Advice for a newcomer

[Audio Curious]

Hi all,

Following on from my welcome email, I recently inherited a pair of AR7's which has led me to looking into vintage audio.

I'm looking to build a system and would like some recommendations on amps and turntables that would compliment these speakers. I don't have a huge budget and I'm based in London so would prefer to source from the UK.

Musically I'm primarily into jazz, soul, reggae and funk and it will be used in a small room (approx 3.5m x 3.5m).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,



Peter

[synsei]

Hi Peter and welcome to AoS my friend. If you want to keep things strictly vintage then you could do a helluva lot worse than pick up an A&R Cambridge A60 amp to drive your lovely AR7's, a decent example shouldn't break the bank either... ;)

http://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/104465-ar_cambridge_a60_integrated_amplifier.jpg

[Macca]

TT - I would get a vintage direct drive, probabaly a Technics sl1200 as they are plentiful and a known quantity. It has to be a 1200 as the 1210 is black and not as seventies-tastic. That with the A60 and the speakers you already have would make a brilliant system. Or get a big silver receiver from Pioneer or Kenwood/Trio, that will give you a tuner option too. Your looking at £200 for a Technics and about £70 for the A60 or the receiver.

[istari_knight]

I've used the Technics Sl-1500/1700 - They are quite good for the money... Matched with an A60 would be a nice system but how about a Sugden A21 ?

[Audio Curious]

Many thanks for the advice. That gives me some further research to get on with.

Cheers,


Peter

[agk]

I'll throw the Creek 4040s2 in the mix as another amp option.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hi Peter,
What sort of condition are the speakers in? Have you used them and have you taken a look at the bass drivers? The reason for asking is that AR's tend to suffer from a deterioration of the foam rubber rings that surround the bass drivers. I would be extremely surprised if yours aren't affected by this unless they've been attended to in the last few years.
It's a fairly simple job to carry out yourself and will cost under £20 - it's a little unnerving to do for the first time, but if an idiot like me can do it, then anyone can! Alternatively, there are firms who will do it for you - if you're lucky some nice AoS'er might even offer to help you out.
Don't let this put you off, as the AR's are well worth keeping, because, apart from sounding great, I predict that it's a brand that is probably going to rise in value and desirability on the secondhand market shortly.
They're a very forgiving speaker with good bass abilities for a stand mounter. What's more, wives love them because they sound best right up against the wall!

[Audio Curious]

It's funny you mention the wife! My wife is very into interiors and the system will be used in the main living area (I don't have a man cave) so it's all having to be approved by her - aesthetics have become very important! She isn't too keen on the A60. She likes 'the shiny silver ones'. So I guess that's helpful in terms of narrowing things down. Not that I'm under the thumb...

I've seen a few online that fit that bill and wanted to run them by you:

- Kenwood Trio KR5200 (on Martin's advice)
- Leak 2000
- Leak 3200
- Sansui 661

And yes I am going to have to replace the foam rubber rings. I'm reasonably nimble with my hands so fingers-crossed I can manage that. Found a couple of online tutorials.

Thanks,


Peter

[istari_knight]

I've no experience of the receivers you list but have successfully used AR4xa's in the past with Marantz & HK receivers... The little 2215b is a favourite, its made for bookshelf speakers in small rooms [not the most powerful but sounds sooo sweet.] The one's to look out for are:

Marantz 2215b [there is an earlier non b version which is equally good.]
Harman Kardon HK330C

The difference between these and your average Pioneer is they were only manufactured in Japan, all the design work was done in the US & the yanks had good ears back then... They were pretty much made for the little AR's of the time.

[Macca]

It's funny you mention the wife! My wife is very into interiors and the system will be used in the main living area (I don't have a man cave) so it's all having to be approved by her - aesthetics have become very important! She isn't too keen on the A60. She likes 'the shiny silver ones'. So I guess that's helpful in terms of narrowing things down. Not that I'm under the thumb...

I've seen a few online that fit that bill and wanted to run them by you:

- Kenwood Trio KR5200 (on Martin's advice)
- Leak 2000
- Leak 3200
- Sansui 661

And yes I am going to have to replace the foam rubber rings. I'm reasonably nimble with my hands so fingers-crossed I can manage that. Found a couple of online tutorials.

Thanks,


Peter

WAF rears its ugly head...mark my words next season she'll be wanting matt black :)

Don't know the Sansui but forget about the Leaks. They are from the Rank era and are not great. I had a 2000 that went down on a channel and went in for repair and the repair shop burnt down. Let's just say I was not crying my eyes out.