Am I the only one that misses a good sounding stereo system? The out of the box crap these days just does not cut it. My brother had a PIONEER SX-D7000 back in the day and that thing was awesome. I am currently searching ebay for one like it but nothing yet. Everything made today is plastic and just does not produce the audio quality that I like. You just cannot beat them big floor speakers either!
Vintage audio equipment
Bisquit037
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Jeff, the source now is for me still cds. Even a lot of the old music is being cleaned up, or digitaly remastered. Some is still mono but clean sounding. Recording equipment has come light years in the past decade. The clarity can be awesome, even on music that was tin-can sounding way back when. I know one thing for sure, when i crank up "Green Onions" in a parking lot, with a little equalization work thru my board, you think Booker T and The MGS are playing live there with you. The horns and the Hammond "B3" really crank it.
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2,774 Posts
Yup, them old stereos are like big blocks. Sticker says 450 HP, really puts out 500+.
I've got my 30 something Marantz QUADRAPHONIC 4270 in the garage (that I bought 30 years ago). Over the years all my floor standing sized speakers dry rotted and I just ended up throwing them out assuming (ya know what that word means, right) I could replace them when I was ready.
I've got the hooked up to a pair of mid priced Polks and a small 100W sub and it sound GREAT! Love working on the car with the doors open, a rockn' and a rollin'. Still cranks out so much crystal clear volume, you can make your ears hurt.
Have found many good units on eBay over the years but didn't need them.
Sort of a side note, I "replaced" this unit a few years ago with a modern model trying Harmon Kardon, Yamaha, etc., etc., and finally a really cheap (under $100) stereo from Circ**t C*ty.
That cheap one was the best of them all and 1/4 of the HK or Y. (PS-Love them return policies. Bought, tried it, it su*ked, brought it back).
I hooked it up to a mid-range pair of JBL's for a while while the system was in the Family room. Sounds really excellent and the whole set-up cost me under $200. Excellent for a shop unit. Need specs, item #'s, let me know.
I've got my 30 something Marantz QUADRAPHONIC 4270 in the garage (that I bought 30 years ago). Over the years all my floor standing sized speakers dry rotted and I just ended up throwing them out assuming (ya know what that word means, right) I could replace them when I was ready.
I've got the hooked up to a pair of mid priced Polks and a small 100W sub and it sound GREAT! Love working on the car with the doors open, a rockn' and a rollin'. Still cranks out so much crystal clear volume, you can make your ears hurt.
Have found many good units on eBay over the years but didn't need them.
Sort of a side note, I "replaced" this unit a few years ago with a modern model trying Harmon Kardon, Yamaha, etc., etc., and finally a really cheap (under $100) stereo from Circ**t C*ty.
That cheap one was the best of them all and 1/4 of the HK or Y. (PS-Love them return policies. Bought, tried it, it su*ked, brought it back).
I hooked it up to a mid-range pair of JBL's for a while while the system was in the Family room. Sounds really excellent and the whole set-up cost me under $200. Excellent for a shop unit. Need specs, item #'s, let me know.
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14,300 Posts
All my electronics are NAD and they are still making good stuff, but I like my old stuff better. Even my video game set up runs all the audio through an NAD amp to Paradigm speakers. My main stereo is all NAD (amp, tuner, CD player, cassette deck) with a Linn turntable going out through Magnapan speakers. Nothing like a well powered pair of Magnapan speakers in my opinion. Klipsch used to have great stuff until they decided they could sell cheap crap on their reputation alone.
My brother used to have a killer Pioneer receiver but after having it repaired twice and it failing again he gave up on it. I wonder if he still has it? The Cerwin-Vega speakers he bought ages ago worked very well but had too much bass emphasis for my liking. The Magnapans have the best balance and the cleanest bass of any I've heard. The problem with Magnapans, even the smaller ones, are that they are HUGE and are pretty sensitive to proper placement in the room.
My brother used to have a killer Pioneer receiver but after having it repaired twice and it failing again he gave up on it. I wonder if he still has it? The Cerwin-Vega speakers he bought ages ago worked very well but had too much bass emphasis for my liking. The Magnapans have the best balance and the cleanest bass of any I've heard. The problem with Magnapans, even the smaller ones, are that they are HUGE and are pretty sensitive to proper placement in the room.
In my opinion if you want good stereo sound for listening to music (not movies and stuff), go 'pro audio'. In my music 'studio' above my garage I use an old Crown 2x100 power amp that I bought for $200. It was a $1500 piece of commercial equipment back when it came out. I have that paired to a set of homemade studio monitors with a 12" woofer, 3" midrange, and a horn tweeter. It'll blow the walls out of the house if I wanted 
. I actually use my PA mixer to route the CD player or computer audio to it, but it could be done any number of ways. Basically a little PA system.
The downside to using pro/studio type gear is that it isn't going to sweeten up the sound at all, you hear exactly what was recorded, which sounds kind of dull to most listeners used to consumer grade gear that colors the sound and EQ.
. I actually use my PA mixer to route the CD player or computer audio to it, but it could be done any number of ways. Basically a little PA system. The downside to using pro/studio type gear is that it isn't going to sweeten up the sound at all, you hear exactly what was recorded, which sounds kind of dull to most listeners used to consumer grade gear that colors the sound and EQ.
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7,226 Posts
my jbl monitors will make your lungs vibrate. but my dads old stereo when i was a kid, with four HUGE wooden tower speakers, 2 10s or 12s in each one and like 3 mids and highs were the sickest thing. i remember listening to gerry rafferty and boston and bto on there when i was a little ****. i am showing my age of 31 here but so what. i want an old setup like that for my garage. as a matter of fact, i might try to hit up some garage sales this weekend for that exact thing.
Sounds like someone has never sat down and listened to a clean Santana LP through a good tube amp. and decent speakers
That there can be magical.I have hated the way CDs sound ever since they came out. I could always tell the difference when they started playing them on the radio.
I'd like to get into that vintage audio stuff, but since my old Sony receiver passed away, I am currently limited to my new Sherwood receiver and rebuilt Advent/1s in the garage.
K
I have a dedicated two channel rig and a home theater. About two weeks ago I was at a friends listening to Zu Definitions over a Cary tube amp. That rig runs about 30K. Another friend of mine runs Linn table with Shindo preamps and amps to Wilson Saphios. That will run you north of 50K. I've heard two channel rigs that were north of 100K with room treatments, cables and power conditioning. Not too hard to do.Sounds like someone has never sat down and listened to a clean Santana LP through a good tube amp. and decent speakers
K
You would be suprised what I've heard, and I can assure you it sounds better than the old Technics and Pioneer tuners.
At least to me it does, and that's all that matters with music.The best stereo receiver ever made was the Pioneer SX-1250. Manufactured in 1976, it was the zenith of sound, power & quality construction. Specs say it puts out 160 RMS/ch, but in reality it's close to 225/ch. I bought mine in '76 for
$590. Believe it or not, mine stills plays daily and sounds as good as it did 32 years ago. And it has never needed to be serviced for any problems!
$590. Believe it or not, mine stills plays daily and sounds as good as it did 32 years ago. And it has never needed to be serviced for any problems!
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7 Posts
haha a buddy of mine got his co-workers olds setup. phase linear 500 series 2 amp, carver pre-amp and eq. he just GAVE it to him, replaced it with a dvd-home theatre in a box!!!!!
I offered my buddy $500 for the lot the first time i saw it... he's still got it i believe.
I had a pioneer sa-7800, very nice piece.
I offered my buddy $500 for the lot the first time i saw it... he's still got it i believe.
I had a pioneer sa-7800, very nice piece.
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22,967 Posts
I'm still using a NAD pre-amp, a Carver "Cube" power amp, and a NAD tuner...all hooked up to ADS SubSat 3 pc speakers.
Bought it all new in the early '80s. Seems like yesterday...
Some of the new stuffs not too bad either. Denon reciever and Klipsch towers, center, powered sub, and in wall rears running on the home theater system.
Bought it all new in the early '80s. Seems like yesterday...
Some of the new stuffs not too bad either. Denon reciever and Klipsch towers, center, powered sub, and in wall rears running on the home theater system.
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1,647 Posts
I can still remember an old Sansui 5000 working a pair of Bose 601s like there was no tomorrow. Remember those old groups like "Mountain, Iron Butterfly, Blind Faith. Man those were rockin times. Still lovin the rock and roll, but props to the heavier sounding groups too.
Over here, dude.
Still have my DH220's, but only using one of them now. But, way back when I built them though, they were bridged and driving a pair of insanely efficient Klipsch Heresy's, and front ended by an enormous Yamaha C4 preamp, a Thornes turn table with a B&O cartridge, and Nakamichi Dragon cassette deck (that thing was so friggin cool), and a Yamaha T-70 tuner. The bridged 220's into the Heresy's was, frankly, stupid loud but very, very clean. And if that weren't enough, a friends father loaned us his Klipsch corner horns for a few months. Sheesh, that any of us can still hear is amazing.
I still use the DH220, the Thornes, and the T-70. Speakers now are Dahlquist DQ-28's (time aligned), and pre-amp is a Marantz SC-80.
Love the old stuff.
Dan
And they need a lot of power.
So jealous, Rich, I've been jonesn' for a pair of Maggies for years. Just the most beautiful sounding speakers I've ever heard - when driven by the right amp. Alas, my old DH220 probably just doesn't have the doo-dad's for the Maggies - even with the newly installed cap's.
Dan
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What would be a good budget set up for the pole barn?
It is 50x80 and is tin inside and out with no insulation.
I liked the old sound of my buds, back in the day, but never paid much attention to brand or size.
:beers::thumbsup:
It is 50x80 and is tin inside and out with no insulation.
I liked the old sound of my buds
, back in the day, but never paid much attention to brand or size.:beers::thumbsup:
E90 Wharfedale Speakers (1980's 110lbs each - solid walnut)
McIntosh Tuner (1970)
McIntosh Amp (1970)
McIntosh Pre-Amp (1970)
Old stereos rock! Sent my McIntosh in 5 years ago and had rebuilt by McIntosh, worth the money. Inherited from my brother who bought the McIntosh pieces in 1975.
McIntosh Tuner (1970)
McIntosh Amp (1970)
McIntosh Pre-Amp (1970)
Old stereos rock! Sent my McIntosh in 5 years ago and had rebuilt by McIntosh, worth the money. Inherited from my brother who bought the McIntosh pieces in 1975.
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456 Posts
My roommate in college had one of those Pioneer receivers made in the 70's. Seemed like almost everyone did. Great equipment. I remember gawking at the Phase Linear rigs in the store -- thousands of dollars back then! I've still got my Pioneer SX-5 and Bose 301-IIs I bought in the 80's when I was a poor newlywed. They won't die, so I can't justify buying anything newer.
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155 Posts
If you need more info on Pioneer equipment try Audiokarma.org great info on all audio.I have a pioneer SX-780 Reciever,RT-1020L 10" RTR,CTF-850 Cassette Deck,SG-9500 Equalizer and a pair of HPM-40 speakers.The silver series pioneer products are the best built equipment that I have ever owned.Another site is silverpioneer.netfirms.com.
>> With old stuff there is no True HD, DD Plus, DTS Master, DVD-A, SACD, toslink, HDMI 1.3.
No LFE feeds, no frequency cutoffs, no speaker delay, no HD radio, no 7 channel stereo! <<
Yeppers, exactly, you got it alright. And no music that sounds like it's been processed thru all that stuff either.
Scott 222-C, EICO HF-81, Sony ES-333, Klipsch Heresy's, La Scalas, Cornwalls and virgin untouched set of 1960 Mahogany Klipschorns.
Home Theatre in a Box, gagamaggot.
No LFE feeds, no frequency cutoffs, no speaker delay, no HD radio, no 7 channel stereo! <<
Yeppers, exactly, you got it alright. And no music that sounds like it's been processed thru all that stuff either.
Scott 222-C, EICO HF-81, Sony ES-333, Klipsch Heresy's, La Scalas, Cornwalls and virgin untouched set of 1960 Mahogany Klipschorns.
Home Theatre in a Box, gagamaggot.
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