Classic/bargain must have hi-fi / AV kit

[theboyfold]

Instead of all this new fangled stuff that we keep hearing about, what would the PH collective suggest as classic must have bits of AV kit?

Are there things on ebay that go for a steal as they just aren't interesting to consumers nowadays? I'm thinking things like McLaren DVD players, Sony CD players (I forget the model number of the one I mean!) etc etc...

[Mark34bn]

Not sure about bargain, but the late 80's Sony CDP555ES was reportedly the best sounding player around
http://www.audio-extasa.eu/sony-cdp557esd-referenc...

Also the Mordaunt Short MS442 floorstanders were unbelievably good.

These were both a bit out of my price range at the time, my system consisted of a Linn Axis, Marantz KI Signature, Arcam Alpha 9/9p and Tannoy 615's. I'd recommend any of those.

I'd love an old Nakamichi RX505 or Dragon to go with my AV setup, trouble is I haven't used tape for about 15 years...

Edited by Mark34bn on Sunday 4th April 23:08

[Plotloss]

Infinity IRS Vs

[Maxf]

I dont think TAG Mclaren stuff can be considered a bargain even now - there is a strong following and prices seem very robust!

I'm a fan of the top end Arcam alpha stuff - Alpha 10. Amps havent moved on that much in 10 years (2 channel), making these a bit of a bargain, IMO.

[900T-R]

If you feel brave and/or confident, classic Pink Triangle turntables (the early versions with DC motors particularly) are an absolute steal on the 'Bay. Exception is the (end-of-the-line) Anniversary which tends to reach silly prices (still reasonable for the performance - this is probably one of the best decks at any price and you'll want to spend a multiple of its price on tonearm, cartridge and phono stage anyway, it's that good). Construction, reliablity and finish can be erm, variable - they're rather TVR-like in this regard. On the other hand - turntables don't tend to have many moving parts and motor drive PCBs can be repaired or replaced.

Edited by 900T-R on Monday 5th April 17:39

[telecat]

Classic Hifi??

Amps, Audio Innovations S300, S500 and S800 Pre/power, Audiolab 8000A, 8000C/P, Arcam Alpha, Musical Fidelity A1 and A1000, Sugden A25 and A28, Cyrus one and Two, Pioneer A400, Naim Nait, Linn LK1/LK2 and LK280, Exposure Pre Powers.

CD Marantz CD-63KI, CD94 Player and DAC, Pioneer Stable Platter players, Cambridge Audio CD1 and CD2 (the Stan Curtis players not the Richer Sounds crap), Meridian MCD, MCD-Pro, 206 series and 200/203 Transport DAC, ARCAM Delta 70 and 170/black box, DPA Digital DACS and Transports, TEAC P500, P10 and P1 "Shoebox" Transports and DACS.

Speakers, Mission 70, 734 and 735. Tannoy Dual Concentrics, Kef Uni-Q, Heybrook HB1, JPW P1, Linn Kan and Isobarik, Impulse H1, H2 and H6, Snell Type K, JII and E, Yamaha NS1000.

Turntables, Linn Sondek and Axis, Roksan Xerxes, Townsend Rock, Systemdek, Rega Planar, Manticore Mantra, Voyd and Voyd Valdi, Pink Triangle.

Most are out of production or were so "avant garde" that the Makers collapsed unable to maintain them or their reputation. Some like ARCAM, Linn, Sugden, Mission and Cyrus built a business on them. Many required "fettling" so owners became fed up. However most of the above split opinion with the sound they made and in many cases they are still the centre of their owners Musical universe.

Edited by telecat on Monday 5th April 11:10

[DavidY]

For classic AV, look to Meridian, a 565 processor can be had for $300 now and sound quality wise will stand up to a lot of the newer processors.

For 2 channel there is loads of stuff.

I usually by the last generation secondhand, thats why I have a system that would have retailed for well over £20K, for a lot less than £5K. Some of the older kit can really show the latest shiny offerings a thing or two especially with regard to sound quality and build quality!

[Bad-Gerbil]

Temple Bantum T-amp - approx 100 GBP depending on model
Valab NOS DAC converter - approx 100 GBP, upgraded with better output caps.
Lovely sound and able to drive my B&W 602s.
BG

[RobinSherwood]

I think the problem is as some other posters have pointed out that the really good classic kit remains expensive and some items have risen in value again over the last few years.

Of the pieces of kit mentioned I know from my own personal experience that Nakamichi Dragons, The Voyd turntables and Pink Triangle Anniversary turntables all remain expensive and commensurate in value with a lot of modern kit.

I think the best bargain I have bought in the last few years was a set of Apogee Duetta Signature speakers that had been completely rebuilt with new ribbons updated crossovers and they were a fraction of the price of anything that comes close to their sound quality today and running them close would be the Krell FPB600 power amp bought to drive them.

Having said that I have helped build two systems (mine and my father's) using largely secondhand kit and the result is two systems that cost a fraction of the cost they would have done new, they still however were not cheap by most peoples standards.

We have bought kit from ebay and from classifieds in Hi Fi News as well as from some of the specialised Hi Fi forums and would thoroughly recommend.

[telecat]

I bought some Impulse Lali's that woould have cost £2500 for £600. Slight marks to the finish but couldn't believe nobody snapped them up at the time.

[k-ink]

Classic high end amps are where the real bargains can be had. Speakers in mint used condition can be very good too, although I personally prefer these new. Forget old CD players as the latest DAC's make them pointless. The digital side has advanced a huge amount recently.

[crmcatee]

telecat said:

Classic Hifi??

Pioneer A400,

I knew it was good when it came out but is it still class as good. Can't say I noticed.. It's driving the speakers in the garage

[k-ink]

Most of the cheap Jap amps were not that great despite the hype at the time

http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/bgintamps.html

[Mark34bn]

Nad 3130 (amp) circa 1988

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/nad/integrated-ampl...

Basic looking, but brilliant. I bought one on a friends recommendation in about 1987, several of my friends followed suit.

Edited by Mark34bn on Monday 12th April 17:56

Also the Audiolab 8000A is a very serious bit of kit.

Edited by Mark34bn on Monday 12th April 21:20

[gilla]

telecat said:

Classic Hifi??

Amps, Audio Innovations S300, S500 and S800 Pre/power, Audiolab 8000A, 8000C/P, Arcam Alpha, Musical Fidelity A1 and A1000, Sugden A25 and A28, Cyrus one and Two, Pioneer A400, Naim Nait, Linn LK1/LK2 and LK280, Exposure Pre Powers.

CD Marantz CD-63KI, CD94 Player and DAC, Pioneer Stable Platter players, Cambridge Audio CD1 and CD2 (the Stan Curtis players not the Richer Sounds crap), Meridian MCD, MCD-Pro, 206 series and 200/203 Transport DAC, ARCAM Delta 70 and 170/black box, DPA Digital DACS and Transports, TEAC P500, P10 and P1 "Shoebox" Transports and DACS.

Speakers, Mission 70, 734 and 735. Tannoy Dual Concentrics, Kef Uni-Q, Heybrook HB1, JPW P1, Linn Kan and Isobarik, Impulse H1, H2 and H6, Snell Type K, JII and E, Yamaha NS1000.

Turntables, Linn Sondek and Axis, Roksan Xerxes, Townsend Rock, Systemdek, Rega Planar, Manticore Mantra, Voyd and Voyd Valdi, Pink Triangle.

Most are out of production or were so "avant garde" that the Makers collapsed unable to maintain them or their reputation. Some like ARCAM, Linn, Sugden, Mission and Cyrus built a business on them. Many required "fettling" so owners became fed up. However most of the above split opinion with the sound they made and in many cases they are still the centre of their owners Musical universe.

Edited by telecat on Monday 5th April 11:10

Hmmm - that reminds me i've got an exposure pre-power combo in the loft - may be time to get it serviced and flog it - not used it in 6 years

[Digger]

Marantz CD63 CD player.
Pioneer A400 amplifier.
Mission 751 speakers.

[HereBeMonsters]

I read somewhere that the original PlayStation, if left turned on for 48 hours, produces an amazingly good sound. Probably the usual snake oil though...

[joedredd]

I still own the following and still produces a beautiful sound! Arcam Alpha Amp & Speakers, Rotel RCD965BX & Pro-ject turntable

[Lost_BMW]

I still have my two box DNM Primus pre amp and separate power supply but haven't used them for years since selling the Musical Fidelity "something' (can't remember the numbers but it sounded very good; better than their Typhoon which I bought later and didn't rate) and moving to a single integrated amp, unfortunately. Would it be worth servicing to sell on?

I still listen to Wharfedale 708s which I bought nearly a quarter of a century ago as I never found a faintly affordable alternative that has as clean and sweet a treble (I hate tinniness and sibilance on vocals or 'bright' sounding strings, brass hi-hats, cymbals etc)

As I'm soon to move and it's time to revamp my equipment (+ the cabinets have neen scuffed and scratched over time so look a mess) does anyone have a recommendation for alternative amps and speakers I should listen to in the medium price range?

[k-ink]

HereBeMonsters said:

I read somewhere that the original PlayStation, if left turned on for 48 hours, produces an amazingly good sound. Probably the usual snake oil though...

I have heard you can use them for transports. But then you can use any working disc spinner for a transport - old CD player, DVD player, anything really. Especially if you have a buffering DAC like a Benchmark, which makes jitter and hence the transport mostly irrelevant.