Starting again building a vinyl system

[bro5mo]

Hello wise ones,

I’ve lived through vinyl, 8 track, cassettes, dvds, and streaming.

To quote Eddie Money, “I wanna go back”!

I had a simple setup. Onkyo 2500 MKii, techniques TT. The rest of it was onkyo.

My question is should I be looking at vintage (love the look of Onkyo’s late 70’s stuff and the sound was decent)? Or should I consider new equipment? If simplicity, looks and sound quality are my yardsticks, which is the best way to go? New, more expensive and ready to go, or vintage, less expensive, but maybe needing work and $$?

Opinions welcomed!

Rick

 

[Mitch Wright]

Vintage can be great, but has a lot of potential if not likely pitfalls.

The same can be said for tube (in vintage or new gear). In my view, the biggest shortcoming (notwithstanding cost and availability in certain circumstances) is access to tester or someone knowledgeable who can test them for you.

For someone wanting to get into the hobby to enjoy the music, I would suggest new and solid state. There are a lot of good options out there.

For vinyl, an ultrasonic record cleaner is a must.

For reference, my system is predominately vintage/tube. One of my main interests when I got back into audio was to tinker with the gear. Wasn't cool if not tube and vinyl. Experience/equipment have been acquired accordingly.

 

[bro5mo]

Vintage can be great, but has a lot of potential if not likely pitfalls.

The same can be said for tube (in vintage or new gear). In my view, the biggest shortcoming (notwithstanding cost and availability in certain circumstances) is access to tester or someone knowledgeable who can test them for you.

For someone wanting to get into the hobby to enjoy the music, I would suggest new and solid state. There are a lot of good options out there.

For vinyl, an ultrasonic record cleaner is a must.

For reference, my system is predominately vintage/tube. One of my main interests when I got back into audio was to tinker with the gear. Wasn't cool if not tube and vinyl. Experience/equipment have been acquired accordingly.

Thanks for your thoughts. I vacillate from vintage to new about three times a day. Today I saw an HH Scott receiver and speakers from ‘76 for $350 and thought “just buy it, you can swap up as you go”. I’m driving myself crazy

 

[DeadRock]

Thanks for your thoughts. I vacillate from vintage to new about three times a day. Today I saw an HH Scott receiver and speakers from ‘76 today for $350 and thought “just buy it, you can swap up as you go”. I’m driving myself crazy

Well...you remind me of me...dive in...enjoy the ride!

 

[sound hound]

If simplicity, looks and sound quality are my yardsticks, which is the best way to go?

I would think that recent (1990 to 2015?) would be practical and at the same time might look good depending on if you want to stay with silver or would be willing to move to all black components. My experience, though relatively limited, is that the midcentury components are risky, at least because of deteriorating capacitors if not more serious concerns. Personally, I stay away from most new components, mostly because I want more bang for the buck. Maybe the middle of the road is the most practical yearstick, at least if cost vs. performance is a concern. Just my two cents.

 

[Mike_S]

Do you have money in the bank? If so, stay away from Vinyl. It will all magically disappear, quickly!
Honestly, just went down this road a couple years ago. Was going to buy all new stuff, went around saw what my budget would buy "new". Went into my local record store that sells new and vintage stuff, he sold me a new TT, and speakers, but also a full vintage pre-amp, power amp, with matching tuner for not much money. My total budget was $5k

Got everything home, hooked up, and enjoyed that system for about 6 months. Wanted more power, more bass, lower noise floor. Picked up a much nicer TT, then got very nice vintage speakers (new ones are in the garage now), slowly got a new pre & power amp. Just a couple months ago, got a new cartridge that cost more than my first new TT.

Took Thanksgiving week off from work, did a full recap/restore on the pre-amp and power amp.

Also spent about $15k in records, sleeves, cleaning supplies, and storage.

My system is almost there....

 

[dfunghi]

As an owner of the Onkyo you mentioned my thoughts are you can likely find another 40 watt SS receiver or separate for easy money if you avoid marquee names. That 2500II is a great sounding receiver and has a nice phono stage.

For vinyl you can still find decent stuff if you search or just pay a bit more and buy from reputable resellers.

AK has in BT excellent quality vinyl and vintage gear, often times well serviced.

GL.

Plenty of time for you to upgrade if you want, just dive in and enjoy. FWIW the CD resurgence is still young enough to find deals, not everything has to be on vinyl.

 

[dfunghi]

Also if you disclose your location you’re likely to find help here easily.

 

[MER71]

That is a tough one. Vintage can be so beautiful or painful. Modern has plenty of deals and sometimes bland looks.