2. amps-preamps
  3. 136637-114898

Looking for opinions on components for a vintage tube system and 90's solid state

I've enjoyed reading audiogon for some time and would now like to seek some wisdom from the members. I'm trying to put together two separate systems - a vintage late 50's tube system and an early 90's solid state one.

For the tube system I have a pair of original early JBL C34 speakers and a pair of Marantz Model 5 amps, but no preamp and no turntable. 

For the 90's SS system, I have a Levinson 23.5 amplifier and a 25S phono preamp, and am looking for a 26S preamp. I have no turntable or speakers for this system. I am interested in playing only vinyl or reel to reel tape for both systems.

I'd love to hear thoughts on an appropriate preamp and turntable for the tube system. I suppose a Marantz 7 (or pair of Model 1's if I get lucky or rich) would be obvious choices for the preamp. Or perhaps I could use the Levinson 26S/25S for both systems? For the turntable I am thinking a Garrard 301 or Thorens TD-124 would be a good match, but I know nothing about tonearms and moving coil cartridges for these.

For the 90s SS system, I thinking British monitor speakers like ProAc or perhaps LS3/5As would be a good match. I am clueless as to the best turntable/tonearm/cartridge setup.

I'd love to hear opinions on all the above as well as an appropriate open reel player that would be suitable for both systems. Thanks in advance for your responses!     
ausernamethathasntbeentaken
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
9,670 posts
 
What tonearm and turntable did you use with the Grace cartridge?

I used, and in fact still use, a Magnepan Unitrac tonearm and a SOTA Sapphire turntable, which I purchased in 1983. Both still work as well as when they were new!

I used various incarnations of the Grace F-9E, F-9E Ruby, and SoundSmith re-tipped F-9E Ruby with that arm and table for most of 30+ years. In the last few years, based largely on glowing praise provided by other members here, I went to a currently produced Audio Technica AT-ART9 low output moving coil cartridge and a Herron VTPH-2 phono stage.  I’ve been very pleased with both.

The Maggie arm, by the way, is best suited for cartridges having medium to high compliance. I would not pair it with a low compliance cartridge, such as the Koetsus for example.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al


ausernamethathasntbeentaken OP
7 posts
 
Al, that's very interesting! My last system (circa 1995), and the best one I ever had, was C22+MC275+10B with a SOTA Sapphire and Proac supertablettes on high quality stands. I have no recollection at all of the tonearm and cartridge, but the system seemed superb to me at the time, particularly with vocals. I'm sure it still would today. Perhaps another SOTA with Unitrac tonearm and the Audio Technica cartridge could be just the ticket for the 90's system I am looking to build around Levinson electronics? These seem to be available at reasonable prices, which suits me. Actually, the 90's Levinson stuff is also reasonably priced for what it is. The 50's tube system willl probably cost 50-75% more to build out, but I do want to have both. BTW, I also like the looks of the Magnepan tonearm and Audio Technica cartridge. Thanks!  
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
9,670 posts
 
A word of caution, though, about the Unitrac.  They apparently had a design or manufacturing issue which in many cases eventually caused a burr to cut the internal wiring, which is said to be impractical to replace.  At least a couple of members here have reported experiencing that problem, while I and at least one other member (who has two Unitracs) have had no such issue. 

See the following thread:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/best-tonearm-for-high-compliance-mm

Good luck.  Regards,
-- Al 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,905 posts
 
Check out my system. I run modified 1957 EICO HF35 monos. Old iron is like an aged violin. 
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,714 posts
 

I picked up the table from an original local owner and it was in very good original condition so other then a quick clean and lube it was perfect. I had a local craftsman build the plinth for me, there are pictures of it in my profile, not hard and cost me $600. I did the rest, ordered the arm and installed it. other then that I added some cones for isolation and that’s was it. not a big deal really you just need to find a good table to start with. this is were time and money will come into effect. another option is to get a rebuild table form somewhere like loricraft and buy a plinth from online there are dozens of companies and people out there that build quality plinths anywhere from a couple hundred to thousands of dollars. arms, there are so many arm choices its hard to decide I went the Jelco path because of funds and cost to performance value of the Jelco arms are high.


google Garrard 301 there are so many helpful people and builds for these tables with a huge upgrade path. theres a good article in absolute sound a few years ago that followed a simple build then again when he upgraded it considerably. there are also quite a few companies that specialize in these tables Loricraft probably the best known as they bought the Garrard name.


http://garrard501.com/

and another very good high end company

https://www.artisanfidelity.com/restoration/




More to discover