The most unique vintage receivers
Receivers that broke the mold: oscilloscopes, touch controls, two-piece chassis, quad decoders, kits and other designs that stand out.
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| 1 | Marantz 2500 | 1977–1980 | 250 W | 0 | Listings |
| 2 | Marantz 4400 | 1974–1978 | 125 W | 0 | Listings |
| 3 | Bang & Olufsen Beomaster 1900 | 1976–1982 | — | 0 | Listings |
| 4 | Sansui QRX-9001 | 1978–1979 | 120 W | 0 | Listings |
| 5 | Sansui G-33000 | c. 1978 | 300 W | 0 | Listings |
| 6 | Technics SA-1000 | late 1970s | 330 W | 0 | Listings |
| 7 | Marantz 2600 | 1978–1980 | 300 W | 0 | Listings |
| 8 | McIntosh MAC1900 | 1973–1978 | 55 W | 0 | Listings |
| 9 | Harman Kardon 930 | 1972 | 45 W | 0 | Listings |
| 10 | Realistic STA-2100 | 1979 | 120 W | 0 | Listings |
| 11 | Fisher 500-C | 1960s | 35 W | 0 | Listings |
| 12 | Heathkit AR-15 | — | — | 0 | Listings |
| 13 | Pioneer SX-1980 | 1978–1980 | 270 W | 0 | Listings |
| 14 | Sansui G-22000 | 1978 | 220 W | 0 | Listings |
| 15 | Nakamichi 730 | 1978–1982 | 105 W | 0 | Listings |
| 16 | Optonica SA-5901 | 1979–1980 | 125 W | 0 | Listings |
| 17 | Tandberg TR-2080 | — | — | 0 | Listings |
| 18 | Yamaha CR-2020 | 1977–1979 | 100 W | 0 | Listings |
| 19 | Nikko NR-1415 | 1978 | 175 W | 0 | Listings |
| 20 | Scott 340B | 1960s | — | 0 | Listings |
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1. Marantz 2500
A working oscilloscope in the front panel shows tuning, multipath and the stereo signal, and the free-spinning flywheel dial feels like nothing else.
- Front-panel oscilloscope
- Gyro-Touch flywheel tuning
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2. Marantz 4400
A quadraphonic flagship with a built-in oscilloscope, four-channel balance controls and optional remote control. It carries every idea Marantz had in 1974.
- Built-in oscilloscope
- 4-channel
- Dolby FM
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3. Bang & Olufsen Beomaster 1900
Instead of knobs it has a row of touch-sensitive 'dimples' that click electronically when touched. The everyday controls hide under a full-width hinged lid.
- Sensi-touch controls
- Hinged cover for secondary controls
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4. Sansui QRX-9001
A late, powerful quad receiver that decodes QS, SQ and CD-4 at a time when the four-channel boom was already over.
- QS, SQ and CD-4 decoding
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5. Sansui G-33000
Technically a receiver, but split across two chassis to hold 300 watts per channel.
- Two-chassis design
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6. Technics SA-1000
The receiver at the far end of the power war, rated at 330 watts per channel, with a size and weight to match.
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7. Marantz 2600
Marantz's last word in the power race, and reportedly one of the few giants to meet its full rating under FTC test conditions.
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8. McIntosh MAC1900
McIntosh's glass faceplate and blue meters on a receiver, applied to a format most high-end makers ignored.
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9. Harman Kardon 930
Built by the Citation engineering team with two complete, separate power supplies, an unusual luxury in a receiver at this price.
- Dual separate power supplies
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10. Realistic STA-2100
A Radio Shack receiver with a toroidal power transformer. A dispute with Pioneer led to a revised STA-2100D, so the original is the one collectors want.
- Toroidal power transformer (original version)
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11. Fisher 500-C
A full tube stereo receiver from the 1960s, combining tuner, preamp and valve power amp in one handsome chassis.
- Tube (valve) design
- AM/FM stereo
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12. Heathkit AR-15
A receiver you built yourself. Heathkit sold it as a kit, so every surviving example was assembled by an owner.
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13. Pioneer SX-1980
One of the largest and heaviest receivers ever sold, and the center of a well-known FTC power-rating dispute.
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14. Sansui G-22000
A big DC-coupled Sansui from the late 1970s that pairs 220 watts per channel with a dramatic front panel.
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15. Nakamichi 730
A receiver from a company better known for cassette decks. It is a rare Nakamichi in this format.
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16. Optonica SA-5901
Sharp's short-lived high-end brand, Optonica, built receivers that are now curiosities.
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17. Tandberg TR-2080
A Norwegian receiver with a distinctly Scandinavian look in a market dominated by Japanese and American makers.
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18. Yamaha CR-2020
A famously comprehensive set of controls, laid out neatly, makes this Yamaha a tweaker's dream.
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19. Nikko NR-1415
A modular construction with easily removable power sections, unusual for a receiver of its time.
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20. Scott 340B
An H.H. Scott tube receiver, one of the last generations of valve-based all-in-ones.