Discussion
Loving these setups. I grew up visiting Dixons etc., and loving anything with buttons and lights before moving onto more exotic stuff in hifi mags.
In my 8' x 6' home office (shed) I'm running a Denon PMA255 UK into Q Accoustics 3310s on stands on the desk. Source is spotify from my macbook through a USB Zen Dac.
Only the Denon is remotely retro, but I think almost any system where you mix and match components to get what you like harks back to a retro hifi mindset. I've really enjoyed getting it set up just how I like it with the stand height/direction.
Listening near-field at the desk has been a revelation, I have to say. I don't listen to music at all by speakers now, I'd rather do my listening on headphones or at the desk.
I'd love a proper retro system but I don't really have a just-right place in the house (or the uninterrupted time) to make the most of it.
In my 8' x 6' home office (shed) I'm running a Denon PMA255 UK into Q Accoustics 3310s on stands on the desk. Source is spotify from my macbook through a USB Zen Dac.
Only the Denon is remotely retro, but I think almost any system where you mix and match components to get what you like harks back to a retro hifi mindset. I've really enjoyed getting it set up just how I like it with the stand height/direction.
Listening near-field at the desk has been a revelation, I have to say. I don't listen to music at all by speakers now, I'd rather do my listening on headphones or at the desk.
I'd love a proper retro system but I don't really have a just-right place in the house (or the uninterrupted time) to make the most of it.
Lots of nostalgia to be had here!
I seem to have fallen into this, Ebay and charity shops can be dangerous things... (photos aren't mine).
In the lounge I have my Ariston RD80SL from the 80s which still sounds great, just needed the capacitors replacing about 10yrs ago.
It was originally hooked up to a Musical Fidelity A1 but that succumbed when we had a flood and was replaced by an ebay find World Audio KEL84 valve amp (factory built with upgraded caps etc).
via a Cambridge Audio 540P MM phono pre-amp (ebay).
Powering my old Musical Fidelity Reference 2 speakers.
I have collected a few sets of speakers for other rooms in the house from charity shops - usually powered by small class d amps for streaming. In my study I have a pair of Mordaunt Short MS25ti.
In the garden room we have a pair of Celestion 1 bookshelf speakers.
In the kitchen there is a pair of Mission 760 bookshelf speakers.
My best find yet though is in the cinema room and hooked up as the front speakers - a pair of Castle Severn 2 floorstanding speakers. Quite hefty but they get a pass as its the cinema room, and we finally have a house with plenty of space for such things.
They sound fantastic even through the AV amp. I would like at some point to get hold of a Quad or Naim pre/power amps to drive these as it would be nice to have something a little more in keeping but I am happy with the way things stand.
Though I do still dream of popping into the charity shop to find a pair of Quad electrostatics waiting for me...
I seem to have fallen into this, Ebay and charity shops can be dangerous things... (photos aren't mine).
In the lounge I have my Ariston RD80SL from the 80s which still sounds great, just needed the capacitors replacing about 10yrs ago.
It was originally hooked up to a Musical Fidelity A1 but that succumbed when we had a flood and was replaced by an ebay find World Audio KEL84 valve amp (factory built with upgraded caps etc).
via a Cambridge Audio 540P MM phono pre-amp (ebay).
Powering my old Musical Fidelity Reference 2 speakers.
I have collected a few sets of speakers for other rooms in the house from charity shops - usually powered by small class d amps for streaming. In my study I have a pair of Mordaunt Short MS25ti.
In the garden room we have a pair of Celestion 1 bookshelf speakers.
In the kitchen there is a pair of Mission 760 bookshelf speakers.
My best find yet though is in the cinema room and hooked up as the front speakers - a pair of Castle Severn 2 floorstanding speakers. Quite hefty but they get a pass as its the cinema room, and we finally have a house with plenty of space for such things.
They sound fantastic even through the AV amp. I would like at some point to get hold of a Quad or Naim pre/power amps to drive these as it would be nice to have something a little more in keeping but I am happy with the way things stand.
Though I do still dream of popping into the charity shop to find a pair of Quad electrostatics waiting for me...
Apologies if this isn't classed as vintage, but I thought I'd try here rather than unnecessarily starting a new thread.
My Father has just dropped round some of his old hi-fi bits as they're taking up space and I'm interested in buying some vinyls.
The items are:
Aiwa AA-7400 Receiver
JVC L-A55 Turntable
Mordant Short Festival Series 2 Speakers
Everything has been in the loft for the past 20 years, so there is currently no guarantee that everything works, although the receiver lights up and the turntable does rotate. I've order some 2 din male plugs to connect the speakers to the receiver, but before I put any vinyl on, is there anything I should do in terms of the turntable cartridge/stylus, without spending a fortune? I don't want to throw a record on and destroy it because the stylus has deteriorated over time.
I'm very new to this, where would be the best place to find these parts? How do I know what I'm buying will fit? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Photos for reference:
My Father has just dropped round some of his old hi-fi bits as they're taking up space and I'm interested in buying some vinyls.
The items are:
Aiwa AA-7400 Receiver
JVC L-A55 Turntable
Mordant Short Festival Series 2 Speakers
Everything has been in the loft for the past 20 years, so there is currently no guarantee that everything works, although the receiver lights up and the turntable does rotate. I've order some 2 din male plugs to connect the speakers to the receiver, but before I put any vinyl on, is there anything I should do in terms of the turntable cartridge/stylus, without spending a fortune? I don't want to throw a record on and destroy it because the stylus has deteriorated over time.
I'm very new to this, where would be the best place to find these parts? How do I know what I'm buying will fit? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Photos for reference:
offspring86, I wouldn't worry too much about the stylus. If it was OK when it was stored it should be OK now. But, just in case use a well used record first, i.e. already has a few crackles and pops.
You can get an app that checks the TT speed to see if the motor (it has direct drive so shouldn't need to worry abut belts) has started slow down and might need some lubrication. The ios one I've used is RPM, don't know if there's a Android version, but I'm sure the android app store will have some sort of turntable speed app.
You can get an app that checks the TT speed to see if the motor (it has direct drive so shouldn't need to worry abut belts) has started slow down and might need some lubrication. The ios one I've used is RPM, don't know if there's a Android version, but I'm sure the android app store will have some sort of turntable speed app.
uknick said:
offspring86, I wouldn't worry too much about the stylus. If it was OK when it was stored it should be OK now. But, just in case use a well used record first, i.e. already has a few crackles and pops.
You can get an app that checks the TT speed to see if the motor (it has direct drive so shouldn't need to worry abut belts) has started slow down and might need some lubrication. The ios one I've used is RPM, don't know if there's a Android version, but I'm sure the android app store will have some sort of turntable speed app.
The turntable has a built in stroboscope.You can get an app that checks the TT speed to see if the motor (it has direct drive so shouldn't need to worry abut belts) has started slow down and might need some lubrication. The ios one I've used is RPM, don't know if there's a Android version, but I'm sure the android app store will have some sort of turntable speed app.
No need for apps.
One point of note though, unlike most turntables with a built in strobe, despite having two rows of strobe markings on the platter, there is no marking for 45RPM!
One strobe marking is for 50Hz and the other for 60Hz.
So an app will be required for setting the 45RPM speed.
P.S. Op, they are records, not "vinyls". HTH.
TonyRPH said:
The turntable has a built in stroboscope.
No need for apps.
One point of note though, unlike most turntables with a built in strobe, despite having two rows of strobe markings on the platter, there is no marking for 45RPM!
One strobe marking is for 50Hz and the other for 60Hz.
So an app will be required for setting the 45RPM speed.
P.S. Op, they are records, not "vinyls". HTH.
The strobe disc sitting on the platter is what you use for setting 45rpm.No need for apps.
One point of note though, unlike most turntables with a built in strobe, despite having two rows of strobe markings on the platter, there is no marking for 45RPM!
One strobe marking is for 50Hz and the other for 60Hz.
So an app will be required for setting the 45RPM speed.
P.S. Op, they are records, not "vinyls". HTH.
Deranged Rover said:
The strobe disc sitting on the platter is what you use for setting 45rpm.
ETA: Oops, I didn't notice the strobe on the platter! I don't have that accessory with my LA-55 (I bought it used).
You are indeed correct.
Edited by TonyRPH on Monday 5th February 18:12
Thanks for the help chaps. Tonight I cut the necessary wires and connected the speakers. After 25 or so years in storage the whole system works like a charm!
A quick video:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SdkWTU5jERVzeduu9
A quick video:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SdkWTU5jERVzeduu9
Om said:
My best find yet though is in the cinema room and hooked up as the front speakers - a pair of Castle Severn 2 floorstanding speakers. Quite hefty but they get a pass as its the cinema room, and we finally have a house with plenty of space for such things.
They sound fantastic even through the AV amp. I would like at some point to get hold of a Quad or Naim pre/power amps to drive these as it would be nice to have something a little more in keeping but I am happy with the way things stand.
Though I do still dream of popping into the charity shop to find a pair of Quad electrostatics waiting for me...
Well, I succumbed and bought a Quad 405 power amp that had been upgraded/replaced caps etc. to drive the Severn 2s. All hooked in now and being fed via a pre/DAC I had. They sound fantastic even through the AV amp. I would like at some point to get hold of a Quad or Naim pre/power amps to drive these as it would be nice to have something a little more in keeping but I am happy with the way things stand.
Though I do still dream of popping into the charity shop to find a pair of Quad electrostatics waiting for me...
Not had a huge opportunity to listen properly yet, but so far it sounds lovely and a step above the AV amp (not surprisingly). After about a 40 year wait I feel like I have achieved something!
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/vWRRiSEE.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/JigdwDLM" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/JigdwDLM.jpg)
Late 80’s so I assume vintage enough? My Sony FH909R & 808R. The 909 is in very good shape and fully working, the 808’s decks need some work. Love these 2 top of the line powerhouses, notice how although they are 2 units from the same range, the only thing they share is the handle and the tuner deck, every other component is different
Edited by Itsallicanafford on Tuesday 27th February 12:54
heisthegaffer said:
Just ordered a second hand NAD C320 BEE so looking forward to trying that out. Will post pictures when set up.
Ill use them with my Dali Zensor 1s but keen to test them against my son's Mission M71s.
I had the 320 non Bee model. Great amp but it did need the power caps replacing. I don't think they can be beaten for the money. Ill use them with my Dali Zensor 1s but keen to test them against my son's Mission M71s.
Edited by thebraketester on Sunday 10th March 19:40
heisthegaffer said:
Just ordered a second hand NAD C320 BEE so looking forward to trying that out. Will post pictures when set up.
Ill use them with my Dali Zensor 1s but keen to test them against my son's Mission M71s.
How much was it? I gave £100 for mine about 10 years back, its VERY good; runs through Tannoy sixesIll use them with my Dali Zensor 1s but keen to test them against my son's Mission M71s.
Om said:
Om said:
My best find yet though is in the cinema room and hooked up as the front speakers - a pair of Castle Severn 2 floorstanding speakers. Quite hefty but they get a pass as its the cinema room, and we finally have a house with plenty of space for such things.
They sound fantastic even through the AV amp. I would like at some point to get hold of a Quad or Naim pre/power amps to drive these as it would be nice to have something a little more in keeping but I am happy with the way things stand.
Though I do still dream of popping into the charity shop to find a pair of Quad electrostatics waiting for me...
Well, I succumbed and bought a Quad 405 power amp that had been upgraded/replaced caps etc. to drive the Severn 2s. All hooked in now and being fed via a pre/DAC I had. They sound fantastic even through the AV amp. I would like at some point to get hold of a Quad or Naim pre/power amps to drive these as it would be nice to have something a little more in keeping but I am happy with the way things stand.
Though I do still dream of popping into the charity shop to find a pair of Quad electrostatics waiting for me...
Not had a huge opportunity to listen properly yet, but so far it sounds lovely and a step above the AV amp (not surprisingly). After about a 40 year wait I feel like I have achieved something!
thebraketester said:
heisthegaffer said:
Just ordered a second hand NAD C320 BEE so looking forward to trying that out. Will post pictures when set up.
Ill use them with my Dali Zensor 1s but keen to test them against my son's Mission M71s.
I had the 320 non Bee model. Great amp but it did need the power caps replacing. I don't think they can be beaten for the money. Ill use them with my Dali Zensor 1s but keen to test them against my son's Mission M71s.
Edited by thebraketester on Sunday 10th March 19:40
It was £50 as just dipping my toe in to NAD waters. I am looking forward to it though, a mate had a NAD amp in the 90s and it was lovely sounding.
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