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If your were to assemble a vintage system ?

Let’s say you were going to put together a vintage system and your source was primarily vinyl. Your price limit is $1500. What would it be? 
Make it as musical as possible. Super detail or thunderous bass isn’t going to be very high on the list. My first thought would be a 70’s Marantz receiver (50ish wpc is more than adequate) an 80’s AR table, and any iteration of a Vandersteen 2C that didn’t bust the budget. 

Could easily also swap in a Pioneer SX750 instead of a Marantz. 
Cartridge? Not sure- might actually go with something modern/current. AT or Nagaoka 

what would you put together? 
128x128zavato
clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 
Yes, @zavato, can't do much with $1500 of today's money.

So why not assemble your system with $1500 of yesterday's.
eg for a 1970 system, £15,756 for UK inflation and today's $ conversion rate.
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 
All of the above bought used over the past five years. Only the custom SUT was new. Best bang-for-the-buck by shopping on the secondhand market!
tubegb's avatar
tubegb
188 posts
 
1. Advent 300 receiver
2. Large Advent (walnut) loudspeakers

3. Dual 510 turntable w/Micro Acoustics phono cartridge

quad78
23 posts
 
I've got a vintage system that includes a Thorens turntable from 1985 - TD 166 mk2 mated to a Sumiko blue point #2 cartridge. But I never understood why audiophiles use the term "musical" to describe the sound of a certain hi-fi component when music is what they play over their system. I mean, doesn't it all sound "musical?"
hypoman
38 posts
 
I would acquire a Quad 405 amp and a Quad 33 preamp, then rebuild them and add the DC/delay option offered by Dada.  For a turntable, a Technics SL-7 and some P-mount Ortofon cartridge or a Thorens TD-150 or the like and an Ortofon M2 Blue.  Speakers are a challenge.  The budget would probably not allow AR-LST's, but maybe AR-3a's or that failing, Dynaco A-25's.  I'd make my own cables as I have always done.Note: I have done the amp and preamp rebuilds and they perform very well in my current system.
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