Stereo Show & Tell
 

I figured I would start a stereo show and tell thread instead of posting them in the lubrication debate. I’ll post some pictures of my old Kenwood stereo and Sansui speakers later. And maybe a picture of my super tuner.

NICE! 😃👍🏻

Here's my shop stereo and speakers. Also the old GTO stereo. Recently had my factory AM upgraded with AM/FM & Bluetooth. The thing sounds amazing! I had forgotten that I removed three of the Sansui super-tweeters. I need to find a source for parts. Anyone? I do see a lot of good deals on old speakers. Need to grab a pair.

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I have 2 different vintage setups and some more odds and ends. In the shop I have a Pioneer SX780 I recapped. It's paired with a set of Sansui 2500x speakers and a for now a fisher cassette deck. I have the CTF-7171 deck waiting for repair.

In the house I have a Realistic ST78, which I actually like better then the pioneer. It has also been recapped and refinished. I have the matching 3 head cassette deck, a pair of Realistic Nova 10s and even a lab 400 turntable.. for the complete 1978 Radioshack experience. Though I use an old Onkyo table with it and the Lab is used on the more modern stereo.

Nice equipment! Those old Sansui's rock! My old Kenwood has a huge transformer in one corner. Transformer alone must weigh 20#! It could stand to have the pots cleaned. I have to cycle them sometimes to get things working.

Fixed orientation. Lessons forgotten...

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I still have some old vintage equipment but not being actively used at this time. Have a Sony 6055 receiver, AR3 speakers, Revox A77 tape deck. and AR turntable.

Great thread! I was just going to start one like this to see if any other members had an audio hobby.

Can probably access the pots by removing the top cover, then spray with Deoxit cleaner & work them some. Those old sansui speakers are cool... I had a set of SP-5500, same thing applies for the crossover refresh since these are even older than the 90's Klipsch mentioned in the oil thread, they probably sound fine as is but could sound even better with updated capacitors for low cost. Also, Ive seen these speakers rebuild/restored on some of the audio forums Im a member of... heres some of the tweeters for sale on ebay, vintage sansui stuff & other brands from that era are definitely worth restoring. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...eters&_sacat=0

I dont have any pics of my car audio stuff as I sold a lot of the outdated radios but still have lots of speakers & amps stored away in boxes. Heres a couple pics of some of my vintage stuff, the newer home theater stuff probably isnt worth mentioning unless anyone is into that aspect. I could make a list of everything I currently own but would take too long to inventory it all, heres just a short list.

Sansui- Early 80's AU-719 integrated amp 90watts per channel. Fully recapped/restored.
Matching TU-717 tuner.
Top of the line model from the late 70's, AU-20000, even in non working condition or for parts these sell for $1000+, working or restored they are $2500-3500, 175 watts per channel. Will be doing a restoration/recap next.

Marantz- silver face 1060 integrated amp/pre amp.

Mid 80's Adcom amps- GFA-555ii have 2 that can be ran in bridged mono @ 600 watts/channel. have owned 10 of them over the years, great amps that can drive any speaker to concert levels.
GFA-5500, 200watts/ch.
Also have a Rotel amp @ 200w/ch.
Adcom pre amps and cd player.

Current Klipsch speakers, Forte2, Chorus2, KP301 Pro models for live music or large venues. Tangent 500 which are basically Heresy2 but sold at military exchanges.
Countless other Klipsch from KG4, to the mighty Corner Horns & everything in between, literally close to 40-50 sets of them over the last ~20 years. Plus almost as much newer home theater stuff from Onkyo, & an older Onkyo M-504 amp with those big green power meters!

If anyone needs any help or advise on repairing audio gear or rebuilding speaker crossovers please let me know, Im not an electrical engineer or anything but have been doing this for 30+ years and have learned a lot from professionals and years of experience from repair to setting up systems.

Few more pics. Big 15" Klipsch sub I just picked up.

The black towers are Definitive Technology brand, a company started by the guy that started Polk audio, they have built in powered subwoofers and are whats called Bi-Polar, meaning they have the same drivers as the fronts on the rear to spread sound all over the room as opposed to one small spot... very good for music but amazing for home theater.

Nice looking gear. I think I see a vintage Marantz there? I had a really nice Marantz cassette deck once. That's interesting. A friend of mine told me about Polk Audio many years ago. He swore by the brand. He had a Pioneer Spec 4 rack. Talk about a BA setup!!!

You second post caught my eye. I almost overlooked the first! Thanks for the tips on the stereo and speakers. I actually sent an offer on some super-tweeters this morning. I removed the bad ones many years ago and forgot to replace them. There used to be a shop called "Antech Lab" (something like that) here in St. Louis. I used to take the stereo in there every once in a while to get cleaned and repaired. Can't find them listed now. Found this place though: https://www.alphatechstl.com/ Might check with them. Or learn to do it myself.

Thanks, I definitely have an obsession with home & car audio, been going to countless A-list Rock concerts since I was 12 or 13, seen a lot of good bands in large venues or smaller local bars before they got famous and I always tried to recreate that sound for home use... have toned that down a lot in recent years, with all the drag racing & open header cars Ive been exposed to I decided to protect my hearing from now on!

Yes thats a silver face Marantz, has a very warm sound almost like a tube amp, tubes are nice but too expensive for my taste & cant really do what solid state high power amps can do on larger speakers.

Polk has always been a good speaker, Ive owned a couple pairs over the years, I just prefer the Klipsch horn sound now, great speakers that can be upgraded with modern parts to sound even better.

Vintage silver pioneer gear is great too, couple pics of some old pioneer I recently sold.

I found pics of my Sansui speakers, they were SP-3000

Have some old 80's AR speakers that the foam has tore out of the woofers, just can't get myself to toss them out, LOL.
Alway had plans to put new woofers in but never get around to it.

Yeah there are lots of audio repair shops out there keeping this old stuff alive, also lots of audio forums just like PY for audio guys to discuss, debate & even argue over audio related things... just like oil, capacitors & other audio subjects get very heated or go off the rails when people are passionate about their hobby. And just like here there are lots of experts & long time members to help others with repairing or diagnosing problems.

Cleaning pots is very easy as long as you can get access to them, some pots are sealed so require disassembly and some are so hard to get to it requires removal of other parts to get to them, but for the most part they can usually be accessed by just removing the top or bottom covers, a few shots of dexoit or other electrical cleaner usually brings them back to like to new. If you decide to try it yourself Id be happy to help, couple pics of the inside can show if they able to be DIY or best to send to a shop.

They make refoam kits to DIY, almost every brand out there can be refoamed as opposed to buying new woofers, many vintage drivers are hard to find, save the originals if you can.

Heres a company that specializes in refoam kits and other speaker parts, just look up your brand to see if they have any kits or one that would work. They will refoam them for you for a decent price if you dont feel comfortable doing it yourself... Ive done a few refoams on woofers before, its pretty easy to do, easier than replacing a timing cover gasket or adjusting lifters! ;)

https://www.simplyspeakers.com/?gad_source=1

Ok. Good to know. I'll crack it open when I get time. Appreciate the knowledge and offer to help!

My setup is a little Marantz 2220b with a Marantz 6300 and a set of Dynaco A25s. I cleaned and recapped the 2220 about 10 years ago and it's been solid. I have a 2230 in the closet with a blown out right channel I need to recap one of these days.

I was originally looking for a Fisher setup like my folks had when I was growing up. After some research, I learned that they weren't that great and went down the rabbit hole. I've had a few setups over the years - Advent speakers, Pioneer and Sansui decks, Dual turntables - but this Marantz setup is my favorite.

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Here's what I play on it: https://www.discogs.com/user/skistz/collection

Mine ain’t vintage except it’s analog and full discrete.

Yamaha A-S1200, Martin Logan 60XT speakers, Technics 1200GR turntable with at 33PTG lomc cart, Darlington Labs phono stage and step up amp, Martin Logan Dynamo800x sub, Yamaha cd player and streamer.

Somebody flip these pics as I seem to be too stupid. :o

Here’s my KP-500. Still have the original box!


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Coolest looking car stereo ever!!!

Flipped!

Cool. Thanks.

Forgot about my turntable. Been mothballed for years. I have a crate full of vinyl too.

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Man I wish I had photos of all my incarnations over the years. A college roommate got me into hifi, got me exposed to adcom, Denon and phase technology.

First “good” piece, a Sony ES cd player, 229 model I believe. Still have it, still works as good as the day I bought it. Then, in 92 I think, got my KG4s.

FF to 99/2000, my first eBay win was a backed into ( high bidder bailed at last second ) sunfire cinema grand signature. Then a buddy sold me ( for a song ), adcom gtp600, gfa545 and their A/C enhancer. Traded the preamp for a sunfire theater grand processor. Got more for trade in than I paid for the whole lot.

Then a pair of phase tech PC500s, run with my trusty radio shack lamp cord speaker wire. lol. Got a set of kimber 4TCs and was stunned at the sonic difference.

The theater grand wasn’t doing it for me, so after 6 or so months traded that in for the krell HTS processor.

Then hi res audio turned my crank and I was investing in Marantz SACD/dvd audio players. Since I didn’t have enough of them decided I was going to get Sony 9000ES player…one never knows how many CD/DVD players one will need at any given time.

Phase Techs weren’t doing so time to upgrade….after several hours of auditioning speakers I picked up aerial model 6s.

Was pretty much complete by then…

One regret was I never invested in a good turntable, had a choice between a B&O and a pioneer linear tracking job, the salesman did his job to perfection, but my 15 year old brain didn’t understand the point he was making….I still have the pioneer, and it still works, so there’s that.

Nice. My first CD player was a 1986 Sony CDP-25. Long gone. Found a pic on the net.

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Very interesting thread!

I am getting back into vinyl records and have picked up the following at
a couple of flea markets:

Sansui 4000 receiver
Sansui S-520U speakers
1990's Sony turntable.

James Q

I still have that same unit ,,, somewhere in my stuff.

Was running an indash AM-FM 8track when a friend offered me a deal on the underdash SuperTuner cassette that was fairly new.
So I had 2 stereos mounted at same time , 8track and cassette.
Cutting edge hi-fi set up for a high schooler in 1981 with a 75 Vega GT.

Lmao! That was my first one as well. Pretty sure it’s residing in my parents basement.

My then girlfriend, now wife, bought it for me for Christmas. Still one of the coolest gifts I've ever gotten! I was thoroughly amazed by it.

- the Hollywood Millionaire Edition with digital read out ! omg

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My super money sparkomatic was the one at bottom of the page. lol. Tape playing was garbage, but radio was the jam!

LMAO!!! It was in the car when I bought it in 1985. It still works. It sounds like absolute $h!t! :gag:

Talking about millionaire equipment! LOL! What a name! Would be a great name for an ignition system!

My crate of vinyl. With my first new album purchase on top. Ha.

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Wow, that’s a whole ‘nother thread…..

My first album was More of the Monkeys!

Nice! We have have room! :)

My receiver for the past 45 years or so. Bought it new.
Nikko 1415. 175 watts per channel. Kicks a$$!
Now I use Spotify for my input. Still have a turntable, cassette player, and a CD player but Spotify is too easy!

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Bet that sounds good/loud. I think my Kenwood is 140 wpc. Would be nice to add a Bluetooth receiver to mine.

Back in the early 70s I had a Kenwood KR 7400 receiver, JBL L100 speakers and a Garrard Zero 100 SB turntable with a Shure V-15 cartridge. I thought I had arrived. Still have a lot of my LPs but none of the original stereo equipment. Sad.

Old arrangement still being played while working remote.

So half-inch, is it true that music on vinyl sounds "warmer"? It must with all those tubes lit up!

george

Good choice with the James Gang. That's a great album.

George, your inbox is full. Thanks for the antenna info!

X2! Seems to me!!! lol

JSmitz: thanks for the info. I'll clear out some space.

George

Nice systems & stories of vintage car & home audio, love those big old marantz & other silver face vintage brands.

I have a nice collection of vinyl too, mostly classic or newer rock & roll.. have that same Ted Nugent album and a couple of his others, Stranglehold & Wango Tango live are great songs... its a maserati maserati! You can see a couple Van Halen albums & record players in the pics of my Klipsch speakers.

Good to see so many members are into home & car audio!

"Mind Blowers" 6"x9" from the 70's.
Anyone else remember these, had self contained amps in each speaker.
Had them in my 1964 1/2 Mustang.
Blew lots of minds with them .lol
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I was a mobil DJ in the 80's as a side gig, don't get me started on equipment.
But I had 2 Audio - Technica direct drive turntables to start with.
Still available today.
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I remember the Mind Blower speakers like yesterday.
A lot of guys had them , and they were good bang for the buck.

I never saw the newer coaxial version with nicer grilles or the 5 band equalizer .
Just the single cone jobs with cheapo plastic grilles and the small controller like the store display in the auction.

I would have bought the newer versions with equalizer in a heartbeat if they had been available in my area at the time I was gearing up in my teens.

I had 2 tape decks , 7band equalizer amplifier , and 6 speakers in the Vega.
Stereo was way more powerful than the car.

I do not recall those mind blowers, at all, I mean my mind is blown now just reading about them.

My first memory of aftermarket speakers were the Jensens, coax, then a mini mind blow with the triax.