r/vintageaudio

My first ever stereo system. I’ve had a record collection and an all in one player from Victrola (turntable, CD, tape, radio and speakers all in one vintage-looking unit), but I’ve of course heard how much better quality sound you get with a true system. My mind has been blown finally hearing so many of my favorite songs and albums in their true stereo quality.

I got this whole system on a whim in a week. My local record shop (the somewhat famous Village Record Revival in NYC) happened to have this Technics SL-D202 and Sony STR-VX4 for $400. I love the receiver’s silver design, but the volume knob shaft came snapped off right at the base. I’m praying for gorilla glue to work its magic to reconnect the broken shaft. It’s working so far as in the video, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the torque from turning it breaks it off again. Will have to devise another long term solution, would love any advice from people with ideas!

The Technics original cartridge was replaced by a Shure M97HE (hyper elliptical), but the needle had worn down to a nub, or was basically non existent so I got a replacement from Pfanstiehl (their 4771-DE) which is regular elliptical stylus for around $40. It sounds fantastic, though I don’t know the intricacies between different stylus types. Not sure I’d really be able to hear the difference.

The real star I’m realizing are these Snell Type K/II bookshelf speakers. I got them the same day I found them online: great guy I found on Craigslist down in Brighton Beach refurbished them with a brand new cover with replacement logos, and full refoam of the speakers. Got them for $280. There’s not that much info about Snell online but from what I’ve gathered he’s a bit of an audiophile wizard engineer who wasn’t huge but made great stuff. They’ve got a great warm bass and really crisp treble, though I guess I can’t compare them to any other speakers since this is my first pair!

Going from only listening to music on a portable Bluetooth JBL speaker or Denon Bluetooth buds to this is like night and day. The first few tracks I tested through Spotify (lossless) with a 3.5mm output to RCA on a laptop were from Radiohead’s Ok Computer, Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, and the Beatles. I have to recommend Day in the Life for one of the most unreal tracks to hear on a proper stereo. When you’re in the right spot, it really feels like you’re in the room with all the instruments, you can pinpoint exactly where they are in space. Really amazing, I’ve been fully converted to a true audiophile.

Curious if you guys think I overpaid for this set up, was about $720 total when I add it all up (not to mention the speaker wire, Gorilla Glue, wire strippers, etc), or if you have any experience with these components. Regardless it was a hell of a fun project to finally get working, though I need to now find speaker stands and hook it up to my TV as well. This hobby is a bit of a money sink huh? lol.

Saw a Yamaha CR80 for 500. Probably could get it down to 400. Is it worth it? Looks in great shape but probably hasn’t been serviced in years. Or ever.

Sorry for the “valuation” post, but I need some advice and don’t really know who else to ask…

So, My car recently bit the dust, and I’m a midcentury nerd that’s collected a bunch of stuff over the years…I have a Luxman R-1040 with a pair of Celestion Ditton 33’s that are on really cool chrome stands, I bought them a while back off an older Disco dude when he was retiring to Florida. They’ve been very well cared for and look/sound incredible….

My questions: What kind of realistic value could I get for my setup? If I sell it should I sell it as a set or break it up? If I do sell these guys, am I going to regret it? Am I never going to be able to find this stuff again when it’s time to rebuild ? I fell in love with the stands especially, I haven’t really seen them anywhere else.

Sorry again for the long post, thanks to anyone who has read this far. Pictures attached, sick ass panther would not be included 🐈‍⬛🤘

Edit: Thanks for all the replies and advice. I really appreciate it. Just to add some info…selling them wouldn’t be ALL the money I would have for a car, just trying to improve the quality of car to something better that won’t be a headache again in the near future. I’m trying to take inventory of what I can part with and what I won’t be able to find again. Weighing my “treasure hoard” vs responsible adult life.

Another factor is that it’s hard to fully enjoy them in current apartment living.

Thanks again such a solid community here🤘🤘

I found these at a Savers thrift store for $13 each. I know certain models are desirable, so I’m not trying to brag and I’m not trying to sell. I just want to know what I have. Looks like maybe 1980s? I’ve heard people say they’re not happy with the bass, but I think they sound great.

Following on from my post a few days ago, I now have my MJ-D707 up and running! It had some issues reading the discs originally but now it's sounding AMAZING! Just have a 'few' discs to listen to 🤣🤣

It’s hot out, but I’m working from home!

Here’s something hotter 🥵

Madonna - Erotica (1992)

I love putting the burr browns DAC inside this player to good use.

Hi everyone, needed some help regarding the loud crackling sound made through the speakers when i switch on my sansui AU 4400. It only happens when switched on then goes away in a second and nothing further...plays fine...but im worried about my speakers

Just a small part of my vintage collection.

From top to bottom:
Pioneer TX-5300
Pioneer SA-5300
Pioneer TX-606
Pioneer SA-9500
and a Technics SU-8099K hiding at the bottom.

I’ve always loved the silver-face era gear from the 70s. The SA-9500 is probably the most impressive piece here in terms of build quality — incredibly solid, beautiful controls and that classic warm Pioneer sound. But honestly, the little SA-5300 deserves way more credit too. Despite its modest size, it still sounds surprisingly rich and musical.

The TX-606 is also one of my favorite tuners aesthetically. Those meters combined with the clean brushed aluminum front panel just scream classic Pioneer.

Most of these pieces are still fully functional and regularly used. There’s just something about vintage gear that modern equipment often seems to lack: character.

Curious what people here prefer between the Pioneer SA-9500 and the Technics SU-8099K. Both are fantastic amps in very different ways.

Do I regret it? Hell no! Already tried recording using the manual azimuth, bias, and level adjustments on a standard type 1 tape, it sounded pretty dang awesome! Now I can break out the Type II and above tapes I’ve kept sealed for several years for this deck!

(Note that the bias and level adjustment knobs are there, they just have the covers on them to prevent them from going out of sync. Also when I was demoing this deck, I got scared because all of a sudden no audio was coming in from the line in or just normal playback…it was because the azimuth adjustment was still on 😑)

Kenwood KA-7100, Technics SL-2000, JBL L36
I’m also running a Definitive Technology sub no picture because it’s not vintage.

To me it sounds more "Marantz" than the 22 series. This guy is leaning fully in into the Marantz coloration so it sounds incredibly coherent and sophisticated. A 2252B, on the other hand, sounds great but a bit like it's fighting itself

The middle component is a pc for media and gaming

I think I’ll hold on to this setup for the rest of my life, these were meant to be together, Boston Acoustics A400 4ohms bi-amped with the lows driven by the CR2020 and highs by the CA1000 on class A at all times, possible with a set of fans underneath on both units and controlled by a thermostat (that little square screen near the iPad on top left corner).

Custom light beige fabric really making the A400’s blend well with the space, ah, and in case you’re wondering I’ve added an RBG led strip to the CR2000, can pick any color.

Both amps are touching each other on purpose, to grow the idea of making a custom single wood case to make it look like it’s all a single unit.

Found on the side of the road, seems to need a new needle and speaker as well as some general looking over, but in good shape electrically. I know nothing about electronics or audio equipment, would it be worth putting a few $$$ into this? Would any enthusiast be interested?

For $75? Whole set with speakers and case. Update - I passed. Thanks for the input.

Vintage 8-track tapes for sale which includes: The Beatles, Elton John, Cat Steven's and others, original and prerecorded. Asking.$30.00. Pick up only, ni shipping.

found this new in the box at a yard sale today was this a good find??