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Update or Toss Technics SB-G300 Speakers from 1981? (link to photos)

Audiogon community, appreciate any experience / expertise regarding these vintage Technics speakers...

A family member has offered his Technics Z22 MK2 system from 1981. It's in great condition. It has two Technics SB-G300 speakers and an SL-D3  "fully-automatic direct-drive" turntable. The local audio store says that a very decent modern receiver can be had for $500 and allow for music streaming / Wifi / Bluetooth aptX to the speakers, and also connect to the turntable.

Photos of the original 1981 sales brochure (happy to post more for anyone interested!):

https://www.heartofconeyisland.com/technics.html

Each speaker is 15.5" wide x 10.6" deep x 26.4" tall (excluding the stand). They're a bit bulky for my apartment's living room (12 ft x 18 ft), and too big to be placed around the television, so they'd be solely dedicated to music.

** Anyone know if these particular Technics SB-G300 speakers are considered to be high-quality vintage speakers that can go toe-to-toe with (or surpass) a modern-day $1,500 speaker system? Or were they just decent mass-market speakers in their time, but technology has moved on? And similarly, anyone heard of this turntable? **

I'm leaning towards declining his kind offer, and just getting a new system that fits on the shelving so I can dual-purpose it (music + television).

If the experts here think that these speakers (and turntable) are really going to provide a superior listening setup, would love to know and preserve a good vintage system! I've been researching and learning all about speakers these last weeks and it's a fascinating world... !

Thanks again for any insights you may have.

David
david2019

Showing 5 responses by david2019

david2019 OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions, JL35 and roberjerman. The Elac Debut speakers look fantastic. Going to enjoy learning and researching...! And thanks for the laughs re: Habitat or garage duty. Appreciate your time and willingness to help a newbie.
david2019 OP
5 posts
 
Amazing. Have started reading up on Andrew Jones and watching some of his interviews. There's so much to learn and it's going to be a LOT of fun getting into this as a hobby now. Appreciate the recommendation! When it all comes together, will repost to let you know.
david2019 OP
5 posts
 
Robert, thanks for replying, really appreciate it and see you're a major contributor on this site. So I understand, you're saying that a modern $1,500 system, say, two bookshelf speakers + subwoofer, would sound far superior to these big boys? (Would love to know if you have a suggestion in that case, for a system that can also stream music / aptX!) Or are you saying it more tongue-in-cheek from a pure audiophile viewpoint, comparing these to really high-end systems from the period that people still seek out today? Asking because I'm comparing more to a $1,500 system than to a brilliant audiophile system. Thanks again. 
david2019 OP
5 posts
 
Mr. Decibel, really helpful perspective, and Loomis, coupled with your experience, it sounds like while it may not be anywhere close to an audiophile's dream, it's going to be a system to pick up and play around with while figuring out the better and more compact system.

This feels like the start of fun journey and new hobby, gents. Can see a speaker collection developing over the years... thanks for the encouragement!! 
david2019 OP
5 posts
 
Viridian, thanks for the historical sentiment and your really specific turntable advice. It really helps clarify things and I'm going to get the cartridge you suggest, which has great reviews.

JL35 and Highway61, agree, it's going to be a great "first foray" into the audio world. Even if it's older technology, and doesn't compare (my original question), it's going to be a fun and educational ride and make me appreciate both the history and advancements.

The best part is that it also comes with his record collection, too. What a trip back in time.

Thanks again to EVERYONE who took the time to reply. Amazing COMMUNITY on here. I do the same for people who write into the history website I run as a hobby, and it's nice to think that good karma somehow comes back around. Wish you all the best!
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