One of the reasons I like 70's receivers a lot is because of the plethora of knobs they have. I like knobs! If I ever had to build a receiver, it wouldn't have any buttons--maybe a switch or two, but no buttons. AND ABSOLUTELY NO SLIDERS!!!! (sorry Yamaha CR-1000....)

The receiver that I would build would have knobs for everything--even an on/off knob, filter knob, FM muting knob, etc, with only 2 positions. Why? because IMO its just plain COOL.


One of the main reasons I sold my Pioneer SX-939 was because of the row of plastic buttons it had--especially the function/selector buttons, where when you push one in the other pops out. I HATE those!!!!!

I especially hate computerized buttons, like those on the 80's and HT receivers. I absolutely cannot stand the receivers that have a million of those. and that's why I dont have any!

Switches are OK too, I don't mind them, just as long as they have a good "feel" to them.

I still accept the buttons on my settons though--I admit, they do look kind of nice--and they are ALPS, so they have a great "feel".



Which type are for you? knobs, buttons, or switches?

I like the visceral feel of a nicely designed, heavy potentiometer, so rotational knobs are a big plus. And I like the satisfying "klik" of a well-built and solid switch. I'll let a few buttons sneak in.


But the later 80's and 90's gear, with those light-touch buttons- I don't like them. Too bad, as some of my nicer gear uses them. But yes, Henry, they are a drag.

As for sliders- I de-*test*-('") them. Rules out lots of Marantz gear for me.

I couldn't agree with you more, deli!!

gotta love that "clunky" feel of high-quality controls!
one of the things that I love about my Settons.

It's not that I dont like buttons, it's just that if I were building a receiver, it wouldn't have them.

Likewise.

I don´t like Marantz´s tuning dial either.

It seems that Sansui had a little something for everybody, at least on the AU/TU systems like mine. The amp volume knob and tuner knob are both over 2"diameter, and made from solid aluminum, so they are nice and heavy. Most of the other controls are nice firm knobs, some with detents, and the switches are fairly quiet, but firm. The few pushbuttons don't get much use. Of course, the SE7 equalizer is sliders and pushbuttons, so we have a little of everything!

I’m a minimalist kind of guy, there for i don’t like knobs or switches.

Most of them add noise and behave like resistors to audio signal path.
BTW, I don’t like leds either and I hate blue leds.
On/off and volume and that’s fine by me.
But, sure they look cool on a '70's receiver.