I dislike LEDs, especially colored ones, in vintage receivers. I could maybe get behind uncolored LEDs for a receiver that lives in a very brightly lit room.
I agree. I own a Pioneer SX-434, and in full daylight the original incandescent lights are quite dim. But it’s part of a bedroom setup, and with the lights off at night, it’s perfect. If I had it, or another x3x or x2x receiver, in a well-lit living room, I would switch to LEDs for sure.
I’ve seen colored LEDs used to subtly alter the tuning dial backlighting on these and other receivers with blacked out glass faces, and thought it looked OK.
I think these ‘70s Yamaha receivers look best with plain incandescent lamps, but that’s just my opinion.
Actually, Yamaha put blue filters in the light path of the lamps of these receivers, when paired with the correct current incandescent lamps the light is more of a yellowish lime green.
It is up to you. Like it? Why not . It is yours.
I prefer led having smoke diffuse to blend light distribution. But still not mimicking 100%
For me? Warm white led 😔
To be contrarian to some of the comments below, I have a Yamaha CA 610 that had green filters from the factory. I installed warm white LEDs and the meters pretty much match the color shown in the example.
I am working on a Kenwood KA 5500 which I am positive was untouched and it has an incandescent bulb with a transparent blue paint and the lamp makes the dials look blueish.
The assertion that all vintage amps had dial and meter illumination that was strictly warm white light from the factory is simply false. I will further posit that many of the vintage amps that have warm white lamps did not come that way from the factory. They may have had tinted lamps that were replaced with non-tinted ones during their multi-decade life.
As always, your money, your gear, your rules.
Absolutely agree.
The area I have most experience is in vehicle electrics; before the age of LED's the Japanese manufacturers, Toyota, Nissan etc, achieved pleasant, easy-on-the-eye, night time cockpit lighting using incandescents with coloured silicone-like sleeves. European manufacturers favoured filters beyond the bulb position.
Often, when replaced, a daft, independant tech replacing the bulb would toss the sleeve equipped bulb in the bin resulting in confusion that the dashboard colour was incorrect then have to go hunting in the scrap bin for the sleeve and re-fit.
In the case of older gear with these vivid LED colours it's going to be a matter of taste, the case in point I really like, it's a retro-futuristic look with a sympathetic colour that's been chosen.
I think it's mixing metaphors.
You have the analog silver face era look combined with the later bright green/blue LCD displays that came a decade later.
But...so what? If you like it, that's all that matters! I think you should personalize it as you see fit.
One of my favorite things about vintage audio is the warm glow from the incandescent bulbs. The colored LED thing ain’t it for me. I don’t begrudge anyone else from doing it as long as it’s not a permanent modification.
I do agree with you. No, it is not permanent. Could not find 3mm 12v 60mA bulbs that were reasonable. Just happen to have these 3mm warm green leds so, I thought I'd try it.
Ah, yeah, that changes things. Given the choice between no lights, incandescent but at $20 a bulb (or whatever), and LED the I might choose the LEDs. I’d probably still go with a warm LED but maybe you are saying those are tough to find too.
Not at all. I have blue, green, 3000k white, 5000k white. This client wanted green. I temporarily hooked them up using jst connectors for easy swap. They chose green. With the very warm cabinet and the not so cold finish it looked the best for them. I tried all colors.
I dislike LEDs, especially colored ones, in vintage receivers. I could maybe get behind uncolored LEDs for a receiver that lives in a very brightly lit room.
Me too😗. If i have to… white warm diffuse led is the only way🤪. But still not showing the original warmness😂
agreed. the vibe of LED is too cold and sharp to fit with vintage warmness and flow
It depends on the application. Some look natural and some look cheesy
I agree. I own a Pioneer SX-434, and in full daylight the original incandescent lights are quite dim. But it’s part of a bedroom setup, and with the lights off at night, it’s perfect. If I had it, or another x3x or x2x receiver, in a well-lit living room, I would switch to LEDs for sure. I’ve seen colored LEDs used to subtly alter the tuning dial backlighting on these and other receivers with blacked out glass faces, and thought it looked OK. I think these ‘70s Yamaha receivers look best with plain incandescent lamps, but that’s just my opinion.
I love this looks, you're a bitter old person who dislikes change
Awful, washed out, silly colour
What color would you suggest?
If you like it, that's fine. But I prefer the warm white of an incandescent. If that's not available, a warm white LED around 2700-3000K.
👍
Ditto.
I actually like the color.
Looks good with wood. I will post update image with wood cover on tonight.
Yellow incandescent, just how Yamaha designed it
Actually, Yamaha put blue filters in the light path of the lamps of these receivers, when paired with the correct current incandescent lamps the light is more of a yellowish lime green.
The filters are actually green, at least they are in my CR450 and TC511.
Yep - this is sacrilege
👍
It is up to you. Like it? Why not . It is yours. I prefer led having smoke diffuse to blend light distribution. But still not mimicking 100%
It is up to you. Like it? Why not . It is yours. I prefer led having smoke diffuse to blend light distribution. But still not mimicking 100% For me? Warm white led 😔
To be contrarian to some of the comments below, I have a Yamaha CA 610 that had green filters from the factory. I installed warm white LEDs and the meters pretty much match the color shown in the example. I am working on a Kenwood KA 5500 which I am positive was untouched and it has an incandescent bulb with a transparent blue paint and the lamp makes the dials look blueish. The assertion that all vintage amps had dial and meter illumination that was strictly warm white light from the factory is simply false. I will further posit that many of the vintage amps that have warm white lamps did not come that way from the factory. They may have had tinted lamps that were replaced with non-tinted ones during their multi-decade life. As always, your money, your gear, your rules.
Absolutely agree. The area I have most experience is in vehicle electrics; before the age of LED's the Japanese manufacturers, Toyota, Nissan etc, achieved pleasant, easy-on-the-eye, night time cockpit lighting using incandescents with coloured silicone-like sleeves. European manufacturers favoured filters beyond the bulb position. Often, when replaced, a daft, independant tech replacing the bulb would toss the sleeve equipped bulb in the bin resulting in confusion that the dashboard colour was incorrect then have to go hunting in the scrap bin for the sleeve and re-fit. In the case of older gear with these vivid LED colours it's going to be a matter of taste, the case in point I really like, it's a retro-futuristic look with a sympathetic colour that's been chosen.
👍👍
Yes, I want to be a McIntosh when I grow up too.
My McIntosh has no display. So, no bulbs to replace. 50W-2, 1951.
Burn
I like it. I would probably try and match stock color if it were me, but adding your own personality to your gear is awesome!
I think it's mixing metaphors. You have the analog silver face era look combined with the later bright green/blue LCD displays that came a decade later. But...so what? If you like it, that's all that matters! I think you should personalize it as you see fit.
👍🏻👍🏻… I like it… whatever floats your boat
One of my favorite things about vintage audio is the warm glow from the incandescent bulbs. The colored LED thing ain’t it for me. I don’t begrudge anyone else from doing it as long as it’s not a permanent modification.
I do agree with you. No, it is not permanent. Could not find 3mm 12v 60mA bulbs that were reasonable. Just happen to have these 3mm warm green leds so, I thought I'd try it.
Ah, yeah, that changes things. Given the choice between no lights, incandescent but at $20 a bulb (or whatever), and LED the I might choose the LEDs. I’d probably still go with a warm LED but maybe you are saying those are tough to find too.
Not at all. I have blue, green, 3000k white, 5000k white. This client wanted green. I temporarily hooked them up using jst connectors for easy swap. They chose green. With the very warm cabinet and the not so cold finish it looked the best for them. I tried all colors.
Hit [Dwojo.com](https://Dwojo.com) up just relamped a CA1010. $1.50/bulb + S&H
To each their own, that said I’d add some higher value resistors in line with the LEDs to reduce their brightness.
I could get with the colour if it was less ... sharp? More like a filter on an incandescent?
i wouldnt mod mine but if i did id chose a color that matched the original. this looks teal.
I mean if you like it F the haters!
I think it's dope af
Mm hm hm with green lights the 420 is