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$350-500 on receiver + speakers

23.242.240.198

Posted on May 1, 2020 at 16:54:08
Posts: 2
Location: LA
Joined: May 1, 2020
I currently own a techniques 1200mk2 in black (eventually will do the power supply mod). I just moved to LA from NYC. In the market for a receiver and speakers. Looking for something with a vibe. I know there are so many options and don't know where to even start. I had a sansui G7500 at one point but thought it sounded kind of boxy and too midrangey but that could of been my RAL speakers which sounded terrible or some of the room acoustics as well. If you had 350-500 to spend on a receiver and speakers what would you recommend and where are some places to look online that you would feel comfortable having shipped? I listen to Classic Rock, Jazz, Newer electronic and Indie Rock, Classical.

 

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RE: $350-500 on receiver + speakers, posted on May 2, 2020 at 01:36:17
KanedaK
Audiophile

Posts: 2515
Location: Brussels
Joined: April 27, 2010
Something you need to consider: buying vintage speakers is usually fine (although most benefit from a crossover recap at some point); buying an unrestored (likely in your budget) vintage receiver in 2020 (most of those receivers being now 30 to 50 years old) means, more and more as years go by, playing with fire (almost literally). Old capacitors are a time bomb.

I'm not saying you SHOULDN'T do it, but it's something not enough vintage buyers consider; be prepared for a full recap of your receiver somewhere down the road.

 

I do not think that you will find anything decent in the 350-500 range, ..., posted on May 2, 2020 at 08:06:52
J. S. Bach
Audiophile

Posts: 9570
Location: Chester, SC
Joined: November 28, 2001
Contributor
  Since:
June 29, 2004
...even if you go the vintage route. New, you might find one of the "home theater" sets but I suspect that even if it has a phono stage, it will not satisfy you. As a temporary setup, maybe, while you search out something better, then relegate it to the 6 o'clock news.


Later Gator,
Dave
Find more about Weather in Chester, SC

 

Yamaha & ADS ..., posted on May 2, 2020 at 11:59:42
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13112
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since:
January 19, 2010
A Yamaha CR-620/640 or CR-820/840 receiver and ADS L620, L630, L730 ...or L710 speakers.

Best place to buy used (for me) is Craigslist. Inspect and listen before you buy and no shipping.

This of course takes patience as what you are hunting for may not become available for a long time. Odds improve if you live near a good sized city.

As mentioned previously, the receiver will need to be recapped, even if it is working.

Good luck !

Dean.



reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

RE: Yamaha & ADS ..., posted on May 2, 2020 at 12:17:02
Posts: 2
Location: LA
Joined: May 1, 2020
What are some good sites to buy used and vintage equipement that is recapped and inspected online?

 

RE: $350-500 on receiver + speakers, posted on May 2, 2020 at 13:06:32
Bill Way
Audiophile

Posts: 1884
Location: Toms River NJ
Joined: May 28, 2012
Contributor
  Since:
December 14, 2012




Option 1:
Braun/ADS L300's; NAD, Adcom, Hafler DH-101, or Dyna PAS preamp or even an Advent Receiver as preamp; Small BGW power amp, like the 100A. Recap the old electronics - easy to do on these choices. The BGW on the little Brauns *will* astonish. Used ICs and speaker wire. Skip the tuner if you can - stream for now. If you go the Advent route, its tuner section is ok, the preamp is kinda sorta fair-ish, and it's power amp is junk. Still, it's handy to have as a universal substitute for when something has to go out for service. The best sounding preamp options are probably the Hafler or PAS. I'd leave the NAD, Adcom, Advent, or Hafler on all the time, but not the Dyna or BGW. The BGW's are good enough to stay with you forever, regardless of the other gear - they are outstanding amps. Rig up stands for the L300's and keep them away from the walls.





Option 2:
Spica TC-50's or TC-60's with whatever integrated amp you find. I like the TC-50's better, and the early version (prior to s/n 7,500) better than the later version, but I'm picking nits here. TC-50's are still the all-time imaging champs. Spicas with the BGW are superb, and if you have only one source component you can use the level controls on the BGW for volume/balance and skip the preamp all together. Mount the Spicas away from walls, exactly equidistant, pointed at your head with the woofers at ear-level, good rigid support, and leave the grills on. Not a bad idea to get a spare tweeter driver or two if you like to rock out. Madisound has them. If you're handy with a soldering iron, msg me and I'll send the mods to the crossover for bi-wiring. This option is by far the best sounding. Other than a slightly forgiving top end, and a bottom that starts to drop off around 80 Hz but usable to the upper 40's, it is extremely musical. Mating a sub to the Spicas is tricky, as there will be a large overlap, which will change the character of the sound somewhat. Still, it can be done. The TC-60, which is ported, should be easier to use with subs. In theory.




The BGW amps aren't widely known, and haven't been in production for many years, but are among the best amps I know. Many are still doing 24/7 service in studios. Flat from the very bottom to the very top, musical, highly detailed without being etched, and dynamics that can frighten. Superb bottom end detail and control. No hint of grit or transistoritis. Dead silent. They are basically enormous power supplies with a couple transistors tacked on. All their models were excellent. Do make sure it's working properly, because with the huge power supply, any failure that causes a thump or pop can easily take out your speakers. They are all easy to work on. I picked the 100A because I know it best, but any of the smaller BGWs are fine - they are all basically the same circuit. Most look pretty rough on the outside; ignore that.

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

 

RE: $350-500 on receiver + speakers, posted on June 2, 2020 at 10:24:42
Bold Eagle
Audiophile

Posts: 6936
Location: America's Heartland
Joined: May 27, 2001
First, 2 places to buy used that I can recommend. Audio Classics (www.audioclassics.com) and Hawthorne Stereo(www.hawthornestereo.com).
My son is using an Onkyo TX905 (60 w/ch) that I bought new some years ago. Excellent sound. Hawthorne has one for $189. More recently I bought a later model Onkyo for around $200. It wasn't for my "good" system; but I was surprised by how good it sounded. 45 W/ch with good dynamic headroom and a quite decent phono section. My grandson now has that. A lot of newer receivers have dropped the phono section. There was some great stuff in the past; but after 20 years or so, the reliability drops off as the caps age. What am I comparing those receivers to? My "good" system uses an Adcom GTP-400 tuner preamp, an Adcom GFA-545 II power amp, a Rotel RCD-971 CD player, and a much modified Dual 1229. My speakers are modified New Advents.

For speakers, I assume you're looking for smaller size. My first choice would be an ADS model. After that, look for something you know about. If you can get a receiver for under $200, that leaves $300 for speakers, some decent 12 gauge, and some low capacitance interconnects. You might find some new ELAC or PSB models for that much.

With care, I think you can have a very musical system for your budget.

Jerry

 

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