• 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

Rescue,Repair,Restore

Coug Nation

Coug Nation

Member
Thought this might be an encouragement to anyone thinking this is a rich mans hobby.
After retiring 6 months ago I decided I needed to relive my past. After giving all my good stuff to my son I decided to restock on a budget. If someone had told my I could put together this vintage setup for less than $250 I would have doubted their word.
1.JPG

Here's the breakdown:
NAD 5025 TT. Found in the back lot of a St Vincent. Broken tone arm, no belt, no stylus. $2.99 plus parts, grand total $25
NAD.JPG

Technics SA 200. Original owner. Craigslist $100 (splurge)
3.JPG

Technics 715 R2R. Cleaned the switches, made a new take up face plate and refaced cabinet side. $80 plus vinyl. Grand total $88. Still missing record knob. Side.JPG
Finished.JPG

Technics 630 T Cassette Deck. Discount pile at local PC recycle store. Pegged meters. Contact cleaner on PB/R switch.$5
CDkJPG.JPG
Pioneer CS 522a speakers. Goodwill $1.49
Spkrs.JPG

And finally the cabinet was $25 at the St Vincent
Could not be happier with the sound from all. Not a Technics guy. Just seemed to worked out that way.:idea:
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Nice! What will most probably be your final repair bill to get it all all up tp snuff?
 
That's some nice looking stuff for sure! Well done!

A little hint on posting pics in the middle of text. Make sure you hit return before you insert a picture, so the pic will be on it's own line. Makes it much easier to read. I see this all over AK, and it's a small pet peeve of mine. ;)
 
For the price of a qtip (is that what their called in the states?), and a dab of super glue you should be able to pull out the dented dust cover on the tweeter pictured, you should be able to find a video of the technique involved.
 
I will add to this thread with my setup which was about $200 when you remove the smartphone essentials. Desk was free. Visonik David 502's were $50 (although the aluminum cabinets need a refinish), amp was $80 new (in December 2019), sub was $70. The chair was $40. I'm not interested in record players and don't have much in the way of cassette, so I just use my phone(s)...and an external $50 BT receiver.

DSCN0049 (1)~2.JPG
DSCN0254 (1).JPG
20220929_192651.JPG

The total for my system including the phones is $2200.
 
Don't think I've ever sat down and costed my main set up, as bits were brought over a number of years.

Speakers JVC SX-911 were a bit of a bargain at £100, although they are missing the grills, and generally a bit shabby.
Power amp JVC M-L10 paid £500, and then £250 for a repair, still very happy.
Pre amp Luxman C-12 was £300 ish if I remember correctly.
DPA SX-128 DAC, and 'enlightenment' transport £500
And maybe £50 in interconnects, and £100 on speaker cables.


So £1800, which is well worth it for the amount of use it gets, and for how good it sounds.
 
That 715 open reel deck is awesome! I used to have the same one but mine was the overseas model branded National Panasonic. It was purchased at a military exchange and came back from Vietnam with a serviceman. The build quality was incredible, it weighed a ton and made excellent tapes! The fast winding mode was so incredibly fast that they had additional locking nubs on the reel tables to make sure the reels didn’t fly off lol!
 
Really cool. My original setup was less then $250 and I liked it a lot. My post theft setup is already up to 675 and that is just CD and cassette. I still don't have anything else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom