How should I build a system around my speakers?


My cousin gave me a gift. A pair of a/d/s L-1290s in pretty good condition. (butyl rubber surrounds are intact). I don't know squat about hi-end audio, however, and I know I'm not a high-end listener.

What I'm looking for is advice: I'm poor (public school teacher) and I would like to buy used. I need advice for Amp and Preamp recommendations to get the most out of my speakers. I doubt I'll ever buy stereo equipment again (GASP!). Just wondering what 10-15 year old equipment is well suited to go with the respectable gift speakers. My budget is about USD $1000. Any advice is welcome.

James
jamesjems

Showing 1 response by mjw55

Nice gift, the L1290's are a fine speaker, in fact they were one of the first to use a "soft dome" tweeter, a very good thing IMO.
If you are not in a hurry, go to garage and estate sales. I get all kinds of good stuff at these. I take home any working item with a name I have heard of, and at a very good price. I have found some gems at these sales. If I don't like it, after I have played with it for a while, I clean it up and sell it on Audiogon or Ebay... simple.
My buddy got a working McIntosh tube amp pre amp set up at an estate sale for $200, it's worth over $3000. Luck is a good thing to have.
The garage/estate sale track will also expose you to many brands and you may even make some money to further you to your ultimate stereo goal, what ever that may be. You may find a gem as well, you never know. There is usually very little competition for stereo stuff and albums at garage and estate sales, most people are looking for furniture, jewelry and rare books.
Hope this helps, good luck.