are you using the phono stage in your old pioneer? or do you have an outboard, separate phono preamp?
I feel it is time to upgrade my 1977 system.......
I have been enjoying my Pioneer Spec 1 and Pioneer Spec 2 system for a very long time and I have been having issues that have exhausted my patience and nearest shop is 3 hours (each way) from home. I only listen to my Music Hall TT that pleases me. My speakers are from 1976 Altec Lansing Model 19 that have been freshend up and I love the sound, I guess because I have been so accustomed to them and I'm sure there are many diff speaker options but for now I wish to continue with the Altec's. My quest is to replace my amp and preamp.........I have some logistical problems to deal with. I have ONE!!!! location for new gear, a shelf that is 51 inchs long and 18 inches from a wall to the front edge of the shelf, shelf will handle 200lbs. My Pioneer amp has ample power and I would like to remain close to the same amout of power. If you have some ideas for me I would love to hear them. Not sure how I feel about tube gear since I have no background at all so I (think) I'd rather not go that route, but feel free to change my mind. Budget not to exceed 18k including cables. I know there is a wealth of knowledge here unfortunately I have very little to offer so I thank you greatly in advance......
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Hello @glm911 and welcome to these shores. You have a pair of excellent speakers and your amplification, while dated, is a very good vintage! 1) In your shoes, I would begin with an external phono for your TT. 1b) I would then check the usefulness of a superior cartridge. 2) Following that I would check the room acoustics and improve them as much as you can: there’s no point in improving a system you cannot hear! 3) Third, I would look into getting a ultra-high precision preamplifier. (Your power amp is quite good, even by contemporary standards (IMO). You could consider refurbishing it). Of course 1 & 3 can be had in the same device. Purchased new these tend to be expensive. Used prices are much more attractive: a CAT Ultimate (tube) w/ phono is excellent and can be had for around 5k used. There are others, including ZOTL Ultralinear. The above are tube based. Regarding SS, Pass (mentioned above) is an excellent designer and his equipment is (intentionally) warm sounding. There are others, more revealing, and that match well with your kind of speaker: DartZeel, Symphonic Line... There are of course, many choices and everyone here will offer at least one! If at all possible, it is worth trying out equipment in your system before you invest. You might find that your system is OK after all!
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Less than six hours after posting the questions? Patience, grasshopper! There is no doubt things have changed since 1977, and that budget allows for lots of possibilities. But I'd like to introduce another factor that has to be considered. If any of us listened to the same system for 46 years, might we not find any change could sound 'wrong' to our ears? Wear some comfy shoes for 46 years and then buy a new, expensive, bespoke pair of hand made Bluchers from Jermyn Street. Despite their quality and expense, they aren't going to feel 'right' at the start, are they? There is a danger of the same kind of thing here, so I'd go slowly and incrementally. Start small, with say, a new stylus on the cartridge. Maybe a new cartridge. Work up from that, just dipping your toe into the water of change gradually. |
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