Author Topic: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?  (Read 18000 times)

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Offline Scott S

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Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« on: September 16, 2021, 04:46:51 AM »
So, about six months ago I decided to pull my old vinyl albums out of the closet and (literally) dust them off.
I had LONG ago disposed of any method of playing them, other than one of those vintage Crosley looking things.

To get started back, I bought an Audio-Technica AT-LP60-BT Bluetooth turntable and GGMM Bluetooth speaker box.
At first, I loved it! Listening to stuff I haven't heard in years. Then I started adding to the vinyl collection. Now, I think I'm ready to upgrade a bit, but without getting into the deep end of the pool. I'm scared the cheap-ish stylus on the AT might be damaging the records, or at least causing some seemingly nice records to not sound so good or skip at times.

I have a Bose 3-2-1 system in the living room hooked up to the TV. I considered a new, modern turntable to attach to the Bose. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon gets rave reviews, but it's $600 and I'd need a pre-amp. I also don't like that it doesn't have auto-stop. At that price point, I can start collecting some vintage pieces.

This place is about two hours from me:

https://hifi-buy-guys.simdif.com/

It looks like I could piece together a nice vintage receiver, turntable and speakers for ~$700-800.
I'll get some pics of the living room wall and MCM credenza we're using when the sun comes up. I am seriously considering getting a vintage set up instead. I've seen several tuners in the $250-275 range (needs to be 6.5" high or less) and I want a wooden veneer/exterior.
Sansui 551
Fischer 925 (RS-1052)
Sanyo 2050
Yamaha CR-620
Realistic STA-850

There are speakers in the $200-300 range (Those KEF iQ5's are nice but I don't know what I'd do with the center speaker). The Sansui SP-1500 and Bose 501 Series V are an option.

Still looking at turntables, but I prefer fully automatic. What do you see in the $200-300 range that you would buy?

 If you had a budget of around, say, $800, what would you piece together from the stuff in stock?
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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2021, 05:08:56 AM »
Momo, Larry, runs across a good collection of good hifi stuff in auctions he attends. Emailing him might net you a good lead or even some good equipment he has picked up and not sold yet.
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Offline ekpent

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2021, 05:16:27 AM »
 I used to find good high end stereo equipment cheap at yard/estate/auction sales a lot. At one time I had a pallet full of receivers and amps etc.. When home entertainment systems first came out older folks were dumping it like crazy. Don't see it around as much now thanks to the internet people can get much more info and easy to sell it now on Facebook etc.. Prices are pretty good for the quality high power stuff. Like old Honda's though its out there hiding around if you can dig it up but you gotta beat the pickers and the flippers.
« Last Edit: September 16, 2021, 05:25:03 AM by ekpent »

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2021, 08:21:35 AM »
Hey Scott...I had a nice Sansui receiver back in the day, wish I still had it.   I've also been thinking of buying a vintage system even though all of my vinyl is long gone. 

I vote for the Sansui 551 and from memory the Bose 801's were the speaker to have! [I'm sure the 501's are excellent too] If I am not mistaken, the 801 had 8 reflecting speakers within. Always thought they looked great with the stands installed.
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Offline jlh3rd

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2021, 09:46:09 AM »
you can look at audiokarma.org. Lots of opinions, examples, etc.....kinda like oil threads...but informative stuff nonetheless..Lots of audiophile people will give advice...
     I still have my original pioneer equipment from 1978.

Online seanbarney41

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2021, 01:31:40 PM »
yes sir, still have all my records and still buying more from time to time.  I have thousands...at least one stack in every room of my house except the kitchen and bathrooms.  One thing that saved many of my favorites is I would (and often still do) make high quality cassette copies then wear that out carting them around in the car, at work, in the garage, loan to friends etc.  So yeah, I always have to have a few high end tape machines scattered about as well. 

My advice?...spend the money on the best amp and speakers you can get and pick up a turntable with adjustable tracking so you can upgrade your cartridge at will.  Plenty of cheap Technics turntables floating about starting at $50 with these capabilities.

I feel bad for kids today who spend $200 on some bluetooth clock radio speaker bull#$%* and think they about to party...no, that doesn't get it.  The half broken Fisher jambox that I left in the trunk of my car for 6 years for using at the beach would sonic reduce that digital crap back to a smoldering lump of molten plastic.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Scott S

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #6 on: September 16, 2021, 03:15:13 PM »
 I need links, part numbers, etc.

 Delving into this rabbit hole is like starting an oil thread. WAAAAY too many options and info for a newbie.
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Online seanbarney41

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2021, 04:01:35 PM »
Looked at the Cherry website speaker section...if I was in town, I would be buying those Sansui SP-1500 right now.

Get whatever you want there.  I don't see where you could go wrong.  Every tech spec and claim made is on point.  And prices are very reasonable in a market that is exaggerated by collector nerds.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline carnivorous chicken

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #8 on: September 17, 2021, 06:35:27 PM »
Unrepentent record collector for 30+ years, worked at a record store in Seattle during the boom ('88-'97). But... I am not super picky in terms of audiophile stuff.

A good turntable with a good stylus is essential, however, if you give a $hit about your records. And knowing how to weight the stylus is important, as is being able to adjust the tracking -- many people set it waaaay to heavy which ruins the records, and a turntable without decent tracking will also wear records. The Crosley vintage-looking turntables are crap, as are most of the "convert your vinyl to digital!" one-piece set-ups.

I have 4 technics 1200s -- one to listen to, 2 to DJ, and one spare (that needs some work). Some audiophiles complain about noise from the direct drive, but I don't hear it. That being said, looks like the guy is selling belt drive tables. Good to ask about the availability of replacement belts.

And I was like Ekpent -- bought stuff at garage sales (never paid more than $200 for my Technics, and now they are big bucks). Had a few tube amp receivers, but I don't have one now. There are modern tube amps that are worth having, but nowadays they are charging an arm and leg for them. It's still possible to find old ones used, but less and less so.

I've used several different things to digitize my records, including a great Sony CD burner that I bought new when it came out. When it died, I bought a few used ones that lasted a year or two -- but since it was discontinued I decided I needed something else. Bought a fono mini A2D pre-amp, which digitizes analog and plugs into a laptop. Audacity is an open source program that allows you to manage the digitized content, turn it to MP3s, and upload to a phone. If you care about digitization.

I know I'm rambling, but to get to your questions: Don't buy a cheap and crappy turntable. Both the NYT and Discogs have published turntable buying guides, and IIRC $300 is kind of the bottom end -- but it may be possible to buy something worthwhile. For me, I change needles every 6-12 months depending on how much I am playing records; a solid needle is super important to me. I bought a bunch of the Shure styluses I like when they went out of business, but I'm going to run out and have to figure out what I use next. One thing to take note of is that not all cartridges and styluses are compatible with all headshells. Might be worth asking about for the turntables, as well as stylus availability and price.

For the speakers, I also think the Sansui SP-1500s look like a killer deal -- as long as all of the internals are intact. And it'd be cool to pair it with the Sansui receiver.

But make sure the turntable and needle are solid if you care about your records lasting.

Offline PeWe

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #9 on: September 18, 2021, 12:46:28 AM »
Old amplifiers have old electrolytic capacitors that can leak and need to be replaced.
Modern small Class-D amplifiers sounds good with good power and a clean sound. Before only good enough for subwoofers, the development has gone forward the last 5-10 years.

Small size and very low light.
I have a 2x500W @8ohm/800W@4ohm
 Size around 200x75x300mm, a few kilos.
The measured power cube in a test show ut can drive very demanding speakers.

Old A/A-B constructions with similar power would be around 25kg! And cost at least 3 times more.
Mine I use for front speakers cost closer to $2000US.
But smaller versions of other brands will cost less.

The brand Nuforce might have something. There are others too.
Integrated amplifier. No radio.
Maybe a RIIA is not needed for your turntable.
Or amplifier only with D/A converter separate.

The vinyles have got a comeback. Turntables and pickups are produced again.

The old bulky and heavy hi-fi tech is crap today.
New tech sounds much better for a much lower price, size and weight.

I'm sure that even the old heavy and power hungry amplifiers from Krell that were  outstanding for 15-20 years ago have better alternatives today for a fraction of their price, size and weight.
« Last Edit: September 18, 2021, 06:28:43 AM by PeWe »
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Offline dave500

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #10 on: September 18, 2021, 01:44:44 AM »
cool stuff scott!i still have the first decent hi fi i bought about early 80s speakers and all!i still use it,put a new belt on the platter few years ago,replaced a woofer in one of the speaker boxes while ago,that cd player i bought from a pawn shop ages ago works well,i have a hitachi tuner in the cupboard,i love the crisp sound with the odd pop n crackle,thats why i like playing my old records,i got old beatles etc,stones and what not,im no audiophile and my old unit would be a piece of crap to them,but i love it,cost me a lotta money in the day,but ive had a lotta use out of it!
« Last Edit: September 18, 2021, 01:48:25 AM by dave500 »

Offline jlh3rd

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #11 on: September 18, 2021, 04:40:36 AM »
I need links, part numbers, etc.

 Delving into this rabbit hole is like starting an oil thread. WAAAAY too many options and info for a newbie.

yep..opinions are like.......

old stuff is not crap......new stuff is not always better.....everyone's ears are different, what sounds good to me ,may not to you.
       It is a rabbit hole. Cartridge compatibility with a turntable's tone arm is a factor. Low mass, high mass arm.....moving coil, moving magnet cartridges.........even capacitance relationship between a cartridge and a receiver/amp can be a factor......not to mention proper setup......setup? What's that, you ask.....
       Do yourself a favor and go to a website that deals with these questions. Spend some time educating yourself now, or spend more money later.
        There is no perfect setup, but there are good/ bad setups...
        You want examples, here's mine, pioneer stuff...SX 780 receiver, PL 518 turntable with a shure V15 III cartridge ( supposedly not the best matchup), Dynaco A30xl speakers. All purchased in 1978....all working fine. Except for the shure cartridge (which are not cheap anymore) , that system would fit your budget and good cartridges are available that are less expensive......tuner/amp separates are generally considered "better" sounding...more opinions......
          Some people think pioneer equipment is crap.......so, there we go down that rabbit hole........
       
   
         

Offline jlh3rd

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2021, 05:07:06 AM »
.....not to mention how to clean those old records......

Offline krusty

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2021, 05:39:16 AM »
I have a Pioneer PL15D turntable that needs a new motor. Like some bike parts over here, parts for it a scarce. Have been looking for a replacement on and off for a few years now.
I have a collection of 45s, 900-1000, to feed my 1977 Princess Rock-Ola juke box.
I still have the first LP I ever bought in 1966, "Bombora" by The Atlantics.
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Offline Scott S

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #14 on: September 18, 2021, 06:36:21 AM »
 I've also considered one of the Fluance Rt-80 series turntables. It's basically the same TT and is upgraded as you go up in the line up (RT-80, 82, 83, etc.). I would need a pre amp (which they sell for about $100) and then I could run it through my existing Bose system.

https://www.fluance.com/turntables
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Offline ekpent

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #15 on: September 18, 2021, 08:05:30 AM »
 Hey Scott check out the name on this direct drive turntable I have been using for years  ;)  :D  I have an old vintage Scott receiver down at my shop that I use there but think I will bring it home and swap in a newer cheaper thing I have laying around. Here are some receivers I've picked up super cheap this summer but nothing too high end though I did sell a Marantz I found also for some pretty good coin. They seem to have a loyal following.. Still buy them when I see them around on my travels.
« Last Edit: September 18, 2021, 08:14:33 AM by ekpent »

Offline ofreen

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #16 on: September 18, 2021, 08:59:59 AM »
All I have is vintage since I haven't bought anything new since the 80's. This Phase Linear 400 I bought in the mid-70's gets daily use, hooked up to an Adcom tuner/preamp.  I bought a bunch of stuff from feebay a few years back when I noticed stuff was going for cheap enough that I couldn't resist.  My main trouble is taking the time to sit still and listen.  Most of my listening these days is while I am working out or working in the shop.  Not exactly the same thing.
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Offline Don R

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #17 on: September 18, 2021, 04:13:08 PM »
  I have a Technics SL8210 turntable. I got a new belt on it but the motor is turning too fast dagnabbit.  I've been watching for a decent vintage receiver.
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Offline BomberMann650

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #18 on: October 03, 2021, 05:41:13 PM »
After being treated to some of Dan Schmalle's (bottlehead racing) hand crafted vacuum tube playback systems.  Everything else pales in comparison.

That said, a few lounge dj's were not opposed to getting the decks and parts from the guitar center catalogue

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #19 on: October 03, 2021, 08:02:25 PM »
I have a few low-end vintage components,but the last thing I'm looking for are a pair of original JBL 'Control Monitor' speakers:I don't have Any speakers until I find a good,used pair of them !  ;) The thing I need to watch-out for though is I live in an apartment with thin walls.. I will need to keep it down,but that's No Fun !  :D
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Offline dave500

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #20 on: October 04, 2021, 01:01:21 AM »
hey Don,if your turntable has select 33/45 rpm check any solder connections behind it,i had the same trouble with speeding up on 33 rpm,for years if i jiggled the select switch it went good for a while,then i bit the bullet and had a look and found a dry solder joint,touched it with the iron and been perfect ever since.

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #21 on: October 04, 2021, 07:21:28 AM »
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Offline ekpent

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #22 on: October 04, 2021, 11:26:19 AM »

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #23 on: October 04, 2021, 11:47:04 AM »
Yeah,those are a set of nice ones.I found a pair of 'Control Monitors' in a thrift store when I was living in Nashville,TN. back in 2010'.There was damage to one of the cabinets.I patched the one up using JBWeld and they were 'rocking' my apt. located at the top of the building near the roof where i lived.The JBL vintage electronics inside them are good quality;built to last.
« Last Edit: October 06, 2021, 11:37:43 PM by grcamna2 »
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Vintage Hi-Fi enthusiasts?
« Reply #24 on: October 06, 2021, 11:39:44 PM »
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.