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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
qjm101
122 posts
 

Lots of good information on vintage gear at audiokarma.org.

Am I allowed to say that?

clw2000 OP
8 posts
 

Thanks everyone. Looking forward to checking out your ideas during our freeze out weather in NC!  No one’s prepared for this here. 

larryi
4,578 posts
 

Ghdprentice,

I like your list of classic tube gear.  To the preamp list, I would add the Lafayette KT 600.  Also, if you had a list of integrated amps, that would be interesting too; something like a Scott 299C deserves a shoutout.

bgross's avatar
bgross
531 posts
 

Sansui Seven (dark walnut case)... Yamaha CR'1020 (light walnut case)... Luxman R-1950 (rosewood case)... Marantz 2225 (walnut case)... McIntosh 5100 (walnut case) - these would each be solid suggestions for a classic setup.

 

motown-l
350 posts
 

If there are no space limitations and your budget allows, the Pioneer Spec series of separates make for a beautiful silver faced stack. If properly restored, they sound amazing, especially for the era. I would also consider Kenwood upper end Integrated/Tuner combos. The Kenwood 9100 has very cool VU meters while upper end Pioneer's of the era, although excellent, are meter free. 

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