First vintage system

[Mingo]

Hello all,

I am currently building my first vintage system out of various parts I managed to acquire locally. I am a complete newbie to all of this, since this is almost my birth year hardware although I do have nostalgia towards these from my child hood.

If anyone has any experience any of this equipment I'd be glad to hear what are your thoughts. I have no idea about the fidelity of any of these, I am tinkering with them and trying to determine which prefer but every two cents are appreciated.

Amps:
- Onkyo TX-844
- Yamaha A-420
- Pioneer SX-254R
- NAD 314

Tuners
- Sony ST-J300L
- Denon TU-215RD
- Pioneer F-656

MD:
- Sony MDS-JE520

Is anything here serviceable, which of these would make the best pairing? I am looking to add a multi-CD player (probably Pioneer or Sony, they seem the most easily available).

Currently running through Elac Debut b5.2 but I would like to add a proper vintage speakers, but that's one can of worms I don't have any knowledge of, recommendations welcome.

Quite a general topic and a lot to unpack, but all feedback very welcome, thank you

If you go with one of the receivers (Onkyo or Pioneer), then you don't need a tuner and don't have to worry about 'pairing'. For the integrated amps (Yamaha or NAD), you would want to add a tuner if listening to the radio is important to you. I kind of like the look of the Onkyo and think that it is more evocative of a vintage aesthetic. A receiver also means one less piece of gear to place. Personally, I would compare and contrast the amps/receivers and keep the one that most meets your needs and provides the most enjoyable music to your ears with your speakers and choice of music. What sounds best to you?

The MD player is a mid-level product from Sony. Do you have a collection of MD discs? If so, put it in the system and see how you like it. Do you have or plan to get other music sources (turntable, cd player, music streamer)? You shouldn't have any problems adding a cd player to the mix with any of the amps/receivers that you have. You might even find one at the local thrift for little money.

I suspect that the Elacs perform well with the gear you have, depending on your taste in music and volume. I'm not sure what speakers would be period correct for the system you want. Enjoy the journey, learn as you go, and welcome to AK.

 

[outrun]

One of the most important things you will need is an open mind and a teachable attitude so you can learn from others who know more. I don't think you have it, yet.

Are you sure the problem is in me? I thought I have a teachable mindset but english is not my native language so if I come across as rude then that might be it. On the other hand, hifi hobbyist have this notorious reputation of being elitist, and of course I'd be the prime target for picking.

And now as I wrote out loud that I probably get answers such as "how dare you accuse us of elitism outsider persona non-grata". I honestly thought I conducted myself in polite manner, but I'll let it up to each reader to decide who has which kind of attitude, at least my conscience is clear.

 

[Bone Yard]

Welcome to the exciting world of audio equipment! Yes some of us are dug in like moles waiting for the next scud missles to breach our CD players. What makes this forum so special is the huge diverse range of audio listeners that will never agree on the best way to listen to music.

Personally I love vintage audio equipment (60's-70's and some 80's), my background is in industrial design and I have a shop full of equipment to make cool stuff. I'm not Adam Savage but my shop is very similar and I hide a ton of audio stuff back there.

The ride today is much different than 20 years ago when everyone was throwing away "boat-anchors," from the 70's. I didn't look up any of your equipment but I'd try it all out, the sound will most likely be very nice but you'll have areas that you want more of like: bass, treble, volume, etc.

We all disagree because music shines on different equipment, hard rock from the 70's might like Cerwin Vegas and a big Pioneer Reciever, synth rock might like a Sony with Technics Square Drive Speakers and punk loves big Marantz with Klipschhorns!

Yep and I love MD, there's not a ton of info here but www.Stereo2go.com has more stuff on boomboxes, Walkmans and MD.

 

[outrun]

Good morning, an another day int he world of retro hifi (I stopped using the word vintage because it gave wrong impression of my equipment). Today I will start looking for a decent CD player, it's a newer format so most probably it will be yet another 80s/90s black box. It seems CD players due to their mechanical nature are prone to breaking, so there's a lot of research to do if I want to ensure the availability of spare parts.

 

[IndyDucati]

Greetings @outrun , welcome to AudioKarma!

You'll meet all kinds here... and get their opinions

I know nothing about the gear you have. @Dswankey gave you some good advise and some great photos for comparison.
I agree with him, if it's working properly, use the NAD 314 as the foundation of your system. It can function as an amp, pre-amp or integrated.

If you don't already know, try to understand the differences between a receiver, integrated amplifier, amplifier and a pre amplifier.
I love a stack of gear, with a lot of buttons Maybe you want a simple system , that'll be awesome too !

When 'we' talk about vintage there are some themes you see. Silver faced, meters, build quality, weight, solid state.
Being solid state, there aren't a lot of chips or digital displays. They'd be 'repairable'.

I'm just a dork. I love this stuff for various reasons. 50% music, 25% looks, 25% collecting.
There's probably some ego too. 60 year old Steve is really proud of having some of the
gear that 18 year old Steve only dreamed about.

Keep learning, asking, and listening,
Steve

 

[outrun]

I love a stack of gear, with a lot of buttons

I see we are on the same page here I don't know what it is but.. yeah I do like the tactile feedback of buttons and lights. Browsing through the music collection by screen and then just tapping on it to have it play is just so boring. I want to browse my nicely shelved CD collection, admire the cover art, take the disc out of the case, open the tray and press play with a real button!

 

[ernieb1536]

Only thing I ever had from the 90s was a Pioneer Elite AVR, it was great 2ch and that was the main reason I chose it over others I tried in the shop.

The Luxman 117 was good too sorry I forgot the whole model number

 

[ernieb1536]

Thanks, I will and already am. Isn't that display just gorgeous, and doesn't sound too bad either (at least for being a bpc )

That display is cool ! And I doubt it’s a bpc and sounds good ! But there’s better for example I have a really cool sta2290 realistic it’s a great receiver wood sides aluminum face ,large led readout for fm led ,peak meters and is 100 wpc at .05% but when I compare it to its earlier sibling sta2080 80wpc at .03% it falls short . The sta2080 better vocals stronger bass better midrange ,and the controls feel better made , just overall a better sound and phono stage ! Doesn’t mean the sta2290 is a bpc not it all it’s a really cool looking receiver and it will stay in my collection !

 

[ernieb1536]

That display is cool ! And I doubt it’s a bpc and sounds good ! But there’s better for example I have a really cool sta2290 realistic it’s a great receiver wood sides aluminum face ,large led readout for fm led ,peak meters and is 100 wpc at .05% but when I compare it to its earlier sibling sta2080 80wpc at .03% it falls short . The sta2080 better vocals stronger bass better midrange ,and the controls feel better made , just overall a better sound and phono stage ! Doesn’t mean the sta2290 is a bpc not it all it’s a really cool looking receiver and it will stay in my collection !

I also prefer sta2080 over my carver hr772 140 wpc beat made in the late 90s

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Not even the mighty google knew anything, except a list of specifications and maybe a service manual. Some odd mentions on these forums have been my best knowledge so far, a single post saying "'that's decent" and based on that I made the buying decision.

Makes me wonder how the hell they could have bought anything back then without the internet, there was no information available about this crap. But on the other hand they could have listened to them by themselves at the store, now everything is online.

Audio magazines, they're analog heh heh heh


It's where I first read about my bucket list turntable in 1985 and finally acquired in 2020 the Well Tempered Lab Turntable

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Mine is self-built Surly Midnight Special, Shimano GRX, DT Swiss hubs and rims, but I thought this was an audio forum?

1980 Motobecane Grand Jubilee

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Looks like hand made, not sure if they actually were but damn. Now I know to keep my eyes open for that kind of "true vintage".

Not necessary to pay the Sui or Marantz tax when there's amps like the Kenwood KA-7300. The clean architectural layout of it's true dual mono design paying obvious homage to the Supreme 600.





Kenwood tuners are highly regarded and the KT-7300 matches the amp

Bedroom Kenwood silver stack with Sony DVP NS 999ES

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Good morning, an another day int he world of retro hifi (I stopped using the word vintage because it gave wrong impression of my equipment). Today I will start looking for a decent CD player, it's a newer format so most probably it will be yet another 80s/90s black box. It seems CD players due to their mechanical nature are prone to breaking, so there's a lot of research to do if I want to ensure the availability of spare parts.

No reason to get one so old, these Sony decks were all $1000 or more new and now pennies on the dollar, they look great with vintage silver faced gear too if purchased in silver.

Sony DVP NS 900V, I have two in black, $80 each


Sony DVP NS 999ES, mines silver $80


Sony DVP CX777ES mines silver $75


All great sounding tanks SACD capable

 

[Guido57]

Usually your money will go further with equipment from the '80's, 90's and '00's. Plus the newer stuff is less likely to need service though I think older stuff is easier to work on. There is good and bad from all eras. To the annoyance of my wife I've got amplification from all the above plus a 1970 Sansui capacitor coupled receiver that further away in sound than than any of the others are from each other.

Mine is self-built Surly Midnight Special, Shimano GRX, DT Swiss hubs and rims, but I thought this was an audio forum?

1996 Rivendel Road by Waterford, Curtlo Custom with geometry tweaked from the Rivendel. Built up both. Audio yes, but it was too tempting to not pile on.

 

[Guido57]

Not necessary to pay the Sui or Marantz tax when there's amps like the Kenwood KA-7300. The clean architectural layout of it's true dual mono design paying obvious homage to the Supreme 600.

Unfortunately around here the Kenwoods are as pricey as any others.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Unfortunately around here the Kenwoods are as pricey as any others.

Not sure where you are but the Kenwood KA-7300 can often be found on eBay for less than $500, show me a comparable 70's vintage true dual mono Sui or Marantz for that price.

 

[Guido57]

I'm a bit queasy about eBay, though I will admit that disputes favor the buyer.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

I'm a bit queasy about eBay, though I will admit that disputes favor the buyer.

99% of my equipment was purchased through eBay, it's where I get such great deals

 

[GChief]

99% of my equipment was purchased through eBay, it's where I get such great deals

I have been using eBay as a buyer since 1999ish. Cars (a lot), motorcycles (many), stereo crap (a few things) and lot-o-other crap... about 1200ish things total. I can't remember any bad experiences, that said I do my due diligence. I think many that have problems get excited and just mash the bid or BIN button without due diligence.

 

[j!m]

Welcome to the fray!

I started building my system in the 80's with BPB's. I had a self-imposed $100 limit back then (about $285.00 in today's money) for each component. I got a lot of crappy stuff. Being a musician, I wanted better, and started buying used, high-end stuff. The high end, has a high and low end within it as well... So, I ended up with Aragon, PS Audio and ultimately Counterpoint stuff. Also, Sony, Teac and Thorens.

Sony makes decent stuff that functions and is durable enough- some of the other lower end 80's stuff (from any maker) has issues with the plastic buttons and switches failing. The 70's stuff used more metal. A lot more. Like Sgt. Shultz, I have a stack of Kenwood components. Same tape deck as him (two KX-1030's) but a KA-9100 integrated, KT-8300 tuner (which started me down the Kenwood rabbit hole) and a KD-5070 table. This stuff is built SOLID. Sony ES is worth seeking out. These components often look the same as the lower end counterparts, but better mechanical and electrical build. Some came with polished wood "cheeks" as well. Still quite sharp looking.

In my case, I just decided one day I wanted a stack of silver face components. I found myself of FMtuner.info (I think that's the site) where I learned all about the Kenwood L0- series (FM only) tuner and the second place KT-8300. From there, I sought out the other "top" (outside the true top L0-) gear from ~1977 and built my system. I even have Kenwood speakers to go with it. Just because.

I guess my point is that you need a place to start and then you can decide your path.

And if you want "black face" components, note the Sansui had some really slick looking separates with a black face and a tan/cream dials and meters in the 70's that I really like the look of. Overall, from the 70's I think they had the best look in a sea of silver. Their tuners were quite good too actually.

My everyday listening system is a Pioneer SX-880 I repaired and restored. That is fed by a Tascam CD player/recorder, my phono preamp (Wyn Palmer circuit) and the magnificent Micro-Seiki BL-91 turntable. Now, Micro is interesting in that their stuff is really well engineered, looks fantastic, and is so overbuilt, it should still be working perfectly 40-50 years on. I did rebuild the power supply (also did a small mod to accommodate 120V as it was originally 100V only) A BL-71 for example is the upper low-end from Micro and better than 90% of the competition. The -91 is the bottom of the upper end, but next is the 111 which has a vacuum clamp that I wasn't interested in, and then they get a bit wacky looking (which many like, and the prices reflect this).

Research! The specs are okay for comparison, just bear in mind those were on brand new gear under laboratory conditions. If you can find old reviews in Stereophile (most lower-end stuff is not covered) they use a standardized test method, which makes comparisons a bit more valuable. The caveat is you need to have heard at least one component in a comparison list as an "anchor" to understand the comparisons that might be made.

Good luck! It's fun and frustrating at the same time!