Trying to make Vintage Sound System

[ThatRoundHeadedKid]

Hey Guys. I have a few questions.

I'm out to make a really kick ass vintage sound system. Obviously I have a budget, but I'm not sure what kind yet. I probably don't want to spend more than $500 total on the whole set.

But to give you an idea, I'm looking to get speakers and receivers circa 1960s and 1970s. As many say, some of the new stuff just don't sound as good as the old stuff.

For speakers, I've been looking at some Bang & Olufsen speakers (though they are hard to find) and Bose and what not.

As for receivers, I'm pretty set on a nice old Pioneer receiver because I know Pioneer has some really good audio equipment, new and old, either with an integrated tuner or a separate tuner. It doesn't matter. Any particular model I should look for? It would be sweet if it looked cool as well (here's an example: http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-PIONEER-...QQcmdZViewItem)

I need more direction though on what speakers to get. Right now, again, as I mentioned, only looking at some old Bose or B&O speakers, maybe some Onkyos or what not as well. Something like these would be sweet: http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-HPM-1100...QQcmdZViewItem

They have to be large floor box speakers, as that's what I prefer.

Anyone have any recommendations or know of any people/sources that would be able to help me out?

Thanks guys.

[turtlecrxsi]

I got some Sony towers and surrounds from 1996 I'll take $25 for all of it... pick up only... haha. Why do you want tired old audio equipment? I can understand your vintage fetish, but usually anything used is tired. Check your local pawn shop. At least go somewhere in person and look. My brother has a pioneer receiver similar to that one in the link. I guess it still works. GL on your quest for "vintage" audio equipment...

[drunken monkey]

when you said vintage, i thought you were going to make a valve amplifier.

[2.2 Straight six]

yeah, we're not as old as you.

i've got some old wood-boxed speakers in the loft. i'll see if my dad wants to sell them. they're like new, not sure what make but they're good quality.

[ericn1300]

my dad has a kick ass vintage system that he bought new in 1967. the first generation solid state amp from Sansui matched with Pioneer speakers. 40 years old and still works and sounds great. it's going to be passed along in his will. do a google on "vintage Sansui" they were the leaders in solid state amps and have some great pre-solid state stuff that rocks too.

Originally Posted by turtlecrxsi

I got some Sony towers and surrounds from 1996 I'll take $25 for all of it... pick up only... haha. Why do you want tired old audio equipment? I can understand your vintage fetish, but usually anything used is tired.

96 sony stuff isn't vintage, it's just mass market cheap stuff from taiwan and korea. if it's used and tired it was probably junk when you bought it, choose quality and it will out last you.

[alphalanos]

I know alot of the old stuff is superior in quality, but I would be worried about something crapping out. Even though most of todays equipment is unbeleivably expensive.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by alphalanos

I know alot of the old stuff is superior in quality, but I would be worried about something crapping out. Even though most of todays equipment is unbeleivably expensive.

the older tube stuff is hard to find parts for, I'd stick to the early solid state stuff. parts are common and cheap. easy to repair, no micro circutry or imbeded chips or divers. rember the days when the was a TV and electronics repair shop in the neighbor hood? that was back when you actualy repaired things instead of throwing them away.

[2.2 Straight six]

i have an old JVC stereo, must be 15 or so years old. probably more.

i can't tell the difference in sound quality from that to some $500 new system. it goes louder than i'll ever want, delivers perfect sound and even has a remote and aux input.

old systems are sweet. i might have to get out some of my dad's old 2' tall speaker boxes, amp etc and give them a go.

[ThatRoundHeadedKid]

Yea, I went on a message board for audiophiles and decided on either a Sansui or Pioneer receiver from the 1970s with Klipsch KG-4s.

Now I just need to find them, get the money (probably will have it at the end of the summer) and that's it.

[Cl0ak]

About 3 months ago I threw out a receiver speakers and a stand from the 70's that my father had given me a long time ago when he cleaned out my parents basement. Would've sent it to you for free heh. Problem with that old of equipment is finding parts to repair anything.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by Cl0ak

Problem with that old of equipment is finding parts to repair anything.

Guess you missed my post about repairs:

Originally Posted by ericn1300

the older tube stuff is hard to find parts for, I'd stick to the early solid state stuff. parts are common and cheap. easy to repair, no micro circutry or imbeded chips or divers. rember the days when the was a TV and electronics repair shop in the neighbor hood? that was back when you actualy repaired things instead of throwing them away.

and if it's lasted 35 years already, i don't think you have to worry about repairs soon. most solid state devices either die young or live on forever.

[turtlecrxsi]

Originally Posted by ericn1300

96 sony stuff isn't vintage, it's just mass market cheap stuff from taiwan and korea. if it's used and tired it was probably junk when you bought it, choose quality and it will out last you.

WTH? It was a joke. Jeez. My original Sony speakers are 10 years old and they still sound pretty decent (and were not cheap btw) but I replaced them with the new Sony tower 8" kevlar woofers and matching kevlar surround components. So you can see that I have no need for the old 10" towers with surrounds. However, I may just go ahead and wire them up in my garage so I'll have surround sound while I'm changing my oil...

[pre98zetec]

Another decent vintage brand is Technics. My dad has 2 vintage technics receiver and a set of technics 15" towers with 6" midrange and 2" tweets. They sound amazing.. He also has a set of Sansui 10" tower with midranges and tweets, those also sound very nice.