Double Bass Marantz or Similar

[Damon Rondeau]

Although I was just jesting with Troy, I know what you're saying about expense. If it isn't expensive in dollars, though, it sure can be in time (research, etc.) Getting your audio gear to sound (and look, and be) just right is one of those activities into which men (and I think it's almost exclusively men who do this) can dump huge amounts of time.

I used to be somewhat into high-end audio, just like I used to somewhat into high-end wine, but those days are long gone. That's not me -- my perfectionist energy goes elsewhere. With audio, I'm one of these people who goes to "good enough" and refuses to climb anywhere out onto the limb that is the pursuit of excellence, but also of diminishing returns, measured in time or money.

But I was only joshing with Troy! More power to y'all in your hobbying. You guys should see the time I put into woodworking and woodworking tools...

(I still think this stuff is going to be more expensive than flashlights, though...)

 

[TroyK]

I've kept my flashlight proclivities pretty cheap, but man, there are some people out there spending a lot of money of flashlights, holy cow.

For audio, I'm going for "good enough" too. I can't afford financially or to your point timewise to start a audiophile hobby. But, I'm listening through either studio monitors or my EA bass amp now, which is not really a satisfying experience. I've gotten a ton of good information and am looking at some well informed and hopefully, practical components that will push me to or toward "good enough".

One of the reasons I asked the question is because going to a store and asking about this stuff with "good enough" in mind, doesn't translate to the people who sell these types of systems.

 

[Barongket]

I bought a Mac 4100 receiver, used and new ADS L1290 speakers in 1982. I've had the Mac "tuned up" once. Could be the best purchases I've ever made as they still sound fantastic.

 

[TroyK]

It has begun...

 

[Jake deVilliers]

It has begun...

Geez, I go away for a few days and you start discussing vintage audio gear...I'm only sorry I'm late to the discussion.

There are a lot of very good sounding receivers and speakers available in the Seattle area - almost all of my gear has come from there!

Marantz, Onkyo and Harman Hardon from the seventies is mostly very nice to listen to and pretty darn cheap. At the house here we have HK430 and HK630, Onkyo TX-2500MK II, Rotel RX-402 and Marantz 2270 receivers. Speakerlab assembled some terrific speakers in Seattle in the seventies and eighties. We have S1, S2, S2.5, S3 and S6WA systems. None were overly expensive and they all sound very open and detailed.

There's a very nice pair of S3s on CL right now:
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There's also this little cutie - not for your main stereo perhaps but...:
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[TroyK]

Thanks, Jake. I may have to check those out. So, with some amazing help from one of our own, who I'm not sure I should call out publicly, (but you know who you are and thank you!) I am the proud owner of a mid-80s NAD 7155 receiver. Demo'ed a bunch and this one was the clear winner. Looking for speakers and am lost, but still receiving good advice.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Thanks, Jake. I may have to check those out. So, with some amazing help from one of our own, who I'm not sure I should call out publicly, (but you know who you are and thank you!) I am the proud owner of a mid-80s NAD 7155 receiver. Demo'ed a bunch and this one was the clear winner. Looking for speakers and am lost, but still receiving good advice.

Nice! NAD made very nice gear. You might want to email the guy about those Speakerlab S3s.

 

[Damon Rondeau]

Hey, I've got a NAD 7100! Love it, it's been great over the years. Anyone know where I can get another remote control unit, though? Lost mine years ago.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Hey, I've got a NAD 7100! Love it, it's been great over the years. Anyone know where I can get another remote control unit, though? Lost mine years ago.

Remote control? Dude, that's WAY too modern to be cool!

 

[Damon Rondeau]

I think it's about circa 1989 or something like that... That NAD remote was a beauty of design aesthetics, I thought. Nice looking and very functional. But for coolness: it operates a little servo motor on the receiver that turns the volume control up and down!

I've yet to find a programmable remote that can talk to the NAD...

 

[drurb]

But for coolness: it operates a little servo motor on the receiver that turns the volume control up and down!

My Luxman "servo face" had that feature as well.

 

[Damon Rondeau]

My Luxman "servo face" had that feature as well.

That is indeed extremely cool! Probably worth the price of admission all on its own.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

I think it's about circa 1989 or something like that... That NAD remote was a beauty of design aesthetics, I thought. Nice looking and very functional. But for coolness: it operates a little servo motor on the receiver that turns the volume control up and down!

I've yet to find a programmable remote that can talk to the NAD...

I dig - we were just staying with friends who have a Nakamichi that works like that. And my sub woofer is powered by an Onkyo TX-SV515PRO that works the same way. I bet one of those remotes would talk to your amp.

 

[TroyK]

Vinyl Bliss Awaits

 

[TroyK]

And the 1970s money shot.

A great player, beautiful sound and a bargain.

 

[drurb]

...and once you get that Grado cartridge in there... Wowee!

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Vinyl Bliss Awaits

Very nice! You're reminding me of a simpler time when we'd take our records over to our friends' places. Usually the guy with the latest and greatest gear - Dual 1019, Garrard, Thorens TD125, Ortophon...

Next time I'm in Seattle I'll bring a record!

 

[drurb]

For me it was a Dual 1219, a Miracord 50 HII, and then a Sony PSX55 which I still have.

Actually, what preceded it in my home was the venerable Garrard RC 80. Here's an RC 80 that's part of the "museum" in my office.

 

[PaulMacCnj]

Wow! This is really taking me back. My last (and best) turntable was the Kenwood KD-500 with a Grace 707 mk.II tonearm and a Grado cartridge (can't remember the model). The massive and very heavy base combined with well dampened feet finally solved my problem of the howling from the loud bass frequencies experienced with prior owned turntables.

I sold the turntable and record collection in 1996 and must admit that I don't miss them. Unfortunately, so many bad, highly compressed digital recordings have floated around for so long. Of course, vinyl/analog recordings sound better. But good, high fidelity digital recordings are my favorite.

 

[MetroBass]

I have a Marantz SR8200 A/V receiver for my surround system. I've had it since they took the turn in the 90s and started making good products again. I've never second guessed my decision. Through Kilpsch speakers though so there's the difference.