Old-School
Well-Known Member
Through the years certain pieces of equipment have been etched into my brain. Stuff I just cant get out of my head no matter what gear I have. One such piece of equipment was the Onkyo Integra M-504 amplifier. Back in 1985 or so I saw one of these on display in a Circuit City store. Watching it's big green meters move were mesmerizing. Of course it sounded great too. Right then and there it was set. I had to have this. Only problem was, I couldn't afford it. After a month or so I had decided that I would go and put it on lay-a-way and figure out how to come up with the rest of the money later. What a great plan!
Returning to Circuit City I found that it was gone! No big deal.. I'll just order one. Nope. Can't do that either, it was discontinued! WHAT??!! They had the M-508 as a replacement for even more money. I couldn't even afford the M-504 much less this? The salesman basically told me there was no way to get another M-504. In reality I guess he was just pushing me to get the M-508. But it didn't work. I left discussed.
Years went by and there were many times I could have bought one used, but for some reason didn't. I was focused on the "real high end". I never forgot the looks of this amp, certainly one of the most beautiful pieces of equipment made.
Last year I said that was it. I'm getting a M-504. Many late nights searching the web led me to the best value for the money. It needed some cleaning and new side panels, but was working and the price was right. As right as it gets now days. A few days later I scored a P-304 and a T-4087 tuner. Also for a deal. The preamp needed some work. I got busy and got these cleaned up and repaired. Then my OCD started kicking in and I had to get the matching EQ-35 equalizer and a DX-5500 CD player. Here is the system all cleaned up and working. Was it worth it? Yes. Also pictured is a BIC Beam Box FM-10 indoor antenna, and an API Power Pack V power filter. Bottom shelf is a couple more preamp projects for a rainy day, just stored there.
Cabinet is an old Peg-Lock system from Lowes Hardware, I've had for years but does the job nicely. Speakers are currently Marantz Imperial 6 on Dayton Audio SSMB24 stands. One picture shows Marantz Imperial 5g's.
Interconnects are DH Labs White Lightning. Speaker cable is Memphis 12 gauge OFC.
It was hard to get good pictures of this, but here it is.
Returning to Circuit City I found that it was gone! No big deal.. I'll just order one. Nope. Can't do that either, it was discontinued! WHAT??!! They had the M-508 as a replacement for even more money. I couldn't even afford the M-504 much less this? The salesman basically told me there was no way to get another M-504. In reality I guess he was just pushing me to get the M-508. But it didn't work. I left discussed.
Years went by and there were many times I could have bought one used, but for some reason didn't. I was focused on the "real high end". I never forgot the looks of this amp, certainly one of the most beautiful pieces of equipment made.
Last year I said that was it. I'm getting a M-504. Many late nights searching the web led me to the best value for the money. It needed some cleaning and new side panels, but was working and the price was right. As right as it gets now days. A few days later I scored a P-304 and a T-4087 tuner. Also for a deal. The preamp needed some work. I got busy and got these cleaned up and repaired. Then my OCD started kicking in and I had to get the matching EQ-35 equalizer and a DX-5500 CD player. Here is the system all cleaned up and working. Was it worth it? Yes. Also pictured is a BIC Beam Box FM-10 indoor antenna, and an API Power Pack V power filter. Bottom shelf is a couple more preamp projects for a rainy day, just stored there.
Cabinet is an old Peg-Lock system from Lowes Hardware, I've had for years but does the job nicely. Speakers are currently Marantz Imperial 6 on Dayton Audio SSMB24 stands. One picture shows Marantz Imperial 5g's.
Interconnects are DH Labs White Lightning. Speaker cable is Memphis 12 gauge OFC.
It was hard to get good pictures of this, but here it is.
