Vintage power amps/pre amps under $1000 compatible with Bose 901 active equalizer?

[jayfisher]

I have a pair of Bose 901 Series VI loudspeakers. Currently I'm powering them with a Marantz PM6004. I connected the Bose active equalizer to the recorder 2 md/tape RCA output/input on the PM6004. Ive had this set up for a year in this configuration. I think I can get better quality from an older power amp or pre/amp with an actual tape monitor/recorder jack. I just can't afford the price on the recommended ones from Bose. My listening environment is a one bedroom apartment in downtown San Francisco so not too large. I have the 901's in my living room which is about 16ft x 16ft in dimension and they are on the pedestals from Bose. The trouble with my space is that 2 walls are windows and the other 2 are wide thresholds into other rooms so I don't have any rear wall per se. I'm wondering if I should sell them and start again with something else better suited to my space and budget. I'm a total novice in home audio and wanting to learn as music is a part of my life 100% of the time. I should also note that my music is all in digital format on my macbook pro I use a apple airport express to get my music from my itunes library to the PM6004'S aux input. Any recommendations/solutions hugely appreciated!

 

[slipperybidness]

I have a pair of Bose 901 Series VI loudspeakers. Currently I'm powering them with a Marantz PM6004. I connected the Bose active equalizer to the recorder 2 md/tape RCA output/input on the PM6004. Ive had this set up for a year in this configuration. I think I can get better quality from an older power amp or pre/amp with an actual tape monitor/recorder jack. I just can't afford the price on the recommended ones from Bose. My listening environment is a one bedroom apartment in downtown San Francisco so not too large. I have the 901's in my living room which is about 16ft x 16ft in dimension and they are on the pedestals from Bose. The trouble with my space is that 2 walls are windows and the other 2 are wide thresholds into other rooms so I don't have any rear wall per se. I'm wondering if I should sell them and start again with something else better suited to my space and budget. I'm a total novice in home audio and wanting to learn as music is a part of my life 100% of the time. I should also note that my music is all in digital format on my macbook pro I use a apple airport express to get my music from my itunes library to the PM6004'S aux input. Any recommendations/solutions hugely appreciated!

sell the Bose, keep the Marantz, get some good speakers
Philharmonic Audio
Sierra-1 Bamboo Loudspeaker

Or get cheaper speakers and use the leftover budget on a sub
CMT-340 SE Mini-Tower Loudspeaker
http://www.svsound.com/outlet-specials?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=240&category_id=5#.UlVuv1OJrAk

 

[ski2xblack]

My suggestion is to keep the Marantz front end and try out different speakers. Going with an old school stereo receiver/integrated seems a step further off track if it's just to accommodate the Bose eq. 901's are fun speakers, but seriously, you can do much better (like the Philharmonics linked above, they're fabulous speakers for the money).

 

[markw]

The Bose 901 series are notorious for being finicky about placement and, even then, the results are questionable.

Your belief about a vintage setup with "real" tape monitor facilities is wrong. that EQ can go anywhere in the signal path and is, I believe, alreeady in a "real" tape loop configuration with your current amp.

Final diagnosis: Keep the amp, replace the sepeakers. I'd suggest floorstanders.

And, keep in mind that to learn music, a kick *** stereo isn't mandatory. You would be surprised at how many musicians couldn't really care less about the audiophile quality of their sound reproduction equipment. They listen to the music, not the equipment.