If your were to assemble a vintage system ?


Let’s say you were going to put together a vintage system and your source was primarily vinyl. Your price limit is $1500. What would it be? 
Make it as musical as possible. Super detail or thunderous bass isn’t going to be very high on the list. My first thought would be a 70’s Marantz receiver (50ish wpc is more than adequate) an 80’s AR table, and any iteration of a Vandersteen 2C that didn’t bust the budget. 

Could easily also swap in a Pioneer SX750 instead of a Marantz. 
Cartridge? Not sure- might actually go with something modern/current. AT or Nagaoka 

what would you put together? 
128x128zavato

Showing 2 responses by artemus_5

@austinstereo

Good separates, HK or otherwise, would likely blow this budget.


Indeed today they would. Amp alone is $2k for one that needs repaired. I figure it may have in the 70’s when I bout the 730. But I suspect the budget of 1500 is still pretty tight. MSRP on the 730 was $425.
BTW, I messaged you about the 730.
Amazed that no one has mentioned Harmon Kardon. Also amazed how many liked Pioneer. I never heard one that I liked and I heard a lot of them. And I cringe at Luxman. Worst purchase of my life. But we all have different preferences and hearing I suppose. I had/still have a HK 730 twin powered receiver that I believe would shame some modern separates. But It NEEDS to be recapped and some minor repair. So you MUST include that cost in any purchase, which jeopardizes that $1500 limit. Friends, This stuff is 40 + years old. 
That said, my system would consist of

HK Citation  amp & maybe preamp
Infinity Speakers
Technics 1200 TT

Sorry, I don't have model #'s