Show me a better cheerful system for less than $100!!!

PMAT · « **on:** 4 May 2012, 03:58 am »

Thorens TD 160 $1.00 at a garage sale. Ortofon Cart.
Adcom 6 disc cd player with volume control FREE Craigslist.
Marantz Receiver 2252 $20 Garage sale Mint.
AR 312 HO Towers $75 Garage sale. The guys wife thought it a bit much and threw in a center channel that I gave away. HaHa

When I play this system my jaw drops every time. Incredible imaging. Play very loud when needed. No bite, very smooth. Tone controls work GREAT. And lastly (this one is weird) It's got that wiggling a loose tooth itchy pleasure.....

saisunil · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 May 2012, 04:23 am »

I want to go to that garage sale - please

coverto · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 May 2012, 04:25 am »

You oughta be arrested.

ltr317 · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 May 2012, 04:46 am »

Quote from: coverto on 4 May 2012, 04:25 am

You oughta be arrested.

I agree. He's practically stealing.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #4 on:** 4 May 2012, 04:50 am »

Your saving the earth....
.........and keeping things out of the landfill...good score !

PMAT · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 May 2012, 04:57 am »

There is some guilt...... no... there is none. I have been to hundreds of garage sales to please my wife. Sooner or later you get an audio surprise. You do learn about good stuff on this forum too. I passed on a pair of Quad ESL-57's for $200 that still have me in therapy. That is my jail time mentally. I find that I am way less critical about used gear and enjoy it more completely. The clicks and pops on the used albums are music in themselves. Anybody there with me?

PMAT · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 May 2012, 04:59 am »

Correction: Thorens TD 115 MK II

doug s. · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 May 2012, 05:39 am »

that is excellent!

this is the best i can do:

akai m8 tapedeck el84 set monoblock amps w/wolume pots - $60 delivered
sansui sp2500's - 98db/1w/1m - $15 craigslist
jvc fx1100bk tuner - $15 craigslist (or refurb'd modded sherwood s3300 tuner - $15, ebay; local pickup)

i will be over $100 if i want any more sources... unless i can find a turntable, fono stage, cdp and switchbox for $2.50 each!

doug s.

Rclark · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 May 2012, 05:41 am »

And away to Audiogon. Damn that's a way to have a free hobby.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 May 2012, 06:25 am »

You need better cables.

MaxCast · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 May 2012, 10:57 am »

Nice finds! Garage sale weather is here so good luck to all.
I may hit a few today myself.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #11 on:** 4 May 2012, 03:23 pm »

To make a non-sarcastic comment (I know, a stretch for me), I was thinking it would be a pretty darn good system if you had paid retail way back when and had simply kept the components. Excellent finds. And yes, if you had found a TD160 for $1 it would have been a miracle moment, they're still bringing high prices.

eclein · « **Reply #12 on:** 4 May 2012, 04:12 pm »

Nice, I got something similar last summer, $70 got me a pair of JBL ND310ii tower speakers-3 way with 2 -10" woofers, a Kenwood 5.1 AVR, and a JBL PB10 Sub. I sold the ND's for $400 and use the other two now.....CL is full of treasures.

Noseyears · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 May 2012, 06:58 pm »

Thats a pretty awesome setup, i always loved how the Marantz shine on the dark.

What if i give you $150?

soundbitten1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 May 2012, 11:23 pm »

Nice. I have a pair of AR 312 HO Towers that were my primary speakers for years. I paid retail, about a grand and they were a bargain at that price. Still love 'em, very underrated speakers.

fredgarvin · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 May 2012, 12:02 am »

Quote from: soundbitten1 on 4 May 2012, 11:23 pm

Nice. I have a pair of AR 312 HO Towers that were my primary speakers for years. I paid retail, about a grand and they were a bargain at that price. Still love 'em, very underrated speakers.

Those were good speakers. When I bought the Pinnacle Gold Towers many moons ago, I tested them against the AR's, Jamo and the powered Infinity towers. The AR's were second to the Pinnacles but I sure liked them.

ken · « **Reply #16 on:** 5 May 2012, 12:48 am »

I would spend at least an additional five to seven hundred on cables and power cords to squeeze out that last five to 10 percent in transparency you're missing

oh and I almost forgot about a power conditioner which would really take you to audiophile nirvana

Vintage gear in many cases is grossly undervalued and unappreciated. You don't happen to work with those American Picker guys do you?

PMAT · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 May 2012, 02:00 am »

Blind luck actually. the AR's sound alarmingly good. I took em apart to check the guts and was not disappointed. They could use some bracing probably but I get such joy at being under a Hun. Cables were free too. I forgot how wonderful the Marantz Blue is in the dark. Mesmerizing! Garage sale LP's too! By the way the nostalgia and look of old used equipment can be so freaking magical. My main system is still awesome but it sitting cold for now. Late night listening in the dark with the clicks and pops of the Thorens is making me feel so content. Content is hard to find in this hobby.

Doublej · « **Reply #18 on:** 5 May 2012, 02:09 am »

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?sku=642934&Q=&O=productlist&is=REG&A=details

'nuff said!

PMAT · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 May 2012, 04:41 am »

I could sell all this Kit and get 2 of those. 1 for each bathroom!

. seriously though, I do have less expectation when I buy cheap stuff. That is partly why it's so cheerful. The Super Critic on my right shoulder just shuts up and the Cheerleader on my left just whoops it up. The last time I bought new speakers, for serious dough to me, they arrived very damaged and I lost my mind. I still lust for new equipment nonetheless. Love this circle.