My vintage system.

[scalawag]

Hello AoS Members!

As requested, sharing some pics of my vintage stereo system.

Speakers are Klipsch La Scalas (circa 1976, purchased under 500 USD ea!) with Bob Crites Typee AA X-overs supplemented with a Klipsch Synergy 12" Sub.

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag110/1oldbkr/IMG_0947_zps6df19290.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/1oldbkr/media/IMG_0947_zps6df19290.jpg.html)


Cabinet houses the electronics: bottom level is a Yamaha CA-1000 used as a pre-amp feeding signals to a Yamaha CA-2010 Int Amp. Middle level shows a Dynaca EQ which I rarely use and a Harmon Kardon TD-302 Cassette Deck. Top pull-out shelf holds the Technics SL-1700MKII w/Micro Acoustics 2002E cartridge; an Onkyo DX-7555 CD Player sits on the other side.

In my study is a Technics SL-1400MKII w/Shure M97XE cartridge and a Harmon Kardon TD-292 Cassette Deck that I use to digitize old LPs and tapes into my iMac. Sound output is handled by a modded Beresford TC-7520 and Klipsch 2.1 Pro Media Speaker System.

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag110/1oldbkr/IMG_0948_zps26920217.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/1oldbkr/media/IMG_0948_zps26920217.jpg.html)


Close-up of the downward firing Klipsch Sub sitting on a butcher-block platform. On top is the newly acquired Beresford TC-7533 Bushmaster MKII and a Mac Powerbook which is perched on a granite slab with rubber isolators to shield against vibes. Behind the Sub are the 14ga blu/wht twisted pair cables connecting the La Scalas to the amp.

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag110/1oldbkr/IMG_0946_zps2adc7907.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/1oldbkr/media/IMG_0946_zps2adc7907.jpg.html)


And that's pretty much it! Though quite old and not perfect by any standard, I still derive great enjoyment from this system.
Thanks for your interest - happy listening!

D

[The Grand Wazoo]

That's nice Darrell.
Can you tell me please what was the thinking behind your pre/power amp choice? Specifically, did you compare each amp to define which was the better of the two as a pre and which as a power amp? I'm asking because I'm the owner of a CR1020 receiver & had to use it for a while as a pre-amp and I'd be interested to know.
Cheers

[losenotaminute]

Darrell,

Love the speakers, and the amps, and the source, in fact that looks like a very competent vintage system! You also have a nice large room, I am jealous :cool:

Lawrence

[realysm42]

Isn't the record player a pain to get to?

[Audio Al]

Isn't the record player a pain to get to?

Top pull-out shelf holds the Technics SL-1700MKII

[Audio Al]

Very nice Darrell

My preferred systems are always vintage ( Old )

Thanks for sharing with us ;)

[scalawag]

Isn't the record player a pain to get to?

Top pull-out shelf holds the Technics SL-1700MKII

Exactly, good observation! TT shelf is mounted on rollers and side-rails; very easy to slide in and out.


That's nice Darrell.
Can you tell me please what was the thinking behind your pre/power amp choice? Specifically, did you compare each amp to define which was the better of the two as a pre and which as a power amp? I'm asking because I'm the owner of a CR1020 receiver & had to use it for a while as a pre-amp and I'd be interested to know.
Cheers

Chris,
Your CR-1020 is a great piece of audio equip, still highly regarded and sought after by 'vintage' Yamaha treasure-finders. Except for the tuner section and lack of 'Class A' mode, your rec'vr is essentially the same as my CA-1000 int amp specs-wise: clean, uncolored audio processing with more than ample power to drive the great majority of speakers systems in homes today.

To answer your specific question in one word - power. For many years I used the CA-1000 with its 70wpc to drive the remarkably efficient La Scalas. But in the back of my mind I always wondered if having a little more 'oomph' in the amp would tighten up the sound produced by the 15" bass horn in the bottom of the 'Scalas. So a couple of years ago I acquired this pristine CA-2010 (120wpc) and inserted it into my system. Not wanting to put the CA-1000 into storage, I decided to 'uncouple' the int amp and use it as the pre-amp stage while the CA-2010 had the task of driving the speakers. After all is said and done, I cannot fully determine whether the 120wpc actually enhances the bass output, but it doesn't hurt it either.

Thanks to all for your favorable comments re: my vintage system. It's gratifying for sure to know that my system would draw some interest on a forum such as this. Good day, and Happy Listening!

D

[The Grand Wazoo]

Great thanks for that explanation - I did wonder if it was a decision made because of power requirements or pre-amp facilities.
Yup, I love my CR-1020. Receivers were not really as popular in the UK as in most of the rest of the world but I made a habit out of collecting a lot of them in the past (tuners too) but I sold most of them a few years back. The Yamaha was one of the few that had to remain.

[pjdowns]

Very nice Darrell

My preferred systems are always vintage ( Old )

Thanks for sharing with us ;)

Is that because they remind you of, you Al :lol: :D

[Thing Fish]

Nice one Darrell. You can't beat a nice bit of vintage...:)