Ah ok - thanks for clarifying.
Starter Stereo
- Thread starter cpenn
- Start date
Hak Foo
Active Member
The thing is, any suggestion you get here that's branded is going to be a fanboy-slant sort of thing.
Some general guidelines are probably worth more, especially if you can't find a specific model.
Good signs:
* Heavy
* Speaker connectors that aren't RCA plugs. A lot of manufacturers did their own weird things, but the fact they did something suggests they expect it to be used with decent speakers.
* Recognizable brand. Most of the decent names in audio are still in business or will show up here with some searching. Some made a few lemons, but you can likely find out more details on, say, a, questionable Pioneer or Sansui than a Tchang-Zu Audio and Industrial Lubricant Factory unit.
The late 1970s is probably the peak of traditional solid-state stereo recievers. Most products by major manufacturers of the time were competent.
As you move into the 1980s, you see a rapid decline in fit and finish-- thinner metal, more plastic, crappier controls. The audio performance tended to move from "here's brute force overengineering to put out 300 watts per channel" to "here's a clever circuit design to push distortion levels to near zero on a 45-watt-per-channel receiver" It's often quite good still, but is less coveted than its predecessor stuff because t's not the same status symbol a good Hi-Fi was a few years earlier.
By the late 1980s, you see a lot of baggage tossed in. Video switching, remotes, and multi-channel formats come into play which add complexity, and stereo performance starts to play second fiddle to adding extra channels of output.
As you move later into the 1990s, some of this sort of "grows up" -- it's always going to be more complex, but there will be fewer compromises. But phono inputs start to disappear, and as you approach 2000, the infamous "Capacitor Plague" starts coming into play -- virtually everything electronic from the mid-90s to the mid-2000s is suspect for early failure.
Some general guidelines are probably worth more, especially if you can't find a specific model.
Good signs:
* Heavy
* Speaker connectors that aren't RCA plugs. A lot of manufacturers did their own weird things, but the fact they did something suggests they expect it to be used with decent speakers.
* Recognizable brand. Most of the decent names in audio are still in business or will show up here with some searching. Some made a few lemons, but you can likely find out more details on, say, a, questionable Pioneer or Sansui than a Tchang-Zu Audio and Industrial Lubricant Factory unit.
The late 1970s is probably the peak of traditional solid-state stereo recievers. Most products by major manufacturers of the time were competent.
As you move into the 1980s, you see a rapid decline in fit and finish-- thinner metal, more plastic, crappier controls. The audio performance tended to move from "here's brute force overengineering to put out 300 watts per channel" to "here's a clever circuit design to push distortion levels to near zero on a 45-watt-per-channel receiver" It's often quite good still, but is less coveted than its predecessor stuff because t's not the same status symbol a good Hi-Fi was a few years earlier.
By the late 1980s, you see a lot of baggage tossed in. Video switching, remotes, and multi-channel formats come into play which add complexity, and stereo performance starts to play second fiddle to adding extra channels of output.
As you move later into the 1990s, some of this sort of "grows up" -- it's always going to be more complex, but there will be fewer compromises. But phono inputs start to disappear, and as you approach 2000, the infamous "Capacitor Plague" starts coming into play -- virtually everything electronic from the mid-90s to the mid-2000s is suspect for early failure.
I also have a set of Ohm C2s that I like. Thier 10" woofer can go down to about 40 Hertz. In your price range I've liked vintage Boston Accoustics. I had early model A100 series 1, 10" two-ways with Seas brand tweeters.
One thing with vintage gear at garage sales, is does it work? You want low maintenance, so try to test before buying. If you want full range speakers in your budget, likely have to be used.
One thing with vintage gear at garage sales, is does it work? You want low maintenance, so try to test before buying. If you want full range speakers in your budget, likely have to be used.
maxhifi
Addicted Member
New to the forum - first post!
I'm interested in setting up a <$300 2-speaker stereo for my medium-sized bedroom. My main criteria is clear, full-range sound that I can crank up when I want (26yo male). Low maintenance is also a priority. I stream most my music from Spotify premium, but I'd like to keep it simple and pipe it in via aux cord. I mainly listen to pop, rock (Disturbed, Shinedown, Three Doors Down, etc), and a little country. I came into the high-end HiFi world from Crutchfield where I almost bought a Yamaha R-S202 and a pair of Polk TSi 200's new for $350. Then I read a few online articles that said if I'm not looking for the latest bells and whistles (I'm not), used higher-end names like NAD, Canton, etc. can get me better sound on a similar budget. Clear, full-range sound is my top priority, so here I am!
From what I've heard and read here on AK, amps/receivers from the early 2000s may be a good fit. What do you recommend for a 2-channel (i.e. stereo) amp/receiver/speakers based on my criteria, and what's a fair price to pay for the component(s) in used but proper working condition?
I get that there are lots of names and options out there - I'm just looking for some places to start my search and some knowledge of what stuff is worth. I'm happy to investigate links you post to related threads as well.
Honestly, I think that the Crutchfield purchase would likely be a good place to start. I am a major fan of used/vintage hi-fi, but there's something to be said for new, reliable equipment which can be taken out of a box, set up., and used - especially for a beginner.
Tiver
Enjoy the music
A pair of the smaller advent loudspeaker would be a nice find.....they can still be had at garage sales and thrifts and CL or wherever in the $40-$60 range, although they might need foam. Still, they are a real step into vintage and have the ability to get loud and carry bass pretty well.
If you can find a 30 or 40 watt receiver to go with the speakers....you would be thumpin' on the cheap. My garage system is an Onkyo TX- 2500 receiver and the Smaller Advent, usually sourced by a tablet earphone jack running Amazon Music Unlimited. The gear was garage sale purchased a few years ago for probably $30. Times have changed a bit, but a little diligence on your part and you could set yourself up pretty well with your budget.
If you can find a 30 or 40 watt receiver to go with the speakers....you would be thumpin' on the cheap. My garage system is an Onkyo TX- 2500 receiver and the Smaller Advent, usually sourced by a tablet earphone jack running Amazon Music Unlimited. The gear was garage sale purchased a few years ago for probably $30. Times have changed a bit, but a little diligence on your part and you could set yourself up pretty well with your budget.
Harvestor
Addicted Member
I would actually look to the online marketplace for some vintage integrated amplifier as a base for your system. Lots of good quality Denon units out there for a good price (PMA-757 for example). Then find a decent pair of speakers to go along. It would be great if you could find some stuff locally. Any shops that deal in vintage locally?
Yessssss. That's awesome!
I'm checking out a few things locally - I've got a few goodwills and pawn shops around me that I plan to scan this afternoon and then heading down to check out the aforementioned Kenwood KA-770D this evening. We have some high-end HiFi shops in the Mpls-St. Paul metro area but they don't deal much in used equipment anymore. The stuff they do deal is pretty steep since they definitely know what they have. Since this is a budget build, I'm a little more keyed into setting up CL search notifications or talking to someone in Barter Town that is upgrading and parting with some older (but taken care of) equipment for a good deal. Of course this is all regarding receivers so far...I'll cross the speaker bridge second I think.
Yesterday was a productive day - bought a refurbed NAD 3020 for $250 and the Kenwood KA-770D for $30. Have heard too many success stories with the NAD to pass it up and, well, the Kenwood seemed like just such a good deal I couldn't pass that one up either (great garage unit for sure). I have to say, that Kenwood is a monster. Big and heavy. Now into the wide world of speakers! I'm going to keep an eye out for some of the models you guys have posted - if anyone else has read this far I'm open to more recommendations too. Again, thanks everyone for your input!
AR 12" 3/ways seem to go nice with Kenwood gear.
AR58s, picked these up about a yr ago for $275.
AR58s, picked these up about a yr ago for $275.
Sounder206
New Member
Good choice on the 3020. I also got mine from a local seller through CL for $100 a couple months ago. I wasn’t specifically looking for a 3020, but I stumbled upon it and remembered reading the accolades and “classic status” by many audio publications and the price was right so I pounced on it.
For a rated 20 wpc amp like the 3020 pairs nicely with some efficient, easy-to-drive speakers. Mine’s currently driving Klipsch KG-1 that I picked up the other day at my local new and vintage hi-fi shop (traded-in a pair of Cerwin-Vega VE-5M) and sounds very lively. Best $80 bucks I’ve ever spent.
Saw an ad for them on Craigslist that caught my eye, planning on stopping in there in the next week or so hopefully.
Is that two tweeters? Or is the middle one a midrange speaker?
The classic AR 3/way with the dome midrange, it doesn't get much better.