Thanks for the responses thus far!
I have a friend with a pair of JBL L-100's ("centurys") and I haven't been too impressed with them. They have lots of low end (although it sounds like quantity over quality to me). My friend agrees, saying they are "beamy" in the mids. A dealer recommended JBL L-150's - big bass no doubt, but I think they'll have the same midrange and high end.
The Sony receiver probably sounds great, but I'm not a fan of that era of component design. Visually I like the raw looks of dynaco amps or the sleek look of bryston preamps.
Dynaco speakers do get mentioned around but apparently are impossible to find in usable condition?
As for the more expensive suggestions, I don't think I should have to spend $45k (or even $1k!!!) on used speakers that sound the way I described. Let's focus on a maximum of $1000 for used speakers, and $1000 for an amp/preamp combo.
Based on my online searches I am intrigued by the following:
- Luxman RV-103 / RV-105: Putting a window in the front panel to expose glowing tubes is considered a gimmic in recording studios, but I like the idea of a tube pre with solid state amp, and this seems a bargain.
- Antique Sound Lab: interested in the $250/PAIR monoblock tube amps.
- Spica TC-50 sounds like just what the doctor ordered except no bass.
- Vandersteen 2ce sounds VERY tempting ("especially listenable on poorly recorded material", "bass goes unusually low for its price point") but I also hear others say it just sounds veiled.
I found a pair of KEF 104/2's locally and am going to give them a shot. If I can find some Vandersteens for cheap maybe I'd get them and have a shootout... then sell off the loser.
Further suggestions on an integrated amp (with phono input) for those speakers, with my originally stated goals in mind?
Side note: any tube preamps made with bass and treble knobs? Heresy maybe, but fun!