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Budget hi-fi and vintage audio gear

I’m in the process of putting together a budget hi-fi system and I am curious for any advice fellow Arsians could provide. I would like a system that is purely stereo and produces high SQ rather than high SPL. As it stands now, my computer would be the main audio source (MP3, APE, CD) using my TBSC- however I want to eventually add higher quality separates like a CD player, etc. This system will be used in a bedroom/computer room (small apartment) and I’m pretty set on picking up a pair of Axiom Audio’s M2ti speakers. What I’m looking for is a good quality integrated amplifier (not a receiver, I don’t need radio) that is budget priced (~$250 at most). I’ve done some searching around and it seems vintage equipment could yield the best results for my needs. What sort of vintage equipment would you recommend for my needs? I’ve seen the NAD 3020 or 70’s Marantz equipment come highly recommended  https://waveadvice.com/integrated-amplifiers/ ; does anyone have any experience with this equipment? What are some precautions to take regarding the purchasing of 20+ year old audio equipment? What are common problems old integrated amplifiers run into? Any information and suggestions are highly appreciated! Thanks!
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birdfan's avatar
birdfan
175 posts
 
I’ve recently purchased a Marantz 1060 w/ a 112 tuner for $350. Warm, lush, rolled off in the highs... sounds lovely. The last word in Hi-Fi? No. But pretty looking w a phono input. 

I also bought an old Sansui au-217 for $100. Better frequency response than the Marantz.. more punch, better control over the low end and really good separation and imaging considering I spent $100 and some time cleaning the pots.. it’s actually  one of my favorite amps. 
birdfan's avatar
birdfan
175 posts
 
Older stuff will eventually need new capacitors at a minimum as those all have a shelf life. I found a guy locally who recapped the Marantz 1060 and the Sansui for about $150 for both pieces... excellent sound with a 70s flavor at song, and probably with better sound than anything for that price from the recent era. You’ll need to learn how to clean internally with contact cleaner(really pretty simple), and before purchase make sure all inputs work and both channels produce sound. Most scratchy sounds that come with an amp that is 30+ years old will clean right out with a little deoxit.. hope that helps and don’t be afraid to but vintage assuming basic functions work. 
colin44ct357's avatar
colin44ct357
122 posts
 
A 3020 nad will do the job and thr retro sound will blow you away, if you find one have the complete pcb re soldered and pots/switches serviced with wd40.Tighten up the 3055's, output transistors and re solder them.I rework around 36 a year and they blow me away every time.The caps are excellent quality so if if sounds good leave them.You can measure the voltage drop on the tin cans of the 3055's to check its only a volt or 3, at 50% volume tone flat.
nitewulf
428 posts
 
I was in the same boat recently, honestly I just like the look of vintage gear and wanted one for my bedroom system. I took a look at the specs for your speaker. You can get what I got, a serviced/recapped Kenwood KA 5700 Integrated Amplifier.

Stunning audio quality.  Last two days it was powering my bedroom system and sounded great, but I have tiny full range speakers which aren't suitable for all types of music.  So tonight I hooked it up to my main rig, and at least on low volume it sounded stunning. Absolutely wide stereo separation, distortion free crystal clear imaging. The VU meters barely moved...I mean it was very late so I listened at a low volume, but it sounded great. I did test to see if the volume picks up, and it does, my speakers are very efficient so it had no trouble. I just couldn't test it for long because I do have neighbors.

It was around $250 shipped.

For reference, this is the unit I bought:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnUEHxCuzok&feature=youtu.be%3D%22_blank%22
peterf6
85 posts
 
Vintage equipment in your budget is a hobby, or maybe a mindset. I have a Tandberg integrated TR-1055 that I bought used from a high-end shop 40 years ago. It sounds beautiful compared to a lot of current consumer things, but it's had quirky stuff go on, like it cuts out with lower resistance speakers and comes back when you give the unit a rap. One light in the front panel is out. But the glow as a radio station tunes in is awesome, the look is so mid-century modern (it's a wood case), it's a conversation piece, and it sounds good. I put it up for sale recently. It's supposed to be worth $500, but it will probably go for more like 200. Fixing it to be perfect is a questionable investment. I recently swapped out my vintage tube Marantz/Rogers system for something that might serve you: powered studio monitors and a Schiit preamp. Sounds beautiful.
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