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If your were to assemble a vintage system ?

Let’s say you were going to put together a vintage system and your source was primarily vinyl. Your price limit is $1500. What would it be? 
Make it as musical as possible. Super detail or thunderous bass isn’t going to be very high on the list. My first thought would be a 70’s Marantz receiver (50ish wpc is more than adequate) an 80’s AR table, and any iteration of a Vandersteen 2C that didn’t bust the budget. 

Could easily also swap in a Pioneer SX750 instead of a Marantz. 
Cartridge? Not sure- might actually go with something modern/current. AT or Nagaoka 

what would you put together? 
128x128zavato
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
No idea on cost, I'll be close. Sansui, Infinity, and a Denon TT for DD or a Thoren for a belt, AR or Dual, will all work perfect too..

600.00 for a receiver
1000.00 speakers RS4b something like that..or VMPS Towers
3-600 for a TT and a good MM cart

Double that cost, is where I was at with Mcintosh. I still use Macs, Thoren, VMPS and a few more..

Cables 50 years ago.. 20 bucks.., mine were USAF surplus Silver # 12 still have them (100 foot was 40 dollars) I made ALL my own cable even back then, Copper, RCA cable and RCA ends.. No gold! Radio Shack.

Nickel, copper, some plated stuff back then. Sterling maybe..
I don't remember anything being gold plated..

Regards
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Well, it wouldn't involve any receivers, that's for sure! Remember you said "musical" not "crapical"!  

For musical I would go with something like the Dynaco SCA-35 tube integrated amp. https://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/dynaco-sca35_e.html For speakers if we really are talking musical and vintage then it would be the Advents. Although they are horribly inefficient and won't play loud with this amp they will sound awfully musical and their vintage appeal cannot be denied. If you want your musical loud then JBL L25 which is what I got, or the slightly more expensive (and a lot better looking) L36.

Being vintage we cannot have real cables and must go with lamp cord so we take advantage of this and use our funds to buy a nice Dual turntable and of course the beautiful Pioneer TX-9100 tuner. https://stereonomono.blogspot.com/2015/04/pioneer-tx-9100.html
These could all be mint/refurbished and still be under $1500.


russ69's avatar
russ69
3,516 posts
 
Not much of a budget but you are good with the AR table and Vandersteens. But you have to toss the old receiver idea, those were bloody awful. Maybe an older Yamaha or Sansui integrated amp but buy the time you freshen it up you are into real money. I'd buy a used but current integrated amp with an old time look. Spend a little money and don't cheap out on power or low line amps, get something good it will last a long time. 
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