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October 6, 2010 - 4:15am
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Newbie setup with a Marantz 2250 as a starting point
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Welcome to the forum Archie
If you can find a pair of Acoustic Research AR7's in good condition you should be in heaven BUT be very careful the driver surrounds haven't perished as they often do over the years. These can be repaired for not too much money (depending on where you live though) . They need to be mounted on heavy, rigid speaker stands or placed in the upper corners of your room where the wall joins the ceiling pointing down at the listening position. I know that sounds a bit odd but I've heard them really sing in that location.
As to a CD player that's a hard one as, in my opinion, such huge advances have been made in that area in the last few years I'd be unwilling to recommend many old ones unless you can dig up something like a California Audio Labs player with a tube(valve if your in England or OZ) output stage and instal new valves.. Of the recent affordable players I'd stick with Marantz.
Someone else will wander along with possibly better advice than I can give just to confuse you. Do remember though - always try and hear anything your about to buy before putting your hard earned cash down.
You've got hold of a great receiver in that Marantz but it may need a spruce up.
The absolute expert in this is DVV who posts on the Mundo Audio Forum.
http://mundoaudiofilo.forumotion.net/forum.htm
He's very helpful and knows more than most about how to revive these old beauties.
You really need to post more information. We at least need a budget. Asking for suggestions regarding used gear is almost an impossible task as any such request places thousands of components in the picture, any one of which is highly unlikely to be available to you. How about your listening habits? What sort of music at what sort of volume? Do you have flexibility in placement and how much value will you place on proper set up? Just plonking components and speakers where they "fit" is almost certainly where they will perform to their least ability.
I assume we are talking a 1970's Marantz 2250 receiver? How much assurance have you received that this unit has been working on a regular schedule? A vintage receiver pulled out of storage risks the very real possibility of component failure due to age.
How do you do your shopping? Do you have access to shops or is this going to be purchased on line without the beenfit of an audition?
All true Jan but for once I simply read between the lines. As to the potential problems that could come with a vintage Marantz receiver that's where DVV who posts on the Mundo Audio Forum. http://mundoaudiofilo.forumotion.net/forum.htm comes into the picture.
I stick with my choice of AR 7's and a budget current model Marantz CD player having figured out that if someone's starting off with a grandaddy Marantz 2250 they aren't drowning in ready cash and therefore aren't likely to be running a system in a baronial sized room. It will be interesting to hear how close my guess comes near the reality. Kind of music? A good pair of re-conditioned AR7's will cope with just about anything.
Hey, Archie.
Welcome.
As Ms. Mordentroge mentioned, something of a similar vintage may be a good karmic match.
So, I'd add to the AR 7 recommendation (which is a good speaker) and suggest you also Google "Original Advent" or "Large Advent" and get a feel for that speaker, as well.
They go for around 300 bucks a pair on the used market and have a thriving "update" market for parts and support.
I'll also go 'controversial' and suggest you check out Klipsch Heresy speakers. Used, they go for about 400-500 bucks a pair and also have a vibrant after-market life, with Klipsch maintaining dedicated forums for this vintage speaker. They are very efficient (you can Google "speaker efficiency," as well.) These may be just your cup of meat.
For disc playback, if your budget can take it, Marantz has a cool new universal disc player coming in a month or two that will play it all....for 499 bucks. Plus, you'll have the same name tag on your player and receiver. Ultra cutting edge playback for a vintage receiver!
Marantz here.
So, be sure to look at this is a fun thing and go for the vibe you want!
I'm sure others will chime in with good ideas.
I have given up vintage for Magnepan MMGs and Emotiva components. I used to listen to stacked double Large Advents powered by two Phase Linear 400 amplifiers. I sold one amp but still have another and the Advents. When I get a chance all the old stuff I have is going up on AudiogoN and eBay. Large Advents still have a pretty loyal following. They certainly have their strengths and weaknesses, but do provide a satisfying listening experience. http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showforum=5
You are going to sell your Advents, you say?
I have two pairs of U4s (utility cabinet) both were refoamed in 2005 and I tested the x-over caps and none were found to be leaky. One pair is in very good shape with no edge chips or dings, the other has only minor dings. I also have a mint pair of A4s (veneer cabinets) which were also refoamed in 2005 and tested. I also have two pairs of orange fried egg New Large Advent tweeters. Alas, I have too many Large Advents as I approach retirement and I will sell them all. As mentioned before I have Magnepan MMGs which will be "Gunned" soon; the heart of my final system. The MMGs are driven by Emotiva UPA-1 monoblock power amplifiers, an Emotiva USP-1 preamplifier, and an Emotiva ERC-1 CD player. I'm going to replace a Dual 1245 and a Shure M97xE with a Music Hall MMF-2.2, and will eventually get a Rythmik F12G subwoofer. My current room is fully treated with GIK Acoustics products. That's it, I'm done.
Before you trash the Shure M97xE replace the standard stylus with an N97xE from Jico . Mount that combination in the right arm, preferably a unipivot with silicon damped bearing, and you'll be amazed.
I'd put the combination up against any moving coil in the $2000 -$3000 range.
Impossible for moving coil snobs to believe but that's what my ears tell me on my system and I've run more expensive, temperamental and fragile moving coils than I care to remember.
stylus@export-japan.com
http://stylus.export-japan.com/sas.php
What are some budget audiophile turntables which have such an arm? Rega P1, ProJect Debut III, Music Hall MMF-2.2? Or are we looking at multi-thousand dollar tonearms? I have an AT 95E I can put back on the Dual and try the Shure on the new table.
True, a damped bearing unipivot isn't often cheap but you might want to look at :-
http://www.roksan.co.uk/roksan/roksanpage.php?pageno=33
http://www.roksan.co.uk/dealer.php
The Roksan doesn't have damping at the bearing but if you run the Shure with the brush down a similar effect is achieved. You may also find a Mayware Formula 4 on eBay but you'd have to replace the crappy, resonant head-shell they came with.
You could also consider buying a used VPI 'Scout' TT/arm off eBay but you'd have to be certain the spindle and motor bearings were OK - a hard thing to be sure of when buying that way.
However, there are lots of other arms that will work well with that combination. Rega's budget models work well if you can go the extra expense of adding a VTA collar (available from Audio Advisor and others)