Restore vintage audio, but which one?

[starcopy]

If you were me, what would you do? Currently, my best-sounding piece is a Pioneer VSX-4500S that I bought new. Honestly (and surprisingly) it sounds quite good when playing vinyl, FM, CDs. Dead quiet. Nice soundstage. No known issues. Certainly not a looker, tho.

HOWEVER, I have several vintage audio “projects” (don't we all?) that have the potential to sound better. But which project should get my attention FIRST – my restoration time, money, and limited knowledge. Here are my vintage audio projects, all of which seem to be yelling, “Pick me. Pick me.”

1. Nakamichi TA-2A STASIS tuner/amp w remote

2. Holman preamp + Hafler DH-120 amp

3. Onkyo A-8170 integrated amp – I already have a “same-vintage” matching Onkyo tuner

4. MCS-3233 receiver 33 watts – nice looking, new LED lamps, burn marks on main amp PC board where resistor caught fire but was replaced. Noisy.

5. Zenith MK2606 1950s console. (Maybe make the enclosed 5K29 tube amp a standalone amp? Ditto for the tube tuner preamp?) 160 watts (sounds way too high). Are tube amps worth the fuss?

I have never attempted a vintage audio rebuild. I can solder, have replaced a few transistors, reflowed solder joints, have excellent woodworking skills (to build bases for standalone tube units,) can use a DMM, and have a guy near me who seems to know how to rebuild vintage audio. BTW, there’s a thread in the tube audio forum where a fellow AKer generously spells out all the steps needed to convert the Zenith 5K29 tube amp into a standalone unit.

Any thoughts? Many thanks.

 

[Blue Shadow]

I'd jump on the Hafler first, lot less to deal with in there. Then the Apt. Again less to deal with as you learn.

 

[starcopy]

Thanks. I've seen the inside of both the Hafler and APT. The Hafler looks less intimidating than most. And the inside of the APT also looks uncluttered -- easier to get around for a newbie like me. Plus there's an AKer who's posted a list of every component needed to restore the APT.

 

[gadget73]

Rebuild the tube amp. Its probably the one that actually needs work. 160 watts is power consumption. Output is maybe 4 watts per channel.

 

[starcopy]

Thanks. Do tube amps sound as special as people say they do? Other than hearing some older tube consoles as a kid I have no idea how good/bad restored vintage tube gear actually sounds. I would love to hear a restored tube system now with my "more experienced" audiophile ears.

 

[gadget73]

Some do, but there were plenty of entirely mediocre tube amps made. With low power speaker matching becomes very important but if you get a decent amp and pair it with the right speakers it can be very good. The amp is probably better than the tuner/preamp though if you want to run them standalone.