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
While I don't exactly squander my current earnings on the good gear that I have,  remembering how we got that first piece of "hifi" gear does prejudice our opinions when comparing old and new.  I waited tables one summer,  all summer long,  extra shifts throughout to get into this stuff.  I think my first speakers were Acoustic Research "bookshelves" - rather large for bookshelves,  each with two 8" woofers with the tweeter centered between them?  The woofers were paper,  blue in color.  I forget the model.

Somewhere down the line I purchased a Yamaha Natural Sound integrated along with a pair of Bozak bookshelves - all I remember about the Bozaks is that they had aluminum woofers.  Anyone out there who might remember those give a shout!

Right now I've boxed up a less than one year old Macintosh Mc275 Mark VI amp for sale,  pulling out my old Pioneer SX during the interim.
If I closed my eyes and listened I would be hard pressed to guess that its 40+ years old.   Should I find a suitable amp to replace the MC275 I am going to look to have the SX receiver's cabinet redone.  Anyone out there know of a place to get that accomplished?  In or around NY?  This receiver will outlive me and I want it to look its best!

Fun discussion!



oblgny,

Your story sounds familiar.  I think I lived it! 
Now inserting my Sansui receivers back into my system has rewarded me with the most fun I've had listening in years!

My 9090DB is being tuned up, and it's going back into my main system.  
I did have an SX 1050 and an SX 1250 for a while.  You don't seem to be missing your Mac, and I am not surprised.  I think the Pioneer build quality is first rate, they were nice to look at and sound wonderful.

Norman


One of the most musical systems I've ever heard consisted of a Thorens TD160 table, Mac C22 preamp, Marantz 8B power amp and KEF Calinda loudspeakers.  Absolutely wonderful!  I think the KEF's were the most important part of it.  If you can find 'em, they'll run you about $400/pair.