Grand Bois

I'm holding a pair of Magnaplanar SMGs for a friend that lost her home. I don't like the way they sound, but they're very cool looking. They're about four feet tall by 2 1/2 feet wide and no more than 2 1/2 inches deep with solid oak frames. I've read that repairing them involves regluing wires to mylar strips. Since they're not mine, I won't be attempting the repair or even opening them up. They're kind of hard to live with because they need to be spaced at least four feet from the back wall and this creates a lot of wasted space. I have them disconnected and shoved up against the wall.

southpawboston

Rootboy, I have the same TC500II tuner as you. I love it, the weighted tuner knob is a delight to spin, and it does a great job of locking in a signal. I also have a Pioneer amp , but it's a low-end model (SA500?). Sounds fantastic but doesn't pack a punch. Currently it's powering a pair of small late 1970s A/D/S L420 bookshelf speakers as my basement workshop / man cave stereo. At low to moderate volumes, it's an incredible sounding system. Those 6.5" woofers defy their small size.

southpawboston

I've always been intrigued by planar speakers, and remember enjoying their open, airy sound quality. IIRC, they never did well with bass, and were best when mated with a subwoofer. Then again, it's probably been 25 years since I've heard them.

Grand Bois

I tried them with and without a subwoofer. They're all midrange. No highs or lows. To be fair to them, they're at least 30 years old and have never been opened up.

I know she's hoping I'll make an offer. I won't. I like my $10 refoamed ARs better.

bigbossman 

Look at what I found for $25......

rootboy 

Thanks Grand Bois. I have gotten quite a bit of help on that Forum. Super helpful guys over there. Sometimes, however, as a complete novice it can be a little daunting to try to converse with such knowledgable folks. Not their fault. Just a little overwhelming.
Kind of like the rarified atmosphere over on the Classic Rendezvous list.

rootboy 

Yes, that's a great little tuner, Bigbossman. Picked those two up from an ad in the paper locally. For sixty bucks! But I barely got out of there with them as he was fielding calls offering him more for them. I left the huge Pioneer floor speakers, which were included in his original asking price, as sort of a compromise with him. What I really wanted was that amp. I've never had a good, powerful amplifier and this really moves my old L19's, which I bought new in 1977, and a small set of KLH bookshelf speakers I snagged at a yard sale for ten bucks.

Now if I can just get the power switch fixed and not burn the place down in the mean time.

Grand Bois

I did a search and found instructions with clear pictures for installing a power switch in a Marantz 22xx on some blog. Now I understand what to do with that anti-noise cap.

bigbossman 

That Sansui 9090db is a 125W monster receiver - "great little tuner" is an understatement. Still, I like integrated amps like that Pioneer you scored, so I sold it off yesterday. That Pioneer of yours is a pretty nice amp - It will be well worth finding that power switch and giving it an overhaul...... it'll be worth every penny, and will sound fantastic.

I'm a big Pioneer fan-boy....... but a while back I overhauled a non-functional Sansui AU-317II integrated amp and listening to it has really got my attention. I have an AU-D7 on the bench that came as part of the package with that 9090db......... but what I REALLY want is a Sansui AU-717. If anyone comes across a blown-up one of those cheap, please let me know......

For your Pioneer power switch, this tread might be of interest - it specifies a switch and the safety caps....

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=425075

Michael Angelo 

Old ways?? I like Vinyl



It's part of this old set up.
Pioneer Elite system
Klipsch Chorus II's and Matching Surround
TV is much different now.

southpawboston

That's a nice turntable! What kind is it? My extensive vinyl collection dates back at least two decades, and has been in storage for nearly that long. Here's my turntable (a lower end, DUAL 505-2), recently resurrected from storage. Once it's rehabbed (needs a new belt and stylus) the vinyl collection will also be rescued and put back into service:



Notice the Discwasher to the right? As old as the turntable. I love how the handle is made from wood and is designed to hold a small bottle of cleaner.

While on the topic of vinyl, you can see from this photo exactly when my musically formative years were

Grand Bois

Rootboy-

Send those pictures of your switch to dgwojo.com. He may have what you need. He has more than is shown on his site. He will probably ask you for the distance between the mounting holes and whether the part that goes into the button is square or bladed. The button should pull off. I bought two switches from him, they come with the capacitors and the total with shipping was $16. My Marantz 2230 is now torn apart on the dining room table waiting for the new switch to arrive.

curbtender

I'm hearing impaired after years of running next to a garbage truck. But I'm OK with loud. Not OK with my wife...Ha, I love all the extras you got with your vinyl.

candid

I like vinyl too, my gears now is a vintage Pioneer Turntable, Chario bookself speakers and Cyrus 1 amplifier.

Michael Angelo 

It's a Micro Seiki DD40, it's great.
Here's my Micro Seiki DD25 it's hooked up to one of my PC to do Vinyl to CD conversions.

thinktubes 

David Newton

You guys, and this thread encouraged me to dig out the old Pioneer SX 580 and blow it out and hook it up. Even with a pair of (pretty good) computer speakers, it sounds great.
Thanks.

lanab

It was real stuff back then, real aluminium knobs, not some cheap polished plastics from China that looks like alu.

southpawboston

Not to mention, there's a "warmth" and richness to the sound from high-end 70s components that I somehow miss in new audio gear.

Chris_in_Miami

Spotted this Sony TA-1130 in an antique shop on Black Friday. I've seen a few of these around but I've never owned one, I'll probably grab the next nice one that I find.

due ruote 

Great deal on a set of original large walnut Advents for someone within striking distance of RI. Need a re-foam; no big deal. $80 local pickup only BIN.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Adve...item43b694e3d1

bigbossman 

Those are my main listening speakers. Bought 'em new in 1979, re-foamed once and still kicking ass. If you stack two pairs woofer/woofer, you make a giant-killer out of them.

lotek 

well I'm looking for a phono pre-amp now....sigh back to using my
little Rat for a while.

due ruote 

whoa - that's kind of like a $50 DeRosa. I'm not sure what I'd do with that much power, but it might be kinda fun to find out.

Grand Bois

Those old Advents sound great, but you'll find some pretty sloppy looking work hidden behind the grills. I guess performance was more important to them than looks. It reminds me of some French bikes.

I have a pair of little Advent 3s. The woofers bottom out and make a terrible racket when I crank them up to what I consider a moderately high level. I've learned that they all do that from the experts at Audio Karma. They still seem to get a lot of respect, but not from me.

I always liked the looks of the later models with the wrap around grills and solid pecan top and bottom. I've never heard them, though.