• 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

Vintage speakers for a modest phono setup?

C
Lancer X said:
My wife was excited to purchase a turntable for our new home. She's not very particular about audio, but I wanted to put together a system that did the vinyl some justice, but at a budget.

I purchased an inexpensive Chinese tube phone preamp and amp (Fosi Audio Box X2 Phono Preamp and BT30D 2.1 Channel Power Amplifier). I'm sure some of you already have a nosebleed, but I'm trying to keep this setup cheap and limit the footprint... The amp is 50W per channel with a separate 100w sub channel.

Cheap modern amp aside, my wife and I like the look of vintage speakers - think 1970 era Sansui and Pioneers with wood grille covers, etc.

I'd love to hear your recommendations about:
  • what might sound decent with this system, as well as
  • what you'd pay for a pair of speakers in good cosmetic shape
  • which options might not need re-foaming (Sansuis with cloth surrounds, etc.)

Here are some options that are available locally via FB and CL.
  • Sansui SP-1700
  • Kenwood KL-3080
  • Marantz SP 2052
  • Sansui SP-200
  • Ohm Model E
  • Pioneer CS-33A
  • Sansui SP-1500 (these seem to be in-the-box, untouched mint)

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
See if you can find a pair of Pinnacle AC-650s. Sounds really nice and shouldn't be too expensive.
Instead of thrift stores I would hit some pawn shops...sometimes they get pretty nice speakers and you can bargain a bit...and many let you do a lay away if you put down a 20-30% down payment.
 
The thing about speakers on Ebay is that a street price at a thrift or pawn shop or on CL can often be 75% less.
I would be a bit patient.

Some pawns will have Reference or Synergy series Klipsch you can bargain for if you can look around a bit.
 
Lancer X said:
Thanks. We started with a set of Polk T15, but we were pretty underwhelmed due to the lack of bass coverage (no big surprise given the 5" woofers). I plan to return those, although adding a sub would probably solve the problem completely. They were honestly otherwise fine for our purpose.
Click to expand...


Members on here would be happy to help with the search legwork but your location would be helpful. Living in the sticks vs large city will increase or decrease your options. You might also have some members nearby with speakers they no longer want too.
 
Bookshelf speakers are a difficult buy on eBay, because of the cost of packaging and shipping two large heavy boxes; often that ends up more than the speakers.

As noted, knowing your location would help.
 
Lots of fans for vintage Dynaco speakers here. Not as ornate-looking as Sansui. The trick will be to find a pair in good cosmetic condition.
 
Lancer X said:
My wife was excited to purchase a turntable for our new home. She's not very particular about audio, but I wanted to put together a system that did the vinyl some justice, but at a budget.

I purchased an inexpensive Chinese tube phone preamp and amp (Fosi Audio Box X2 Phono Preamp and BT30D 2.1 Channel Power Amplifier). I'm sure some of you already have a nosebleed, but I'm trying to keep this setup cheap and limit the footprint... The amp is 50W per channel with a separate 100w sub channel.

Cheap modern amp aside, my wife and I like the look of vintage speakers - think 1970 era Sansui and Pioneers with wood grille covers, etc.

I'd love to hear your recommendations about:
  • what might sound decent with this system, as well as
  • what you'd pay for a pair of speakers in good cosmetic shape
  • which options might not need re-foaming (Sansuis with cloth surrounds, etc.)

Here are some options that are available locally via FB and CL.
  • Sansui SP-1700
  • Kenwood KL-3080
  • Marantz SP 2052
  • Sansui SP-200
  • Ohm Model E
  • Pioneer CS-33A
  • Sansui SP-1500 (these seem to be in-the-box, untouched mint)

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Find a Luxman Amp/Receiver, R-series from early 80's and a couple Norman Labs Model 11's. You can't go wrong with these.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom