• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

My first "real" system! Yamaha, KEF, Nakamichi

D

dubblewubble

New Member
Hey all!

I discovered that I enjoy the finer side of audio in college, and started out on an 80's Marantz receiver and a pair of Sanyo floor speakers passed down from my mom's boyfriend. Being the beginner that I was, I thought this setup was the greatest. It had monster bass and played louder than I could have hoped. Since then, I have acquired other speakers and receivers, none of which blew my mind. I also bought a used pair of Beyerdynamic DT 770's that I thought were awesome.

Recently, I acquired a system that blew my mind. The system consists of:

(2) Yamaha MX-1000U Amplifiers
(1) Nakamichi CA-7A Control Amplifier
(1) Nakamichi CD Player 2
(1) Nakamichi ST-7 AM/FM Stereo Tuner
(4) KEF 107 Reference Series Speakers
(2) KEF KUBEs (equalizers made specifically for the KEF's)

Whole system:
OW0P2dA.jpg


Stack (missing is another Yamaha MX-1000U):
pu6DaUK.jpg


One pair of KEF 107's (Painted by previous owner unfortunately):
N0b17Xp.jpg


Now here is the best part of my system: It was all free. My dad used to take care of an estate, and when the previous owners moved out, they left this system. The new owners asked my dad to remove all of the audio equipment, so I took the gear home, and now it is my home system. (Also, in the back you can see a Bang and Olufsen 6500 system with Beolab Penta II's. I can post that up too if anyone is interested). I am figuring that the owner thought that gear from the 80's couldn't be any better than stuff made today, or he just wanted to add his own style to the house. Either way, I feel like I hit the jackpot. The gear is in awesome condition, and sounds beautiful from my perspective.

The speakers could probably use new ferro-fluid in the tweeters, but the foaming on the woofers looks fine. This system is such an upgrade from what I am used to, it is still surprising me everyday.

Let me know what you think!
 
Register to hide this ad
WoW ! That is a nice looking setup . I even like the paint job on the speakers. You did hit the jackpot . You are a fortunate son !
 
Wow, 4 Kef 107s. I felt lucky to get my pair.. and you got EVERYthing free!

Congrats and very nice system :)

By the way - those Kefs are in need of restoration (like any vintage equipment), PM me for the details when you want to dive into it.
 
Nice indeed. Congrats.

My first system in college was a Yamaha Natural Sound with JBL Speakers. I've loved it ever since. I've always been partial to Yamaha.

Enjoy the system.
 
Thanks everyone! I was very fortunate to have been given this equipment, and I won't take it for granted. I owe it to myself and the people who gave me this equipment to use it to it's full potential.

Canuckaudiog, I was actually cruising your other thread where you replaced the tweeter fluid and replaced some hardware in the KUBEs. I was going to PM you and ask for pointers on restoring, thank you for your willingness to help! How pricy is the restoration on these? I would like to make that happen sooner than later.
 
a 4 channel KEF 107 surround system, WOW!

If you decide to do some refurbishment, I'm pretty confident you should get the woofers out and have them refoamed, even if they look good now. I'm just anal about making sure they are in good shape, all at the same time.

Meanwhile, while you have the drivers out and the heads off for tweeter work, you could then investigate the options of stripping the paint off and refinishing the veneer (assuming your dad may know what wood veneer they had) or, probably just as easy, engaging a cabinet maker to re-veneer these in some attractive or exotic veneer of your (or your wife's) choosing.

Picture rosewood, bubinga, birdseye maple, etc.
 
mech986 said:
a 4 channel KEF 107 surround system, WOW!

If you decide to do some refurbishment, I'm pretty confident you should get the woofers out and have them refoamed, even if they look good now. I'm just anal about making sure they are in good shape, all at the same time.

Meanwhile, while you have the drivers out and the heads off for tweeter work, you could then investigate the options of stripping the paint off and refinishing the veneer (assuming your dad may know what wood veneer they had) or, probably just as easy, engaging a cabinet maker to re-veneer these in some attractive or exotic veneer of your (or your wife's) choosing.

Picture rosewood, bubinga, birdseye maple, etc.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I agree that it makes sense to do it all at once, and not have to worry about replacing any foam or fluid for another decade. I would love to get the speakers back to their original finish, they look much more beautiful that way.
 
Congratulations on acquiring a great system. Many would be envious I'm sure. :thmbsp:

cubdog
 
This is totally unbelievable! The entire system looks to be in remarkable condition. Sometimes I cannot understand people. However you slice it, their loss is your gain. Do you know anything about the former listening room these were in, and any idea what they sounded like?

You are now the guardian. Hope you enjoy the system for many years! :music:
 
4Play said:
This is totally unbelievable! The entire system looks to be in remarkable condition. Sometimes I cannot understand people. However you slice it, their loss is your gain. Do you know anything about the former listening room these were in, and any idea what they sounded like?

You are now the guardian. Hope you enjoy the system for many years! :music:
Click to expand...


The first pair was in a pool house, and we played the system for a second. It echoed terribly so it sounded pretty bad. The second room was a TV room. Now I don't know much about acoustics at the moment, but the walls were lined with material that resembled a couch cushion with cotton under it, so I am assuming they made this room more acoustical than the pool house. We didn't listen to it in that room however.
 
Never and I mean never let those 107's go. I had them and I kick myself for letting them go. Take up Canuckaudiog's offer to help you refurbish them. I really like your system. :thmbsp:
 
Burhoe said:
Never and I mean never let those 107's go. I had them and I kick myself for letting them go. Take up Canuckaudiog's offer to help you refurbish them. I really like your system. :thmbsp:
Click to expand...

Noted! I have two pairs, so maybe somewhere down the road I can try to trade one for a different pair, to get some diversity going.
 
So, you woke up one morning & the sandman left you mega tunes.
Nice! Your ears must be deliriously happy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom