I Attempt To Recreate My First Hifi from 1977. Is It As Good As I Remember?

[@davidbailey6350]

I still have and use my SX 737 and a pair of STR Gamma speakers I bought in 1976. And yes, It does bring back good memories.

[@dennishadley9151]

It’s great listening to someone who recognizes the value in vintage audio gear. I’m a collector and am attempting to recreate my first hifi system consisting of the marantz 2230 , a Sony tc 650 reel to reel deck, and klipsch kg2 speakers. My marantz is an inherited piece from my dad’s estate and is non working right now.

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

Get it fixed up. Hopefully and likely not going to be a big problem. Good luck!

[@michaeldickson9876]

I really liked your story a lot, I had a very similar experience growing up in 70s and 80s. When I was 12, my father gave me a Sanyo mono FM radio which I had for a year and used every day. I went to a friends house and his dad had a early fisher stereo with advent speakers, this was around 1978. I was so impressed with the stereo and longed for one. My parents had an old console stereo as well but I was not allowed to touch it. So, one day I was at the dump (our dump had a "second use" where folks could dump old reusable stuff (TVs, radios, etc). I found one loan AR speaker which was pretty beat up. It was a two way speaker and my mom said I could not bring it home. I begged and she finally let me have my way. Well, I took it home, I took the Sanyo radio apart and wired the speaker wired from the radio to the back of the speaker, and the sound was amazing. Even the small radio sounded so much better connected to the AR rather than the small 4 inch speaker that came in radio. Here is where our storys are similar. In 1980 I worked as a dishwarsher for minimum wage and longed for a component stereo. I started buying LPs even though I did not own a stereo. Around Christmas, saved money to buy an entry level receiver from Sam Goody. It was an Onkyo TX3000 at 45 w/channel. For about three months I had the Onkyo hooked up to the AR speaker and an old panasonic speaker called a thruster. For my birthday, my dad bought me a pair of Criterion 2001 speakers from Lafayette. So when I was 15, I finally had a "decent rig" over the next year I purchased a Technics SLD-30 DD turntable with an Micro Acoustics stylus and a year later a tape deck.. By 1983, I had the Onkyo receiver, Technics turntable and a Vector Research tape deck. This system served me up unitl the late 1989 when I upgraded to a new stereo. So, you see, we had similar experiences. Today I have a large collection of vintage stereos including a Pioneer SX-1250, Sansui G-7500, Onkyo TX-8500, and some others that folks over the years gave to me. I also have a lot of speakers from Pioneer, AR, Polk, Theil, Boston, etc. I still have the old Onkyo TX 3000, and Technics turntable but dont use them. Unfortunately, the old Vector research tape deck bit the dust along with the old Criterions. I can relate to you about the nostalga of this old equipment and having parties being a DJ with my old system in high school. I did have a nice sanyo boom box for a while before it was stolen. I looked on ebay and they go for hundreds of dollars.

[@danedewaard8215]

Two thumbs up for buying and reviewing your first system!!! I really enjoyed this!!!

[@reneneron2971]

Adding another perspective…all of these old components still work even though they are 40 years old. That cannot likely be said for the plastic all in one Emerson system you upgraded from, or even most electronics sold today. The vintage Marantz receiver is still valued today and priced accordingly. Nostalgic indeed.

[@abdelkaderelbachir3817]

Incorrect my father still owns his Emerson stereo system and it still rock's to this day Everything last if you take good care of it It's this model kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYW3Xqytrc6braM

[@reneneron2971]

I said “likely”. I believe yours is the exception, and unlikely that it is sought after like the Marantz components. All in one stereos are not comparable to vintage stereo components.

[@abdelkaderelbachir3817]

@@reneneron2971 My bad

[@Mikexception]

​@@abdelkaderelbachir3817 Beautiful engineering and sounding as it was desired. Not for audiophiles but for their wife - simplicity. . All in one is useful - having cassette player allows to use today cassettes. In Europe we almost even do not know 8 trackers - in video seems reverse and few recordings parallel? . For playing set of my collected cassettes, a year ago I replaced my Onkyo cassette with Telefunken. - sounding is any worse than from satellite TV

[@xaverlustig3581]

@@Mikexception Agree, I've never in my life seen an 8track. Wikipedia says they were a thing with truck drivers in Europe. Cassettes became popular here in the early 70s, first with children and teenagers, mostly in mono. Later in the 70s you got your first stereo cassette deck.

[@jim_wicks]

I did more than just recreate my first hifi from 1972 ...I built upon it. Back then I had a Pioneer SA-1000 and Pioneer TX-1000 tuner and Dual 721 turntable with a Shure V15 Type III cartridge. I couldn't afford proper speakers, so I made do with what I could get. I still have all 3 units and had them re-capped, recalibrated and restored to factory or better than factory specs. Back then I saw a Pioneer brochure that showed how you could tri-amp your sound with the Pioneer CS-A700 speakers. But, back then I was just a young teen and couldn't afford to. Fast forward to now. I found a mint pair of CS-A700s and connected them to my Pioneer SC-700 Pre-Amp, Pioneer SF-700 Electronic Crossover Network, and a pair of Pioneer SM-700 amplifiers. To help the speakers with the bottom end I added a REL T5i sub-woofer (with many thanks to John Hunter at REL for helping me choose the right sub for my hifi). I replaced the original Shure cart with a Shure M97xE with a JICO SAS stylus. To my ears, tri-amping my hifi gives me a beautiful sound. I can adjust the frequencies to my liking. This system never disappoints. Would higher-end audiophile systems be better? Sure. But my system satisfies my ears and my nostalgic muscle memory every time I listen to it. Oh, and one more thing. I added a Sweet Vinyl SC-1 mini to remove those annoying pops and clicks. I love analog but cleaning alone cannot remove all the dirt nor repair any damage in the vinyl. The SC-1 mini covers a multitude of sins.

[@mikewebber3693]

Ha! My first system, bought with graduation money in 1976, was almost identical. Marantz 2225, an SL-23 TT with Audio Technica cart, and JBL L-26 speakers. My parents were not pleased that I blew that kind of money on a stereo but I was months from moving out of the house so I did it anyway.

[@jonboy9912]

Nice show - liked the perspective and the analogy! Back in 1976 I saved like hell to buy a Pioneer PL turntable, 35 watt per channel amp and a pair of Celestion CS7's I would kill to own today! Kept them until I got married and we moved to our current home in 1990 and my wife struck and got me to give the whole system and the glass doored cabinet I bought in Tottenham Court Road. London's famous centre for HiFi. I nearly cried when I saw my cousins husband throw the units on the back seat of his car and literally lash the speakers on his luggage roof rack! Never seen them again! The relations nor the system!! Families!!!

[@blahblahblah6]

I did something similar. My first stereo was a bookshelf system. I found an identical one on ebay and bought it. It doesn't sound as good as my more modern equipment. But I will keep it.

[@christophercruz8359]

I'm younger, but I had a similar experience with my first stereo system, which was a 40-watt per channel Aiwa shelf system, with a three-disc CD changer. I received it as a gift for my eighteenth birthday, and it sat proudly on my dresser until I went away to college for a year, and I brought it with me to the dorm. I had a stack of classic rock and '50s rock n' roll discs, because that was what I was into (and still am). After that came the age of digital downloading, ripping and burning, but the system I had didn't have the capability to play CD-Rs and CD-RWs, so I sold it, and have gone through two other systems in its place.

[@thisisnev]

Glad you were able to scratch that nostalgia itch! Still got my first amp & speakers, from 1980 - Marantz PM200 and Monitor Audio MA16s. I recently bought a JVC KD-A2 cassette deck, same as my first one, but thanks to the delivery company it was DOA. My first turntable is pretty much unobtainium - a Micro Seiki MB-10 - but tbh it wasn't great. And I still use my first CD player, a 1984 Marantz CD56, on a daily basis. I'm not sure I agree about modern entry-level gear being much better than what was available back in the day. I've collected quite a few items from 1971-1985, and they almost all perform solidly. The amps and receivers also have decent phono preamps and headphone amps built in, and the twin TDA1541 DACs inside my old Marantz CD player are hard to beat!

[@joeysarmiento1925]

"It definitely sounds vintage but it is not unpleasant to listen to." You hit it boss. We are into vintage audio by accident. My rebirth began last year when the pandemic struck. It is a learning process and since I began my quest for audio 1987 when I graduated from college, my mom bought me an Akai AA-1015 receiver set or thereabouts and that's how it all started. Now my two sons are into it too, ages 33 & 30 years old. I hope to communicate with you. Thanks for sharing my audio friend. And warm greetings from my country, Philippines 🎶🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🍻!!!

[@ASMRaphael]

Whoa, that was so great and intriguing my friend! :) I loved it! :)

[@MODAC]

Thank you!

[@nmgt1048]

I have built my amplifier from scratch (even the printed circuit boards) in 1977 and the speakers in 1980. They still sound great to this day. I still play my tapes and CDs through them.I repaired stereo equipment for several years before and gained enough experience to build the equipment I have.

[@davidryan6441]

Great Vid...I Still Have The Quad 33/303 Amps That i bought in 1976...and last year on Ebay i bought a Pioneer Pl112d Turntable for about £40...Did a Little Work on it, Bunged on a decent Ortofon cartridge and quite frankly it sounds pretty good to my old ears.

[@bornagainbornagain6697]

I had the same yearning. My first good system back in 76 consisted of Marantz 2230, Thorens TD-165, and original Large Advents. I have the receiver thanks to Ebay, just a scratchy volume control, everything else is almost perfect, I picked up the Large Advents from Craigslist and had the masonite woofers surrounds replaced with butyl rubber from Rich So of ADS fame. I am using a Yamaha PX-3 instead of the Thorens, I already had the Yamaha so that is the only difference. Got my De-oxit on the way from Caig Laboratories to spray the volume pot. I am extremely happy with the Nostalgia, and the sound is as good as I remember. A lot of driving to get old speakers, and some expense on shipping and service, but very well worth it. I love your channel and am totally into vintage gear.

[@DingleBerry88]

I have an SL-23 and I love it. It’s currently not my main deck but it’s set up in my shop and I’ll never get rid of it.

[@MODAC]

My wife wants it for a system we are putting together for her.

[@pk3776]

Great video…. Nice Vynil 👍💯❤️🖖🇬🇧🙏🔊🎶

[@jpaleas]

We will never forget our first system! It is so important, it will always be in our hearts ! It’s how everything started in the making of an audiophile! My first system while in my senior year in Elizabeth NJ, in 1986 consisted of a Technics SL-B92( still own had serviced and works like charm), Marantz SR 240( unfortunately got rid 4 years ago during a move not realizing I could had have had it serviced)... and lastly Sansui S770 speakers(still own) with white woofers and white midranges. I had to replace one of the midrange drivers and similar with what you experienced with the tweeters I couldn’t find a white driver. This occurred in the 90s when radio shack was still in business so I was able to replace it with a realistic brand mid driver that is still going today! My mission now is to find a Marantz receiver in good cosmetic condition as the insides can always be reconditioned so I can recreate my high school and first system once again!

[@MrSouzy]

Really enjoyed the video. I still have my some of my first Hifi and it is sitting at my fathers place. My first speakers were tannoy 631se(s) but although they were 5 star rated by a well known publication of the time they wernt up to much. Anyway I decided to build my own to replace them. So in about a week on my landing at my house I put my "kit" together. A really fantastic pair of transmission lines (with Morel Driver no less) and then proceeded to veneer them and french polish them. I now live in a totally different country but as soon as I can I will bring them here. They are a part of me........

[@oldmanafraidof4236]

Just found your channel, this rewiev was excellent with lot of nice details. I like your peaceful style to talk ...

[@meowcula]

WOW. The centrepiece of my family's hifi was my dad's Marantz 2230. I loved that thing. Sadly, it popped in the 90s and was thrown out. It sucks, because I now have the skill to repair it. I hope to get my hands on one again.

[@bradd3840]

just subbed as I too, grew up in the Jersey suburbs in the 70s and early 80s. I'm on the same journey with the nostalgic gear too.

[@MODAC]

Welcome, Brad. Check out my other videos. Thanks

[@bobsykes]

The photo of you entertaining in your college dorm is priceless. This is a fun video.

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

Liked like a big RCA color TV. He had it all!

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

I worked in a consignment shop during my teen years and was able to acquire lots of vintage audio equipment, sadly I sold all of it, slowly I have rebuilt due to the marketplace and the consignment shops near me, Loved the vid, Happy Labor day

[@hanksta34]

Interesting. I worked in a salvage store early on and had lots of electronics. CD players used to sell for $300 used! LOL

[@TheReal1953]

I've talked about this before.....in college I frequented the stereo shows and the stereo shops...trying to envision what I might like to have someday when I could afford it. So I had an idea of what good sound was. But the first time I heard a really good system away from a stereo show/shop in someone's home....it was a revelation. So much so that I've never made a 'jump' like that since. I've heard and owned much better systems, but there was never again quite the 'jump' that original home system made for me. Maybe it was just an awakening or a rite of passage.....I dunno.

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

My parents had a Panasonic compact system with phono and 8-track. They bought it new and it was a gift for the whole family. We thought it was amazing.... And in it's own way it was. Crystal clear and stable stereo tuner. Very nice sound balance. But I soon learned as I began my electronics hobby.... "No Bass!" 😆 That became my focus unfortunately and for too long. I'm back to appreciating that every electronics item has it's purpose and is designed around some parameters including cost. I find oddly that some systems are pleasant for background while we are doing other tasks. Some good for low sound pressure level listening and only some for really entering the music. Each has it's purpose. As a kid picking things up off the curb to fix up all I really wanted was a color TV and floor rattling bass. I wish I could have bank the items I discarded back then. I can truly enjoy them now with this perspective. Whatever you like and sounds good to you then that's the best for you!

[@paulgarrett4610]

I still my Akai AP10C turntable i bought in 1978 for £50! Ive had it refurbished, new belt bit of electronics sorted and longer leads and a Ortofon FF15emk11 cartridge, still sounds great today. Main deck is my Linn LP12 but after 43 years the old Akai is something il never get rid of it

[@MODAC]

Thanks for sharing

[@johnl.haubrich4384]

One easy way to improve the sound is replace that Shure N91. My first turntable came with that cartridge, a few years later I replaced it with an AudioTechnica VS240L, shibata stylus, and the improvement in high frequency response was noticed immediately. My amp (Marantz 1060) and speakers (Bolivar Model 18) didn't change at all, but the sound sure did.

[@BOBBRADLEYCHANNEL]

Nice video, definitely a cool concept. Cheers!

[@FluxCondenser]

Also afflicted with nostalgia-itis, I found this to be a lot of fun. I went through much trouble myself to recreate my childhood system which was actually my dad’s. Doing so was especially rewarding as the system always had something wrong with it. One of the KLH Model 6s had a blown tweeter. The Realistic SA-700 amp had a left channel that came and went. The Ampex cassette deck was wonky and had European connectors I never could quite figure out back then. And the whole thing was shelf mounted to the wall, including the speakers, so there was ridiculous feedback to the Thorens turntable. All incredibly frustrating for a music-obsessed teenager who just wanted to listen to his tunes. As an adult, not only was I able to recreate the system, but repair and restore the components so I could finally hear what it was supposed to sound like. And you know what? Not bad. Not bad at all. By the way, what a treat to see your original artwork on the wall. I can’t tell you how much I admire your talent and appreciate your art.

[@MODAC]

Thank you. You have impressive technical skills that most can only dream of. Amazingly great attention to detail.

[@rogermason1674]

Really great video, and very timely. I too, have recently been caught in a wave of nostalgia about my first quality hifi system. Right after starting my first professional engineering job out of college in 1977 I ordered two kits; a Dynaco PAS 3X tube preamp and a Heathkit AA-1640 200W per channel solid state power amp. I remember that Heathkit refused to allow me to purchase anything besides the amp on credit since I had zero credit history at that point. Built both kits and hooked them up to a set of excellent three way bass reflex speakers I got from the liquidation of a speaker company started by three guys at my university that quickly ran afoul of the IRS (good engineers, but terrible businessmen). I think my turntable was a United Audio Dual model ???; it was a pretty common 70's era turntable with an angled-side wood base and a smoked plastic hinged top cover. I suspect I would have the same reaction you did if I recreated my system 45 years later. Fun to reminisce though....

[@TheAirConditionerGuy]

Pennsylvania huh? Me too!! Small world lol I love my Marantz! I have the 4300.

[@fredlennon5937]

Dave, mentioned before, I had a pair of Hartley Zodiacs as well. Long forgotten and was surprised when I saw you had a pair as well, same time frame. Mid fi is the right term. Bought them as a package at a Lafayette store outside of Philly.

[@Mikexception]

Those vintage speakers were tuned to work with right loudness correction, it was a must in 60 ties - 70 ties and was quite sophisticated. With that they worked miracles. When Japan production took market over power went up, it was already no use for those vintage speakers were too small rated and for multi way eventual correction was disappointing.

[@martyjewell5683]

Great video and history lesson. After military service in 1974 and broke I shopped for a budget system. I got a BIC 920 turntable, Pioneer SX-434 receiver and KLH 31 speakers for under $240. My nostalgia bug kicked in a few years ago when I rescued an SX-434 from the trash. My fix-it guy restored it for $60 and now it's my kitchen receiver. I recall Hartley Zodiac Jr. speakers selling for $80 (ea.) with 8" woofers and 2" tweeters. Is that a Shure M91 pickup on your turntable??

[@natanpierce495]

Neat video. I am probably going to shock you. I have basically the same system I have had since my first set up back in 1975. It did get a heart transplant with a NAD C 372 Power envelope amp, but....I still jam the original Bang & Olufsen speakers (Beovox 1971). Dual 701 table with a Shure V 15 Type RS. I also have side by side with my Dual 701 a Dual CS 5000 with same cart. My "B" speakers are JBL L80T (West Coast Sound) in the living room, while my B&O's (East coast sound) are in my listening room. I did some upgrades with a CD player back in 2004, and a subwoofer by Polk Audio, but other than that, yes...this thing is like a Hemi Cuda. Open her up and the neighbors take notice. Sound? Well...let's just say, my brother, who use to manage bands, ran a night club in Daytona and now is a program director for ClearChanel listened to my gear last week and said, "Well, those B&O's certainly passed the test of time. When I played my L.P's, he was silent for a bit, then looked at me and shocked said, "I can't believe how good the soundstage is. Really 3D" This week he inquired me for buying some gear and he has a Carver amp and some vintage speakers coming in the mail. Loved your video. Keep it up!

[@frenchvinyladdict]

Love these good ol' Marantz receivers. Mine is a model 2230 paired with a TT Thorens TD115 and a pair of Castle York speakers , vintage as it can be haha

[@mikecampbell5856]

This was a neat video. My first system was a Sony TA-1130 integrated amp, an AR manual turntable and a pair of BIC speakers. Not refined but surprisingly good sound. I bought it in 1975 when I was in the Navy. Sadly, I only got to listen to it when I was on leave. Also, do you like Triumvirat Spartacus as much as I do? I found an abandoned cassette in one of the shipyard work shops and I loved it. I have the vinyl and the CD now.

[@ScottGrammer]

Dave: One possible reason for the excess midrange in your Hartley's is that the crossover caps have become leaky. This will, in the case of the high-pass cap that feeds the tweeter, essentially lower its crossover frequency, allowing too much signal near its resonant frequency to reach it. This makes for a pronounced upper midrange (in a two-way speaker) and it endangers the tweeters. Replacing the old bipolar electrolytic caps with some decent film caps might cure or at least lessen the issue.

[@MichaelDavitt1]

I too have revisited some of my childhood haunts . . ... ... and everything looked smaller

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

I recently had a 'phone call from a potential customer who lives where I grew up, after a brief chat it seems all the shops I knew have shut down, the local trams network ( once a paragon of efficiency an ease of use ) is terrible and the funfair/corkscrew/amusement arcade is no more.

[@seand67]

Nice set up!!

[@jasonblakeley3499]

Recap done bothe to the receiver and speaker x-overs may change your assessment although I'm not familiar with those speakers. Have a blast with your tube adventure I'm sure it will be a pleasant experience

[@alm5693]

I don't think I'd want my very first Garrard turntable but I'd love to still have my first 1970 Kenwood receiver. I don't know the brand of my first speakers (two way acoustic suspension), but they sounded great to me at the time. Probably much better left as a memory...

[@brunoprimas1483]

Depends on the Garrard...

[@alm5693]

@@brunoprimas1483 My first Garrard was a couple steps up from the bottom of the line. I talked my dad into buying it for me so I could DJ country music at a little rodeo he was sponsoring. I was more of a Beatles/Invasion kid, but you do what you gotta do.

[@budshure3183]

OMG Dave! I also owned Zodiacs! I absolutely loved those speakers. Think I bought them in the 70s from a stereo store on Rt46..Fairfield? I eventually replaced the drivers and crossovers from units purchased from Madisound. Dragged them out to California. Used them for years and eventually donated them to Goodwill. Yes, very nostalgic seeing them again. Thanks, Buddy

[@MODAC]

I think I bought mine at the same place! Do you remember the name of the store?

[@budshure3183]

@@MODAC I don't remember, but I can't imagine there'd be more than one Hartley dealer in the area. The guy was a slippery salesman type.

[@scrunts666]

I love that record storage/hi-fi stand.

[@tjtreinen7381]

wow I did the same thing. Marantz 1060 amp, Pioneer front loading cassette deck, two BIC speakers, Koss headphones and Pioneer belt drive TT, over 2 years, this was in 1975! I donated my amp 2 years ago, still working..now they sell for more then I originally paid for mine new

[@mrsunshine63755]

I still have my Marantz 2230 receiver and Fisher ST 440 Speakers

[@ericvillano5729]

I really love your videos. This particular one reminds me of my first system I worked my ass off to get in the mid to late 70s, making a similar approximate minimum wage around that time as a kid in New Jersey. I worked in a building supply, paint and hardware store, and mowed lawns for neighbors while in high school. Cut grass for a doctor who offered me on trade for yard work, his lightly used, nearly new then Marantz 2245 receiver. He knew I liked listening to music, and he had this powering his Klipsch Cornwalls on main and La Scalas on speakers remote (A and B) that I thought sounded like God. But remarked to me about wanting the then "new" Sansui 9090, and imparted his willingness to give me a good deal on the Marantz for mowing his 1 acre plus lawn, raking leaves and trimming his hedges for an entire season. From recollection it also entailed shoveling snow from his driveway for a couple winter storms, as well. I then acquired a pair of Criterion speakers, made by Lafayette Sound, in NYC, by mail order and later, a Technics direct drive turntable and Shure V cartridge I picked up at Crazy Eddie's in East Brunswick, NJ. I still have the Marantz, and the Criterions, but not the turntable. Have acquired many other pieces of hifi equipment since, some vintage, and some newer, and most upgrades, but for nostalgic and sentimental reasons, will never give up my Marantz or Criterions. Sounds pretty ridiculous perhaps to some, but here I find myself 35+ years later in my late 50s reminiscing and talking about it as if it were legendary, and some form of sacred mythology. 😀

[@MODAC]

It is!

[@ericvillano5729]

@@MODAC so you get it. Will you please explain this to my lovely wife of 33 years?

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

Things were expensive. Good things more expensive. That time in middle America we got our first jobs and began to get clothes, cars, tools, or whatever else we were planning on because it wasn't common for our parents to spoil us with those types of things. Plus the economy was tough in the seventies and eighties. What we got for ourselves we were plenty proud of and felt that was part of stepping into the world of adulthood. Good vintage items are a challenge to acquire today. May as well enjoy the ones that you worked so hard for back then and have been with you all of that way. Enjoy!

[@capndavey1]

I still have my first receiver SA 5150. 16 watts bought it in 1976 when I was in 10th grade not sure if it works its been a a closet for 10 years

[@zulumax1]

Speakerlab sold a couple of different versions of the Phillips tweeter, the DT-100 was the model number I believe. There was a version that used a mylar smooth black dome, and another version that used a linen dome, both used 10 oz. ceramic magnets like your original.

[@MODAC]

Cool! There’s one on eBay.

[@zulumax1]

@@MODAC If yours uses the linen domes, I have a pair. The other pair is in my Speakerlab 30's which uses the smooth black domes. Those speakers will be hooked up to my Sansui G-8700DB when I repair the output section. Just sold a set of Speakerlab 4's that were being powered by my Sansui AU-7700 which I bought back in 1978. I will be running a set of Speakerlab S.1+S models, 6" clear poly woofer, passive radiator, and a DT-110 model soft dome tweeter made by Audax. Much smoother than the Phillips tweeter, more like an ADS dome tweeter.

[@zulumax1]

@@MODAC That one is a DT-100A which is a hard dome with three small perf holes in it. I believe yours is the DT-100 which is a linen dome. I have a pair that I could part with, a matched set.

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

Actually the center piece of main system is a 1977 Pioneer series 2 8500 amplifier, Liked Vid

[@frasermoo]

Good vid. The nostalgia bug is real.

[@nigelpearson6664]

I had an Akai CR4040 reciever. Pioneer PL12D. Shure V15 IV with Dynaco A25. I knew Sid Smith of Marantz. The PL12 became an ERA mk6 plus SME.

[@frankcoffey]

The problem with 1977 is that CDs were not available yet. Everything you could buy either wore out, got damaged, or was defective when new. Lots of cool new music that year tho.

[@TheAirConditionerGuy]

Best of the best. I understand the coolness and nostalgia of Vinyl, 8 Tracks and Cassettes, but I wonder what kind of drugs those people that think they sound better than CDs are on, because I want some.

[@frankcoffey]

@@TheAirConditionerGuy It's not a matter of sounding "better". Vinyl sounds "different" and for some that sound is better. It's a different experience than listening to CDs or files. Not just because of the media but the source used and process of making LPs.

[@TheAirConditionerGuy]

@@frankcoffey i cant get over the pops and the clicks. Its fun for sure, but the only time i use it for serious listening is in the situation where the CD has a shit master. I want it to be as crystal clear as possible.

[@frankcoffey]

@@TheAirConditionerGuy I get that, some records are noisy and it's an (expensive) fine art setting up a record player to sound good. My main collection is all digital. LP is a rare treat I can only enjoy at home. The wife likes them so our new found hobby of collection and listening to records is a positive thing, I'll take that over watching TV any day.

[@TheAirConditionerGuy]

@@frankcoffey absolutely!! Agreed on all counts!

[@brunoprimas1483]

I've owned a 2245 and a 1060. The 1060 is essentially a 2230 without the tuner. The 2245 is direct-coupled, the 2230 capacitor-coupled. I replaced all of the capacitors in both units, known noisy transistors, fresh grease and mica on the outputs, new led bulbs. The 2245 sonically, did not change much from before the rebuild, I just picked up peace of mind. The 2230, however, regained both treble and bass that seemed to be lacking before. I thought it was more, "musical", than the 2245, which was more detailed. If the 2230 has not had those components replaced, that might be why you're getting more mids than anything. I agree that it's still pleasant to listen to.

[@martytoo]

You can use the split treble controls on the 2230 to tweak the tweeter response a bit.

[@RUfromthe40s]

i do own every device i bought since young age ,it becomes a problem ,because i see on ebay a cassette deck i liked but when younger couldn´t afford it and i buy it. So ,my house is filled with hi-fi components and always hearing "why do you need more garbage?there´s no place to put anything else.",it´s true but only think of that when having a new device in my hands and nowhere to put it. i don´t need to buy nothing to put to work my first hi-fi system ,it´s all at home and i don´t let them get out of work ,i have 3 main systems conected and change some components when wanting to listen to a certain combination, the turntable you bought from technics i know it because a friend of mine has one and the original cartridge and stylus are much better than the one you showed, i know this because i bought one to a pioneer turntable and conect it to a technics turntable ,the 76, SL-3310 that comes with a eps-270sd but i always prefered the ed and it´s much beneath the technics cartridge ,another thing is that most of the people think that technics cartridges and stylus aren´t good but they are, but originally you had a goldring wich was one of my favorite cartridge and stylys(now i don´t remenber the reference). when the 90´s arrived i thought that i needed something more modern, i bought a entire new system ,off course it was not as good as my older systems but it had a cd player that the ones i had i stole them from my old father ,it was so good that 5 years after the only thing i kept was the cd player . nostalgic i think it afects anyone when becoming 50 ,at least i felt it hard ,having to ask for a new drivers permit ,where i live you take it at 18 and change it for the first time at 50 , then again at 60 with several medical exams. today i have a system with all decades mixed and always changing the turntable ,the cd player ,the deck, the speakers ,the pioneer amplifier is the heart of my main system a 79 high-end integrated amplifier(don´t remenber the reference)but also have a 76 sansui a very good one and some stereo receivers from pioneer and one from technics also a complete system from technics, the alternative colour from 1979(it was a offer)it came with some magnat speakers but my favorite are some tannoys and some celestion ditton series both huge, regards

[@johnwheat5199]

A great exercise. I would love to recreate my system of the 70s. It was a flagship Technics, which cost and arm and leg. Problem is, it would cost both arms, both legs and some to buy it today.

[@geomorphdog]

My Zodiac 1B's really sing nicely in the high frequencies. Those cabinets are different, smaller I think, but that should mainly affect the bass. The correct tweeter would probably make a significant difference. You could also try replacing the old caps in the crossovers. I did that to mine, but I couldn't swear to an improvement, and the old components were still in spec. Doesn't mean yours are, though.

[@davemilligan9709]

Hey man. Love your hi fi cabinet is it custom? Do you have plans that you could share?

[@MODAC]

Thanks! I designed it, a family member built it. No plans.

[@michaelfreiberg8057]

i didn't recreate my 70's-80's Hifi, i recreated what i wished to have back then but couldn't afford: Luxman amp, JBL speaker (paid about 120$ for both). The turntable is the same, still working (Akai)

[@paxwallace8324]

Well I'm 63 and was just now tonight having a conversation with a friend I went to school with about how it was so important to so many of my generation to have a decent sound system to play your 33 1/3 rpm LPs on names like Harmon Kardon, Marantz, Pioneer if you were pinching pennies Klipsch, Bang and Olufsen etc. What's screwy is that nowadays so many of us settle for the horror of the smart phone without headphones. The point being our ears heard Keith Jarrett, Oregon or the Miles Davis Quintet over astounding hi fi compared with what's tolerated now.

[@brainache555]

Placement and room can totally change how you hear a speaker. I wish it didnt matter as much as it does.

[@Mikexception]

That is a fact - small but full sounding system moved to say 50% bigger room may sound "bass less"

[@brainache555]

@@Mikexception yes i have given away lots of budget gear to friends that I thought sounded not so good end up sounding so good at my friends room that I almost regret giving them away 😂

[@Mikexception]

@@brainache555 May be not only room but rest of gear they use was in synergy - it is crucial.I am confident that each era in Hifi presented components in more or less successful synergy and they do not mix with other times . The reason was shift in power to unreasonable levels. In 70 ties people who attend gigs wanted have them at home. Example my German speaker's tags even do not mention power because radio producer surely assured that it was adequate to amplifier - why listener would be interested? He also assured the radio tube amplifier had ideal frequency characteristic to them. Another era. They sound fantastic only with German vintage amplifiers known to have sophisticated loudness correction or, as in my set, with German preamp and other tube amplifier from that times. Having amplifier 2x14W I listen at about 60 dB with power max 1W and my fellow having new gear listen the same 60dB but he uses amplifier nominal power 2x 80 Watt and( probably) needs 3 W for his B&W. If I connect next era 30W closed compact speakers, for the same impressions I need to use no tube but solid 70w German amp.

[@brainache555]

@@Mikexception No i gave them my amps and my speakers to have. So you didnt understand. I have the same amplifier as my father in law and he lives in an exactly same apartment as me but he can place his speaker in a better position lengthwise in room. And it sounds glorious! So many examples!. Room and positioning matters the most.

[@aworminmybook8234]

Ha. I wonder if one of the reasons i like this channel is iam the same vintage as dave and also hail from northern nj. My father used to love to tease me by retelling the story of the time he drove me to druckers stereo to negotiate on a stereo component. My high school self pulled out clippings of newspaper adds demandinb they beat the price by x dollars. He wouldn't come down to my price so i walked away whispering to my father that the salesman will follow me and give in. When we bot to the parking lot without a counter offer, i lookd at my father sheepishly and said, "sometimes you lose." He said just go in and agree to his price but iwas humiliated so we just went home. For the record i had Kenwood 4600 40 wpc Cerwin Vega 2 way 10" woofer real walnut vaneer Marantz belt drive semi-auto with shure cartridge All in approx $400 new Loved that damn thing. Was my main system until the mid 80s and i believe the kenwood is still doin duty at my friend' s vacation home.

[@joeygsaudiochannel3972]

I'm posting my journey today Dave. To cut it down inside of 10 min. will be tough. Maybe if I don't swear for 5 of those 10 min., I'll be able to squeeze more content in it. Cool story and commendable that you searched for all that stuff. Wherever my Pioneer SX-3700 is (or resting in peace in a junkpile somewhere), I'm not gonna go looking for it. To quote Neil Young "it's a piece of crap".

[@MODAC]

I have an SX-3800. It’s not crap.

[@pedrofernandez8729]

When you reviewed your Marantz 2275, you said it was much nicer than the new Sony you compared to, yet here, it seems like a new system would sound a lot better, so what is the difference? The Marantz, the speakers or the source? I have a 2030 put away and currently use a Yamaha AVR from the late 90-'s. I don't want to go through the trouble of changing it over if it's not gonna improve the sound much

[@MODAC]

The only way to find out is to try it yourself.

[@glissonj73]

Thanks for the video. Ive recently been upgrading form vintage to modern gear. Modern sounds (to me) better, but vintage looks so freakin cool. 🤘😎

[@MODAC]

Agreed

[@devonmoors]

I have a few Luxman and HH Scott gear and they all work!

[@tavi1814]

I wonder how this system sounds with high quality modern speakers… Those vintage speakers are probably the week link!

[@milesdufourny4813]

I believe the Zodiacs used a Phillips tweeter. The more expensive Hartley's used a Decca tweeter.

[@arielgonzalezguerra6725]

Very good job on putting togheter a similar system as your first system. I'm in the process of refuribshing two pairs of Pionner cs 99a speckers, I can show you pictures if you send me an email or by facebook. After I worked on the speakers I think they look very nice.

[@hhvictor2462]

Hard to believe a high-end stereo outfit was based in the good 'ol Bronx lol

[@limomangeno]

Yeah ,the first stereo equipment i bought with my own money was a Electronic all i one piece .In 1969 those all in one amp,tuner,tt ,8trk player and those omi speakers that looked like an end table. I was 17...I got married in 1973 and gave that to my brother .I bought a Sony Str 7065 at crazy Eddie's$250 a AR turntable with Shure cart $100,and Bose 901s used from a guy who lived next to the 59st bridge in NYC they were fair traded back then for $500.i got them for $315 ,with based and a custom bottom the made them ear level...I hated the AR I sold if in the Village Voice for ,$100 and bought Technics SL 1300 with Shure 100 got it for $350 at a place on 45 St .I still have the Technics ,I ,I brought the Sony again for $125 ,but the Bose are still at my Exs house all the speakers need to be redone big job,no thanks.Sound great back then.Had like all the albums you showed.

[@brucemitchell5092]

If the Hartleys have electrolytic capacitors in their crossover, they surely need to be changed. I recently upgraded the capacitors in a pair of Celestion Ditton 33s, and they sound quite good. How do you like your Proac 2.5s? I have a pair and think that they have good resolution for a 25 year old speaker.

[@TheMaxx111]

Get a Goldring 1042. I have one and really like it.

[@MODAC]

Yes, I’ve heard great things about it. Not in my budget right now. Pretty happy with an AT VM740ML. Thx.

[@geez-hd6dn]

The speaker cabinets are probably made of chipboard not MDF as, MDF wasn’t invented back in those days. Great video though.

[@barrykrakovsky756]

Interesting video. I certainly understand the power of nostalgia, and while I would be curious to recreate the sound of my college system to compare it to the one I'm presently using, I think I'll stick with my current system. I was in college during the late 1970's. My system consisted of an Acoustic Research AR 77XB turntable, with Stanton 881 cartridge, a SONY 4650 integrated amp with VFET transistors that sounded great before they blew, and a pair of JBL L 26 speakers. Most of my friends got caught up, and were heavily influenced by, big receivers churning out more and more power: Technics direct drive turntables, with their strobe light speed adjustment and "fantastic specs", and Bose 901's for their sheer volume. They didn't understand my rather plain and low powered system (30 watts per channel, are you kidding?!) which was fine with me, since I liked the sound it produced. The causes of the nostalgic impulses you refer to are complex, but I'll keep what I got for now: VPI HW 19, Aries Black Knight platter, SME 309 tonearm, MoFi MasterTracker, VTL 2.5 pre amp, McCormack 0.5 Deluxe power amp, Martin Logan Aerius i's. When friends who are currently "discovering" the sound of vinyl, or returning to the vinyl of their youth, ask for system advice, I refer them to Steve Guttenberg's channel so they can view his recommendations of systems for a reasonable cost ($1500-$2500) instead of trying to replicate the gear of their youth, or for my younger friends, that cool looking Marantz receiver. My reasoning is that you can buy better and cheaper gear now. The notion that the gear was better and the music sounded better with 50 year old gear is misguided. It is fueled, in part, by the nostalgia you refer to, and cannot compare with the sound, cost (when adjusted for inflation) and reliability you can get today.

[@martyjewell5683]

Damn dude, you sure know how to bring down a head. Hate to say it but you make a lotta sense. Question is, will todays audio components last fifty years or be garbage in ten???

[@donaldlampert331]

Fun travel down a memory lane…… thanks

[@timlafreniere1580]

I still have my original stereo from 1976 pioneer PL 71 Pioneer SX 750 OHM C2s Thanks to my grandfather Harry Bailey I was able to purchase it, all I had to do was pay him back which I did

[@martyjewell5683]

Sounds like a boss system. I think Tech Hifi sold the SX-750 with Ohm C2 speakers back in the day. In 1978 while speaker shopping to upgrade my budget speakers I fell in love with the Ohm H systems. Waaaay outta my budget ($700-ish) I bought the model L's to go with my SX-650. Still use them (with my 1979 purchased Hitachi SR-804) and a few years back got a restored pair of H's from my hifi fixit guy. Sonically and cosmetically restored. My H's have Ohm drivers and two tweeter switches while the L's have a single tweeter switch and binding posts. For me, Ohm had the best sound and "bang for the buck. Did like the Polk Monitor 7 speakers too. Kudos to your gramps for his fine taste.

[@hifijohn]

Its sad few if any are into hifi, back then there were tons of hifi stores even a small town had a HiFi store.are there any even left??

[@EddyTeetree]

The x-over is tuned for the original drivers. As you changed the tweeter you need to attend the x-over too. Also you should replace both tweeters as they are now not matched. Speakers that old have many electrics way out of spec. You really should attend to this before assessing the performance. With some effort I’m sure they will outperform much of the junk on offer today.

[@Mikexception]

I think aligning x-over in speaker set to both new type drivers is tricky job to do - I would not advice to change them both but rather readjust elements of new tweeter filter to align sounding nearer to old one. Best is to trust to old producer but also be sure to measure filter elements in both - may be they vary? It happened in old times when expectations were lower. One need good capacity and inductance meters up to third digit. It may be done by slight adjustment of capacity or Inductance if used 12 dB filter. . Speakers, specially tweeters, if not damaged or wet do not go out of specs For someone not experienced setting right timbre is like winning in lotto. Too many amateurs build own speakers and throw them later as they were worse than expected. .

[@robertdavis5714]

Damn you spent much money for the day in time, same scenario, working at Mc Donalds, 17 yrs old. I went the finance route and got Sherwood, 20 wat per channel, I remember paying low 200's for this, seen it on CL for sale 6 months ago, but, no Thanks...................

[@ianbigsand7]

You certainly liked British music judging by your old vinyl

[@skyblinked]

I have to ask, who does the paintings ??

[@MODAC]

Me!

[@skyblinked]

@@MODAC damn man ! I love them. You are very talented. Distinctive Edward Hopper feel to them with your own sense of comedy/weirdness. They're great ! The one in the video is genius !

[@jackvan8125]

Triumverat Album, I love them.

[@mikedo6]

Don't forget that your hearing has changed over the years, also!

[@GustoTheGamer]

What about recap? 40 years old caps and transistors? Are they still fine ?

[@Mikexception]

Transistors never wear by time . I 'd rather check if capacitors are bad before replacement No possible to get new of the same value when accuracy of values for new vary +/-20%.

[@Mikexception]

I noticed that You underline the technology and innovation of those USA speakers which were originated from England. But in 77 you invested most money in Japan Marantz and Technics. And this USA speaker brand was out just as others. Because Marantz and Technics were was so prized at this time? . May be it wasn't right judgement? I did the same as You - regained my original system from 1977 but difference is it wasn't Japan made except two Japan drivers used in my own construction speakers which I made exactly the same today. It was very hard to tune as original L and C were lost. German Uher , Telefunken tape machines , Denmark LP (1g tracking) , American Bell tube amp, German pramp, Most from from before 1970 Denmark CD only from 2005 and LP from 1983. . Today for this I also made more even vintage speakers with German RFT all band drivers (1957) which are smaller but equal to desired quality. No brackets - it is required only for big stuff while mine are about 6 liters. They deliver from 25 Hz - ok, it is my personal development:). . So today just as then I use no ANY stuff from Japan - used in between ONKYO, Luxman, Pioneer - all good bye. All vintage American or European and guess? I wouldn't exchange for any even most expensive of today. So I don't agree it is a matter of time of production.

[@peterjmcgee4680]

There is nothing wrong with the main components of the system you may want to go into the speakers and add some dampening material on the sides and maybe Port them on your own maybe I'll do it back which will help with some of the bass the other thing you may want to do is take the crossover Network out and rebuild it because the crossover the resistors and the capacitors and the crossover Network might be off the passengers could be weak and the resistors could have gone out of Tolerance which could throw the whole system on your speakers out of whack that's why everything is sounding not the right way it should so doing a little work on your crossover Network in the speaker could help quite a bit I have done that myself on Vintage speakers and it livens of write-up it defines the sound quite a bit you might also want to check some of the capacitors in the receiver in the preamp stage they may be a little bit on the weak side that can also help with these sound I would specifically look in the area where your Raton control the volume and bass and treble are that board right there I would definitely change the capacitors because they are quite old that receiver is known for those capacitors to going for going out and getting weak this is one of my hobbies I restore vintage equipment I have quite a bit of collection of it myself doesn't amplifiers and preamps like maybe 15 receivers I don't know right now I've got 10 turntables and maybe about a dozen tape decks so I work on quite a bit of stuff and sometimes I get rid of them I get something new to work on a new hobby and I have maybe eight different pairs of speakers really some vintage stuff that sounds really good and I completely rebuild all the crossovers because believe it or not they do wear out

[@Mikexception]

I checked after 30 years my never used capacitors which I purchased in 1992 and they are much more accurate to value than those which I buy today. I check each before use any. . Today you MUST expect that each new capacitor has value almost 20% less than written No strange that when replaced in speakers they sound "much better" -if it is not measured accurate then it is suggestion by new product. Last time I checked all important capacitors in my 1968 amplifier -two were faulty - were 1,6 and 2,5 instead both "10". That amplifier was build with best components at time. So I replaced with two new "10" -but both new in reality are 7,8 and I cant get better ones -all are like that, especially regarding electrolytic. but not only. ,. . So I am opposite to make any more changes since old are good by measurement and ear. .

[@Stelios.Posantzis]

8:30 You know that tweeters can be repaired, right? The glues used might not be exactly the same as the originals and skills and expertise vary from one technician to another but you can do your research, find a reputable technician and it shouldn't cost you a fortune either. It's better than having a sub-standard or non-equivalent replacement and a dead tweeter lying on a shelf or in a drawer....

[@astolatpere11]

You didn't say if the crossovers were refreshed. That's kinda major as any old electrolytic capacitors would be toast. Really nice vid though. I reckon my hifi journey started similarly. I call that period the crank it up, rolling doobies in the gatefold era.

[@Mikexception]

It is rare to see electrolytic capacitor i crossover And when is and one want to replace it is very critical not to change tuning by changing value. Better buy 30pcs to choose the nearest value - in case of expensive ones it may be not worthy.

[@FedoXX]

I'd try with another speakers...

[@MODAC]

Have done that.

[@recalcitrantone]

Dig your channel

[@MrPompanoman]

Why? My system today is way better you couldn't give me the equipment I had in the 70s however I do use a music reference rm5 mk3 I have had for 26 years it is wonderful.

[@Vuchswax]

Old gear doesn't sound as good as your memory remembers, old girlfriends aren't as pretty as you thought they would be and lake property is way more expensive than it used to be. That's life.

[@abdelkaderelbachir3817]

True 😑

[@wayneg296]

👍👍😎✌️

[@geraldford6409]

1977? Where's the Farrah Fawcett and Star Wars posters!? Journey Infinity album? DIsco bell bottoms!

[@MODAC]

Never owned any of those items. Yikes.

[@flyguy456thetechnicsking3]

Man I thought you was British all the time you From JERSEY......IM WATCHING YOU DAILY SAYING TO MYSELF THIS GUY IS BLACK AND I KNEW YOU WAS A REAL COOL GUY AND I AM FROM HILLSIDE/ELIZABETH......

[@MODAC]

British? Black? What you smoking? lol 😂

[@recalcitrantone]

D

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

The past is a nice place to visit, but you shouldn't live there.

[@Hclann1]

Your ears are also not as good as they were in 1977

[@MODAC]

And how is that relevant?

[@Hclann1]

@@MODAC it’s relevant because he does not hear with the same range as when he was 18, especially in the high end range, so of course the speakers are going to sound different to him than when he was younger. That is how.

[@MODAC]

I believe I can hear well enough to evaluate those or any other loudspeakers. I am not hard of hearing or have any issues of that kind.

[@Hclann1]

@@MODAC normal aging we loose high end. Try the mosquito app, young people can hear it very easily, those over 25 cannot. And it gets worse. Has to do with stiffening of the hairs in our ears. Not noticeable for normal hearing, but our ears and hearing are different.

[@Mikexception]

@@Hclann1 In old times not much trust was put to generators and measurements but to that what was heard as whole impression , Now they put most attention to maximum and minimum frequencies and it has no much in common to whole impression. .I also had doubts about ageing when I noticed that in new dome speakers I do not hear that sopranos which I remembered from past. Yea, measurements confirmed that I cannot hear above 13 kHz while I could 19 before. Problem? But when I purchased all band speakers which deliver to 20 kHz and are produced in 1957 I regained that lacking old sopranos :) They simply were there and now there are f..in' 25kHz but look at 6kHz - due to bad characteristic all "masked" Ageing is obvious thing but it do not affect that what we really perceive in sound - those highest sopranos are too weak to notice when they are 20 dB below rest - nobody enjoys them in music.

[@SaucyBegger25]

Hi, did you build that vinyl and hifi stand? If it’s bought would you happen to have a name or a link to the unit at all please. Thank you