good receiver for vintage speakers?

[archimedes123]

I'm inheriting a pair of pioneer cs-99's. I've hear that some new receivers don't match well with vintage speakers. Is this just a function of receiver/amp quality, or are there receivers I should avoid? Use would be 60/40 movies/music.
Thanks in advance.

-F

 

[edmcanuck]

I'm inheriting a pair of pioneer cs-99's. I've hear that some new receivers don't match well with vintage speakers.

What you hear is urban-legend nonsense. The 99's were easy to drive and would pair just fine with anything.

 

[markw]

Pretty much true. A good amp is a good amp.

What you hear is urban-legend nonsense. The 99's were easy to drive and would pair just fine with anything.

And, a crap amp is a crap amp, no matter where or when it was made.

Give them a good, solid amp with enough clean power to drive them and you'll be fine.

But, if you're looking to integrate them into a multi-channel HT/music system, good luck finding a center that matches them.

 

[archimedes123]

Thanks.
HT will come later. Current room configuration doesn't lend itself to rear speakers (and it's a rental), but I've thought about adding a good sub and trying to find a center channel.
Any suggestions?

 

[alexsound]

Hello, I'm new to the forum, but old to the audiophile game.

A good receiver for vintage speakers like yours would be
pretty much anything in the 500-800 dollar range from
Yamaha, Onkyo, or Harmon Kardon. Harmon Kardon especially
if most of your listening will be stereo. Great power, great
sound for stereo listening. Of course, they would also have surround
capabilities, video switching, etc. I mentioned the above brands,
because they would be the easiest to get at a decent
price, and in these price ranges, you will be getting "cleaner"
sounding power than with a cheapie $200 low end stereo receiver.
One thing you may want to remember is that newer
amplification technology is quite a bit more powerful than
what was generally available when the CS99's came out
(late seventies, I think) so be careful cranking up the volume.

 

[Seth=L]

I have a pair of CS-88s, be careful though, if the x-over is damaged like mine are it could overload any amp you connect it to.

 

[archimedes123]

I went with an Onkyo TX-SR605.

 

[alexsound]

Excellent choice. If it's anything like it's predecessors, then you have
a darn good received. Also, if it's anything like it's predecessors, then give it PLENTY of room to breath. I know that the 603 and the 604 can get pretty hot. Need to give it venting room.