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

Elliott -

Would your recommendation about a second MC502 be the same as double amping, or mono-blocking?  Run both L&R from one amp to the left speaker, and both from the other amp to the right speaker?  Is that correct?

And I assume my connection from the pre-amp to each would only be from the L OR R?

Heathkit AA-1640 Super Amp with meters, great sounding SS amp, can handle any set of speakers and power is underrated.  A Conrad Johnson tube preamp with phono stage.  A Premier 3 preamp if you can find one, the Classic 2, or one of the PV series (PV11 or lower). 

Would suggest you look locally. Seen far too many vintage items damaged in shipping. On that note, since it's vintage you are stuck with what is available locally. 

Start your search, let us know what you find, we will help you get the best pieces. But it may take a while to get all the perfect parts.

@clw2000 

look at the manual, that amp, like many but not all McIntosh, is designed with a rear switch: Stereo or Mono. When Mono, check the specs, they usually allow only 8 ohm speakers, whereas 8 or 4 ohm is ok for Stereo use. So, avoid speakers with low dips if you think you might need more power some day, perhaps in a future larger space.

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/-/media/Files/mcintoshlabs/DocumentMaster/us/Legacy/MC502-CE-OWNERS.pdf?rev=e0e1a5dc18914c59b35637ad7f250ecf&revision=e0e1a5dc-1891-4c59-b356-37ad7f250ecf

I guess it depends on your real intent. But if I were doing it I would use contemporary speakers and vintage electronics. I would be looking for the vintage tube sound... but not necessarily all the shortcomings of speakers back then. Obviously, you may want old speaker as well.