Personal stereo, and perhaps Hi-Fi, journey.

[barbersurgeon]

I really wish I could find a nice 70-80s retro amp I could refurbish. My system now sounds fine but just sounds soulless in my old hippie retirement DINK tinkering mind,

https://shopgoodwill.com/item/266989077

I got my Pioneer off the GW auctions. I paid shipping, but if your local you have an advantage in bidding. You can search by location and category. It’s cumbersome but there are deals to be had.

 

[1lieutenant]

I wish I had the old stuff, but didn't want to pay big $ for the vintage stuff….

eBay has some reasonable prices on working Hafler DH 110 and 220 preamp and amp. Then I suggest looking into Musical Concepts modifications. These can be sent in or done at home. This company has been around since the ‘70s and the results are true audiophile sound on a relative shoe string budget. My modified preamp and amp continue to sound amazing!
I spoke with John Hillig, the owner, and he assured me the current modifications would blow my 45 year old modifications out of the water! I don’t doubt him, but I find it hard to believe.
Even without the modifications, the Haflers may provide that analog “richness” you’re looking for. Not super expensive, but not nearly as inexpensive as the Fosi amplifier. The Hafler amplifier is class AB with the first few watts as true class A.