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Vintage worth the time to explore?

I’m relatively new to this world (very fast learner) and would love to know your thoughts:

I have a pair of Elac Debut 6.2 and Klipsch KG3s….I drive them both with a Marantz PM6005 and have been relatively happy but sound really loses its warmth and color unless played LOUD. With 3 kids under 5 I’m looking for an amp to help provide warm, full sound at lower dBs.

I’ve been super curious about exploring other amp options and wanted to explore the vintage route (Marantz 2230, Sansui AU 717, Pioneer SA-8500)… but after seeing prices between 800-2k for 50 year old gear, I’m apprehensive.

Am I just lured by the idea of vintage?

butche34
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 

Well, human hearing frequency response prefers louder in order to flesh out dynamic contrasts. If tubes are out of the question with kids, consider the Rotel RA840(BX) range. Also, try solid core UPOCC copper wire in Teflon speaker wire and interconnect.

mesch
3,481 posts
 

My thought is that one is better off exploring the used market for gear less than 10 years old. Most bang for the buck.

There are amps at the same price point as the Marantz  that can bring greater dynamics to the sound.  Loss of warmth and color? Maybe your speakers are the  problem.

The only vintage gear I would consider is point to point wired tube amplification from the 60s, such as the Dynaco ST70. 

tomcarr
1,504 posts
 

Could be your room. It  will determine half of what you hear.

butche34 OP
1 posts
 

It could very well be the room. The ceilings are a good 20' tall in the living room, but I've done my best to fill the space with absorbing objects.

Any suggestions upgrading from the Marantz?

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