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vintage integrated

I got into the audio game to late to listen to what is now labeled as " vintage " In fact I remember the first time I went into a high end store and saw a high end piece I remarked to the salesmen " It has knobs on it ! " But after much listening to various pieces the knobs seem to disappear. But now I'm wondering about yesteryears equipment for a den application. I remember that Marantz was really popular back then, and I have heard good things about Sansui. But I'm wondering about the sound quality. Do they do a better good and say...... An integrated piece ( bought at a Best Buy ) would today? Say a Yamaha, Onkyo Harmon Kardon? And of so would Marantz or a Sansui be a good selection?

Just curious.
kt_88

Showing 3 responses by kotta

kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
Haven't heard vintage Sansui/Marantz but I'm very impressed by Sony's offering from the 80's. Great int. amps/rec's which can be bought very reasonably. Upgrade the cord/binding posts and you'll be very pleased w/the sound. Newer entry-level mass produced equip. has it's benefits but IMO do not sound any near as good.
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
The brightness you mentioned could be caused by the binding posts used w/your TA-2650. I'm not sure these are spring loaded or some type of screw down, but you would not believe the difference a good set of binding posts will make. Also change the AC cord. 16/2 lampcord should do just fine. (In response to your question, I'll bet there is a switch to seperate the power/pre-amp section.) I've been tempted to try an older Marantz rec. for some time now. If you can ever find a Sony TA-AX6 for sale by all means consider strongly purchasing. A great Int. amp! Picture/Info can be found on the web. Good listening, Bill.
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
My Sony TA-AX6 Int. amp has the "Spk. strip" type binding posts. These are actually pretty decent. I did replace the Spk. B strip for some Superior Electric BP-31 gold-plated binding posts. A big improvement over the stock posts. Another Sony amp(TA-AX44)I have has the "spring-loaded" connectors. Replaced these as well w/BP-31's and the sound difference was even more noticeable for the better. (One of the reasons is that on the "spk. strip" binding posts, the wires go directly to the metal of the binding post. On the "Spring" style the wies go through a small circuit board. Not as direct, thus not as good sounding.) I have an 80's Karmon Kardon HK550Vxi Rec. which I bypass the spk.selector circuit and replaced the spring loaded spk. binding posts as well (another circuit board degrading the sound). Oh my, what an improvement! I did one other little thing which even made things sound better. The silver(?)/soldered 18awg. wire was replaced by some AQ type 2 (17awg.)copper wire. (I did this to smooth out the sound because for my tastes the stock wires were too detailed. The AQ wire made things smoother/more refined. Didn't mess w/power cord as it was 16/2 wire which seems adequate. Regards, Bill.
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