How many use Vintage Hi-Fi systems?

Sam,
Yes, and I have really been enjoying it. I am going to keep two preamps and one power amp. Everything else is about gone now, but there are just certain pieces that you can't part with. =)

Norman

Awesome Norman. Now you know it's healthy and ready for some enjoyable listening sessions. 

Just received my Sansui 9090DB back from servicing (Deltronics).  Guru of all things audio 'Mike', gave the old girl a clean bill of health. Repairs needed?  Zero. All functions exceeding spec. Not bad for a 39 year old receiver. =)

He did have to clean the balance pot however. 

Back in in the system and sounding wonderful. 

Norman

I've had a Mc 2100 solid state,  a Mc C28 solid state pre-amp,  the newest receiver the MAC6700 solid state,  and now the MC275 Mark 6 tube amp...which is now up for sale here.

McIntosh is probably THE most popular "high end" equipment sold here and elsewhere.  I like their stuff,  but I like other stuff better?  

Norman - "maybe there is more magic in tubes?"

 Esthetically a very big yes.  Very cool to look at the tubes glowing whilst listening to music.  In the same vein I offer that looking at the Sansui,  the Marantz,  or the Pioneers provide the same esthetic enjoyment.  These pieces were built to last,  look cool as hell,  and sound great.

boxer12,

Here locally this past summer, a neighbor sold his well worn marantz 8's for $5500.00 I think he has them listed for one day. 

Not to feel bad though, as we have all lived through those "kick me" moments. =)

russbutton, 

I've owned quite a bit of Mac gear. Liked all of it, but somehow always ended up trading it in or selling it off.  The marantz 8 is supposed to be a gem but I've ever heard one. The Mac C22 is very highly regarded. Thinking about it, all my Mac gear was solid state. Maybe there is more magic in tubes? =)

Norman 

Well there is another "kick me" moment. In the 70's (before I got into tubes) I could have picked up a sweet pair of Marantz mono blocks for $400 at a local stereo shop. I didn't. Fifteen years later when I got into tubes, they were way over my budget. Looks like they're even higher now :-(... 

One of the most musical systems I've ever heard consisted of a Thorens TD160 table, Mac C22 preamp, Marantz 8B power amp and KEF Calinda loudspeakers.  Absolutely wonderful!  I think the KEF's were the most important part of it.  If you can find 'em, they'll run you about $400/pair.  

oblgny,

Your story sounds familiar.  I think I lived it! 
Now inserting my Sansui receivers back into my system has rewarded me with the most fun I've had listening in years!

My 9090DB is being tuned up, and it's going back into my main system.  
I did have an SX 1050 and an SX 1250 for a while.  You don't seem to be missing your Mac, and I am not surprised.  I think the Pioneer build quality is first rate, they were nice to look at and sound wonderful.

Norman

While I don't exactly squander my current earnings on the good gear that I have,  remembering how we got that first piece of "hifi" gear does prejudice our opinions when comparing old and new.  I waited tables one summer,  all summer long,  extra shifts throughout to get into this stuff.  I think my first speakers were Acoustic Research "bookshelves" - rather large for bookshelves,  each with two 8" woofers with the tweeter centered between them?  The woofers were paper,  blue in color.  I forget the model.

Somewhere down the line I purchased a Yamaha Natural Sound integrated along with a pair of Bozak bookshelves - all I remember about the Bozaks is that they had aluminum woofers.  Anyone out there who might remember those give a shout!

Right now I've boxed up a less than one year old Macintosh Mc275 Mark VI amp for sale,  pulling out my old Pioneer SX during the interim.
If I closed my eyes and listened I would be hard pressed to guess that its 40+ years old.   Should I find a suitable amp to replace the MC275 I am going to look to have the SX receiver's cabinet redone.  Anyone out there know of a place to get that accomplished?  In or around NY?  This receiver will outlive me and I want it to look its best!

Fun discussion!

I think so. =)

Remember. "old is the new young"
At least that's the way I figure it. 

Does that mean we are OLD lol?

Because we listen to our vintage stuff with younger ears!

Oblgny,

I agree with you.  Nostalgia does play a role. Had some friends over a few weeks ago and one walked up to the 9090db and just stared at it. He had always wanted one when he was a teenager.  When I look at it I remember very well having to save and save (layaway actually) to buy it. 

The differnces that I hear in the vintage gear are just some how more pleasant to me. For some reason I love what I hear and I don't find myself analyzing the gear the way I do when I'm swapping out amps and preamps.

The bottom line is, that whatever draws you in, recreates that magic that makes listening so enjoyable is what you should be listening too regardless of others opinions. 

Norman

In my business we often taste wine in a blind format so as to remove the possibility of tainting our assessments beforehand by knowing which producer's are in the lineup. As often we do not disclose what country or region where the wines are from. 

While adopting the same format for comparing receivers to separates is a bit more labor intensive given the size and weight of the equipment, I can relate that I have done so in the past - which is why this 40+ year old receiver will never leave my house. 

I could tell the sonic differences between my separates and the receiver, but I could not find fault in either - nor could I swapping out current model stuff versus current model stuff. 

Nostalgia plays a very large role in my attachment to the Pioneer; I worked and saved and forsook other earthly delights to attain it way back when, and I just can't let it go unappreciated. It still sounds good and I currently have "better" equipment to weigh my opinion against.  Both th deserve a place in my home. 

Norman,
I respect your opinion. In my case, I haven't changed cables to adjust treble or bass, but to add additional 3D realism & space between the instruments. They do that too.  

Boxer12,

Not a fan of $$$$$ interconnects and cables.  I found that as once common features as 'tone controls' fell out of favor with the high end community (don't get me started), that there was a need to adjust tones on certain music playback. I readily here differences in cables, but to me they are silly.  My audio buddies snap em up and explain how their is more air, more highs, or now they have a complete full bottom end.  When I am playing a recording that needs more highs  I walk over to my preamp and adjust the treble. 

The late great genius James Bongiorno once said that he will design a preamp without tone controls when someone showed him a 'flat' room.  I agree.

Having extensive studio experience I can say without question that 99% of all of our recorded music has had some type of equaliztion adjustment during the recording process.  That and I don't know of any recording studios that use expensive esoteric cables in the recording loop. None.  

To me cables are used as today's tone controls.  I have a few expensive cables that I purchased over the years.  They are in a drawer with my unused audio accessories.  I keep them on hand to demonstrate how they emulate my preamps tone controls ( though no where as effectively).  I know, I'm gonna hear it from everyone who has their favorite cable in use.  My advise, use a preamp with tone controls and put your cable dollars into records, tapes or whatever.

Norman

I wonder if one of the reasons older gear can really shine today is due to the vast improvements in cables & interconnects. Those allow there true performance to come through. Thoughts?

Thanks Norman.

Luxman was also considered to by high-class from that period in Japan, and I have owned one of their very good receivers from the '70s. But this Accuphase integrated amp is outstanding!

I also had it serviced and re-capped, which does makes an important difference with 40+ year-old gear.

What's interesting is that the '70s was a period in which Japan was out to prove itself on a world stage, and not only with audio. Seiko had begun to do so with watches in the '60s, and of course the major Japanese car companies were also beginning their ascent in foreign markets.

Tony

whipsaw,

Kensonic!  I love Accuphase gear.  When it first became available they directly compared it the build quality of McIntosh when it was reviewed.  

I agree with you 100%.  They leave very little to improve upon.  

Norman

I just don't see how a receiver can compete with a separate amp and preamp of high quality. Receivers were meant to do everything well and pack so much into one box. They aren't going to have the drive and punch of a separate amp and preamp when driving difficult loads. I know we are talking about cream of the crop receivers but still in comparison to higher end separates that are able to really drive power hungry speakers I don't see how they can? However, I didn't buy my receivers to compete with higher end separates but I know they still sound awesome and will enjoy them for years (hopefully)  :)

I'm currently using an Accuphase E-303 integrated amp and T-103 tuner. Both are outstanding, and easily stand up to many newer and even contemporary models.

Oblgny,

Great story on the Ohm Walsh. I heard them once when I was 16 or 17. They were amazing and could really take a lot of power. I think they were being driven by the Phase Linear 350. Those were the early models that didn't have any high end driver support. They were completely full range.  They were also way out of my price range. 

You mentioned the Dalquist Dq 10. That is still an excellent sounding speaker. I could live with a pair of those, but they are so hard to come by in good condition. 

If if only we had 2020 hindsight.  There are so many things that slipped through our hands. Thankfully we still have some of them. 

Norman

samzx12,

I would imagine that the Prima Luna is a very different presentation. Kinda like when I was running levinson ml2's. They could do a string quartet like knowing I've ever heard before. Jazz trios were wonderful. Complex classical and hard rock, well not so much. 

Keep in in mind that I've never heard the Prima. I could be completely off base. 

About 2 years ago I picked up a used pair of Ohm Walsh Two loudspeakers from a fellow member here, driving 250 miles to Massachusetts to pick them up.  They were quite the elusive thing in my younger days, so were the Dahlquist DQ-10s. 

Shortly after having the Ohms I discovered that they were still in business, in Brooklyn yet, still making new and offering upgrades/repairs for their older models.  And not just a few older ones - virtually everything they ever made. And they still do. 

John upgraded my Twos for $1200 - I bought them for $400 - and it was worth it. Every penny. My nephew now has them because I moved from that system...like the idiot I am!

Norman I don't plan on selling the 8. They are hard to come by and built to the hilt.  I doubt it will sound near as well as the PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium integrated I have but I am going to have fun with it I can tell you that for sure. I have never seen in person a 9090db but would love to one day. Maybe I will also try a lower wattage Pioneer SX series as they are affordable. 

Oblny,

I laughed at your magazine comment, because that's exactly what happened to me. The power of peers and the printed page!

Now I don't care. It's impossible to keep up and when you try it becomes more about the gear then the music. Now I'm enjoying something that is difficult to buy and sounds terrific. It's also great to look at. 

I'm really happy I never sold my 9090db. It's like having it all new again. 

Norman

Boxer12,

I almost bought a Yamaha B1.  I ended up a few years later getting a Yamaha M-40 for its class A circuit instead. 

Sounds like you have a really nice system. Don't discount it because it's old. Some of the best sounding gear ever made is old, which is why from time to time they are reissued. 

Norman

Samzx12,

I really enjoyed the Pioneers, had the 1150 and 1250. The 1150 seemed to me to have more power and I really like its sonics. I have never owned any marantz but had heard many for long periods. They are beautiful to look at and very well made. I think they sound a little darker then the Pioneers. 

I perfer the sound of Sansui to that of Pioneer. Sansui's especially the 9090db sound dynamic and very sweet. But that doesn't mean it's more accurate. It's just what I like. Truthfully the Pioneer is probably more accurate. 

I stopped listening to receivers when I started reading Audio and stereophile. I first bought a Mac MA 6100 which was beautiful and sounded nice, but it started me on a road of 40 years of upgrades and swaps. Much of what I had was very high end, but it wasn't until I got into using harman kardon citation gear that I found something that did everything well. 

When I rediscovered my Sansui 9090db I felt silly for ever having listened or believed that it wasn't good enough. It actually sounds way better overall than anything I've ever owned, including citation, McIntosh, Krell, Levinson etc. 

The Sansui just does everything well, and it's beautiful. I'm looking forward to getting it back from a check up and using it in my primary system. My snobby audio buddies couldn't believe how good it sounded. I can't either. 

You're Sansui 8 is legendary for its sound quality. Give it a serious listen. It will throw a huge soundstage and it has that sweetness that is hipnotic. 
If I had an 8 I would never sell it. 

Norman

Not as old as some but still "rather vintage"...  Jeff Korneff SE 6550 power amp, Melos MA222 preamp, Sonic Frontiers SFP-1 Signature phono & Cinemag SUT, driving Lowther Fidelio speakers. I've owned them for years so can't say how they compare to newer products. In full disclosure, the front end is fairly new. I'm using a custom turntable (built it a couple years ago), Pole Star tonearm & a Denon DL-S1 cartridge. Also the Lowther drivers were just replaced (DX3's) due to age. Together they provide a nice balanced sound with a huge detailed stage. When the source allows it, musicians are in the room. There are some vintage pieces I wish I still owned. Most notably a Yamaha B1 amplifier & a Luxman C2 preamplifier. Sold both of them 20 plus years ago.  

Norman I have it hooked up in a bedroom system at the moment and I will rotate it back into my main system soon and hook up the TT.  I was attracted to the Marantz line of receivers because I always heard they were the cats meow plus that awesome industrial look. Well one receiver led to 3 once the bug hit but have stopped at this point because there is no reason to buy more. Would I like to have a Pioneer SX-series. Yes, but am having trouble justifying 3 in a sense.  I don't see the value going down so will keep all 3 and have fun. Plus they can't compete with my main amp or at least I hope not lol.  

Oblgny thanks for the response and your opinion and I know what you mean about people digging the Marantz and or vintage receivers. They are cool as hell and in my opinion will never be duplicated again especially in build quality alone. My Sansui Model 8 and the Models in that era are probably the best built receivers ever. Honestly I think we are lucky to have them now as that was the receiver war era.  

I had a Sansui 9090db once. I think it was my 3rd.  I didn't move into separates until much later -after I started reading the damned magazines!

Samzx12...
I prefer the Pioneers over the Marantz for a number of reasons, first and foremost that to my ears the separation seems better. Also, they're easier to maintain - labor on Marantz adds up quickly according to two separate techs I've had check things out. 

Secondly the Pioneers strike me as more "realistic" in their sonics; my experience with McIntosh solid state and tube amps is similar. I recently purchased the new MAC6700 solid state receiver and grew to dislike its tubelike voicing; I traded it back for the new Mc275 MKVI. If I want tube sound I might as well use a tube amp, right?

These receivers still sound great, no matter who may have thought of them as "mid-fi" then or now. They still LOOK great, too.  Admittedly people dig the Marantz tuner dial more than they do the Pioneers', but that's what I dig about both - they still make people gawk and ask questions. 

A couple of years ago my girlfriend's daughter was getting her pre-ceremony wedding pictures taken in her living room. 
When the photographer and his two assistants saw the Marantz they begged to hear it. After obliging them they even offered to buy it for a pretty handsome sum. Of course we refused the offer. 

Sansui 8 is pretty amazing sounding with a sweet phono stage and I always loved the green dial lamp.

oblny,

I hear you.  I had a couple of Pioneers briefly and liked them. I actually prefer the SX1050 over the SX1250.  These were really built well.  I get tired of some audio buddies talking about how 'mid-fi' this is, but I don't agree at all.  How many of today's products will be around 40 years from now?  Not to many.  

Hi-Fi, that's what this is, not high end just Hi-Fi and it's extremely good.

Norman 

I still own 2 "vintage" Pioneer SX series receivers,  an SX1050 and an SX950,  along with a Marantz 2252b receiver.

My girlfriend's house is where the SX950 stays upstairs mated to a pair of Usher bookshelf speakers,  and downstairs we have the SX950 paired with Meadowlark Kestrels....GREAT loudspeakers.

I will never let go of these because they represent where I started,  and where all this started 40 something years ago.  Back then Pioneer, Marantz,  Sansui receivers were the "stuff" to get.  I've maintained all of them over the years and yes,  they still sound good.

I have a better turntable now than I did back in those days,  so this is not precisely a vintage setup but...still sounds good!

Back in the 70's the KLH 17 was the go-to speaker for  poor students of  classical music as well.
On classical beat out the EPI,AR, Advent ,Dynaco etc in their general price range  

Playpen,

"What a trip down memory lane."  I agree.  Life was simpler, times were different.  It's not just nostalgia though.  Listening to music through these old systems just 'sounds' right for some reason.  

I am not saying they are they are the last definition in slam, and micro dynamics, or soundstage, (because they're not) but they deliver the tunes in an effortless easy manner and are easy to listen too.

Loves KLH speakers!  Had a pair of sixes.   Enjoy, this is almost too must fun.

Norman

Norman,I found a nice pair of KLH 17's,just picked them up sunday for 50 bucks.I put them upstairs on the econo rack I call it.My main system is downstairs.I have them hooked up to the Harman Kardon after taking the B+W's down.They sound good.I remember being happy to own them when I first set them up almost 50 years ago.I listened to the Doors and Frank Zappa on them and still have my original LP's.I will get my Eico up and my old Dual 1019 and listen to Zappa and the Doors,all my original stuff from back then on my KHL 17's. What a trip down memory lane.

Been selling off my collection of mostly amps and preamps as... Well you can only listen to one at a time, and some have'nt seen 
play time in years. Much of what I have let go, though admitedly older has been McIntosh, GAS, Krell, Phase Linear, Sumo, Mark Levinson ( goodbye ML-2's).  

It's been taking quite a while because I've been inserting each one into my main system for a listen.  As I do I quickly recall what it was that attracted my to the componet.  (sonically)

I am stunned that there are a few that are really hard to for me to take back out.  A pristine Sansui 9090DB that I put away nearly 40 years ago because well it wasn't "high-end" and I was becoming an audiophile.  So much did I enjoy the Sansui that today it went to a local shop for a once over.  I'm keeping it.

Tonight I am listening to the, most lowly of my collection. A 1974 Sansui 551, with a whopping 16 watts rms. Laugh, scorn, jest, make fun of, but this little guy is so sweet. So silky smooth it's unnerving.  It is powering my much modified D-Tec BP10's which are a mean 3 ohm load. Volume is plenty good, bass while not Krell level is very good.  It has the ability  to render tones that are so captivating.  My wife, looks at me dumbfounded over these last few weeks.  She loves this little guy and the 9090db, as do I.  
She asked "you've had this how long and you've spent how much over the years when you had this?"

This was my first hi-fi, and I can't for the life of me beleive that I used it for so little a time.  Another keeper. 

With these last two Sansui's, I have been enjoying my music more than I can recall having done so in decades. Just saying, As I sit here in the early morning hours listeningn and sipping tea.. I am rethinking my audio decisions in a big way and having a blast listening..

I have 2 pairs of rebuilt EICO HF35s. Awesome!

ChrshanI37,

The AU2000 is an incredible piece. Great amp section and a fantastic pre-amp.  I love the phono section with built in varible loads..  Defintely a keeper..

N

Playpen,
Love the story about your "eico".  I remember those being pretty nice actually. I think I'm remembering an old eico tube receiver that my cousin had and it was good.  He was driving Epi 202's with it.

Get the old girl serviced. You might be surprised. 

I still have my original first hi-fi.  It actually sounds pretty good. I could never sell it. Too many good memories and its a great bedroom system.

Back in November a neighbor gave me a pristine Dual 1019. I haven't done anything with it. I was thinking of setting it up as a mono table to play some of my 10" blue notes with. I need to tear it apart and give it a proper servicing first and see what it sounds like. I got a kick out of seeing the "16" speed on it.  I've never seen a 16 speed record..

Isn't this the greatest hobby of all time?  I hope you find your KLH 17's.  Sometimes memory lane is a blast. 

Norman

Norman,my Harmon Kardon is HK580i 45 watts per channel early 80's vintage.I barely remember searching for info on it when I bought it but found one for sale and the owner of the store said it was the best bargain in audio for his asking price of I something like a $100. or so.I remember hooking it up to my main system and would have to agree.
 The Rotel is a RX 304.It's like as new as you just bought it,all original packing,plastic,FM antenna,manual.
 I checked my P+E,motor says "made in germany".I doubt if it is Dual.I use it on my main system to play less than stellar sounding LP's.A pre Dual P+E sounds far better than any of my Duals.
 It's funny after responding to your post I said to my brother I'd like to have my first stereo receiver back as he still has his,an Eico.He found my same unit I bought in the 60's on ebay only 10 miles from me.I raced down and bought it.Beautiful cosmetic condition.Terrible awful sound but  I wanted it if only to look at.I still have my Dual 1019 from the 60's I bought new.Now I want my old KHL 17's back.

Sorry I had typed that on my phone I meant Au 20000 integarted amp. Cheers.

ChrshanI37,

Did you mean a Sansui 2000a?  I'm not familar withan a2000.  The 2000a however is a gem of a reciever, with wonderful textures and tone, power way beyond it's weight.. 

ads speakers were all good.  I remember seeing them used as nearfield monitors in recording studios.  

I have a few vintage systems left mostly unassembled at the moment....my favorite is ads l1530 mated with a sansui a20000.   

lewm,

You make a good point on how one defines 'vintage'.  I guess when I started the thread I was thinking 60 & 70's.  But as 80's are now long gone that would qualify as well.

Your system sounds awesome. I am wondering what model Threshold you are using? I really enjoyed Threshold amps, all of them.  Never heard a bad one.  Seems like it should be so much more than just powering the subs.