Who else does Vintage Hi-Fi.

Blue Shadow · Post by **Blue Shadow** » Feb 16, 2005 5:47 PM

While surfing I found scottiesharpe on the boards with a set of dahlquist and a couple recent accquisitions and now I see Tim mentioning the hobby. Whatcha got?

pdx 528e · Post by **pdx 528e** » Feb 16, 2005 5:48 PM

@ what age does it classify as vintage?

I have a 1974 Marantz 4270 Quadradial receiver, driving a pair of '76 JBL L36 bookshelfs (are they still bookshelfs with 10" woofers). Warm solid state sound to it.

[Edit by pdx 528e on [TIME]1108606263[/TIME]]

Blue Shadow · Post by **Blue Shadow** » Feb 16, 2005 5:51 PM

I don't know, before home theatre, back when people bought Stereo equipment, I guess. I sold Hi-Fi back in the day and still have a bunch of the stuff I bought while at the store.

SW · Post by SW » Feb 16, 2005 6:03 PM

I have some semi - vintage stuff. At home I run dual Quad 303s with a 33 and FM3. I love it. At the studio I have circa 85- B&W speakers, DM3000s and 16s. They kick absolute ass. I have some old tube amps (precision electronics, and Dukane) that I've hot wired to be more suited to bass and or guitar- they are kinda throw aways. B&K amp, soon to have an older velodyne subwoofer, adcom preamp (not real vintage stuff)

Other vintage gear- 72 fender Stratocaster, 77 Gibson explorer, 65 JMI AC-30tbr (amp of the gods), 73ish silver face twin reverb, 80ish Fender Super champ, 86(?) Rickenbacker Transonic (amp blown, but what a look for a speaker cabinet with my slope sided AC 30tbr on top). Then there is all the outboard stuff...but I am getting far afield.

Velocewest · Post by **Velocewest** » Feb 16, 2005 6:04 PM

I've got a Dual 731Q table, Boston Acoustics A60's and a Realistic receiver/amp. The Boston's need new foam, I think I'm going to look for something to replace them. I want to pick up a reel tape at some point, probably a Nakamichi. I'm also tempted by Marantz receivers, just because of nostalgia, but the Realistic is actually very strong and clean.

stuartinmn · Post by **stuartinmn** » Feb 16, 2005 7:13 PM

I bought most my stuff almost 30 years ago, so I guess it's become vintage by now...mid 70's Phillips receiver, a pretty nice Thorens turntable, a pair of Acoustic Research speakers and a pair of DLK 3 speakers. Then, there's the Sherwood quadraphonic receiver here in my office.

I do have a small collection of 1940s era Philco table radios as well.

Anyone interested in vintage recording and broadcasting equipment should stop by the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting the next time you're in Minneapolis. It's a pretty interesting place. http://www.pavekmuseum.org/

clangpap · Post by **clangpap** » Feb 16, 2005 8:35 PM

The Quad stuff gave me a tear in my eye. Used to bi-amp 405's. Kind of a mixture remains. J.A. Mitchell Reference Hydraulic Transcription Turntable (remember Clockwork Orange?), Audio Research pre-amp, Musetex amplifiers, Magnum Dynalab tuner. The Martin Logan electrostatic speakers and Nachamichi stuff is newer. If someone is looking for a tall plant stand with great bass I think the old Radford Studio 90's are still at my brother's place.

Blue Shadow · Post by **Blue Shadow** » Feb 16, 2005 8:58 PM

pdx, That 1974 Marantz 4270 Quadradial receiver must have won some KPD contests. Knobs per Dollar. That thing is loaded.

stuartinmn · Post by **stuartinmn** » Feb 16, 2005 9:05 PM

I almost forgot, I have a mid 1960's Dynaco FM-3 tuner sitting in a box somewhere around here that I got for free. I'd like to track down a Dynaco amp and pre-amp to go with it.

This thing is probably famous for its lack of knobs.

[Edit by stuart in mn on [TIME]1108605965[/TIME]]

monty23psk · Post by **monty23psk** » Feb 16, 2005 9:15 PM

wow guys. i am probably a too young for this. i grew up with my dad who was into hi-fi. most thru the 80s, like original jbl, mclantosh(not sure on spelling, too lazy to search), nakamichi, and reel to reel. but i just search that dynaco and its expensive. a 3 part system is buy it now for 600 bucks. this tuner is going for over 80 bucks with 2 days left. good stuff, i like vintage, its more classic and sometimes sounds louder and better than all this new electronic theory of putting as many things into one small piece of plastic.

here is the item below.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 08925&rd=1

alex
88 m5
04 civic

[Edit by monty23psk on [TIME]1108606560[/TIME]]

dab · Post by **dab** » Feb 16, 2005 9:23 PM

Interesting thread! I've got a pair '80's vintage Infinity Kappa 8's, driven by a Aragon 4004 Mk II and an Audio Research SP-8 tube preamp. Looking to put an Oracle table on the front end.

Love vintage audio.

David

pdx 528e · Post by **pdx 528e** » Feb 16, 2005 9:30 PM

[QUOTE="monty23psk"]wow guys. i am probably a too young for this. i grew up with my dad who was into hi-fi. most thru the 80s, like original jbl, mclantosh(not sure on spelling, too lazy to search), nakamichi, and reel to reel. [/QUOTE]
Sounds about like my dad. He still uses a McIntosh integrated amplifier and some ADS floor speakers, w/ nakamichi Cd player. Stuff is almost as old as I am. My equipment is hand-me-down from him.

Chris

stuartinmn · Post by **stuartinmn** » Feb 16, 2005 9:51 PM

Yeah, I look at eBay every so often for Advent stuff but haven't found the deal I can't pass up yet.

I thought of a couple other items I have around here...I have one of these Advent 400 FM radios, it was designed by Henry Kloss in the early 70s and has amazing sound.

I also have a Nakamichi clock radio, which is like the best clock radio ever.

Blue Shadow · Post by **Blue Shadow** » Feb 17, 2005 7:57 AM

The dynaco tube equipment is high dollar as are many tube units. They have a smoother sound to them compared to the solid state stuff. One aspect keeping vintage alive is the better sound quality of the individual components instead of putting 100 watts into a single chip per channel.

I got stuff in boxesa around the house, but am using an SP-9, McCormack DNA-1 and a Rega Planet CD (the nuw stuff) other sources include Lux cassettes and Tuner, Thornes and Marantz turntables both with Magnepan Unitrack-1 tonearms and a Tandberg 10x. I've got a pairs of Time Windows, Lux MS-10s, and Kefs. The boxed stuff list is as long.

Josh in BrewCity · Post by **Josh in BrewCity** » Feb 17, 2005 10:04 AM

I have been looking around for the last 6 mo. and researching. Not really ready to buy yet but someday. I am definatly going with tube mono blocs ... Still reseaching brands and wattage. Not McIntosh ... Can't afford it.

Tim in N FL · Post by **Tim in N FL** » Feb 17, 2005 10:50 AM

Neat....yeah, you might say I'm into audio...mostly vintage hi-fi...70's / 80's 2-channel stuff...no tube gear as yet...too damned expensive. I have a lot of early Bob Carver stuff (Phase Linear amps/preamps), early Polk speakers, Infinity Reference Monitors, Marantz tuner, late 60's Pioneer gear, Nakamichi cassette decks (x2), several N.A.D. pieces (receivers, turntable), Luxman turntable (80's vintage) several ADC Accutrack turntables from the 70s (the 1st computerized turntable with remote).

I also have a home theatre set-up but my 2-channel listening room is my favorite...currently "in flux" as both my Phase Linear 400 and 200b amps need repair!!! There's a tech in Texas who runs Circle Audio who is an original Phase Linear tech...he's going to get the the business unless someone can recommend someone "good" in Florida or Georgia.

Cheers,
Tim

[Edit by Tim in N FL on [TIME]1108665890[/TIME]]

Justin_FL · Post by **Justin_FL** » Feb 17, 2005 12:49 PM

This is funny... old BMW nuts that like OLD audio equipment! Currently in my Dad's garage reside over $10k worth of vintage McIntosh tube equipment (all in varying condition). Next to those are 2 pairs of Dahlquist DQ-10s, a bunch of '70s Marantz solid state gear, similar vintage Luxman stuff, 3 Phase-Linear 400 amps and 2 matching Phase Linear "quadraphonic" pre-amps. Those are only the ones I can remember! Currently in the listening room are some Aerial loudspeakers driven by a McCormack DNA-1 and Audio Research SP9 MkII. A very nice solid state pairing. My Dad tried several B&Ws speakers but they seemed a bit too precise and were not as welcoming compared to the Aerials.

The looks I get when describing the warm sound produced by tube equipment is funny. Kids my age just don't understand. But I can't blame them when the majority of today's music is mastered like crap. When I get into my own place I'll take some of my Dad's equipment since my Mom doesn't like the looks of it. She appreciates the sound but the DQ-10s for example, are too big and don't exactly fit into her plans as furniture.

Rich in WI · Post by **Rich in WI** » Feb 17, 2005 1:12 PM

Very interesting thread. When I finally got a decent HT system (onkyo), I had a heck of a time on the speakers. What I ended up with was a set of Acoustic Research speakers with rebuilt titanium tweeters and 12 inch woofers. These speakers kick the butt of anything I could get in today's speaker market. They are made with wood and were rebuilt by a hi-fi home theater audio store we have in Madison. The owner/tech at the shop was all about analog and vacuum tube quality. He rebuilds speakers to beyond the original quality. And he'll talk to you about his theories on speaker design for hours.

Needless to say, the speakers kick-ass. I still need to get the the sub-woofer and surrounds for the HT setup, but for now I have no complaints. Superior quality at half the price of a set of new premium speakers. Love it. They go to 11.

Rich

Tim in N FL · Post by **Tim in N FL** » Feb 17, 2005 1:46 PM

Justin_FL,
If your Dad wants a nice loving home for those Dalquist DQ-10s (are they in working order!? was he running a subwoofer w/'em?) and some of that McIntosh gear give me a holler...maybe we can work a deal

Cheers,
Tim

Velocewest · Post by **Velocewest** » Feb 17, 2005 2:58 PM

[QUOTE="Blue Shadow"]pdx, That 1974 Marantz 4270 Quadradial receiver must have won some KPD contests. Knobs per Dollar. That thing is loaded.[/QUOTE]

Haha, that's classic. Yeah, Marantz liked knobs, I used to have a Marantz car amp that had a knob, 2 switches and a light. You never use them because the head unit turns it on!

Blue Shadow · Post by **Blue Shadow** » Feb 17, 2005 4:54 PM

Surprising that Justin and I are listening to the same amp/preamp combo. The SP-9 is a hybrid tube/FET unit.

Justin, if you see a truck backed up to your dad's garage, come help me load up some of that stuff. I love the Lux stuff and I'll split the DQ-10 s with you, one pair each. Might pick up one of the Mc amps too.

pdx 528e · Post by **pdx 528e** » Feb 17, 2005 5:48 PM

[QUOTE="Blue Shadow"]pdx, That 1974 Marantz 4270 Quadradial receiver must have won some KPD contests. Knobs per Dollar. That thing is loaded.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE="Velocewest"]Haha, that's classic. Yeah, Marantz liked knobs, I used to have a Marantz car amp that had a knob, 2 switches and a light. You never use them because the head unit turns it on![/QUOTE]

They also liked to have tons of small incandescent bulb indicators inside the face, which DO burn out every 5 to 10 years, and are very innacessible. !@#$ But they did make very sturdy equipment, in the wood case mine weighs around 70 pounds. Some guy had one unit survive a fire, flood, and then being dropped from a tractor scoop. I'll try to dig up the full page ad.

[Edit by pdx 528e on [TIME]1108680834[/TIME]]

GregB · Post by **GregB** » Feb 18, 2005 12:50 AM

Interesting thread guys.

I ran an audiophile shop back in my college days (when the earth was still cooling). Sold a lot of Marantz, JBL, etc. in those days. I finally treated myself to a vintage McIntosh C26 pre-amp / 2105 power amp a few years ago. Still have a vintage Phillips 212A turntable in my system too.

In the last three years I've upgraded to a Rega Planet CD player and also replaced the C26 with a Rega Cursa pre-amp.

Current speakers are Meadowlark Audio Kestrels. http://www.meadowlarkaudio.com/

I've been putting this system together for years and I've finally reached the point where it needs nothing else. Perfect combination of old and new stuff.

Tim in N FL · Post by **Tim in N FL** » Feb 18, 2005 10:23 AM

Do you guys recall the "battle of the biggest Japanese receiver" days or yore? I have a vintage early 70s Sansui receiver that would definetly win a KPD contest has to be in the heavyweight category as well...believe it weighs in at 75-100lbs. The thing won't even fit in my audiorack. Can drive 4 sets of speakers, has a beautiful wooden case, large power transformers, weighted flywheel tunnig, soft blue backlighting, etc. I always liked the silverface Pioneer receivers from this era too...can't recall the model #s, however.

So, Blue Shadow, are you in Florida too?

Let's meet up at Justin's place in South Florida one weekend and make a deal with his Dad on all that vintage gear. I'd be interested in some of it for sure....especially a pair of DQ-10s, McIntosh pre-amp/power amp, and maybe a set of electrostatic speakers if you have any laying around. I've got the Phase Linear 400 to run 'em

Cheers,
Tim

RetiredDoc · Post by **RetiredDoc** » Feb 18, 2005 4:08 PM

KR-7400 receiver and AR3a speakers. Bought the speakers new at the AR factory in Boston in 1975, the receiver at a stereo shop just off the commons.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

Who else does Vintage Hi-Fi.