Old school analog system

Glad to see us old audiophiles still look at the old days with fondness. I owned the AR11s, Pioneer, JBL, and yes the Stanton 681EEE with the ball and brush on the end. Fun times. I also owned the AR turntable only it had an infinity black widow tone arm on it   Good combo. 

My second system is a Marantz 2285b ($350 on craigslist a few years ago, then $300 more to get it recapped), Marantz 6300 turntable ($400 on craigslist) and Pioneer HPM 100's that i refinished (traded for my old beer can collection).  Super fun system and great for rock and roll.  Not very refined and it's set up mostly for looks but i still consider the system the best value i've spent in audio.  I've moved the 2285b into my big rig and really enjoyed the sound.  Beats my PrimaLuna in bass response but doesn't have the same amount of detail.  Love the sound though.

We moved a few years back, and before setting up my system I listened extensively to everything I owned.  Harman Kardon Citation, GAS, McIntosh, Phase Linear, Sansui, Marantz, Krell etc.  several units from each over an extended period.

My favorite really surprised me.  There were high points with all of them, but the consistent ‘does everything just right’ was my 1977 Sansui 9090DB.  I still switch it out with others from time to time, but not for long.  It just sounds right to me, and it’s beautiful.

My favorite turntable is a modified Dual 1229 with a Grace 747 tone arm. I use a Pioneer RT-1050 half track for reel to reel duties and an ADVENT 201A for cassette.  CD is a marantz player who’s model escapes me.  My Garrard 301/SME 3009 gets plenty of play time as welll

N.

My system is 1/3 vintage, because all my turntables and nearly all my cartridges and tonearms are from the 70s/80s. But all my cables, amps, phono stages and speakers are new high-end. The only exception was for NOS tubes when i was using new high-end tube amps (not anymore). 

Honestly, my taste will not allow me to buy any new turntable, i can't even imagine any of them in my house, because the design is very important for me, i want to see those "real" top quality stylish vintage high-end turntables like Luxman PD-444 with many vintage tonearms on it. Or Technics SP-10mkII, SP-20, Denon DP-80 and Victor TT-101.

Actually i do not need more than two Luxman PD-444, but i am a proud owner of the DP-80 and TT-101. Here is one of the latest pics from the studio with vintage and new gear, custom made racks, acoustic treatment and some records. 

I adore vintage gear when it comes to tonearms, cartridges and turntables. In my opinion there is something wrong with modern design of the turntables and their prices, i wouldn't use them even for free (any of them).    





  

chakstar,

I completely agree with you.  Something is seriously wrong when turntables start weighing several hundred pounds and cost mid six figures. Really?

You couldn’t give me one. I do miss my EMT 927, but I love the performance of my Dual 1229 and Garrard 301.

Your luxman is one of the best looking tables ever.  I had a PD-272 briefly.  It was silky smooth and played beautifully.

N.