First system need help!

carc10

carc10

New Member
Hello all
I'm interested in vintage áudio, i need help choosing the amp and speakers.
im on a budget so i would like to build something special but that doenst cost me to much Money.
let's say i have 200 dollars to spend on it.
Hope you can help me!
Thanks in advance
 
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Hi and welcome to AK.

Where are you located? Do you have a Craigslist nearby? That's a good source for audio gear.

Obviously you'll need a receiver and speakers. As for sources, what do you want to listen to - vinyl, CDs, streaming audio/mobile device...?
 
Most of us probably don't have a clue as to what's available and what the prices are in your area. The speakers, receiver, amp/preamp or integrated amp are the key items that you need to buy but I'm sure you know that already. A receiver may be your best option for that amount of money. It may be best for you to find some pieces and come here and ask about each individual piece.

Being knowledgeable is the key in a hunt for a system even if it's somebody else's knowledge. It may be best if you can find a knowledgeable person on AK that lives in your area that would be willing to help.

Good luck in your hunt and I hope you come up with something nice.
 
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You could get a separate phono preamp, which can be plugged into any 'line level' input. But it appears there is no spare input on your receiver (usually would be labeled Aux.). There is a USB input so you could get a modern TT with built in preamp and USB output and plug it into that. Of course, it would not be vintage. Just some options though.

You should be able to find a used CD player very cheaply. Or if you already have a DVD or Blu-Ray player for movies, it should play CDs also.

I agree with the advice to see what is available near you and post here for advice and opinions.

It seems there is someone here from Belgium or nearby, but I can't remember who.
 
yes my dvd player can play cds so i dont need one.
i have been looking at this amps
AKAI AM - 39
https://www.2dehands.be/audio-video...erker-en-receiver/akai-am-39-2-363248338.html
Luxman LV 113
https://www.2dehands.be/audio-video...rker-en-receiver/luxman-lv-113-363207413.html
Technics SU V 570 PXS CAP
https://www.2dehands.be/audio-video...rker-en-receiver/amplificateur-363203959.html
Pioneer A-227
https://www.2dehands.be/audio-video...eiver/pioneer-a-227-versterker-363172984.html
Kenwood KR-2400
https://www.2dehands.be/audio-video...eiver/kenwood-kr-2400-receiver-363166116.html
technics SU-VX500
https://www.2dehands.be/audio-video...ker-technics-su-vx500-in-goede-363088863.HTML
NAD C325 BEE
https://www.2dehands.be/audio-video...iver/amplificateur-nad-c325bee-363085563.html
AKAI AM-U2
https://www.2dehands.be/audio-video...erker-akai-am-u2-stereo-integr-363052443.html
Pioneer SX-434 vintage
https://www.2dehands.be/audio-video...ioneer-sx-434-vintage-receiver-362738548.html
Marantz PM-66SE
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marantz-P...d=281546041694&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850
 
carc10 said:
Hi thanks for the reply im located in belgium, what i have here is ebay, and this website also
https://www.2dehands.be/audio-video-tv/audio-apparatuur/versterker-en-receiver/ and maybe some stores also have to look for it!
I have a a collection of cds, and also i would like to start listening to vinyl, so a turnrtable maybe i can get later.
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welcome to AK,

and good luck on the project! :) There is no need to suggest different amps/speakers. Its to subjective.

Be sure to demo any gear you purchase, make sure it sounds good to you. :)

Kind Regards,
John
 
NAD 3140 integrated & some Canton GL-260 speakers and you're done.
Have both and though I've never ran them together,I know they would sound great together.

Great starter kit too,lots of options to grow as your audio journey progresses.

Mine were a bit more than the stated budget,but not by much.
And the Canton speakers should be cheaper (and much more common) there vs. here in the states.

Great phono stage in that NAD integrated as well so you'll be all set when you find a nice TT.

JM2¢ ~ FWIW

Bret P.
 
When buying a system I usually start with the speakers. Once I know how much power they need that helps narrow down my choice of amp. Also look at what features you want in the system, that will also narrow things down. For amps, I usually look at the THD. I like to keep mine below .1. Other than that, listen to it. Preferably with the speakers you will be using. If it sounds good, it's the right unit.
 
kenwood61 said:
I'm looking on Belgium's ebay and found some goodies.

NAD 7020e (20 wpc)
http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/NAD-702...213267?hash=item4b1e7f6793:g:yrgAAOSwU1RZhIag
NAD has circuitry that gives you the power you'll want at peak points in a musical passage. So don't pass over a 20wpc receiver like this.

ADS L420 speakers like these are pretty nice, but these are in the US. Too pricey to ship, but look for these older ADS/Braun speakers. Good build quality and every ADS I have heard is a good sounding speaker.
http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/Vintage...174770?hash=item4d5c7cf4b2:g:XeIAAOSwnK9ZQacn

Braun CM5 ... not familiar, but look like they could be good if you want something small.
http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/Braun-C...671710?hash=item25dc7874de:g:HhgAAOSwWkJY80Aj
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Hello kenwood61 thanks for the help, i really enjoy that NAD 7020E, my father live in England, he comes to see me at the end of the month i will buy from ebay uk lot of things there are free postage to uk. and after he can bring to me.
Those speakers looks nice also, but i think they are too big, i have a small room maybe dont need so big, and smaller is better also for transportation from england to here.
yes im able to go a little higher, Are these speakers a good way to go? Canton GL-260 like xero-D-hero said?
Can you also tell me one good turntable for beginners?

Thank you so much for the help
kind regards
 
jobrewer1983 said:
welcome to AK,

and good luck on the project! :) There is no need to suggest different amps/speakers. Its to subjective.

Be sure to demo any gear you purchase, make sure it sounds good to you. :)

Kind Regards,
John
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Thank you for the advice
Kind regards
 
Over there you are probably going to find some Thorens and Garrard and Philips, I am not sure what else for TT's. Those are all good brands but of course they had good and better and not so good models. You might do a little reading in the TT forum.
 
toxcrusadr said:
Over there you are probably going to find some Thorens and Garrard and Philips, I am not sure what else for TT's. Those are all good brands but of course they had good and better and not so good models. You might do a little reading in the TT forum.
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Thanks you i Will look for it
 
kenwood61 said:
carc10, one thing to remember is that the first setup you get is not going to be your last, if you really get into the hobby. As long as you don't over pay for gear, you should get your money back out of it if you want to try out something else. If you read around the site, or any audio forum, you will find that synergy is a real thing between different receivers and speakers. For your price range, you'll do well to find a receiver in the 30-60 wpc range, and get some solid 2-way speakers that are efficient.

I'm not familiar with the NAD 3140 and Canton GL-260 speakers, but I know they are both build well. NAD makes some musical gear. I have a friend who loves his NAD C325 BEE that is on your list. However, as mentioned, you'll have to buy a phono stage later when you want a turntable. That's not necessarily a bad thing. You can find a phono stage around $100 used, maybe less here on AK. You never know. There are some great members on this site!!

I have heard some Luxman receivers that are surprisingly good, and that LV-113 may be worth considering. Since you have 50Hz mains, you can also look on UK ebay.

I noticed some of the items you list are really close to your budget, just for one item. Are you able to go a little higher? What size room will this be in?
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I need to replace my old Kenwood KR-6160. I loved its warm tone, and figured since it died, I should upgrade. I bought a Panasonic XS-626, but it needs work. My audio technician says I should bag it and just buy a newer amp. He has a NAD C325 BEE he rebuilt for $350. I love vintage, but he's almost got me convinced that I'll be sinking my money down a hole and then not be able to play digital content such as streaming radio. I love the vintage look and I loved the Kenwood sound, but I'm still a relative newbie to all this and don't know how to proceed. Any thoughts? (BTW, I use B&W 600 speakers from the early '90s and a Technics SL-D303 turntable.)
 
kenwood61 said:
carc10, one thing to remember is that the first setup you get is not going to be your last, if you really get into the hobby. As long as you don't over pay for gear, you should get your money back out of it if you want to try out something else. If you read around the site, or any audio forum, you will find that synergy is a real thing between different receivers and speakers. For your price range, you'll do well to find a receiver in the 30-60 wpc range, and get some solid 2-way speakers that are efficient.

I'm not familiar with the NAD 3140 and Canton GL-260 speakers, but I know they are both build well. NAD makes some musical gear. I have a friend who loves his NAD C325 BEE that is on your list. However, as mentioned, you'll have to buy a phono stage later when you want a turntable. That's not necessarily a bad thing. You can find a phono stage around $100 used, maybe less here on AK. You never know. There are some great members on this site!!

I have heard some Luxman receivers that are surprisingly good, and that LV-113 may be worth considering. Since you have 50Hz mains, you can also look on UK ebay.

I noticed some of the items you list are really close to your budget, just for one item. Are you able to go a little higher? What size room will this be in?
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Thanks! This is a well-considered and thorough answer. I am like you in that sound comes first, looks second. I also am 56 (or will be in a month), so that may say something about our similar desires. I loved both the look and sound of my Kenwood, but when it died, the technician told me the replacement parts were unavailable in his store. He dropped his initial Diagnostic Fee, but only after I asked, and other technicians demand the same. I'm reluctant to take it elsewhere only to get charged again. And, besides, I feel like it dying is my chance to upgrade. With that said, I want a backup system for my office and my main listening preference is vinyl, so I think vintage is the way to go. The real question is do I fix up both my Panasonic and my old Kenwood or do I go with the Panasonic and something else? I also recently acquired some other equipment in a lump buy (and via other outlets), including the following; 1.) Advent 450s receiver and Advent 400 speakers -- fully operational; 2.) Onkyo TX-SR702 receiver -- fully operational, and while it sounds fine, it's not very warm to my ears; 3.) Onkyo TX-11 receiver -- great cosmetic condition, but is weak and a bit crackly in one of the speakers; 4.) Zenith J584W -- in great cosmetic condition and everything works but the turntable, still, it's not high end, more a novelty item that would allow me to play 78s and to stack records. I only mention these others in case you think there's some reason to keep or fix them up as well. Primarily, though, I just want to find a new receiver/amplifier that will make my music sound sweet, and if sacrificing streaming digital is the cost, that's fine with me. I live in an area with great college stations. I also have an attachment that allows me to play Spotify through my receiver.
 
kenwood61 said:
Glad to be of some help :)

None of those inspire me to keep. I'd sell off on CL and start looking for something you will really like. In the past, I have found BarterTown to be a safe way to find quality options. Plus you know you are buying from a fellow audiophile and not some knucklehead on Craigs that thinks they know how to clean and sell gear. Personally, I like to buy from the original owner, or someone who actually owned and enjoyed said piece of gear. That has usually made a difference in me not buying a basket case.

It wouldn't hurt for you to post a wanted thread once you have an idea of what you want ... that is if you can't find looking around.
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More great advice! One point of clarification. I listed those other items, but my primary purchase was the Panasonic SX-626. Are you saying that one also isn’t worth keeping? It works, but fades in and out. Not sure yet if it’s a simple or complicated fix. When it’s working properly it sounds pretty good. Just wish my Kenwood was still working so that I could compare.
 
kenwood61 said:
That model number is Pioneer, not Panasonic. Are you sure it's a Panasonic? The Pioneer SX-626 is a classic receiver, with the SX-727 getting a few more likes from what I've heard. Here's a link to a guy who restored his: http://mattsvintageaudiorepair.blogspot.com/2011/10/pioneer-sx-626-recap-job.html

The other question for what source you need to get for a receiver or integrated amp is the type of music you listen to and volume demands. If you don't care about radio, then you could consider some really nice integrated amps out there. My personal favorites are the Sansui AU-517 or AU-717 ... but you can find Pioneer, Kenwood, Yamaha, Marantz silver-faced units that are nice. Marantz may cost more simply because they seem to be all the rage now, in part (I think) to the black face/blue light look. They look the part and are different from all other manufacturers.

You didn't mention your budget, but your tech will probably want to charge you more than you want to pay, and to determine if it's worth spending the money, you have the task of figuring out if he really knows how to work on this gear. What part of the country are you in?

At this point, you may want to start a separate thread, or you can pm me if you like. I'll help as I can, but my opinion will differ from some, and line up with others.
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Thanks! I’d love to PM you a bit later. In transit now. But till then, yes, it is a Pioneer. I’m not sure why I keep mistakenly calling it a Panasonic. Very strange.
 
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