Old school analog system

My analog system consists of a Soundcraftsmen MA5002, 250w/ch (big vu meters,completely rebuilt, 58lbs) amp, Soundcraftsmen DX4000 (completely rebuilt) pre amp. I use the phono input for my AR ES1 turntable (totally rebuilt) with Shure V15 Type V-MR cart and Magnepan Unitrac I tonearm. The wiring from the cartridge, through the arm and then to the RCA sockets, has been replaced with Cardas 33 ga. .999999% purity multi-strand litz design.This wire runs from the “slide on” cartridge clips through the tone arm and into the wood base then into protective sheathing approximately 3‘ to male RCA plugs continuous with no breaks or cuts soldered or otherwise!!! The power supply has been separated into it's own enclosure.  The tone arm mounting board has been replaced with a custom 1/4” thick plate aluminum with beveled edges to match the angle of the platter edge. The mounting board is highly polished and lacquer coated.
The second turntable is a highly modified Thorens 160 Super with a custom cover from Vinyl Nirvana.  A custom cherry plinth by a Amish woodworker and Rega RB301 arm with Groovetracer counterweight, and a Goldring 1042 MM cartridge.  I run the Thorens to an Exposure VII preamp with an Exposure VI power supply and then to a input in the DX4000.  The speakers are Epicure 3.0 truncated pyramids.So from top to bottom the system is vintage.

Interesting topic, thanks for bringing it up. Of course this is nostalgia for us old folks, but it's also relevant for younger people starting out on a budget. Because they might not be aware of how good some of the old stuff can sound, compared to similarly priced new gear. There's no doubt technology has marched forward relentlessly, but this doesn't always translate to better sound quality.

No kidding.

My first real system was a Technics SL-1700 with Stanton 681EEE, Kenwood integrated and JBL L26 speakers. Pioneer RT something or other 10.5" open reel deck. Patch cords, lamp cord, and factory undetachable power cords, of course. Well this was 1976. All we had. Pretty sure the only other comparable system on the whole WSU campus belonged to my roommate Doug.

The Kenwood and JBLs kept going until 1990. By then the foam surrounds were disintegrating, and the Kenwood required a wooden peg to keep the power switch on. All my records had long since been dubbed to open reel, my precious turntable stored away in a box for years as I had made one of the bigger blunders of my audio life, switching to CD without even bothering to compare. Well cut me some slack. Crazy as it sounds today we were at the time told CD was "perfect sound forever!"

Like I said the Technics was boxed away. By 1991 though I had a good job, house, wife, and set about upgrading the disintegrating speakers an all. Eventually these upgrades were well along when it dawned on me hey, I still have that turntable. Wonder what it sounds like?

Dug it out, hooked it up. Which by then seemed a waste of time, flimsy patch cords and all. What the... how'd the stylus get bent???!?! Oh well, why they make needle nose... put on one of my remaining few records and.... what the....!!

At this time I had a California Audio Labs CD player, Linaeum Model 10 speakers, and the Kenwood serving as pre-amp for a McCormack DNA1. Pretty sure that's what it was. Or if not then the Dynaco ST400 I had built back in high school. Anyway, as far as source goes it was the CAL we were used to.

Wife comes home, right away says something about how good it sounds. No clue, hadn't even seen the turntable yet. Strategically blocking her view I asked a few more questions. Just to be sure. Because we both had a hard time believing how much better than the CAL that old record player sounded.

The Kenwood, Pioneer and JBLs are long gone. The Technics I still have, still with the bent cantilever Stanton. Still plays just fine. Oh, and a Pioneer TX-9100 tuner I can never quite bring myself to sell, it just LOOKS SO GOOD! lol!

Glad to see us old audiophiles still look at the old days with fondness. I owned the AR11s, Pioneer, JBL, and yes the Stanton 681EEE with the ball and brush on the end. Fun times. I also owned the AR turntable only it had an infinity black widow tone arm on it   Good combo. 

My second system is a Marantz 2285b ($350 on craigslist a few years ago, then $300 more to get it recapped), Marantz 6300 turntable ($400 on craigslist) and Pioneer HPM 100's that i refinished (traded for my old beer can collection).  Super fun system and great for rock and roll.  Not very refined and it's set up mostly for looks but i still consider the system the best value i've spent in audio.  I've moved the 2285b into my big rig and really enjoyed the sound.  Beats my PrimaLuna in bass response but doesn't have the same amount of detail.  Love the sound though.

We moved a few years back, and before setting up my system I listened extensively to everything I owned.  Harman Kardon Citation, GAS, McIntosh, Phase Linear, Sansui, Marantz, Krell etc.  several units from each over an extended period.

My favorite really surprised me.  There were high points with all of them, but the consistent ‘does everything just right’ was my 1977 Sansui 9090DB.  I still switch it out with others from time to time, but not for long.  It just sounds right to me, and it’s beautiful.

My favorite turntable is a modified Dual 1229 with a Grace 747 tone arm. I use a Pioneer RT-1050 half track for reel to reel duties and an ADVENT 201A for cassette.  CD is a marantz player who’s model escapes me.  My Garrard 301/SME 3009 gets plenty of play time as welll

N.