Monitor 5jr's with a vintage stereo receiver?

[Jonesy]

I would like to put a pair of 5jr's on one of those classic power receivers from the 70's.....Marantz, Sansui, Luxman, Kenwood etc.. I understand the power ratings from that era was very conservative and usually high current, as opposed to the '100 watt' ratings publised nowdays by the lower end units from mass producers.

I'm just curious if these type of units will push the 5's easily. I haven't heard the 5's (they are being donated by a friend) but being they read like a relatively light load - 8ohm, 90db efficient - I would think that 15 to 60 watts of old school power should be allright. Any thoughts?

[george daniel]

Just be sure Not to clip the amp and fry your tweets. Trust me,, I'm an expert in that area, I've got some 5a's that I have 300 watt mono's driving until they are relocated, so, with that said,,good clean power,,and careful with that volume,,eugene----enjoy,,set up properly,,they will surprise you :D

[nadams]

I ran my 5jr's with a 15wpc Pioneer SX450. Sounded great! Very warm and punchy. I drove my monitor 10's with that amp, too, for a short while. The sound was nicer than my 100wpc JVC receiver, but it just didn't provide the headroom I needed.

[Jonesy]

Thats what I was looking for nadams, thanks. Man those old Pioneer units really command a premium on ebay. What puts them above the Marantz, Kenwood and other?

[dkg999]

Their sound quality!

[MillerLiteScott]

I am running a pair of Monitor 5's with 25 watt mono blocks and the sound great.

[capecodder]

I wouldn't worry too much about getting a "high power" receiver. Anything 20to 50 wts should be plenty to enjoy those speakers. As long as you stay away from the bigger 100wt plus vintage super receivers which are being bid up to pretty serious money now you should be fine. Many of the 20 to 75 wt models can be had for a song. Any of the "classics" from Pioneer (perhaps in the SX 650 to 850 (or xx80) series range), Sansui (don't know the models), Marantz (2235, 2245 or so), Harmon Kardon (530 to 730), Yamaha natural sound series, Tandberg (loved their looks), Luxman and Kenwood (I was not as big a fan of Kenwood receivers but they made some outstanding tuners). If you are just trying to hook up a vintage setup, part of the fun is to try different models. They are cheap enough to flip if you see one you might like more later. Try local yard/estate sales and the thrift shops, you'd be surprised what you find. Have fun.

[Jonesy]

If you are just trying to hook up a vintage setup, part of the fun is to try different models. They are cheap enough to flip if you see one you might like more later. Try local yard/estate sales and the thrift shops, you'd be surprised what you find. Have fun.

More great info, thanks. Actually I'm putting together a stereo for my duaghter. My oldest moved out so she took her room and now she is trying to play her crappy little CD clock radio loud enough to hear it in this new (much bigger) space. I couldn't take it anymore so we decided to get her something on the cheap for her b-day.

Well for <$200 it's junk at BB, CC and the like, or quality vintage. She likes the idea. She is used to listening on our main rig and appreciates quality. She seems to be partial to the looks of the Marantz stuff. It's time to go huntin :D

[nadams]

I forgot to mention, I also have a Marantz 2220b receiver. It's rated slightly higher than the sx450 at 25wpc. It's a much beastlier amp than the sx450, for sure. I drove the Monitor 10's with that all day at high levels with nary a complaint from either the speakers or the amp. I'd still be using it, but it's in need of a rebuild simply due to not being cared for very well. I'd have no reservations on buying another one, though!!!

[MillerLiteScott]

Jonesy,

Do you need another daughter?:D

[Jonesy]

like I need another hole....well, you know :)

I just got rid of one.......two to go ;)

[imready]

a few years ago i bought my stepson a marantz 2220b and a set of small advents, cd player and turntable. that marantz will shake the house pushing those small advents, it will do it all day long , crystal clear at high volumn with bass so punchy it made me want to go get myself a pair. i'm amazed at what little respect those speakers get shown with perfect examples selling for under 200 a pair. i paid 75 plus shipping for the pair. 75 for plus shipping for the marantz too. marantz is definately not a neutral receiver, kind of has that soft tube sound to it. i have three marantz amps and none had any trouble pushing any of my vintage speakers, even the little 2216! if you want natural and inexpensive integrated amp try the nad 3020a. 35wpc of pure nad power. i pushed a pair of magneplaner smg's for many years till the glue holding my ribbons let go. i will hear that combo again when i get around to rebuilding those maggies, they really sang with that 3020a behind them. it was an entry level audiophile recommended component. i'm pretty sure you can pick one up on ebay for under $100 when available.