No, no, no, nothing's changed in audio since then, you're fine...
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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How about an Audio Research I/50 Integrated Amplifier with phono input module? Looking at a sticker price of $7250 and it has more than sufficient power to drive your Altecs. You can also add the DAC module should you want to have a digital signal access. That would leave you with approx. $10k. for other upgrades such as cables. |
@glm911 First off, congrats on 46 years of musical enjoyment from your system. That's pretty amazing in itself. You've gotten some very good advice here. "New stuff" sounds great, and bang-for-the buck (or is that sound-for-the-buck?) pegs the needle on the cost/performance meter. It's impossible to throw objectivity, subjectivity and emotional attachment in a blender and try to predict what's going to make you happy in the future. I'll just throw this out there (if you head isn't spinning enough already): IF you love the Altecs, you can make them sound better than original. While I have extensive experience in speaker upgrades, @pdreher has hands on experience and owns a pair. Not knowing the internals of the Model 19s, I can only speak iin generic terms. That being said, the crossovers of that era used production quality parts, cabling, connections, etc. Those components (caps in particular) are ready for replacement. IF the Model 19s are like many speakers the crossove boards can be pulled and shipped off for upgrades. IF the budget allows, custom, hand-built crossovers can be built and shipped to you, complete with pigtails ready to put back in place. As a "speaker mod'r" the goal is not to paint a mustache on the Mona Lisa, and try to make the Altecs not sound like the Altecs. The goal is to deliver the performance the original designer would have produced if technology, time and budget were available at the time. They will still sound like Model 19s. Just much more transparent, focused, detailed, and musical. Not quite a polite British loudspeaker, but something smoother that you can play louder, longer with less fatigue. As for the Pioneers, they are still very desirable (and valuable) pieces. You can get a reliable "fix" if you want to make the journey to the hifi repair shop. Or, like the Altecs, they can sound better than original. (A Spec 1 left our shop sounding much better than it did when it came in). As some suggested, adding a phono stage would be signifcant sonic upgrade and take up very little shelf space. |
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