What home audio setup are you running?

I was reading over the ‘what are you listening to tonight’ thread (lots of great tunes!) and it got me wondering what setups everyone has at home to listen to music. I know this subject has been discussed before but I can’t find it, search function whups my butt every time. I have gotten back into listening to music regularly instead of sports radio as my background noise in the house and shop…and I’ve been upgrading my audio setup.

I’ve got a JVC record player, Sony CD player, and a Bluetooth adapter feeding into a Marantz 2270 receiver. The Marantz is powering some Klipsch Forte speakers…really the muscle car equivalent of a sound system. 12” woofer, 70 watts per channel of useable power, and 12 gauge speaker wire, totally overkill. Music sounds amazing on this system…I also have a cool little 5 watt two channel tube amp my friend built in his garage. It isn’t as powerful, but it sounds great with certain types of music. What setups do you have? I bet some people had some awesome systems back in the 70s and 80s…

D@mn is that a tube amp

Yessir! It sounds amazing…very ‘warm’ sound and faithful reproduction of whatever is played through it.

My stuff is kind of pack away but not too far away from getting it all back up and running. I have had my "system" for a longtime and as a result of my brother-in-law having an audio component store at the University of WV from the late '60's until about ten years ago when he retired. He was one of about one hundred Audio Research (high end tube amps/pre amps) dealers in the country during that time so I had to get an amp and preamp from him. Added several different speakers over the years from Advents to Boston Acoustic to Infinity Studio Reference Monitors. I still have my original Advents and the Infinity's but only use the Infinity's. Have a Thorens turn table, Proton multi CD player and a Proton FM receiver. Man now I have to go get my $#!t together and get it all up and going...........d@mn you........

Mike

The D52B amp and the SP-4 preamp

Cool setup you are running.
I've got newer stuff now but I still have my old stuff from the '70's and it all still works:

Marantz 2250B receiver
BIC Venturi speakers
Garrard turntable with Shure V15 cartridge
Teac reel to reel

I've got a ton of old LP's in the basement. I plan to set up the above and start playing the old LPs.
My son like others has gotten into the newly released LP's which seems to be the latest fad now so he'll enjoy that.

I've got an Onkyo 7.1 AV receiver which is great for TV and listening to newer stuff and MP3s, especially when all the speakers fill the room evenly. And a Pioneer 727 that is better for lp's. It also has a neat radio tuning knob that slows down when it hits stations so you can get the spot with the best reception.

#1 setup was a Yamaha CR400 bought new in'75 (still have)
BSR 710 turntable, sold for a Dual 1229

#2 Yamaha CT810 and CA810 with NS490 speakers new in '79-'80(still have)

#3 Yamaha AX900, Aiwa AD F800 cassette, Yamaha NS 500M monitor speakers, Dual 721 with V15 type III. Bought used 10-15 years ago

I remember the Marantz quad receiver in '75 with a tag of $900.00. Plus 4 speakers and a quad table were also needed. Must have weighed 50 lbs. Needed pilots license to operate.

Hafler Pre Amp
Hafler EQ
Hafler Tuner
(2)Hafler DH-500's - amps
Hafler XL-280 - amp
Schiit Audio DAC

All running: Klipsch - Upgraded Cornwall's, Klipsch - Heresy's, a Klipsch Upgraded K-Horn and a 10" Klipsch sub....

Klipsch can be polarizing, but the higher tier product lines are really 👍. I'm a bit space constrained for the Heritage line in my living room, so I went with RP-8000 L&R with a matching RP-450C center. I have a powered sub for Home Theater use, but don't usually use it in Stereo. Running a Denon X3600H receiver and an Audio Technica LP120 turntable. Pretty happy with the set up for now, but always eyeing upgrades...

All 80's and early 90's era stuff.

Technics receiver
ADC graphic equalizer
Phillips dual cd player/recorder
Technics turntable
Bose 301 series speakers

I still have all of this set up in my family room but rarely listen to it anymore. I'm not into stereo equipment or loud music like I once was. I have several hundred cd's and lp's that never get played anymore. My wife was given an old Bose Wave am/fm a couple years back and that is pretty much all I listen to in the house other than my Ipod with headphones on. I also have a Sony boombox in each of my garages.

Great topic. I still rock the older stuff, and the neighbors all complement the sound quality. The other day I had Smoke on the Water playing and didn't here the person knocking on the door until the song ended. He was just a solar salesman so I didn't feel to bad making him wait.

Pioneer SX-1980 AM/FM radio receiver, bought in 1979....the year I graduated.
SONY TC-K333ESG 3 Head Cassette Deck Tape Recorder, purchased in the mid 80s.
Technics Sl-q300 Quartz Turntable. Yes I still listen to vinyl.
Cerwin-Vega D-7 monster audiophiles. I have replaced all the speakers in them though.

The biggest draw back is that its is NOT compatible with all the new technology for TVs, so I also have a Sony surround sound system and bluetooth mp3 player.

Happy Rocking!

Sansui
771, 881, 9090, 9090DB tuners, 525, 717, 828, 929 turntables
RA-500 reverb

Sonab
OD-11
OA-12
OA-14
OA-116

Main system - 5 Klipsch Cornwall speakers - circa 1983 - driven by a Harmon Kardon home theatre Receiver - Panasonic Technics CD/DVD Audio player - Velodyne subwoofer

Second system, - a pair of Polk Audio Monitor Model - circa 1976 - 2 Polk Audio LF 14 sunwoofers - Kenwood concrete resin direct drive KD - 500 turntable with a Mayware Formula IV tonearm - Sonus Red cartridge - Hafler DH 200 amp - Adcom preamp / tuner - Dynaco PAT 4 preamp (as a substitute) - Shure V 15 Type 3 cartridge (as a substitute)

Third system - KLH Model 20 system featuring Model 15 speakers, Garrard turntable, Pickering cartridge

I do swap out the Hafler / Adcom / Kenwood from the second system and install in the Main system ....

I'm still using my Pioneer SX1010 receiver, bought it in 1975(?) in Germany. Still works and sounds great. I have a modern Sony CD player, a Technics turntable, and am currently using Bose 301 speakers. The Bose 901s I used to use are in the garage as a back up.

I have a Marantz 7.1 surround receiver with Infinity towers and surrounds with DCM center and sub woofer. Not the high end stuff you guys are using but it really does get the job done. My BIL's business is high end home theatres and home automation. He pointed me at the Marantz(I had the speakers already) Glad he did...that thing is built like a tank and works fantastic.What's the saying? When I watch a good movie....so do my neighbors! lol

I have (3) different systems....

* 1 for just music in the den
* 1 for movies in the family room
* 1 for music in my home office

My favorite is the music system in the den, Marantz 2600 the most powerful stereo receiver ever built. 400Wx2, quartz-lock tuning, scope. Plus we have an extensive collection of audiophile vinyl and CDs..
Since we do product development/sourcing for certain major clients, plus AV install for home automation we have access to a lot of awesome products...

Just my $0.02...

For laughs, my first stereo, bought at Sun Electronics in Columbus, Oh at age 15, summer of 1970. Panasonic, The Barrington, have the matching turntable and 8 track player/recorder. Later the same summer, same store, bought two Lantz AM/FM's, the first was stolen at school, still have the second. For Christmas 1972, received a Panasonic "toot a loop", lost to time...

Onkyo M-508 Amp playing through a McIntosh MA 6100 pre amp and a set of Speakerlab Super 7s. With a Dual 1219 turntable.

Pioneer SX-1980 - That's awesome!!!!!!! Those units are beasts! Worth a mint as well. I also have a SX-1250.... Cool stuff.

Cool stuff so far! Now, for the other end of the spectrum, I present my humble 'systems'..........

My Dad's old radio. I think its from '69. When was the last time you saw any radio with a wooden case? . I use it to listen to local radio (re: very little). Plays surprisingly good for a single speaker,



Don't shout me down too hard.........a google assistant. When I moved into my apt, the electric company I chose gave it to me as a welcoming gift. Too many bluetooth speakers sound 'tinny' to me unless you go with something like bose. This has some bass to it without sounding like one of those idiots that pulls up next to you at a light. It will crank clearly and it will rattle windows if need be. I play my spotify thru it all the time. My apt is just over 500 sq ft, so it works well for me.







This topic has stirred up a memory from when I was a kid back in the '70's. I don't remember what brand it was, but my Mom went and bought a turntable/radio with remote speakers. The speakers were in boxes almost 30" tall. She got it all set up, put on her favorite record, and it sounded like........crap. It played fine, just sounded bad. Come to find out those huge speaker boxes only had 4" speakers in them! I had a set of Panasonic 8" speakers from a radio my Dad had given me, and I hooked them up and it sounded so much better. Only problem was I ended up with the crap speakers.....

What was the original price of a Pioneer SX-1980 NEW back in the day??

The original SRP of the SX1980 in 1978 was $1295....
However note it was discontinued abruptly after being sued for fraudulent advertising for inflated published power output specs...
Pioneer claimed 270Wx2 but actual specs was 160Wx2...

Just my $0.02...

Just wondering where you saw the 160watt claim? AFAIK, the SX1980 was underrated, not over rated. Maybe they had some defective units?

SX-1980 power

Awesome systems in here, guys. I love the wooden case on that 2270, and a 2600 is just incredible!

I have 2 systems right now. Living room system is a McIntosh MA252 amp, Technics SL-1200G, and some Pioneer HPM-100 speakers. The speakers sound decent but I think could either use a recap and crossover mods or outright replacement with something slightly more modern. I've been eyeing up a set of the new JBL L100 Classic reissues but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Also have a Bluesound Node 2i for streaming.

Upstairs system is my original piece of hifi gear, a Marantz 2270, a random Pioneer turntable with a Shure 97xE cartridge, and some EPI 100 speakers. If I upgrade the living room speakers the Pioneers will move upstairs to the bedroom, I really loved how they paired with the Marantz. I have a cheap bluetooth adapter for this one.

Also have a Bottlehead tube headphone amp I assembled a few years ago, have 2 different pairs of high impedance Beyerdynamic headphones I use with them.

Nope...
The SX1980 failed the FTC preconditioning test of 1 hour of 1/3 power...
Had inadequate heat-sinking and weak power supply, in fact today a couple of aftermarket guys sell a redesigned power supply. In 78, the FTC issued Cease & Desist order to Pioneer after running its own lab tests.
The unit would measure 270Wx2 cold out-of-box but its power output would decrease significantly as the unit got hotter.. When Pioneer was served with the legal action, they abruptly discontinued the SX1980. Back in the late 70s there were multiple monster, high-powered stereo receivers from Technics, Sansui, Kenwood, Pioneer but the only brand marketing high-powered stereo receivers that passed the FTC tests were the Marantz receivers such as their 2385, 2500 and 2600.. Also the Marantz receivers were capable of driving 4 Ohm loads something that the most brands couldn't do. I know a little about this subject as I was the project engineer that did the SX1980 measurements for the FTC...

Just my $0.02...

My latest iteration is an attempt to merge home theater with hi fi music listening. I have a Denon X-4000 pre-amp AV-Receiver. I have a 5 channel Sunfire Cinema Grand driving a pair of McIntosh SL-6s with a matching center channel. The side channels are Infinity with two IL series 500W subs. I have a Technics SL-1200 with a modified Stanton cartridge. I also have a Denon SACD/BlueRay HDCD combo player. I also use a home built HDPC for playing out any digital content. I rip all my LPs and CDs as I play them.

Right now everything is in storage as I am building a house with a listening room designed for audio/video enjoyment. I may swap some gear once the house is done.

Harman/Kardon 330B Am/Fm stereo receiver made in Japan and a pair of early 70s Pioneer CS-99 speakers...I like some of the FM programming...

Pre amp - Kenwood KR9600

Amps - pair of Krell MC350's

Speakers - NHT 3.3's

Grace F9 cartridge
Kenwood Table
Teac equalizer
Sansui AU 7900 int Amp
Stephens Trusonic speakers, 8 inch and 12 inch coax
2 Klipsh subs

Tied in with my home theatre system powered by modern Yamaha stuff.

I need to thin the herd some more. Been selling gear for several years and rotating stuff in.
TV has a newer Yamaha RX-V779 for hdmi from sat tv, bluetooth and blueray disc/cd music. That is running some Ryan R610's until I can sneak the good stuff in.
Den has an older Sony STR D990 (has phono preamp) that is mainly used for spinning vinyl on Dual 704 that I want to upgrade.
Shop I have a Denon AVR 3802, for 8 tracks, cassettes and cd's.
I have another setup in the garage that I'm still trying to convince my wife needs to be in the house McIntosh MC 2205 amp, MR78 rec (FM only) and C27 pre.
I've been using it some before I decide what all I want the shop to replace (caps) I've been cleaning pots and re-soldering anything that looks like it needs it.
I've had this gear for awhile and sending it to som bic venturi's that I can hear anywhere on our decent sized property (if directed to where I'm working).
I've been moving AV stuff around near the tv location and believe I've slowly created a roosting spot that I con move the stuff into without being noticed.
That is, until the blue vu's come on.
Probably my most interesting "toy" is a Heathkit CR-1, that the younger family thinks is pretty cool.

Here's the big dog in the basement. The literal elephant in the room....

Pioneer QX-9900 Quadraphonic Receiver
Pioneer PL-530 Direct Drive Turntable
Pioneer SG-9500 "The Twins" 10-band Equalizers
Akai CR-80D-SS Quadraphonic 8-track tape player
Akai 280D-SS Quadraphonic Reel to Reel player (with remote!)
Akai GXC-65-D "Invert-O-Matic" Stereo cassette player
TEAC AN-300 4-Channel Dolby Encoder/Decoder
Technics SH-3433 4-Channel Audio Oscilloscope
Technics SH500 CD-4 Demodulator
Tate/Fosgate 101A SQ 4-Channel Decoder

.... and the speakers are just four Sears Professional series that are.... probably among the BEST sounding, consumer-grade speakers I've ever encountered. I've actually got six of them, but two are out in the garage awaiting refurb.

And yes, it all works and it's amazing. The future passed us by in 1974 with 4-channel surround sound audio. I've got well in excess of 600 Quadraphonic 8-tracks, nearing 100 CD-4 Quadradiscs, two-dozen QS LP's and about a dozen SQ LP's - and I hate SQ.

Plus, those of us in the community like to open our collections up and trade what we do have. If what we want isn't available on SACD, we generally have a conversion from reel, 8-track or CD-4 floating around UNTIL we get a legit re-release. The Quad community is staunchly in support or modern formats so if it's available commercially; we HALT all closed-door trading of that title.

Plus, I can also play a few modern formats: SACD, DVD A/V, and the older stuff too like DTS and DOLBY/AC3.

I think I'm getting off the boat as Blu-Ray audio doesn't seem to be getting much action. This new Sony 360RA seems to be bearing fruit since - at it's core, 4 of it's 10 channels seem to be original QUAD recordings.... and Sony has really opened up the vaults lately gracing us with albums that were mixed to Quad back in the 1970's, but left unreleased. Some of the gems include an Elvis album even the Elvis phreaks weren't aware was done to Quad... some Blood, Sweat & Tears, a previously unknown Waylon Jennings title, Harry Belafonte, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker.... and it's only the beginning.

It's cool you kept all the quad stuff. I had an old fisher unit that iirc had tubes in it. I did not want to invest in a bunch of quad format media so off it went cheap in a yard sale.
I have but did not mention it above is a nic revox B77 an several reels full of obscure early rock and broadway stuff I need to transfer to new tape. The McIntosh gear I bought came in a rack full of the R to R and a bunch of dbx noise reduction and equalizer components, pre dolby items. I thought I might mess around with it. I prefer the "sound" of the old stuff (have tested it on the same speakers. Digital music has noticeable chop and does not seem to flow as well.
I've run the youngbloods R to R, vinyl and cd on the Mac, the sony and new yamaha (through the ryans and there are distinct differences on each.
Music is great and timeless, find something you like and listen, sure helps without creating media's current noise and distraction.

Yup...
The Sansui QS matrix system was the best...
It also did surprisingly well for traditional stereo sources for creating a quad surround output be it tape, CD or vinyl..


Just my $0.02...

Some great stereo systems…awesome stuff. My record player has a shure 3 cartridge, it’s a nice little direct drive unit. The tube amp needs a equalizer to tune it to different music, I’m looking at a Shiit Loki or possibly an old school slider style unit.

The 160 wpc you guys were talking about is a LOT!! Like over 200 wpc is amazing and probably not useable in my small space…I have only used half the power of my 2270…35 watts or so.

I love the old Sansui equipment too…cool looking and sounds great. The new Yamaha stuff is awesome…and powerful. Thanks for sharing your systems.




Holy majoly!!! That is AWESOME!! I’m looking to find a smaller quadraphonic receiver as I have four Advent Laureate speakers that are in great shape and sound pretty good. The imaging isn’t as good as the Klipsch Forte but they would be great for a second quad system. I’m envious…two equalizers?!? Each channel has its own…awesome stuff.

Thing is, I've been into this stuff since it was practically worthless. People would GIVE me many of the items, or $50 was all they'd cost me. I look at prices now (like, what people ask today for ONE equalizer!! ) and it makes me glad I'm not trying to start out today.

The other fun part is that the Gremlin & the Javelin also have Quad tape decks in them. So my hobbies kinda blur together. The Hornet might get another Quad deck - we'll see. The Tiburon has a Sony SACD 4.0 system which is AWESOME. Even the truck might go Quad. Currently it's a factory AM/FM/Stereo 8-track. Was going to put an underdash CB in. BUT.... a buddy is contemplating giving me his factory AM/FM/CB... in which case, I'll put a little underdash Quad deck in and even the truck will be 4-channel. Does that make it a QUAD CAB??

Wish you were closer. I have a Sansui QRX-7001 that I've freshened up (cleaned the pots, replaced the lightbulbs) and really have no use for. Could really use the money, too. But would prefer NOT to ship it as it's a bit of a monster and shipping would probably be more than what I'd be asking for the receiver. If you were really serious, I've even got a Technics 4-channel 8-track deck I hardly use and just in general a lot of stuff I would much rather turn into cash-money.

Looks like I may have a new job starting next week. Been more than 2 years on my butt.... I guess it's time to get back to work.

I prefer the QS system to SQ. Pretty much all QS decoders are built the same because of the way Sansui held the patent. They all work, but have limitations. But at least you can HEAR a difference when you hit that QS button. Too bad there's maybe less than 50 total LP's in QS.

CD-4 is my favorite. After spending $400 on a Linear Contact stylus and cartridge that can handle 45,000hz.... and aligning everything. Geodiscs are WORTH the money. Now, my CD-4 system is super reliable. Love some of the Japan-only discs from the Stylistics or Hot Butter. Heck, even Van McCoy had a release in Japan. Indeed... I can do the Hustle in Quad.

SQ.... ugh. I have arguably the best SQ decoder they ever made and I'm still not convinced. Sure, it can make something spin around the room but when the recording gets really "busy", the whole soundstage collapses.

I prefer to stick to CD-4, tapes or SACD. I'm sure when I go for the big dirt nap it's either all going into the dump or a museum.

The QS system worked on phase frequency differences to get the channel separation, plus Sansui used some slight EQ in the rear channels. The weakness of the SQ/Tate/Sony system was to get the channel separation, it worked on volume level and would mute down the other channels to make 1 louder than the others but tended to have a pumping action. They did improve some things with their full-logic ICs but still it tended to pump. The CD4 system essentially was a FM stereo x 2 system developed by Matsushita(Panasonic), it had good channel separation but lacked signal to noise. But required a special phono cartridge and shibata shaped stylus capable of going up to 50kHz, and the turntable needed to have low-capacitance cables. The quad 8 tapes ran @ 3 3/4" had good channel separation but like the CD4 system lacked the higher signal to noise that the matrix systems had. Quad systems did set the stage that later advanced into the Dolby surround and DTS digital systems especially effective for surround audio for movies, marketed strongly for laser and DVD discs...

Just my $0.02....

The HK 330 was an incredible stereo receiver for the price.
Good FM tuner and very capable amplifier, it was actually built by Onkyo/Integra.

Just my $0.02...

The MC2205 is a beast amp at 85lbs and 200 per channel, I have not blown the venturi's yet.
What I notice with the venturis, and even more the ryan's (at listening levels) is the stereo imaging, while not quad, certainly places instruments and voices in specific locations. It seems the wuality of the source (vinyl or tape) is important. Remastered stuff seems off to me.
A well set up listening room, with vintage electronics and new tech speakers is my goal

In the basement I have a Denon receiver with four Klipsch Forte 2 speakers. In the barn I have a Onkyo with a pair of Cerwin Vegas. In the garage I have and old Kenwood system.

KID

Just found and remembered that I have a couple of other components I had forgotten about. For an FM receiver I have an ADCOM GFT-555 II and I found my SAE MARK 31B but what I really liked finding again was a little preamp that in a pinch with the SAE 31B and either the Advents or the Infinity's was just a nice small room sound and that's this Ace Audio great little preamp.

A couple of guys were asking about the Marantz 2600...
This was the most powerful stereo receiver every built, it would put out 400Wx2, incredible phono preamp circuit, 5-gang FM quartz-lock tuning, scope that would indicate FM signal strength/center channel/multipath simultaneously.
Originally sold for $1595, but Marantz underestimated it sales and was always sold out. Also below is a photo of the heat sink tunnel split apart. The amplifier section was a patented, servo control tunnel design taken from their pro-audio amplifier 510M which powered many, many touring big-name music groups including the Eagles, Rhonstadt, Crosby/Stills/Nash, Steve Miller, Bonnie Raitt. I was fortunate to snag a 2600 and can only comment its kicks ass!!! Also today they are scarce as in good condition can sell for as much as $10,000..

Just my $0.02...

Cambridge Audio AXR 100 receiver for the mains & Bryston 4B power amp for the subs.

Sources are an NAD 512 compact disc player & Rega Planar 2 turntable. Plus the Panasonic Blue ray, cable box & Apple TV. I don’t do surround sound because I find all of those receivers sound like crap playing music, which is most important to me…

Speakers are Paradigm Monitor 8000 towers (each with 3 x 8” bass drivers, 6” mid plus tweeter.)

Subs are also Paradigm dual voice coil 10” units from the ‘90s which warm up the bottom end nicely.

In the den/finished basement:

Marantz 2240B receiver
Marantz 5220 cassette deck
Marantz 6200 turntable
Bose 501 series IV speakers

In my shop:

Marantz 2220B receiver
Marantz 5020 cassette deck
Bose 301 series 2 speakers

Have about a 10 year old Pioneer surround system with Boston bookshelf speakers & sub for the main living area

Thanks for the info! I really enjoy the oldie stations on it...Can't miss Kasey Kasem's American top 40 from the 70s every Saturday!

Some of the vintage Stereo equipment that I have owned since the mid 70's
Just collecting dust today...

SAE Mark 30 Pre Amp
SAE Mark 31B Power Amp
Onkyo T-4085 AM/FM Tuner

That SAE Mark 31B and the SAE Mark 30 are GREAT components

My main system right now is a Yamaha RX596 receiver, Kenwood turntable, & 12" woofer 3-way KLH loudspeakers. I rebuilt the speakers about 10 years ago with Dayton woofers, & Goldwood midranges, & can't remember which tweeters, but I went from cone tweeters to horn tweeters - they sound better now than when they were all orig. components.

I'm glad this topic was posted. I've been playing my old gear for months, every late afternoon playing chuck-it with the dogs.
I've been using an old 5 disc cd changer playing remastered cds and mixing in some vinyl every now and then.
Several songs I'm really impressed with the sound engineering. One really stands out to me; Cream - Sunshine of my Love. The separation of the hard hitting drums and the guitar with the voice imaging in the center. Very basic and nearly unbelievable without being too much (like Winters Frankenstein).
For the old rock fans

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of a completely refurbished Sansui G-7500 that I purchased over the weekend. It is replacing the Sansui G-7000 that I bought in 1979. The power supply on the G-7000 shorted out after about 20 years. At the time, it was not economically feasible for me to have it repaired. So, I reluctantly took it to an electronic recycling facility. I had been looking for a replacement for quite a while and finally located the G-7500.
The G-7000 was 85 wpc and really sounded great through my Norman Laboratories #10 speakers (which I still have).
The G-7500 is 90 wpc so it should get the twin 10" woofers in each of the speakers really pumping.
I inherited my father in law's Pioneer turntable. I'm not sure of the model but it's a really nice setup. It's probably over 30 years old and still in pristine condition. My father in law was very proud of it. He just never used it much.
It should sound good on the 500+ albums my wife and I have.