Want to make a Vintage Sound System

[chinny4290]

Hey Guys. My name's Chris, and obviously I'm new. I have a few questions but before I ask, I'll tell a little 'bout myself.

I'm a high school student in NJ that goes to boarding school (Blair Academy if you guys were curious, not trying to brag), I consider myself to be an audiophile (or audioholic if you would ) and ever since I used a Bose Acoustimass 5 system mated to a Yamaha center speaker/amplifier and a Pioneer DSX-067 or something like that in my room I fell in love with a quality sound system (and go figure, I caught the bug on a system that's really not supposed to be that great!). I love music, movies and games and to me, the ultimate experience isn't the ultimate without fabulous sound and I can't do either without it (amazing how spoiled I got).

I currently have a Sony HT-DDW790 component system (not too shabby for $200!) mated to my computer via optical output to an Auzentech XPlosion 7.1 DTS Connect sound card and a pair of Logitech Z-540s at home (Great 5.1 system for only $80!). My favorite encoding is DTS and I can't live without a feeling or sense of surround sound. So yea...

anyway....

I'm out to make a really kick arse vintage sound system. Obviously I have a budget, but I'm not sure what kind yet. I probably don't want to spend more than $500 total on the whole set.

But to give you an idea, I'm looking to get speakers and receivers circa 1960s and 1970s/1980s. As many say, some of the new stuff just don't sound as good as the old stuff.

For speakers, I've been looking at some Bang & Olufsen speakers (though they are hard to find) and Bose and what not.

As for receivers, I'm pretty set on a nice old Pioneer receiver because I know Pioneer has some really good audio equipment, new and old, either with an integrated tuner or a separate tuner. It doesn't matter. Any particular model I should look for? It would be sweet if it looked cool as well (here's an example: http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-PIONEER-4-CHANNEL-FM-STEREO-FM-AM-RECEIVER_W0QQitemZ270122015235QQihZ017QQcategoryZ50596QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

I need more direction though on what speakers to get. Right now, again, as I mentioned, only looking at some old Bose or B&O speakers, maybe some Onkyos or what not as well. Something like these would be sweet: http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-HPM-1100-EXTREMELY-RARE-SPEAKERS-HUGE_W0QQitemZ260120943414QQihZ016QQcategoryZ50597QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They have to be large floor box speakers, as that's what I prefer.

Anyone have any recommendations that would be able to help me out?

Thanks guys.

 

[whitestone]

Bose speakers.

 

[whitestone]

Can I also suggest vintage Luxman? like what you are thinking.

 

[corey]

I'm out to make a really kick arse vintage sound system. Obviously I have a budget, but I'm not sure what kind yet. I probably don't want to spend more than $500 total on the whole set.

"Vintage" and "kick ***" don't go together too well, because electronics have gotten so much better in the last 40 years; especially when you add in "budget".

A kick *** vintage system would be a pair of Klipschorns & a tube amp, but you'd be looking at 5 thousand, not 5 hundred.

edit: Please forgive me for using such a foul three letter word that it has to be ***** out.

 

[samNOISE]

Vintage Kit

.
The dude is right: you aren't gonna' get there with a budget of five hundred bucks. Push it out to near the $1500.00 mark and you are beginning to look at reality, and then, just the 'bottom of'.

My personal idea of vintage kit is what I grew up with: 70s / 80s mass-market stuff such as Technics / Pioneer / Yamaha etc., from that era. As it was all mass-market kit, you should be able to pick up the lot for somewhere around the price I mentioned above, perhaps a little more.

The aforementioned companies made some really aesthetically and acoustically pleasing stuff, much of it still in service today. Check out neat sites such as:

www.vintagecassette.com

www.thevintageknob.org

www.hifi-museum.com

...to get some ideas.

A beauty set of Altec Lansing speakers, Pioneer separates and old-school, heavyweight wooden turntable makes for a really handsome kit!

Andrew D.

www.cdnav.com


.

 

[Davemcc]

"Vintage" and "kick ***" don't go together too well, because electronics have gotten so much better in the last 40 years; especially when you add in "budget".

A kick *** vintage system would be a pair of Klipschorns & a tube amp, but you'd be looking at 5 thousand, not 5 hundred.

edit: Please forgive me for using such a foul three letter word that it has to be ***** out.

So true. High end vintage electronics can be nice, but pricey. Amps, preamps, tuners, even turntables would be nice. I'm not sure I'd want vintage speakers. Listening to 40 year old paper cones held together by 40 year old rubber just wouldn't sound the same as they did when new as near as I can figure.

 

[chinny4290]

Hmmm...this maybe harder than I thought lol.

Being a HS student, $1500 isn't easy to come around.

Ok, how about a decent set up that's around $500? Or is there still no such thing and I'm better spending money on a newer system?

I forgot to mention that eBay is going to be my primary source, unless anybody from NJ knows of a good place.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

For vintage research your better off at http://audiokarma.org/

I have a few local thrift stores that I frequent and I have bought some nice older equipment. Not as nice as newer stuff but alot cheaper and some of it sounds pretty good.

Good luck and have fun,
SBF1

 

[highfihoney]

I'm out to make a really kick arse vintage sound system. Obviously I have a budget, but I'm not sure what kind yet. I probably don't want to spend more than $500 total on the whole set.

They have to be large floor box speakers, as that's what I prefer.

Thanks guys.

Your on the right track with the receivers & speakers your looking at in the links,your way better off buying vintage stuff than new with your budget.

You can put together a fantastic vintage 2 channel stereo system for a budget of $500 but the key is going to be that you will need to be patient & selective on what you buy,you live in a perfect area for vintage gear,since your in jersey it puts you in driving distance to alot of different locations,forget getting gear shipped to you from ebay,shipping will eat your budget,buy gear that you can pick up in person.

You should avoid bose & bang & olfusen speakers at all costs,vintage bose speakers do not rock loudly without a heavy duty amp & if they need surrounds replaced the internal wiring makes it a nightmare(901 series) bang & olfusen speakers are a mess as well,B&O made gear that uses funky connectors that are impossible to find & their gear does not play loudly,it sounds ok but nothing special,B&O's focus was on looks more than sound.

For speakers there are quite a few choices,i would say that looking into the vintage line of Klipsch speakers is your best bet,look for MODEL # KG-4 in KLIPSCH on ebay, also look at the MODEL HWO-HERESEY,you can pick up either model for around $250 a pair,both models are easy to push & play very loud with good bass.

I have both the KG-4's & HERESEYS in my home & they are both good vintage speakers,the KG-4's are better sounding than the Heresy's & are larger.

Here are some examples of speakers to look for.

http://cgi.ebay.com/klipsch-kg4-stereo-speakers-vintage_W0QQitemZ290121825944QQihZ019QQcategoryZ14993QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-CS-05-ROUND-END-TABLE-SPEAKERS-w-PAPERS_W0QQitemZ140122011459QQihZ004QQcategoryZ50597QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAIR-POLK-AUDIO-10A-10-A-SPEAKERS-EXLT_W0QQitemZ120125045047QQihZ002QQcategoryZ50597QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/KENWOOD-KL-777D-5-Way-6-Speaker-Pair-130W-16-Woofer_W0QQitemZ190115260581QQihZ009QQcategoryZ50597QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

You'll then need a receiver or intergrated amplifier,at all costs stay away from the BPC gear,Black Plastic Crap gear consists of gear that has plastic face plates,slider volume controls & usually tons of RED BLINKING LED's.

Here are a few examples of intergrated amplifiers that will fit your budget & are quality units.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Beautiful-Classic-YAMAHA-CA-810-Stereo-Amplifier-NM_W0QQitemZ110129839687QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3280QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/LUXMAN-Integrated-Amplifier-LV-102-WORKS-GREAT_W0QQitemZ180123172986QQihZ008QQcategoryZ3280QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If you choose an intergrated amp you'll need a tuner to listen to the radio,there are a ton of vintage tuners that will sound great,here are some examples.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-TX-6500-AM-FM-Tuner-Vintage-Works-Good_W0QQitemZ290121392503QQihZ019QQcategoryZ3282QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/REALISTIC-TM-1000-STEREO-TUNER_W0QQitemZ230133644204QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3282QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-T403_W0QQitemZ300114143276QQihZ020QQcategoryZ3282QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here are some examples of vintage receivers that will fit your budget & are of good quality.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LUXMAN-Integrated-Amplifier-LV-102-WORKS-GREAT_W0QQitemZ180123172986QQihZ008QQcategoryZ3280QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marantz-2230-receiver-amp-amplifier-MINT-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ230132349064QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3279QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marantz-2230-receiver-amp-amplifier-MINT-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ230132349064QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3279QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-C740-Stereo-Receiver_W0QQitemZ200111673822QQihZ010QQcategoryZ3279QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-FM-AM-Stereo-Receiver-Model-7150-Like-New_W0QQitemZ220114379964QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3279QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I could go on forever listing links but you get the idea,look at brands like Marantz,Yamaha,Pioneer,Technics,MCS,NAD,any of these brands offer many receivers that will do the job.

For a cd player just use your exisisting dvd player or go pick up a cheap dvd player at best buy,dont buy a vintage cd player,the lasers in most cases are worn out & the sound quality is sub par when compared to a $49 modern dvd player.

Shipping a receiver or intergrated amp would be cheap enough to work into your budget but speakers will kill you,you will need to pick up the speakers in person,remember to be patient & look for speakers that you can pick up in person & never be in a rush,there will always be another pair of speakers listed near you so take your time & only buy select examples.

 

[majorloser]

Listen to the HFhoney!

I might also suggest checking some of the local pawn shops. Many of the older "monster" receivers have been found in pawn shops.

But by all means, stay away from the old Bose and B&O. They may end up costing you more to repair or worse end up as scrap. Make sure that whatever speaker you buy look very closely at the drivers. They should be in good shape with no signs of dry rot.

FWIW: Audio Kharma is a great site to learn about vintage gear.

 

[chinny4290]

Great posts everybody, really appreciate, especially you highfihoney!

Ok, so, as of now I'm going to look for those KG-4s.

As for receivers, are there any particular models that you truly would recommend to get or avoid from all your gut? As of now, I'm looking at the classic Pioneers and will probably stay unless I see something else. And as for some of the slightly more modern ones, like from the 1980s, I would at best want to try and maintain the classic look, like the one I had originally posted.

Sorry if I'm getting repetitive.

 

[majorloser]

I don't think you could go wrong with a classic Sansui, Sherwood, Kenwood, Marantz or Pioneer receiver.

There was a group of receivers that where just HUGE! They are commonly known as Monster Receivers. Just do a search and many will pop up.

 

[chinny4290]

Sorry about my repetitiveness again.

But you all recommend that I get a receiver that's just a receiver in its self and get a tuner separate or a receiver with an integrated tuner?

Are there such things as Receivers with integrated amps and tuners?

So far, my layout will be KG-4s, a Pioneer receiver with an integrated amp, and a separate tuner.

Would I need a separate equalizer unit or is it really not necessary?

 

[majorloser]

A receiver is a combo of a tuner and an integrated amp in one chassis. Buying the components individually is known as "separates". I don't think you'll be able to acheive your goal with separates and stay within your budget.

You should be able to hit garage sales, swap meets and pawn shops to pick up some good deals on older equipment. All they will need is a little TLC, cleaning and maybe some minor repairs to get them back to NEW condition. For the most part a little cleaning and a good contact cleaner spray to the internal switches and pots will work wonders. A lot of older gear had wooden exterior cases. For those some furniture restoring wax can clean them up like new.

 

[majorloser]

As far as equalizer goes, you should be able to pick up an old ADC Sound Shaper for cheap. I had one back in the day. Add a spectrum analyzer and you were in Heaven.

But these thing aren't needed to start with. Just cool toys to make others drool. Besides, the blinking lights and all those sliders always look cool.

 

[kicknsupra]

when i was your age i looked at the pawn shop all the time kind of still do you never know what you will find for cheap if you look i found a late 70s sansui au 717 for 60 bucks and that thing rocks nice and clean power take a look just dont buy the frist thing you see shop around for 500 bucks spent wiseley at a pawn shop can go far just make sure you can bring it back