I like Sansui, I have a bunch of it in fact I use Sansui SP-5500 or SP-5000 speakers with my MC275 tubes.I saw you bad mouthing my Sawn-swee equipment. I'm not sure it's a gateway drug. Perhaps you didn't hear the right Sansui.
Help a newbie with first "real" audio purchase?
- Thread starter Jennifer T.
- Start date
Those garden lattice speakers all sound the same; it's Braun domes, or nothing for me.
Smaug
Super Member
You've come to the right place.
I'd like to make recommendations, but it seems you want to buy local.
So your best bet is to meet an AK member, buy him coffee and have him teach/show you some things. He'd have you set up in less time than it will take this thread to run its course.
If I were to make specific recommendations, I'd echo the sentiment to get any decent working AV receiver and a good set of speakers.
I also agree that in general, it's better to buy something new, knowing that it will work. The old stuff with the warm sound should only be considered if you're willing to undertake getting it whipped into shape professionally, or if you know it has recently been refurb'd.
Have you got any pics with your dad's system in it? You would be SHOCKED at what the folks here can identify from a bad pic.
All the best!
I'd like to make recommendations, but it seems you want to buy local.
So your best bet is to meet an AK member, buy him coffee and have him teach/show you some things. He'd have you set up in less time than it will take this thread to run its course.
If I were to make specific recommendations, I'd echo the sentiment to get any decent working AV receiver and a good set of speakers.
I also agree that in general, it's better to buy something new, knowing that it will work. The old stuff with the warm sound should only be considered if you're willing to undertake getting it whipped into shape professionally, or if you know it has recently been refurb'd.
Have you got any pics with your dad's system in it? You would be SHOCKED at what the folks here can identify from a bad pic.
All the best!
Not when you shove a bunch of mac gear in front of them.
Sonofswede13
Active Member
Hi Jennifer,
Condolences on the recent passing of your father. What a great way to honor your dad!
It's not clear from your post if you specifically want a 70's system or just one that sounds as good as that one you remember. If it's the latter, I would echo everyone's sentiments for new gear. You can get some amazing sounding stuff for cheap these days. There is a great thread here about the best new system you can build for under $500.
If you DO specifically want vintage, I would also suggest subscribing and trying barter town. In the last 7 years I've literally bought hundreds of vintage components between here, CL, thrift stores and garage sales. I've never had an issue with something I bought on barter town, but all the other places are total crap shoots. I've had some fine scores and I've bought dozens of things that ultimately didn't quite work as they should.
Budget and location are essential. In addition to local AKers, we may be able to recommend shops that sell used and refurbished gear or do repairs if needed.
Good luck in your search!
Condolences on the recent passing of your father. What a great way to honor your dad!
It's not clear from your post if you specifically want a 70's system or just one that sounds as good as that one you remember. If it's the latter, I would echo everyone's sentiments for new gear. You can get some amazing sounding stuff for cheap these days. There is a great thread here about the best new system you can build for under $500.
If you DO specifically want vintage, I would also suggest subscribing and trying barter town. In the last 7 years I've literally bought hundreds of vintage components between here, CL, thrift stores and garage sales. I've never had an issue with something I bought on barter town, but all the other places are total crap shoots. I've had some fine scores and I've bought dozens of things that ultimately didn't quite work as they should.
Budget and location are essential. In addition to local AKers, we may be able to recommend shops that sell used and refurbished gear or do repairs if needed.
Good luck in your search!
LOL for sure, you do know all us mac guys where Sansui fans prior
Speaking of which your local and lately all my mint Sansui amps are dying one after another. You really should come over and start scooping them up.
I have to make room first by repairing the three MACs I have here.
C 28, MA6200, and an MC 2105.
To be fair, I have Sansui stuff to repair as well. And Marantz, and Yamaha and..............
Rob
OK, just thought I'd offer.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Welcome to the forum Jennifer!
I'm going to go against the majority here. Why? Because I love the looks and the sounds of good vintage stereo gear. All my stuff except my home theatre gear is vintage, and to be honest, the home theatre gear sounds muddy compared to my good vintage gear. And it is upper mid stream gear too!
If I read correctly, you are looking at honouring your dad by getting back into vintage gear. There are lots to choose from, and most of what is still around sounds pretty good after a good deoxit treatment.
Some of my favourite receivers are early to mid 70s Kenwood and Sony. NAD is pretty good, but doesn't have that same vintage look. Early 70s Rotel is quite good, as is early 80s Harman Kardon. They will all give you that warm robust sound without breaking the bank like you would with vintage Sansui or Marantz. I also like early 70s Nikko.
I agree with others in that getting the right speaker/receiver combo is important. Especially when it is not top of the line gear. You want the right synergy between the two. Best to buy both from the same place at the same time so you can hear the synergy. I also agree that you can't go wrong connecting up with a local AKer. If you were in Ottawa, I would offer to help you, but I'm sure there are others around.
When testing out a receiver, if you hear crackly or static, or intermittent signal breaking up, that can often be fixed with spraying deoxit into the controls. It can even bring back dead channels, but no guarantees. Most larger cities have their share of experienced in vintage, techs. There are threads identifying them too. At least Canuck Audio Mart has one. Most fixes aren't too expensive, but if you want to restore a unit, expect to spend at least $250 for a basic restore job. More extensive will cost more, but you won't have to throw it away if it stops working. And that should give you another 30 years or more use out of it. You can't say that about most modern gear!
I'm going to go against the majority here. Why? Because I love the looks and the sounds of good vintage stereo gear. All my stuff except my home theatre gear is vintage, and to be honest, the home theatre gear sounds muddy compared to my good vintage gear. And it is upper mid stream gear too!
If I read correctly, you are looking at honouring your dad by getting back into vintage gear. There are lots to choose from, and most of what is still around sounds pretty good after a good deoxit treatment.
Some of my favourite receivers are early to mid 70s Kenwood and Sony. NAD is pretty good, but doesn't have that same vintage look. Early 70s Rotel is quite good, as is early 80s Harman Kardon. They will all give you that warm robust sound without breaking the bank like you would with vintage Sansui or Marantz. I also like early 70s Nikko.
I agree with others in that getting the right speaker/receiver combo is important. Especially when it is not top of the line gear. You want the right synergy between the two. Best to buy both from the same place at the same time so you can hear the synergy. I also agree that you can't go wrong connecting up with a local AKer. If you were in Ottawa, I would offer to help you, but I'm sure there are others around.
When testing out a receiver, if you hear crackly or static, or intermittent signal breaking up, that can often be fixed with spraying deoxit into the controls. It can even bring back dead channels, but no guarantees. Most larger cities have their share of experienced in vintage, techs. There are threads identifying them too. At least Canuck Audio Mart has one. Most fixes aren't too expensive, but if you want to restore a unit, expect to spend at least $250 for a basic restore job. More extensive will cost more, but you won't have to throw it away if it stops working. And that should give you another 30 years or more use out of it. You can't say that about most modern gear!
johnda
Addicted Member
Hi Jennifer and welcome to the gang!
That Radio Shack gear can be very surprising. I have a Sony STR 6055 and it has that warm sound, but that, I think, is because it has aged over the years. When you are dealing with vintage gear, there could be problems with the electronics. I like Kenwood, Sony, Marantz, Pioneer, and McIntosh gear from the 70's BUT good new gear can be had that will be sent to your door with free shipping and a warranty.
Do you have a budget in mind?
That Radio Shack gear can be very surprising. I have a Sony STR 6055 and it has that warm sound, but that, I think, is because it has aged over the years. When you are dealing with vintage gear, there could be problems with the electronics. I like Kenwood, Sony, Marantz, Pioneer, and McIntosh gear from the 70's BUT good new gear can be had that will be sent to your door with free shipping and a warranty.
Do you have a budget in mind?
Freddymac2
Super Member
I agree that all of the recommended equipment can make noise. Your first component is your ears and their ability to evaluate the reproduction of your system whatever you select. This can take time and training, and AK guides can shorten your learning curve greatly. You need to be exposed to better systems just to give you a better idea of where you want to end up. Maybe it is just to reach the quality of your dads old system. There is a lot of wonderful used gear out there for little money. Yes, it costs a lot of money to repair old stuff, and sometimes it is a total loss, but when you pay $10 or $15 dollars for a quality $500 50 WPC receiver what have you lost, and it probably will work. In my opinion anything under 50 RMS WPC limits the speakers you can use. A lot of the better speaker are not efficient. This is a general statement, it is not always true. You also have to consider where you can setup your system, a 10' x 12' room just isn't big enough to create the large sound stage of an orchestra. Work with what you have and the type of music you enjoy. There are many sources you can draw from, but my top preference is old vinyl. There is just more there if you have a good cartridge and it is setup properly. I have owned Mac and Marantz systems that were very nice over the years. My very good current system uses a very good cart in a Luxman 298 ($40 Thrift). A $75 60WPC receiver and a 35 year old DQ10;s and a Polk PSW404 ($50 at pawn) All Akers are welcome to come hear this system and be amazed... or not!!! I would value your opinion.