small room, and (as you said)_ it doesn't. A small room will just choke off the already lacking bass response. I had since looked a bit up in the Heritage line and had found a strong liking for the Forte speaker. It is only a bit bigger than the Heresy, but it sounds much better and it is suited for varied room sizes. Pioneer 1980 - Not much to say here but, why? If anyone thinks they absolutely have to have 270wpc in a home stereo really has to have their head examined. Let alone paying $8k for one. In my hi-fi power days, I had an Onkyo M504 in my bedroom. It is 165 wpc and I had found that I was using about 50 - 60 watts MAX and in that small room, that was already ear splitting volume. So I asked myself that same question...why? So when I sold my parent's house, I sold the 504 along with it. As for the 1980, It has been, and is always a pass for me. The thing weighs about 80 lbs as well. Do you really want to lug that thing around? ...I don't think so. Marantz- Okay, this is a subjective one and it is mostly aesthetics. I must be one of the few audio enthusiasts of vintage equipment that doesn't like the look of Marantz receivers. I am not fond of the blue and prefer green, or orange glow over it. I absolutely hate the thumbwheel tuning control, not that I really use the radio on a receiver any more. Sound wise, I think the Marantz sounds good. It does have a brighter mid to high range, and a slightly weaker bass when compared to a Sansui or Pioneer. But overall, I would agree that most of the units from that era have a similar sound. I guess just due to popularity Marantz commands a higher price. That's fine with me because I wouldn't buy one anyway. As it is, I had done much testing in my audio technician days and too, had become quite the fan of Sansui. That is what I have and I would recommend that any day and any time. Which brings me to... Sansui 9090db - I actually owned the original Sansui 9090. I had that along with the G7500. I had always preferred the aesthetics of the G series over the x0x0 series. So despite the 9090 having more power and also a midrange control, I ended up selling that one and keeping the G7500. But I had never knew of the problem with the 9090db. So I really don't get why that version fetches more money than the standard 9090. It doesn't make sense to me. Pioneer Pl-530. This is another, why? There are so many nicer tables from Technics that cost a lot cheaper. But I can go the other way too. I have a Technics SL1200MKII and performance wise, it will run circles around that 530! Yeah, I know the nice woodgrain cabinet....oh wait, it is that fake crap that peels. Yeah, I know, the Technics 1200 doesn't have automatic functions, but since it doesn't have it, there is nothing to break. The SL-1200 as well as those units derived from it have one of the most reliable motors ever made. They rarely go bad, and if they do, there are PLENTY of parts out there to fix it. BTW, do those other woodgrain Pioneer turntable's you mentioned have real wood, or do they have the fake vinyl too? So, once again, this was indeed a fun one and I did have fun coming along for the ride.

I could not agree more on all things mentioned. I'm amazed at times how accurate or that I'm always in agreement with Kevin, who I think opinion should be seen as expert advice.

I just discovered this channel. It is interesting to see that there is a market for all of our old "Nam" bought stereo gear.

Another great video and I agree with your choices. I think that quad receivers tend to be overlooked as a receiver choice. I have a Pioneer QX-949 and it just sounds fantastic, and I picked it up really cheap and in minty condition. I also recently added a Pioneer SX-838 which I love as well.

Thank-you for another good video! The beauty of this is with the exception of the pioneer turntable and the dolby Sansui, this list can change when prices change. If the Klipsch were $200 and the pioneer 1980 was $400 or the Marantz 22xx line was cheap, then the list can be about undervalued equipment. Very timely on the current market. Those three pieces of gear are excellent, overvalued at the moment, but excellent.