How many use Vintage Hi-Fi systems?

Been selling off my collection of mostly amps and preamps as... Well you can only listen to one at a time, and some have'nt seen 
play time in years. Much of what I have let go, though admitedly older has been McIntosh, GAS, Krell, Phase Linear, Sumo, Mark Levinson ( goodbye ML-2's).  

It's been taking quite a while because I've been inserting each one into my main system for a listen.  As I do I quickly recall what it was that attracted my to the componet.  (sonically)

I am stunned that there are a few that are really hard to for me to take back out.  A pristine Sansui 9090DB that I put away nearly 40 years ago because well it wasn't "high-end" and I was becoming an audiophile.  So much did I enjoy the Sansui that today it went to a local shop for a once over.  I'm keeping it.

Tonight I am listening to the, most lowly of my collection. A 1974 Sansui 551, with a whopping 16 watts rms. Laugh, scorn, jest, make fun of, but this little guy is so sweet. So silky smooth it's unnerving.  It is powering my much modified D-Tec BP10's which are a mean 3 ohm load. Volume is plenty good, bass while not Krell level is very good.  It has the ability  to render tones that are so captivating.  My wife, looks at me dumbfounded over these last few weeks.  She loves this little guy and the 9090db, as do I.  
She asked "you've had this how long and you've spent how much over the years when you had this?"

This was my first hi-fi, and I can't for the life of me beleive that I used it for so little a time.  Another keeper. 

With these last two Sansui's, I have been enjoying my music more than I can recall having done so in decades. Just saying, As I sit here in the early morning hours listeningn and sipping tea.. I am rethinking my audio decisions in a big way and having a blast listening..

Norman,I found a nice pair of KLH 17's,just picked them up sunday for 50 bucks.I put them upstairs on the econo rack I call it.My main system is downstairs.I have them hooked up to the Harman Kardon after taking the B+W's down.They sound good.I remember being happy to own them when I first set them up almost 50 years ago.I listened to the Doors and Frank Zappa on them and still have my original LP's.I will get my Eico up and my old Dual 1019 and listen to Zappa and the Doors,all my original stuff from back then on my KHL 17's. What a trip down memory lane.

Playpen,

"What a trip down memory lane."  I agree.  Life was simpler, times were different.  It's not just nostalgia though.  Listening to music through these old systems just 'sounds' right for some reason.  

I am not saying they are they are the last definition in slam, and micro dynamics, or soundstage, (because they're not) but they deliver the tunes in an effortless easy manner and are easy to listen too.

Loves KLH speakers!  Had a pair of sixes.   Enjoy, this is almost too must fun.

Norman

Back in the 70's the KLH 17 was the go-to speaker for  poor students of  classical music as well.
On classical beat out the EPI,AR, Advent ,Dynaco etc in their general price range  

I still own 2 "vintage" Pioneer SX series receivers,  an SX1050 and an SX950,  along with a Marantz 2252b receiver.

My girlfriend's house is where the SX950 stays upstairs mated to a pair of Usher bookshelf speakers,  and downstairs we have the SX950 paired with Meadowlark Kestrels....GREAT loudspeakers.

I will never let go of these because they represent where I started,  and where all this started 40 something years ago.  Back then Pioneer, Marantz,  Sansui receivers were the "stuff" to get.  I've maintained all of them over the years and yes,  they still sound good.

I have a better turntable now than I did back in those days,  so this is not precisely a vintage setup but...still sounds good!