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Want to start a great looking quality vintage setup

Hello, I’m looking to set up a secondary system for my office which would be purely vintage equipment. As this is not my main listening source I’m really just looking for something that would be attractive, but of course have good quality components but at a budget. I love the look of the silver face and the blue lights of the bygone eras. Macintosh, options of that sort of beyond my budget, but I’ve been reviewing some of the Pioneer spec options, but was wondering what else was out there that folks here would recommend. Essentially looking for a coordinated preamp, amp and phonograph. I can probably find a good set of vintage speakers locally to go with whatever my components are. I’m open to receiver combos as again, this is as much about the look of the components as it is about the audiophile quality, perhaps even more about the aesthetic. 

clw2000
ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,466 posts
 

That sounds like great fun. If I didn't have a system in virtually every room... I'd love that. I would go for the late '50s early '60s sound with gushing midrange and compelling rhythm and pace. I am not that knowledgable about the era. However, I checked ChatGPT. It has ideas on speakers and turntables. You can check it out yourself. But I found this to be informative:

Classic tube power amps

  • Dynaco ST-70 (the gateway drug for a reason)
  • Eico HF-87 / HF-89
  • Leak Stereo 20 (UK; gorgeous mids)
  • McIntosh (MC240/MC275 if you want “forever” gear)
  • Quad II (more “polite,” very period British)

Preamps

  • McIntosh C20/C22, Fisher, Scott, Quad preamps
    (Or use the integrated’s preamp section—it’s honestly part of the era’s flavor.)

Rule of thumb:

  • High-efficiency speakers → smaller tube amps (EL84/6BQ5, 7591, 6L6) sound fantastic.

• • AR/KLH types → you’ll want more power (and/or more modern muscle while keeping the rest vintage).

vvvvvv6's avatar
vvvvvv6
95 posts
 

Pioneer system here.  Currently consists of SA-9800 + SG-9800 + HPM-100, and I'm also looking to add a blue-line tape deck - as soon as I find one that is less than my 401K.

To me - the sound is as pleasant as my modern system.  Different, but just as pleasant.  Also, has more treble and bass than my modern system, which is what the EQ is for.  A wall shaking, beautiful to look at, overall - very happy.

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,739 posts
 

A classic Dual or Thorens TT, Tandberg Receiver and a pair of DQ-10’speakers…. 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,739 posts
 

Throw in a wood body Grado cartridge and a Dstat preener 

dtorc
108 posts
 

I love doing this too! One of my favorites is a Scott 299A in a beautiful wood case. with ther right speakers it sounds gorgeous - not up to current hi-fi standards perhaps, but a very rich, full beautiful sound. 

 

And it is a a very lovely object, which seems to be a large part of your goal...

 

David

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