How many use Vintage Hi-Fi systems?


I was wondering, how many here use a Vintage Hi-Fi as their main stereo? Please give details as to your equipment. I use Citation 17 preamp, Citation 16A amplifier, Sony TC-755 reel to reel, Dual 1229 (with Grace 747 tonearm), Nakamichi OMS4 CD player Advent 201A cassette and Definitive Technologies BP10 speakers. I have many audiophile friends who trade up constantly. I bought a system that I enjoy and have kept it. Oh, and I still love it! Friends are floored by how musical it is. Your thoughts please.
Norman
normansizemore
Hanaleimike,

Man, I am going to pour a double scotch tonight and cry with you. Sorry about the loss. But, cheer up! Lots of good Conrad Johnson, McIntosh, Citation, Dynaco, marantz, etc.. to be found. Go for it. You'll have the time of your life, and your wallet will thank you.

Norman
Great discussion! I have a "quasi vintage" system at our ski chalet. Yamaha 2010 amp _ cost me $250 and it has both mm and mc phono with variable loading etc etc. Very sweet and punchy sound. Sources are Micro-Seiki BL 51, ADC arm and Empire 750 cart for vinyl and Granite Audio tube CD player - not really vintage but I do have a Philips Bitstream 850 CD player that sort of qualifies as 'vintage'.

Speakers are home designed MTM transmission lines.

I am always blown away by how musical this modest investment sounds. No, it is not the ultimate in detail, or even transparency, but wow it it never fails to excite the musicality in the LP or CD. Relaxed would be a hallmark descriptor, that Yamaha has drive and control so it begs the question of what makes a great musical experience in the home?

With this type of equipment there is no hype, just pure enjoyment and system synergy.

Steve
Steve,

My eldest son uses a Vintage Yamaha hifi. C2 pre-amp and a m40 amplifier that he runs in class A mode. It is a very sweet set up, no disappointments. He uses a set of EPI 100's with a POLK subwoofer. The Yamaha pre-amp is really impressive, at least as good as if not better than my Citation 17. And the phono section is what really stands out to me. You're right, NO HYPE, just pure enjoyment... for years now.. with minimal cost.

I have yet to hear, a substantial improvement in any new 'state of the art' system from what was available twenty or thirty years ago. In fact, isn't that what everyone is now discovering? Idler drive turntables, reel to reel, tube amps? We got it right long ago... we just didn't know it until digital came around and we discovered 'listening fatigue'.

Keep the faith.. vintage is where its at.

Norman
I use vintage speakers (Quad ESLs) and an early LP12 which is kinda vintage, right? Everything else is modern.
Quad IIs (GT Audio rebuilt), Decca London cartridge (Garrott Brothers rebuild), Nakamichi Dragon, Revox G36, Meridian 206B CD player are the old bits in my system.

Kicking around also are a pair of LS3/5As, a pair of old 1960s Mordaunt Arundel speakers (Decca ribbons with a 10 inch cone).

Charlie