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
I’m actually doing that right now. I’ve been a Hafler fan for years. I’ve got a mint XL-280 fresh from tuneup from ‘85. I finally found a Hafler 945 preamp that’s in transit to my home ( mom still has my SE100 preamp). I’m just completing my restore of a beautiful pair of KEF Reference 104/2 in Cherry today. I’ve replaced the internal wiring with Kimber, rebuilt the T33 tweeters, new center surrounds. I’ll put my old Denon DVD900 back in service. Speakers wired up with 10 gauge wire, PBJ interconnects. At 4 ohm, the Hafler puts out 200 watts…more than enough for playtime. The KEF $350 plus $75 for parts The Hafler 945. $250 Denon DVD-900 owned Hafler xl-280 owned Cables owned
@bluemoodriver There is nothing rude or annoying about calling out terrible sounding gear. If anyone is annoying it's you with the "all amps sound the same" mantra while beating your bare chest.
When I started college (1971) my parents offered to buy me a new (to me) car. Had a '64 VW that was good enough for me so, I inquired about a 'new' stereo system. Reluctantly agreed.... McIntosh MAC1700 (who needs AM?) $600 JBL L-100s $550 Pioneer PL-A25 w/ Shure M91E? Pretty sure both were less than $350 together. Of course these were 1971 prices but came in under $1500. For nostalgic purposes, I still have this system today. Put way more into them since. Lived in an old house (by Phoenix standards) built in the 20's or 30's. Wooden floor, 12" thick adobe walls and a 12' ceiling. It would really rock that place.
A Sherwood S8900A receiver, an Elac 770H Miracord turntable with an ADC XLM cartridge, a pair of Wharfdale Rosedale speakers. I owned them all at one time but not in the same system.
I owned the S8900A, it was my first real piece of Hi Fi gear. It had an excellent tuner. I used to record live concerts broadcast on KSAN to my Sony RTR.
For a good sounding inexpensive system a good starting point would be the NAD 3020 integrated. Not a lot of power by it's specs but could drive most speakers of the era quite well. The Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble system (2 woofers and 2 satellites), if attention is paid to set up, is also quite good. They have the advantage of not having foam surrounds so may not need much in the way of refurbishment. For a turntable, the AR is a good choice, as are many of the Duals of the era (e.g., the 505-2). Shure cartridges (like the M91ED or V15 Type III) and the Stanton 681 series are decent and good quality aftermarket styli are available. There were many good FM tuners in the '70's and '80's. A Sansui TU717 would fill the bill nicely but, given the decline of broadcast radio, for that particular function you might want to break down and get an inexpensive streaming system (something like a Bluesound Node 2i).
Already have in the amplifier realm. A mint Pioneer SA-8800 for $450. Also have a Pioneer M-72/C-72 that together ran $850 and a restored Pioneer SX-3800 for $350.
I am in the process of recreating my first real stereo system (to the greatest extent possible). A Sansui 5000X receiver with 60 strong watts per channel, a Thorens TD-160 turntable, a Teac RTR, (original was a 4010-SL, went with an A-4300SX this go-round). Original speakers were Pioneer CS-88As, trying to pick up a pair this weekend, but will also use a pair of Genesis Physics Model 1s and a pair of EPI 100Vs. Cheating a little by using an Adcom GCD-700 run through an MSB Link III DAC. You would be surprised how good the sound is with the Genesis speakers - very tube-like and involving. Definitely not a high-res rig, but the enjoyment factor is through the roof due to the time-traveling sensation. And the components' appearance puts many of today's black boxes to shame.
What I owned in about 1976 I would clearly buy again:
advent 300 receiver $270 rogers LS3/5a- $595 B&O turntable (not the linear tracking) $375
then since you can split the advent as a preamp, add a used EL34 tube amp. I had a marantz 8 that I paid $225 for, or you could find a dynaco ST70 for a similar price, or a Conrad Johnson MV45 for a bit more money.
I suggest a Pioneer receiver that has been refurbished. Modern caps a d transistors do a wonderful job of elevating these units, as well as prolonging their life. Then some bigger Klipsch or AR speakers. Preferably with "modded" crossovers and some internal bracing/damping. A Denon DP35f with a modern AT cart. Add a Raspberry Pi streamer/dac setup a d you'll be happy! Ask me how I know......
A buddy of mine used to run a Marantz 8B amp into a late 70's pair of KEF Calindas. It was magic. Sheer magic. For a vintage system, I'd take either a pair of Calindas, or its big brother, the Cantata, and pair it with a Bob Latino updated Dyna ST-70. That would be sweet and you wouldn't have to rob a bank to pay for it.
Zavato, If you ask me about a vintage system and if music is #1 on the criteria, I would recommend you pick up a Fisher tube integrated amp or a Fisher tube receiver. There are many models to choose from and all are great sounding. IMO, you will really get a lot of enjoyment and performance out vintage Fisher tube equipment.
"This is right in the wheelhouse of our little shop here in Austin. We restore pre 1980 amps, receivers, and turntables for clients. And in our mind, "vintage" ends around 1980. A few suggestions.First, any vintage amplifier or receiver should have recently replaced electrolytic capacitors. It’s a waste of time otherwise. No doubt the reason that some have had bad experiences with period gear. You won’t hear it as intended otherwise.Some speakers age better than others. Classic Klipsch usually need little or no attention, many other mid centuries use foam surround and NPE capacitors that need replacing.Unless vintage cart has a new (not NOS) OEM stylus, it’s best to go with new here. Hard to beat an Ortofon 2M Red or Blue for the money.Some examples with alternates we think will take on many a more expensive modern one:Turntable: Technics SL1200II / P2 as alternateAmplifier: Sansui AU 717 / Luxman R-1050Speakers: ADS L 710 / Klipsch Heresy (original)This particular combos might be tricky to keep in the OPs budget, but it would be well worth it. "
Klipsch ( $400 +) updates from Crites DIY + $100 also receiver choice : sub 40 watt Marantz to keep down costs even 25 or 26 will do fine <$400 should leave you ^600 for the TT + new cartridge and economical cables. This is a No Fuss system - that will sound sublime.
Well I have $480 in my refurbished Dynaco ST-70. I have $100 in my AR XA turntable. Guess that leaves me about $900 to spend on phono based preamp and speakers. Like to stick to mid 60s gear which I consider truly vintage.
@mesch For trying to stick in the mid 60's I'd say a Fisher X10 or maybe a Scott 299A. The little ST 70 is a solid little power amp. Dyna's PAS preamps were great for the money, but the Scott and Fisher units are superior by a good margin.
Tutta la serie SA (caratterizzata da circuitazione discreta, alimentatori e condensatori sovradimensionati), fu la fortuna di Pioneer.
Questo, partendo dal piccolo SA 402, che a dispetto della potenza dichiarata e delle ridotte dimensioni, é oggettivamente una macchina che sorprende in quanto a Potenza e linearità quasi assoluta.
Per attivare all SA 9900(top di gamma), una progettazione di rilievo ineguagliabile tra i pari classe dell'epoca.
In casa Pioneer tra metá degli anni 70 e per tutti gli anni 80 vi fu un importante sforzo tecnico per imporsi a livello mondiale ed il traguardo di tale sforzo é intitolato SA.
In questo commento non vi annoio con le caratteristiche tecniche di questi apparecchi(si possono facilmente reperire in rete),benché anche se queste ultime sono la vera vetrina di ogni SA, affermo con massima onestà che i dati dichiarati sono molto prudenti, probabilmente misurati in momenti di utilizzo gravosi(immagino a lunghi periodi di alta erogazione di corrente in un ambiente con alte temperature), ed anche arrotondati per difetto... Difatti nell'uso quotidiano, questi amplificatori, senza ombra di dubbio si spingono almeno il 30%in più,( o in meno sul dato distorsione armonica); confrontando in laboratorio, i dati reali a quelli dichiarati la forbice é ampia a favore del reale.
Con tale serie Pioneer arrivó all apice della sua qualità costruttiva che poi man mano divenne più "consumer " negli anni 2000......praticamente grazie all' SA, la casa nipponica campó di rendita un ventennio, ovviamente con una notevole e costante discesa qualitativa, riprendendo le redini solo intorno al 2010 con lo sviluppo di nuovi progetti ad amplificazione fredda (digitale). Progetti che nonostante gli sforzi prodotti dall 'azienda, ad oggi ancora non si sono affermati con il dovuto consenso degli utilizzatori.
Fatta questa doverosa premessa, voglio parlarvi dell' apparecchio che più si affermò in tutta la serie SA.
Tra l' SA 402 e l'SA 9900, esiste l'SA 606. Esattamente come i suoi tanti fratelli maggiori e minori, quindi conservando le stesse qualità tecnico-costrittive, fu l'apparecchio più venduto in quegli anni; il giusto compromesso tra potenza qualità ed estetica. Quest'ultimo aspetto nel 606, grazie ai suoi grandi occhi illuminati(v-meter), su di un prezioso pannello di alluminio spazzolato (oggi solo questo pannello porterebbe i costi di produzione alle stelle), permise l'espandersi di questa elettronica in tutto il mondo.
In virtù di quanto sopra, dobbiamo ritenerci fortunati perché é solo grazie a questo ( fino a ieri, visti i grandi numeri di vendite, esiste ancora una grande offerta sul mercato ), che riusciamo ancora sull'usato a spuntare prezzi da radiolina per un amplificatore assolutamente AUDIOPHILE .( Affrettatevi, dico fino a ieri perché nell'ultimo anno le cose stanno cambiando sull'usato vi sono stati incrementi di prezzo fino al raddoppio).
Chiudo dicendo che questa elettronica é capace di erogare un suono rotondo e deciso sui bassi e degli alti cristallini ariosi e leggeri il tutto con una velocità da primo della classe. Fino ai 10watt ( i suoi 10 watt sono veramente tanti) eroga in Classe A , e vi assicuro che non ha nulla da invidiare ad un amplificatore valvolare; anzi......riesce a pilotare anche i diffusori più ostici con estrema nonchalance.
Ragazzi, ne ho provate tante di elettronica, ma la serie SA ed in particolare il 606, HA LASCIATO IL SEGNO. Se state considerando di passare ad un apparecchio HI-End, siete sulla giusta strada.
+1 (mostly) yogiboy
1.Any Vintage Luxman rosewood finished receiver!
2.Any East Coast Sound speaker, AR, Advent, ADS, etc.!
3. Any Micro-Seiki turntable with any Grado cartridge!
Perhaps an AR ES-1 table. I like belt tables and believe the MS is direct drive, otherwise, it's spot on. Luxman rosewood receivers are great (owned several). Ignore those saying otherwise, they're lucky to have opposing digits and teeth.
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