1970s era Audio Gear

[timsclips]

My latest obsession.
After getting my home theater gear setup in the front room, I am determined to put together a 1970s era stereo together for my computer room. Started with a Kenwood KR-4400 receiver found at a local pawn shop. A pair of Advent speakers were purchased off Ebay. I am now looking for a BIC or Dual turntable. Finding a good source of phono cartridges is taking a little bit of shopping but I am not going to worry about the cartridge until after the turntable has been purchased.
A cassette deck and a cd player (I know this is not 70s era) will round it out.
I am not looking to purchase the absolute best or most expensive pieces but typical pieces that you might have found in any dorm room.

 

[heybatter]

Cool...pics? I think vacuum tube amps have been experiencing a revival.

 

[timsclips]

Since my original post I have added a Crown amp, Hafler pre-amp and Epicure model 100 speakers. Taking a sabbatical from buying shaving gear, have enough soap for the next 5 years, and now buying more expensive and much bulkier items.

 

[Eeyore]

I still have the speakers my parents had in the 1970's. They were a good brand (Wharfedale) but I don't know if they are better than today's speakers.
Unfortunately my NAD amplifier from the 80's is walking on it's last legs Not worth repairing, I fear.

 

[August West]

Flashback!

I am waiting for the eight track car stereo revival.

 

[ArNav]

I've spent a couple of years fiddling with different audio gear (connected to my PC), and spent a lot of money (and efforts).
70-ies gear is better than most things made today. You can build a budget system for couple hundreds of dollars that will sound terrific. Saying that, Kenwood receivers are not exactly the best, even among vintage gear. I would chose another brand. Advent is better.
But if you plan to hook it to your computer you will also need a nice sound card, which is also an important piece in the puzzle.

 

[ArNav]

p.s

One American brand I can recommend is Renaissance Audio (www.renaudio.com). It's a small business. It's not vintage, but their designs and sound haven't changed much from the 80-ies. They were previously called "Morel USA". Their products are tremendous value for money, both their bookshelf and floor standing speakers, both the less expensive ones, and the more expensive ones. They also make their own drivers which are great and which are used in other manufacturers' speakers that cost 10 or 20 times as theirs. Their speakers are great all-arounders and have a very balanced and pleasant sound.

 

[Mick]

Pre IC stuff.

Bread board Luxman is pretty solid (if you can find it).

 

[ouch]

I would imagine you can still get some good buys on old high end audio from back then- Mark Levinson, Audio Research, McIntosh, Linn, etc. They were, are remain, incredible products.

 

[malocchio]

I use a Pioneer SX1250 & SX1050,both rebuilt,Marantz model 23 Tuner,Pioneer tape deck,1984 VMPS speakers,rebuilt at the factory a few years ago,Tara lab cables,Rega Planar 3 turntable (1985) Rega Apollo CD player ,B&K ST2002 amp,B&K Pro-5 pre-amp...my only complaint is no longer being able to load a Shure VMR-15 into my Planar.I had it rebuilt 4 years ago,and now it uses the Elysis cartridge,fine cartridge,but no Shure !

 

[ouch]

For the price, Rega makes a terrific turntable.

 

[ArNav]

Their CD players are very musical too.

 

[BigWill]

Still hooked up and working. Kenwood receiver/amp, Audio Technica turntable with AT cartridge, TEAC cassette deck (single), Sony 6 disc CD changer and a pair of Polk Audio bookshelf speakers. I threw away the 8 track player. I was constantly aligning the playback head on the 8 track.

Fun project.

 

[UW_Badger]

Don't forget good vintage English gear like, QUAD, Naim, Linn, Spendor, Harbeth,... I just listed my stereo.

 

[Doc4]

Ahh ... the Seventies. Back when ...

*ka-lunk*

... listening to music was something that you did ...

*ka-lunk*

... with reliable friends and ...

*ka-lunk*

... questionable stereo equipment.