[SteveFord]

We went backwards for convenience, that's what we did.
It would be really nice to see RTR make a comeback like vinyl has but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

[Freo-1]

Got a couple of pieces to add:

 
Pioneer SX-1250:  They don't make things like this anymore.  Very high quality manufacture.  No plastic faceplates or knobs with this puppy.  It's been restored extensively, so it's as good or better than new sonically.
 

 
 
Wavelength Audio Cosine NOS DAC:  An oldie but goodie.  The Phillips TDA 1543 Select DAC sounds outstanding in this unit.  CD's sound very much like a good vinyl setup, but with the added benefit of the very low noise floor, along with excellent dynamics.
 
 
 

[FireGuy]

Got a couple of pieces to add:

 
Pioneer SX-1250:  They don't make things like this anymore.  Very high quality manufacture.  No plastic faceplates or knobs with this puppy.  It's been restored extensively, so it's as good or better than new sonically.
 

 
Wavelength Audio Cosine NOS DAC:  An oldie but goodie.  The Phillips TDA 1543 Select DAC sounds outstanding in this unit.  CD's sound very much like a good vinyl setup, but with the added benefit of the very low noise floor, along with excellent dynamics.

Freo-1:  Beautiful receiver.  Wasn't that the top model in its day?  I recall it was.  "Solid" build quality is an understatement.  I've posted my SX-850 here on AC a few times over the last year and was finally able to incorporate it into a secondary audio room with a pair of Axiom M2's V3.  A very sweet arrangement.  I've had the 850 in for some service about 8 years ago, other than that, I'll put it at a 9.   What speakers do you run the 1250 with?

[Freo-1]

FireGuy, very nice looking setup.  Yes, the SX-1250 was the top of the line in the mid 70's.  Here is a link on the specs:
http://www.classicaudio.com/value/pio/SX1250.html
 
I'm using a pair of ATC SCM-19 Studio Monitors with the ATC C1 subwoofer.  The SCM-19 employs the Super Linear driver, one of the best drivers in audio.  Sounds great to me! 

 

[FireGuy]

FireGuy, very nice looking setup.  Yes, the SX-1250 was the top of the line in the mid 70's.  Here is a link on the specs:
http://www.classicaudio.com/value/pio/SX1250.html
 
I'm using a pair of ATC SCM-19 Studio Monitors with the ATC C1 subwoofer.  The SCM-19 employs the Super Linear driver, one of the best drivers in audio.  Sounds great to me! 

 

Very nice Freo-1.  Those ATC's look great.  I've been a monitor fan it seems forever.  I Run a pair of Axiom M22V3 with a Outlaw LFM-1+ sub in the HT room.  There's a level of intimacy, detail, imaging etc. stand-mounts give you every day.   Enjoy.

[jim1274]

A friend just picked up some ESS AMT 3 speakers with the Heil air motion tweeter. They're not bad as-is but are getting new tweeter diaphragms, new midranges and I am building a set of outboard xovers for them, after that I think they will be really nice speakers. Not cheap though, about $800 + restoration and mods... he has a few Marantz and Pioneer vintage recievers, I am trying to get him to buy a vintage PP tube amp next... 

I just finished a total restoration of a pair of Heil ESS AMT1B's and have to say they were a revelation and now my favorite piece of vintage gear.  Rebuilding a second pair of Energy 22 Reference Connoisseur speakers now too that were my favorite vintage gear until the Heils came along.  I guess both these are in the "near vintage" category given the Heil 1980 vintage and the 22's a few years later.

[DaveC113]

I just finished a total restoration of a pair of Heil ESS AMT1B's and have to say they were a revelation and now my favorite piece of vintage gear.  Rebuilding a second pair of Energy 22 Reference Connoisseur speakers now too that were my favorite vintage gear until the Heils came along.  I guess both these are in the "near vintage" category given the Heil 1980 vintage and the 22's a few years later.

I'm rebuilding some ESS AMT3s for a friend, just got parts for a new outboard xover... foil inductors, Clarity ESA film caps and Duelund resistors. Doing away with the tweeter level switch.

[SteveFord]

This.



A gentleman on thecarversite did an Instant Karma and gave me this Carver cassette deck which I've got going right now, a little Godley and Crème's Snack Attack.
With the WooAudio 6 and Beyerdynamic DT880s it sounds GREAT!
I put my album collection on Maxell tapes around 20 years ago and they still sound better than CDs ever did.
That's right, kids, I'm nothing but a crabby old killjoy!

[bummrush]

Don't know if this fits in or not.but I have older Clements speakers. I had never heard of them til a few years ago.Not much over a hundred for them. Good sized 2 ways. Very clean clear sound and plenty of punch.Phil Clements has made some special speakers.

[FireGuy]

This.



A gentleman on thecarversite did an Instant Karma and gave me this Carver cassette deck which I've got going right now, a little Godley and Crème's Snack Attack.
With the WooAudio 6 and Beyerdynamic DT880s it sounds GREAT!
I put my album collection on Maxell tapes around 20 years ago and they still sound better than CDs ever did.
That's right, kids, I'm nothing but a crabby old killjoy!

Yeah - my '78,  2-door Dodge Aspen looks, handles and performs better than my current Cadillac CTS ever did.  Sorry Steve, had to make this comparison.  To your claim however, glad you're enjoying it.  I too have DT880s and run thru a Schitt Valhalla.  Love it.   And a killjoy?  I think not.

[SteveFord]

I've always preferred the sound of analog over digital.
Perhaps it's because that's what I grew up listening to? 
I just never warmed up to CDs no matter what the player was, they always sound "off" somehow but I don't quite know how to put it into words.

[FireGuy]

I've always preferred the sound of analog over digital.
Perhaps it's because that's what I grew up listening to? 
I just never warmed up to CDs no matter what the player was, they always sound "off" somehow but I don't quite know how to put it into words.

I on the other hand have embraced the digital world with elan.   In regards to source that is.  Amplification however I can endorse '70's SS and earlier tube.  Now that's cool.

[thunderbrick]

they always sound "off" somehow but I don't quite know how to put it into words.

Though a tube DAC is making my CDs sound better that's a pretty good choice of words, Steve.