Lets have a recommendation then please, I'm far too young for valves and totally stereo less at the moment. I would normally just go buy the first acceptable cheap amp and speakers I came across first over the next few months. I'd like to consider an old valve stereo now though, maybe even just a little wireless to fill up the caravan. What sort of things should I keep my eye out for?
And do not skimp on the speaker cable. I have seen (and heard) what happens when somebody gets a great amplifier, awesome speakers, and bog standard cable (especially if it is near to mains wiring!). Some decent speaker wire (and a better route) and the equipment then really got going.
James ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
I have as my 'best' CD player a Shanling CD-T 100 that has valve amplification.
They also do a nice range of valve amps.
I won't be buying one as I am quite happy with my Electrocompaniet pre-power kit that sounds quite 'valvy' anyway.
Tabletop radios are worth relatively little unless you start looking at really early stuff or a couple of oddly desirable models (Bush DAC90 immediately springs to mind) which change hands for silly money.
I've probably got a dozen tucked away waiting attention one day at the moment, and not one has cost me more than a fiver. Expect to do some recommissioning work though, which in the vast majority of cases is limited to electrical safety sanity checks (I.e. checking the wiring is in good order, that Billy The Bodger hasn't done something horrific in the past, and that where applicable the appropriate metalwork is earthed), and capacitor replacements. The occasional resistor or pot might need swapping too, but in terms of valves themselves they are actually astonishingly reliable unless physically damaged and I don't think I've changed more than half a dozen across all the radios and TVs I've worked on.
As far as stereo kit goes, a very good way to get good gear if you're not dead set on a valve amp is just keep an eye out for mid range kit from the 70s to late 80s. My Pioneer amp cost me £20 from Cash Convertors, an early 90s Kenwood system (remember the one with the black and gold colour scheme?) which was originally worth well over a grand was £35 at an auction including the speakers, and if you have a poke around on ebay, Gumtree etc you'll find bargains. Especially if you can find one local to you that's collection only. Now there will be a plethora of kit with silly buy it now prices - but do a search for completed listings and take a look at what actually sold for what to get a better idea.
Here I'm running a Pioneer SA-610 amp, Sanyo TP-M15 turntable, DAD-M15 CD Player (tuner and tape deck to match, though they're in storage at present), playing through a pair of Pioneer CS-585 floor standing speakers handed down from my granddad, augmented with a Frankenstein's Monster of automotive sub running off a butchered PC power supply which helps fill in the low end - and is set up in such a way that you don't realise it's even there unless you turn it off. Speaker cable is just heavyweight stuff from Mapping, thankfully I don't have any issues with mains pickup or anything so I haven't needed to faff about with shielding or anything.
It's nothing really special, but sounds the part and never fails to impress folks when they encounter it for the first time. ... Especially when they are shown what a big sub can actually do other than vibrate the trim panels off a Vauxhall Corsa!
Will upload a photo or two in a sec.
Actual valve era hi-fi kit though is likely to command a far higher pricetag unless luck is really on your side...I've no experience to offer there simply because I've never been able to afford anything like that.
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
I think I'm looking for a valve amp and a pair of bookshelf speakers or a valve wireless (tabletop)
I do not have room for normal speakers which is why my Missions are staying in the lock up and my amp needs a repair anyway so I might as well replace it and repair later as it's far too big and powerful for a static caravan.
I'll be touring the antique, junk and charity shops but I really don't know what I'm looking at yet. Maybe I should go to one of those vintage wireless fairs Jim enjoys so I can have a bit of a guided tour before I spend any money. Speaking of which I'd like something for pocket money that I can restore, I find it more satisfying and it'll be a long wait for anything pricey.
Here's my setup. The shelves it's sitting on just now are temporary, which is also why the CD deck isn't actually wired up just now - we only unearthed the room just before Christmas! I wanted music available over the Festive period though, so lashed things together temporarily.
Amp & turntable...sorry for the photo quality...brushed aluminium is really hard to photograph!
First generation CD deck. This thing weighs about as much as a small car...
The repurposed automotive subwoofer (only ended up with this because my local motor factor had a stupidly good deal on a whole kit rather than the speakers I was after at the time!). The "Hazard" switch which is its power control is rather appropriate I reckon (it's actually the hazard light switch from a 1978 Volvo 240).
Will drop you a PM James, may well be able to find something in the way of a tabletop valve radio in my stores that might suit you as a starting point for that side of things at least...
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
bobins wrote:
Ooooh - that brings back memories .....I've got 1500+ vinyl discs to go and rediscover now
Does your 1500 include any of the "Hot Hits" , or "Top of the Pops" compilation of covers by session musicians, some of whom did go on to make a name for themselves. I think I'll donate "Hot Hits 1" to get the party started!
If like me you do like to wallow in a bit of nostaglia, as you might expect there's someone who has kindly catalogued them for us
Regards Neil
'Fraid that's not in my collection, but these beauties are
If it pleases the court, I'd like for several dozen other offences to be taken into consideration.
