It's amazing how big this was back in the 70's, every mall had a stereo store every city had tons of them, go to any place that sold magazines and there was a whole row of hifi magazines.And this stuff wasn't cheap, a top-of-the-line pioneer receiver was like $1000, $4k by today's money.
So true. I recall, as a teen in 1960's NYC, Acoustic Research had a Sound Room tucked away in Grand Central Station. It showcased AR stuff and I'd hang out there for hours drooling over audio I couldn't afford. At least till asked to leave. In later 1970's NYC had; Crazy Eddie, The Wiz, Tech Hifi, Harvey Sound, Great Sounds, Audio Graveyard, Stereo Warehouse, Lafayette Electronics and even Korvette's sold audio. Bought most of my stuff at Tech Hifi for their fantastic warranty policy.
Very nice reel-to-reel I had one I had a Pioneer 888 or something amp tuner EQ with it and I had the 707 reel-to-reel I got so upset after I got rid of that I went out and bought me that 909 pioneer reel-to-reel and now I also have teac 4 track 3440 and when I get them back from service I will we playing them with my Anthem 20 preamp and Anthem power amp 50 I don't know how to add pics or I would show you
Dude just stumbled onto your channel. You are not crazy. I have 2 total stereo system setups. My reference system built in my music room, and my "just for fun" system built in my dining room. (I have no need for "dining room" furniture). "Just for fun" system includes listening to my large collection of 45's. 😎
Beautiful systems you have there. I also have an SX-950. It is all the receiver I will ever need. Just love it. ❤ I also have the Pioneer PL-518 turntable. Mine is fitted with a Shure V15 Type IV cartridge. Love it as well.
Fantastic setup Richard! I used to have a 2275 as well, and if I decide to upgrade my speakers, I'll most likely be going with the Zu Soul Supreme. Thanks for stopping by!
Late to the party...Awesome rack(s) equipment and video! I have Schitt Mani 2 and a Pioneer 707 reel to reel!-- love them both. Looking forward to your next videos...💯😉
You have a beautiful setup! There is certainly nothing wrong with having more than one system set up in your home. Sometimes that is the only way to properly enjoy rare formats. I have four complete systems set up with three turntables. I have three systems in one small bedroom which is being used as a music room! It took some planning but it all fits nicely. I have a dedicated system which I use for DBX Disc records (which also sounds great with regular records), one system for my SACD Multichannel discs and another for regular records and CDs. The DBX system requires a Tape Monitor feature so I am using a Pioneer SX 939 as a preamp with a Parasound amp powering Polk Audio towers. All three of my turntables are Technics direct drive. One is a fully manual SL1200 MK2 in black and the other two are linear tracking and fully automatic. I have a fully immersive video setup in another room which I also use for records, Blu ray Audio and DVD Audio. I love the wood look on your turntables! You have an impressive looking system which I bet sounds amazing! Those of us who love to tinker with different equipment and sound have to be a little creative in the spaces we have! I always enjoy seeing what others have come up with!
Love those components. There's really nothing like the look and sound (and feel) of classic '70s audio equipment. I have some similar models: Pioneer SX-850 (and Pioneer SX-790, with the black dial, from the previous X80 line), the plain-old Dynaco/Dynakit ST-70 (to which I've added a pot for volume control) and that Pioneer RT-707 reel-to-reel, which I also love (with a Tandberg TD 20A above it -- nice thing about the Pioneer's compact form -- for 10-inch reels). I discovered those TEC audio switches a few years ago (like the ones they used to use in stereo showrooms) and wired them up so I can easily switch out sources, vintage amps/receivers and speakers. Took a lot of work to figure out all the connections, but I love the flexibility. And I, too, have a thing for exotica -- from the orchestrations to the cover art. I wish I knew more about electronics repair. I like doing it, but I really don't know what I'm doing. There's a lot of vintage stuff I could probably renovate if I taught myself how, but right now I'm pretty much limited to some basic soldering repairs, replacing bulbs, and spraying DeoxIT!
Nice tour. I have a late '70s Pioneer rig since new. SX-780, PL-530, CTF 650, HPM-100s. All still going strong. I imagine your rig also will serve as a heater for your place! Cheers!
I just bumped onto this video of your (never saw any of your videos before) and I have to say your equipment looks Fantastic, great stuff!!! Cheers, David.
Finally got a chance to finish watching this. Awesome rig! I have 3 full stereo setups myself, which allows me to listen to records in multiple rooms. My main setup consists of the Pioneer SX-1980, Pioneer SG-9800 EQ, Rega P6, TT, a modified Pioneer PLX-1000 TT and the ZU DWs. I’m a massive Pioneer fan if you couldn’t tell. Ahaha! I need to do an updated gear tour video as it’s been more than 3 years since my last one.
Hey Jon! Man, those DW speakers, where do I start. I thought they would be my life speakers, and now I'm holding myself back from upgrading to the Soul Supreme sets like Mr. Riley has.I'm also a huge pioneer fan. That SX-1980 is such a beautiful receiver. I don't want to feed your addiction, but you need to hear a pioneer open reel player, it's amazing. Have a great holiday!
I with you on the DWs! I don’t think I’ll be upgrading for a long time. I would love to have the Soul Sup’s or the Omen Def MK II’s, but the DWs are perfect right now. I’m a big fan of the Pioneer R2Rs, but I found myself not really going for tape very often, so I decided to slim down. Pretty much vinyl exclusively, and maybe the occasional CD a few times a year.
I’m able vintage, a old Marantz 2325, pair of K-Horns, Klipsch up front and a pair of Klipsch Belle’s in Back running on B-channel. I do have a M&K powered sub up front on the k- Horns. Together they cover a lot of music ! Unbeatable sometimes, the better the sources the better the sounds ! I can push live volume levels at a little bit past quarter volume. It still will put goose bumps on my arms ! Yep I’ve been listening to this combination for over 30 years. Guess I am spoiled ! You could spend yourself into the poor house trying to get more music than I’m listening to ! I am a Klipsch Fan and always will be, nobody produces a better sound than Klipsch does , especially at their prices ! Keep on Rocking ! I’m old and will be with this system until I die. I would like to have my old Marantz re-fresher it needs it even though it still looks Great in it’s walnut case. My speakers and stereo are all in Walnut ! They are furniture looking more than stereo looking. Beautiful together. I’m old like the stereo. I feel Blessed to have what I have ! Celebrate Life ! 🇺🇸🎉😎
You have a nice system. It's one that's not just for show, you drive it. I had a nice system stolen from me in 86. I had bought new a complete MCS series A from JC Penney in 81. The head, turntable an cassette deck. I had also added a Technics equalizer. The speakers were MCS series A honeycomb linear disk phase with 12" subs. That brought tears to my eyes when my house was broken into
I hate hearing stories like this! I had my place broken into in the early 90's. The guy didn't know what the amp was, and moved it out of the way to take the CD player. I dodged a bullet! I hope you were able to recreate some of the magic from that system, thanks for stopping by!
Those Zu speakers get mixed reviews, but I think they sound fantastic. The Dirty Weekend Omen speakers are like a drug, they almost beg you to see how much better the pricier models sound. I'm just not ready to jump into speakers that start running upwards of 5k. I'm a huge fan of vintage turntables. They're easy to work on and sound fantastic. You get so much for your money when you find a nice Pioneer or Marantz deck. Thanks for swinging through!
The racks are from "The Shelving Store", heavy duty and come in a lot of sizes. Not like the walmart shit with shitty weld jobs. Check them out if you need to find away to house your monster 70's receivers. Thanks y'all for stopping by!
The Pioneer amps are gorgeous looking and sounding. I had one before it blew out the power transformer and it had a sound through my Jensen speakers that I have not been able to duplicate to this day and that was back in the early 80's!
There is some real magic in that old Pioneer gear. Hopefully one day you can get another piece of Pioneer gear back in your collection - thanks for stopping by!
Killer Mix of Equipment. I also live to mix a match vintage and Modern Equipment. I have the Same Saga Pre-amp. I did install a PSVane tube after the stock went bad. Plus it looks cool!
I have the Micro Seiki Solid 5Turntable (from 1974) w/Grado cart. Got it from my Godfather about 16 years ago and love it! Enjoyed your music room tour…
Nice set up(s)! I have my original Marantz 2232B from high school. I also had -but sold - the same Pioneer tape deck. Next time I’m downtown, I’ll buy you a beer!
@@klkt107.9I still have my Omen Dirty Weekends, but upgraded to a pair of their DW6 Supremes... And all I can say is WOW! I need to try the Jupiter cap and tweeter upgrade for the Omens, did you happen to go that route? The upgrade on your Omens? The one that Zu sells direct to customers? Just curious.
My old Technics turntable died, and I didn't want to fool with resurrecting it (immediately) so I bought a new Audio-Tech direct drive and am very pleased with it. My Bose 201 speakers from the eighties were on their last legs, so I replaced them with a pair of Yamaha speakers. The old CD player kicked the bucket and finding a decent one for the right money is not easy. I settled for a device that plays CDs and multi-regional DVDs and reads MP3s off a thumb drive... for $40. The only thing I kept was the Mitsubishi AV amp. When I put it all together, I put on "Blow by Blow" by Jeff Beck and the sound astonished me. I hadn't heard vinyl for many years, and it moved me to tears.
It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed anything on you tube as much as your vintage system tour, great job!!! Kinda scary how much of our two old systems are alike!!! For example the one bedroom apt. With two complete systems, same here but with three receivers starting with the first system I ever bought it consists of the rec. :PioneerSX-1080 , RT-707 , for cassette: Pioneer CTF-700 & sitting on top of a 2” thick slab of polished granite a PL-560, with a newly installed Black Grado cart!!! This is all pushing 120w through two early 80’s Klipsch Cornwalls & a pair of Klipsch ref. Towers & matching 12” sub, for the necessary cyber noise I recently added a Yamaha TSR-7810, almost all of my old stuff was purchased on one really fine (& fun) day in 1978..... it ain’t goin anywhere! Thanks & keep it up!! D-racer......
Really...enjoyrd your video! I like how you have two totally "different systems", also. I have a Pioneer PL570(the *older* version, of course) but like the *base* of your PL 518 much better! Great set-up!
Those buther block tops on the wire racks look beyond amazing. Great touch!!! Wonderful set up!!!! I do have the 707 Reel to Reel as well. Could not agree with you more about the Pioneer. That SX series along with the Marantz 22 series will forever be some of the greatest power ever created. They built TANKS by then instead of hi fi gear.
@@klkt107.9 I love your room as well!!! Matter of fact part of what really prompted me to get back into 45s was the tour you did for my contest. Especially when you started talking about sitting on the floor in the other room and spinning 45s...I just got so connected to that idea. I'm now looking for a small, portable turntable where I can do just that. Thanks for the inspiration my friend!!
lovely system! I'll have to get around to doing a video of my system at some stage. It's recently had a bit of an upgrade. Swapped out my old tube monoblocks which are quite unreliable with a Parasound A21 fed from a Moon 390 streamer / preamp / DAC into a pair of Martin Logan CLS11A's. Sub is an old REL Storm with a Systemdek 2X2 with the Roksan Artemiz Zi arm and a Ortofon 540 MM cartridge which is getting swapped out for an MC. Tuner is a Magnum Dynalab FT101 and a half-track high speed Revox B77 and an old Akai HX-A3X cassette deck. Running Roon on an old IBM X3650 M3 which also is my Plex server. Been into audio for over 30 years. Hope everyone is safe during the lockdown. Best wishes from the UK. ETA - ust kill the plate supply to the tubes when there is no load or you can kill the output transformers, but I guess you knew this.
That’s a pretty sweet rig. I bought the VTA-120 kit from Bob but built and modified it with a different box and layout. I have vids showing some other amps I’ve built as well. Great stuff!
Just checked out some of your amps, super sweet! I wish I had the skill to build one, but I'll leave that to the experts like yourself. I'm really good at listening though! Thanks for stopping by!
Nice video mr! I have the rt 707 and the pl 550! I need to get a rack like you have. Also have the ctf 1000 and the sg 9500 and powering it all with the sx 1280. I like how you explained everything in detail. I like your setup!
I had a set of dirty weekends, and they weren’t quite bright enough for me so I had to brighten them up a bit via equalization. When I did that they sounded incredible to my ears. Came into some money and sold them to buy Tekton design double impacts, based on a review. That was a mistake. I also moved from peach tree audio class AB unit to Class D. Also a mistake. I’ll be buying something from Zu again down the road....
@ Ramisdad - Good to know thanks. I have Klipsch and have been pretty happy with their efficiency and dynamics but have always been curious about the Tekton DI’s.
That's a great question - I was going to ask the same thing, Tekton speakers were on my short list. I think one of the reasons I like my Zu is because they aren't neutral. I don't care about measurements, I just want something that sounds good to my ears, and everyone has different taste. Thank you guys for stopping by!
@@klkt107.9 , I think you pretty well nailed it. My old pair of dirty weekends gave me goosebumps often. Never got that feeling from the DI's. The DIs seemed clinical compared to the fun Zu's. I like my music fun.
Very nice!!! Love the vintage equipment!!! I’m glad you like the Dirty Weekend!!! I’m debating between the Zu DW or Tekton Lore Be! Thanks for sharing! ☮️🖖🏽
Thanks for stopping by Mr. Furley! I was looking at the Tekton speakers as well, very similar speakers but ultimately super happy with the Zu. I know that Mr. Roper thought he was getting a good deal when he left the complex and you took over, but his series was cancelled pretty quick, so the jokes on him!
TooMany45s Ha, ha, ha!!! Vintage all the way, including the tv shows we watch!!! I’m just starting my Hi-Fi journey, so I’m trying to get to where you are! Thanks again for sharing your passion!!! Enjoy the music!!! ☮️🖖🏽
Very nice setup! Thanks for sharing. I currently have a pair of Rega RS5 speakers that I really like but I think my next speakers will be the Zu Omens or Tannoy XTF8s.
Nice set up. Your Pioneer receiver is a beast. I bought a SX-780 back in the day ( yeah I'm an old geezer) and I regret selling it a few years ago. Those Zu speakers are beauts. The finish is stunning...great choice.
TooMany45s The shear sound quality is just heaven. When I played Not Enough Time by Cosmic Gate, I just stopped and savored the song. I hear the bass synthesizer and drum machine nuances that I have not heard before and heard the dynamic range of the entire song like never before.
I love your system. I'm in Austin as well (Pflugerville actually). My system is laid out similarly to yours, but I much prefer nearfield listening. If ever you're ok with a listening guest, I'd love to hear this Zus. I have a few of their power cord.
Great systems you have there! I have the same Bob Latino ST-70. Phenomenal amplifier! I’ve had it for six years and it just seems to sound better and better with age. Running Gold lion KT 88’s currently.
Many years ago I worked in a hifi wholesale company in Belfast, I slowly but surely collected a system which was paid off out of my wages every week. my first purchase was a garrard 401 with an sme 3009 arm shure v15 type 3, kef chorale speakers, later replaced with celestion dittons. akai amp, (can't remember model number) and the wonderful akai gx635d reel to reel which I still have (an aside, I paid £400 not dollars then today that equates to over £4000. added atechnics rs1500 rtr, and a teac cassette deck I have a rotel cd player but nothing beats vinyl to my old ears. The place was bombed by the IRA in 1972. two firemen were blown to pieces.
I love your set up! And...we have about the same taste in gear too lol. I have Omen DW's, a Pioneer SX 850, a RT 707, a Furman, and a Schitt DAC. I'm pretty sure I watched your tour but I'm going to check out that link since you went through all that trouble to get it up in the top right corner! ;)
I'm such an old man, it took me like 20 minutes to figure out how to post that link. Those Pioneer pieces are fantastic. I just had my SX-950 serviced with a recap and I'm good to go for another 20-30 years!
It's not weird...it's what WE do. If other people can't relate...oh well! Very nice setups you have there sir...kudos. I have two full-blown home theaters in separate areas of the house that I spent nearly the last two decades doing my best to keep up with all the technology advances. At least to the best of my ability. But now it's time to get back to basics. I am waiting on a Kenwood KR-2400 receiver to arrive, I used to own one and loved it. Located one in excellent condition to be the heart of my new listening station. The other components I will BEGIN with are the following. I've pulled out my Technics SL-QD3 turntable(including nearly 500 LPs), a Teac X-2000R 10" reel-to-reel, a Kenwood KX-90R cassette deck, a Kenwood GE-100 graphic equalizer, a pair of Bose 501s and wait for it.....a Pioneer H-r99 8 Track Tape Deck Player Recorder. All of these are in pristine condition and 100% functional. I know I will make some changes along the way...but it's a start. Thanks for sharing your equipment with us. I'm sure that it sounds every bit as good as it looks...and then some!!
Sounds like you have a ton of excellent gear...even an 8 track player! Thanks for stopping by - you should do a video of your setup once it's complete, I'm sure a lot of people would love to see it!
Update for the record. I ended up stepping up to a Kenwood kr 5600 for my receiver. Came across it on eBay. It is in mint condition and has more kick than the 2400 I had back in the day. It can handle two turntables, two tape decks, as well as an auxiliary(cd) component. And man is it beautiful to look at also. This vintage equipment is a lot more enjoyable with all of its knobs and switches. Just can't get enough of it!
Your PL-518 looks very different from mine purchased in 1979 ($118). It is, in fact a manual turntable as you say. Fairly easy to set-up with the Pioneer overhang gauge. Great specs for 1979 (or today), W/F 0.03% and Rumble 73dB with +/-2% speed adjust and that boss strobe. A girlfriend had the RT-701 and it was a sweet deck. I went for the Teac X-3 in 1982. Dig your Pioneer almost-monster receiver. I had the SX-650 in 1977, an excellent line. Interested in your ZU speakers but can't find "complete" specs on them. Published frequency response lacks a +/-3dB spec. Are they AS or vented?? Seems like all Gods speakers got vents today. Pretty cool stuff.
That SX-650 is a beautifully sounding receiver, I used to have one as well! And you're right, the Pioneer silver faced gear sounds and looks awesome, thanks for stopping by!
I have a few videos on my home system. Nothing special but I have a couple pieces that are fairly sought after but more 90's gear. Your silver faced gear with the wood grain tables is super cool man!
I too have more than one system. I have a separate rig for home theater/surround music, and a dedicated two channel setup. (I have videos for both on youtube.) Reel-to-reel is still the king of the hill when it comes to sound quality. I love the look of the Dynaco amp, and I'm old enough to remember when those big Pioneer receivers were new in the stores. Thumbs up.
I like your tour, nice setup! Reminds me of my room. I have the 518 but not the cool wood although I ve been wanting to strip it. All the way down to the Schitt...love your tubes! I have a lot of SL 1200’s just in case I need them. I know about the need for multiple tables, you don’t see that much. Thanks for the video I really enjoyed it.
Got a 950 for $20. a few years back. The thing is super clean inside out. Did interior paint for a woman with a 530. It was her husband's, who passed away a few years ago. She on the fence about letting it go. Neat set up you've got sir,Peace!
@@klkt107.9 ,yeah I couldn't believe it was $20 because the thrift store I frequent usually price all of their silver face receivers at $40... Crazy thing is, I can't remember how I got into these things. Highly addictive.
Awesome set-up, dude, fantastic! I can't help but wonder, though, how and why you haven't made it more of a priority to get out of an apartment so you can let it rock whenever you want? How can you stand to have all that awesome equipment sitting in front of you and not be able to crank it up?!? That's like having a bad-ass Corvette sitting in your garage that you can't drive!
It's so funny that you mention this, because I have been thinking about this for AGES! It might be time to shift priorities so I can let things air out a bit. I want to crank these up SO BAD!!!
@@klkt107.9 You've gotta do it, man, seriously. Being able to crank my system up (or my amp since I'm also a guitar player) is the only reason I can't even consider apartment living. I don't need the space, I HATE mowing, raking leaves and shoveling, but if that's what I have to do to be able to let it rock ANY TIME day or night then it's all worth it. Do it, man, you won't regret it.
Very nice-Montpellier, France! I’m looking for a Micro Seiki turntable and prices have gone through the roof in europe !! I use JM Reynaud Cantibile speakers and a Vintage technics amp. The ZU’s are now available in France and already out of stock!!!!!
Paul, You have a really great setup. I never had a reel to reel but they have always fascinated me. I don’t know how practical it would be for me at the present time but who knows.... I always like those Pioneer receivers from those years and they looked nice also. I get kind of paranoid and fear a component in my system may go bad but it looks like you have that covered!!!
Hey Bradley, I'm always paranoid that a piece of gear will go out right before I want to have a listening session(knock on wood), so I try to have options.
Pretty much sums up my setup as well for the past 10 years of my life, though not as clean and fancy seperates. Sub in an htpc for the R2R, etc etc. Currently trying to integrate a 5.1 setup thats also coherent to the stereo/hifi, may use a klipsch pro-media 5.1 system with proper wood bookshelf speakers subbed in for the crappy satelites : D
I have two sound bars....an Vizio and a Philips....they are my go to system....the other are portables....two parycenters from Hardin/Kardin....then i have CD players...by Phillips...Aiwa.... Panasonic...Sony with surround sound.......they all sound ...but different sound patterns....the one are my go to are the ones with the 3d surround sound.... I do live in a small apartment also... limited also... My front room...is my music spot Too...i am with you on this😊
Great audio equipment, love the reel to reel. I too am compromised by small living space(small house), but make the best of it. I have the main stereo in the living room, McIntosh amp, B&W speakers, Denon TT. Another stereo in the second bedroom, Marantz amp, B&W bookshelf speakers, NAD CD player no TT yet I am happy with both stereos! Keep collecting keep diggin’!
Your setup sounds fantastic, you should do a video! McIntosh/B&W and Denon sounds like a great matchup, and all of that gear is beautiful. Thanks for stopping by!
It's amazing how big this was back in the 70's, every mall had a stereo store every city had tons of them, go to any place that sold magazines and there was a whole row of hifi magazines.And this stuff wasn't cheap, a top-of-the-line pioneer receiver was like $1000, $4k by today's money.
So true. I recall, as a teen in 1960's NYC, Acoustic Research had a Sound Room tucked away in Grand Central Station. It showcased AR stuff and I'd hang out there for hours drooling over audio I couldn't afford. At least till asked to leave. In later 1970's NYC had; Crazy Eddie, The Wiz, Tech Hifi, Harvey Sound, Great Sounds, Audio Graveyard, Stereo Warehouse, Lafayette Electronics and even Korvette's sold audio. Bought most of my stuff at Tech Hifi for their fantastic warranty policy.
I purchased the Pioneer SX-950 when i was in the Navy. It came out in July 1977.
Fantastic setup - love the chrome racks and butcher block tops - great idea!!
Very nice reel-to-reel I had one I had a Pioneer 888 or something amp tuner EQ with it and I had the 707 reel-to-reel I got so upset after I got rid of that I went out and bought me that 909 pioneer reel-to-reel and now I also have teac 4 track 3440 and when I get them back from service I will we playing them with my Anthem 20 preamp and Anthem power amp 50 I don't know how to add pics or I would show you
Dude just stumbled onto your channel. You are not crazy. I have 2 total stereo system setups. My reference system built in my music room, and my "just for fun" system built in my dining room. (I have no need for "dining room" furniture). "Just for fun" system includes listening to my large collection of 45's. 😎
Nice system....I love system tours and your is no exception. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful systems you have there.
I also have an SX-950. It is all the receiver I will ever need. Just love it. ❤ I also have the Pioneer PL-518 turntable. Mine is fitted with a Shure V15 Type IV cartridge. Love it as well.
That PL-518 has served me well for SO MANY YEARS! Thanks for watching!
Wow. He has 6 sources (7 if you include the 2nd turntable) and 2 different amps in a very small footprint. Well done.
This setup legitimately made my day. The look is aces, I love both the main rack and the custom 2u.
Thanks for stopping by Thomas!
I love the room tours. Very nice set ups. I also have Zu speakers in my new set up and a Marantz 2275 with JBL speakers for my vintage set up.
Fantastic setup Richard! I used to have a 2275 as well, and if I decide to upgrade my speakers, I'll most likely be going with the Zu Soul Supreme. Thanks for stopping by!
Late to the party...Awesome rack(s) equipment and video! I have Schitt Mani 2 and a Pioneer 707 reel to reel!-- love them both. Looking forward to your next videos...💯😉
Rock on! New videos are coming, thanks for hanging out!
You have a beautiful setup! There is certainly nothing wrong with having more than one system set up in your home. Sometimes that is the only way to properly enjoy rare formats. I have four complete systems set up with three turntables. I have three systems in one small bedroom which is being used as a music room! It took some planning but it all fits nicely. I have a dedicated system which I use for DBX Disc records (which also sounds great with regular records), one system for my SACD Multichannel discs and another for regular records and CDs. The DBX system requires a Tape Monitor feature so I am using a Pioneer SX 939 as a preamp with a Parasound amp powering Polk Audio towers. All three of my turntables are Technics direct drive. One is a fully manual SL1200 MK2 in black and the other two are linear tracking and fully automatic. I have a fully immersive video setup in another room which I also use for records, Blu ray Audio and DVD Audio. I love the wood look on your turntables! You have an impressive looking system which I bet sounds amazing! Those of us who love to tinker with different equipment and sound have to be a little creative in the spaces we have! I always enjoy seeing what others have come up with!
Love those components. There's really nothing like the look and sound (and feel) of classic '70s audio equipment. I have some similar models: Pioneer SX-850 (and Pioneer SX-790, with the black dial, from the previous X80 line), the plain-old Dynaco/Dynakit ST-70 (to which I've added a pot for volume control) and that Pioneer RT-707 reel-to-reel, which I also love (with a Tandberg TD 20A above it -- nice thing about the Pioneer's compact form -- for 10-inch reels). I discovered those TEC audio switches a few years ago (like the ones they used to use in stereo showrooms) and wired them up so I can easily switch out sources, vintage amps/receivers and speakers. Took a lot of work to figure out all the connections, but I love the flexibility. And I, too, have a thing for exotica -- from the orchestrations to the cover art. I wish I knew more about electronics repair. I like doing it, but I really don't know what I'm doing. There's a lot of vintage stuff I could probably renovate if I taught myself how, but right now I'm pretty much limited to some basic soldering repairs, replacing bulbs, and spraying DeoxIT!
Nice tour. I have a late '70s Pioneer rig since new. SX-780, PL-530, CTF 650, HPM-100s. All still going strong. I imagine your rig also will serve as a heater for your place! Cheers!
I just bumped onto this video of your (never saw any of your videos before) and I have to say your equipment looks Fantastic, great stuff!!! Cheers, David.
Wonderful set-up. You have a throw-back, "Vintage" system that represents a magnificent era in music with beautiful equipment. Great share!
Thank you for the tour. I absolutely love your stereo system. 😊
Tha ks for showing us your nusic systems.
Finally got a chance to finish watching this. Awesome rig! I have 3 full stereo setups myself, which allows me to listen to records in multiple rooms. My main setup consists of the Pioneer SX-1980, Pioneer SG-9800 EQ, Rega P6, TT, a modified Pioneer PLX-1000 TT and the ZU DWs. I’m a massive Pioneer fan if you couldn’t tell. Ahaha! I need to do an updated gear tour video as it’s been more than 3 years since my last one.
Hey Jon! Man, those DW speakers, where do I start. I thought they would be my life speakers, and now I'm holding myself back from upgrading to the Soul Supreme sets like Mr. Riley has.I'm also a huge pioneer fan. That SX-1980 is such a beautiful receiver. I don't want to feed your addiction, but you need to hear a pioneer open reel player, it's amazing. Have a great holiday!
I with you on the DWs! I don’t think I’ll be upgrading for a long time. I would love to have the Soul Sup’s or the Omen Def MK II’s, but the DWs are perfect right now. I’m a big fan of the Pioneer R2Rs, but I found myself not really going for tape very often, so I decided to slim down. Pretty much vinyl exclusively, and maybe the occasional CD a few times a year.
I’m able vintage, a old Marantz 2325, pair of K-Horns, Klipsch up front and a pair of Klipsch Belle’s in Back running on B-channel. I do have a M&K powered sub up front on the k- Horns. Together they cover a lot of music ! Unbeatable sometimes, the better the sources the better the sounds ! I can push live volume levels at a little bit past quarter volume. It still will put goose bumps on my arms ! Yep I’ve been listening to this combination for over 30 years. Guess I am spoiled ! You could spend yourself into the poor house trying to get more music than I’m listening to ! I am a Klipsch Fan and always will be, nobody produces a better sound than Klipsch does , especially at their prices ! Keep on Rocking ! I’m old and will be with this system until I die. I would like to have my old Marantz re-fresher it needs it even though it still looks Great in it’s walnut case. My speakers and stereo are all in Walnut ! They are furniture looking more than stereo looking. Beautiful together. I’m old like the stereo. I feel Blessed to have what I have ! Celebrate Life ! 🇺🇸🎉😎
You have a nice system. It's one that's not just for show, you drive it. I had a nice system stolen from me in 86. I had bought new a complete MCS series A from JC Penney in 81. The head, turntable an cassette deck. I had also added a Technics equalizer. The speakers were MCS series A honeycomb linear disk phase with 12" subs. That brought tears to my eyes when my house was broken into
I hate hearing stories like this! I had my place broken into in the early 90's. The guy didn't know what the amp was, and moved it out of the way to take the CD player. I dodged a bullet! I hope you were able to recreate some of the magic from that system, thanks for stopping by!
Understand when you say " I don't watch too much TV" - yes you can't move eyes away from those gears at all! 😂
Very nice couple of rigs you got there, love the tables! The receiver and tube amp are beautiful. Zu! Fire.
Those Zu speakers get mixed reviews, but I think they sound fantastic. The Dirty Weekend Omen speakers are like a drug, they almost beg you to see how much better the pricier models sound. I'm just not ready to jump into speakers that start running upwards of 5k. I'm a huge fan of vintage turntables. They're easy to work on and sound fantastic. You get so much for your money when you find a nice Pioneer or Marantz deck. Thanks for swinging through!
WOW!!! Super nice...got to sound amazing!!!
The late 70's was the golden age of audio equipment. Pioneer was at its peak.
True, Pioneer, Marantz, Sansui & Kenwood are all involved in audio war in that decade. They emphasized quality not quantity!
SX-780, PL-530, HPM 100's. Still roll'n after all these years. Cheers!
Enjoyed this! I subscribed. Thanks for the great production values
Thank you for stopping by!
Bro that is one of the most beautiful setups I’ve ever seen!! Well done. I need those racks !
MCKENZIE ATHLETICS those are metro racks from Walmart no kidding
Michel Linschoten I need to return my 300 dollar rack that’s garbage lol
The racks are from "The Shelving Store", heavy duty and come in a lot of sizes. Not like the walmart shit with shitty weld jobs. Check them out if you need to find away to house your monster 70's receivers. Thanks y'all for stopping by!
LOVE your system vintage gear and configuration.
The Pioneer amps are gorgeous looking and sounding. I had one before it blew out the power transformer and it had a sound through my Jensen speakers that I have not been able to duplicate to this day and that was back in the early 80's!
There is some real magic in that old Pioneer gear. Hopefully one day you can get another piece of Pioneer gear back in your collection - thanks for stopping by!
Gorgeous set up my friend 🤗
Love pioneer stuff
Pioneer is just beautiful and awesome, thanks for watching!
Killer Mix of Equipment. I also live to mix a match vintage and Modern Equipment. I have the Same Saga Pre-amp. I did install a PSVane tube after the stock went bad. Plus it looks cool!
I have the Micro Seiki Solid 5Turntable (from 1974) w/Grado cart. Got it from my Godfather about 16 years ago and love it! Enjoyed your music room tour…
Nice set up(s)! I have my original Marantz 2232B from high school. I also had -but sold - the same Pioneer tape deck. Next time I’m downtown, I’ll buy you a beer!
That 2232B is an Awesome receiver, thanks for stopping by!
hello great systems i have a dyna 70 and dyna a 25 great old stuff much thanks
Nice! The Zu's with this vintage gear are simply incredible!
Zu Speakers are my end game - thank you for watching!
@@klkt107.9I still have my Omen Dirty Weekends, but upgraded to a pair of their DW6 Supremes... And all I can say is WOW! I need to try the Jupiter cap and tweeter upgrade for the Omens, did you happen to go that route? The upgrade on your Omens? The one that Zu sells direct to customers? Just curious.
Paul, that is some amazing equipment and looks beautiful. Love the set up. Love the custom racks. Love the reel to reel and tubes.
My old Technics turntable died, and I didn't want to fool with resurrecting it (immediately) so I bought a new Audio-Tech direct drive and am very pleased with it. My Bose 201 speakers from the eighties were on their last legs, so I replaced them with a pair of Yamaha speakers. The old CD player kicked the bucket and finding a decent one for the right money is not easy. I settled for a device that plays CDs and multi-regional DVDs and reads MP3s off a thumb drive... for $40. The only thing I kept was the Mitsubishi AV amp.
When I put it all together, I put on "Blow by Blow" by Jeff Beck and the sound astonished me. I hadn't heard vinyl for many years, and it moved me to tears.
It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed anything on you tube as much as your vintage system tour, great job!!! Kinda scary how much of our two old systems are alike!!! For example the one bedroom apt. With two complete systems, same here but with three receivers starting with the first system I ever bought it consists of the rec. :PioneerSX-1080 , RT-707 , for cassette: Pioneer CTF-700 & sitting on top of a 2” thick slab of polished granite a PL-560, with a newly installed Black Grado cart!!! This is all pushing 120w through two early 80’s Klipsch Cornwalls & a pair of Klipsch ref. Towers & matching 12” sub, for the necessary cyber noise I recently added a Yamaha TSR-7810, almost all of my old stuff was purchased on one really fine (& fun) day in 1978..... it ain’t goin anywhere! Thanks & keep it up!! D-racer......
Your system sounds incredible. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Of all the nice audio gear systems I've seen over the years....
....this is one of them. :)
great set-up!! push-button speaker selectors can have problematic switches that bleed or short. Love the mix of vintage and ew!
Really...enjoyrd your video! I like how you have two totally "different systems", also. I have a Pioneer PL570(the *older* version, of course) but like the *base* of your PL 518 much better! Great set-up!
That PL 570 is an AWESOME table. Thanks for stopping by!
Really dope set up. Looks like a great spot to post up, relax, and spin wax.
Actually the sx950 was made from 76’-77’. Then in 78’-79’ they updated it as the sx980
I was born in 1978. I love that receiver. Pioneer made some cool stuff
I love that 70's pioneer gear, built like a tank and sounds great!
Very nice setup👍👍🎶🎶💪
Sweet! I have the same Pioneer receiver and Marant cd player! But I have 3 systems in my house. Nice.
Really nice equipment you have, One hell of a system👍🏾
Thanks for stopping by! It's a lot of fiddling at times but that's half the fun!
That is a very nice apartment,and great setup
Fantastic set, cheers from Mexico City!!!!
Cheers to you Manuel! Hope things are well down in Mexico City!
I used to have a Pioneer SX535 I loved that receiver.
Those buther block tops on the wire racks look beyond amazing. Great touch!!! Wonderful set up!!!! I do have the 707 Reel to Reel as well. Could not agree with you more about the Pioneer. That SX series along with the Marantz 22 series will forever be some of the greatest power ever created. They built TANKS by then instead of hi fi gear.
Marantz 22 series are beyond amazing! Thanks for stopping by, your music room is beyond incredible.
@@klkt107.9 I love your room as well!!! Matter of fact part of what really prompted me to get back into 45s was the tour you did for my contest. Especially when you started talking about sitting on the floor in the other room and spinning 45s...I just got so connected to that idea. I'm now looking for a small, portable turntable where I can do just that. Thanks for the inspiration my friend!!
@@mrhoffame It's by far the best way to listen to 45s!
lovely system! I'll have to get around to doing a video of my system at some stage. It's recently had a bit of an upgrade. Swapped out my old tube monoblocks which are quite unreliable with a Parasound A21 fed from a Moon 390 streamer / preamp / DAC into a pair of Martin Logan CLS11A's. Sub is an old REL Storm with a Systemdek 2X2 with the Roksan Artemiz Zi arm and a Ortofon 540 MM cartridge which is getting swapped out for an MC. Tuner is a Magnum Dynalab FT101 and a half-track high speed Revox B77 and an old Akai HX-A3X cassette deck. Running Roon on an old IBM X3650 M3 which also is my Plex server. Been into audio for over 30 years.
Hope everyone is safe during the lockdown. Best wishes from the UK.
ETA - ust kill the plate supply to the tubes when there is no load or you can kill the output transformers, but I guess you knew this.
Very nice setup, man!!! Looks very impressive, I bet sounds even better!! Loved the idea of using shelfs/butcher block as a rack.
Cheers from Austin 😁
I don't get many views but love to show off my system, I really like to see other set up as well.
That’s a pretty sweet rig. I bought the VTA-120 kit from Bob but built and modified it with a different box and layout. I have vids showing some other amps I’ve built as well. Great stuff!
Just checked out some of your amps, super sweet! I wish I had the skill to build one, but I'll leave that to the experts like yourself. I'm really good at listening though! Thanks for stopping by!
Nice video mr! I have the rt 707 and the pl 550! I need to get a rack like you have. Also have the ctf 1000 and the sg 9500 and powering it all with the sx 1280. I like how you explained everything in detail. I like your setup!
Beautiful ! Lucky you...
It just takes lots of patience to wait for the right piece at the right price. Thanks for checking out my video!
Just watched it, cool setups man, thanks for sharing 🎶😎✌🏼
It's a blast setting up soundsystems. Thanks for watching!
Great set up Mr I Love it 👍
This video inspired me to finally look up wtf a preamp actually is.
Nice apartment and stereo set up
I had a set of dirty weekends, and they weren’t quite bright enough for me so I had to brighten them up a bit via equalization. When I did that they sounded incredible to my ears. Came into some money and sold them to buy Tekton design double impacts, based on a review. That was a mistake. I also moved from peach tree audio class AB unit to Class D. Also a mistake. I’ll be buying something from Zu again down the road....
@ Ramisdad - What didn’t you like about the Double Impacts? I have heard a lot of positive things.
@@kingtrance6826 , don't get me wrong, they were great but they were extremely neutral and that was unexciting to my ears
@ Ramisdad - Good to know thanks. I have Klipsch and have been pretty happy with their efficiency and dynamics but have always been curious about the Tekton DI’s.
That's a great question - I was going to ask the same thing, Tekton speakers were on my short list. I think one of the reasons I like my Zu is because they aren't neutral. I don't care about measurements, I just want something that sounds good to my ears, and everyone has different taste. Thank you guys for stopping by!
@@klkt107.9 , I think you pretty well nailed it. My old pair of dirty weekends gave me goosebumps often. Never got that feeling from the DI's. The DIs seemed clinical compared to the fun Zu's. I like my music fun.
Wonderful gears. Congratulatios for own & keep them in that mint conditions. 👌
Nice system! Great video, thanks!
Very nice!!! Love the vintage equipment!!! I’m glad you like the Dirty Weekend!!! I’m debating between the Zu DW or Tekton Lore Be! Thanks for sharing! ☮️🖖🏽
Thanks for stopping by Mr. Furley! I was looking at the Tekton speakers as well, very similar speakers but ultimately super happy with the Zu. I know that Mr. Roper thought he was getting a good deal when he left the complex and you took over, but his series was cancelled pretty quick, so the jokes on him!
TooMany45s Ha, ha, ha!!! Vintage all the way, including the tv shows we watch!!! I’m just starting my Hi-Fi journey, so I’m trying to get to where you are! Thanks again for sharing your passion!!! Enjoy the music!!! ☮️🖖🏽
Beautiful setup ......Merry Christmas :-)
Very nice setup! Thanks for sharing. I currently have a pair of Rega RS5 speakers that I really like but I think my next speakers will be the Zu Omens or Tannoy XTF8s.
Nice set up. Your Pioneer receiver is a beast. I bought a SX-780 back in the day ( yeah I'm an old geezer) and I regret selling it a few years ago. Those Zu speakers are beauts. The finish is stunning...great choice.
Thanks for stopping by! It's never too late to pick up another 780!
Pretty cool. Im with you on having multiple systems
I hooked up my vintage Pioneer A9 receiver and Q Acoustics 3020is and they are just truly amazing together.
I love the look of that 80's tech pioneer, I bet it sounds great! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it!
TooMany45s The shear sound quality is just heaven. When I played Not Enough Time by Cosmic Gate, I just stopped and savored the song. I hear the bass synthesizer and drum machine nuances that I have not heard before and heard the dynamic range of the entire song like never before.
Nice-looking ST70! I have the same driver board and think it’s the best design so far...
It sounds so good!!?
I love your system. I'm in Austin as well (Pflugerville actually). My system is laid out similarly to yours, but I much prefer nearfield listening. If ever you're ok with a listening guest, I'd love to hear this Zus. I have a few of their power cord.
I'm sure we can work something out! I also just did a video of my near field listening setup. Both setups are pretty much near field due to my space.
Fantastic set up, the amp is a work of art
Nice room tour man, cheers from New York.
Great systems you have there! I have the same Bob Latino ST-70. Phenomenal amplifier! I’ve had it for six years and it just seems to sound better and better with age. Running Gold lion KT 88’s currently.
Many years ago I worked in a hifi wholesale company in Belfast, I slowly but surely collected a system which was paid off out of my wages every week. my first purchase was a garrard 401 with an sme 3009 arm shure v15 type 3, kef chorale speakers, later replaced with celestion dittons. akai amp, (can't remember model number) and the wonderful akai gx635d reel to reel which I still have (an aside, I paid £400 not dollars then today that equates to over £4000. added atechnics rs1500 rtr, and a teac cassette deck I have a rotel cd player but nothing beats vinyl to my old ears. The place was bombed by the IRA in 1972. two firemen were blown to pieces.
Sounds like some great memories and an amazing system, thanks for sharing!
I love your set up! And...we have about the same taste in gear too lol. I have Omen DW's, a Pioneer SX 850, a RT 707, a Furman, and a Schitt DAC. I'm pretty sure I watched your tour but I'm going to check out that link since you went through all that trouble to get it up in the top right corner! ;)
I'm such an old man, it took me like 20 minutes to figure out how to post that link. Those Pioneer pieces are fantastic. I just had my SX-950 serviced with a recap and I'm good to go for another 20-30 years!
I've been considering a Schiit Mani for a while, this just convinced me to buy it, cheers.
It's not weird...it's what WE do. If other people can't relate...oh well! Very nice setups you have there sir...kudos. I have two full-blown home theaters in separate areas of the house that I spent nearly the last two decades doing my best to keep up with all the technology advances. At least to the best of my ability. But now it's time to get back to basics. I am waiting on a Kenwood KR-2400 receiver to arrive, I used to own one and loved it. Located one in excellent condition to be the heart of my new listening station. The other components I will BEGIN with are the following. I've pulled out my Technics SL-QD3 turntable(including nearly 500 LPs), a Teac X-2000R 10" reel-to-reel, a Kenwood KX-90R cassette deck, a Kenwood GE-100 graphic equalizer, a pair of Bose 501s and wait for it.....a Pioneer H-r99 8 Track Tape Deck Player Recorder. All of these are in pristine condition and 100% functional. I know I will make some changes along the way...but it's a start. Thanks for sharing your equipment with us. I'm sure that it sounds every bit as good as it looks...and then some!!
Sounds like you have a ton of excellent gear...even an 8 track player! Thanks for stopping by - you should do a video of your setup once it's complete, I'm sure a lot of people would love to see it!
Update for the record. I ended up stepping up to a Kenwood kr 5600 for my receiver. Came across it on eBay. It is in mint condition and has more kick than the 2400 I had back in the day. It can handle two turntables, two tape decks, as well as an auxiliary(cd) component. And man is it beautiful to look at also. This vintage equipment is a lot more enjoyable with all of its knobs and switches. Just can't get enough of it!
Your PL-518 looks very different from mine purchased in 1979 ($118). It is, in fact a manual turntable as you say. Fairly easy to set-up with the Pioneer overhang gauge. Great specs for 1979 (or today), W/F 0.03% and Rumble 73dB with +/-2% speed adjust and that boss strobe. A girlfriend had the RT-701 and it was a sweet deck. I went for the Teac X-3 in 1982. Dig your Pioneer almost-monster receiver. I had the SX-650 in 1977, an excellent line. Interested in your ZU speakers but can't find "complete" specs on them. Published frequency response lacks a +/-3dB spec. Are they AS or vented?? Seems like all Gods speakers got vents today. Pretty cool stuff.
Really nice system. I’m using a pioneer sx-650. You really can’t go wrong with the old silver face.
That SX-650 is a beautifully sounding receiver, I used to have one as well! And you're right, the Pioneer silver faced gear sounds and looks awesome, thanks for stopping by!
I have a few videos on my home system. Nothing special but I have a couple pieces that are fairly sought after but more 90's gear. Your silver faced gear with the wood grain tables is super cool man!
Thanks for stopping by, I bet those Cerwin Vega speakers shake the foundation!
"Really Love the Set up" The Pioneer Big Receiver and Reel to Reel. And love to here a bit swearing thrown in.👌🎅.Grant.
I too have more than one system. I have a separate rig for home theater/surround music, and a dedicated two channel setup. (I have videos for both on youtube.) Reel-to-reel is still the king of the hill when it comes to sound quality. I love the look of the Dynaco amp, and I'm old enough to remember when those big Pioneer receivers were new in the stores. Thumbs up.
Just checked out your system videos, SWEET!
I like your tour, nice setup! Reminds me of my room. I have the 518 but not the cool wood although I ve been wanting to strip it. All the way down to the Schitt...love your tubes! I have a lot of SL 1200’s just in case I need them. I know about the need for multiple tables, you don’t see that much. Thanks for the video I really enjoyed it.
Thanks for stopping by Tommy!
Got a 950 for $20. a few years back. The thing is super clean inside out. Did interior paint for a woman with a 530. It was her husband's, who passed away a few years ago. She on the fence about letting it go. Neat set up you've got sir,Peace!
Harry you scored the deal of a lifetime, enjoy that receiver! And here I thought I got a good deal! Thanks for stopping by.
@@klkt107.9 ,yeah I couldn't believe it was $20 because the thrift store I frequent usually price all of their silver face receivers at $40... Crazy thing is, I can't remember how I got into these things. Highly addictive.
Nice!! Love that Pioneer Amp and tapedeck
That open reel deck through the Pioneer receiver really does sound fantastic, thanks for stopping by!
Great work on the video man. Awesome setup!
Awesome system, love the speakers, love the set up
Awesome set-up, dude, fantastic! I can't help but wonder, though, how and why you haven't made it more of a priority to get out of an apartment so you can let it rock whenever you want? How can you stand to have all that awesome equipment sitting in front of you and not be able to crank it up?!? That's like having a bad-ass Corvette sitting in your garage that you can't drive!
It's so funny that you mention this, because I have been thinking about this for AGES! It might be time to shift priorities so I can let things air out a bit. I want to crank these up SO BAD!!!
@@klkt107.9 You've gotta do it, man, seriously. Being able to crank my system up (or my amp since I'm also a guitar player) is the only reason I can't even consider apartment living. I don't need the space, I HATE mowing, raking leaves and shoveling, but if that's what I have to do to be able to let it rock ANY TIME day or night then it's all worth it. Do it, man, you won't regret it.
Just beautiful ......period !
Very nice-Montpellier, France! I’m looking for a Micro Seiki turntable and prices have gone through the roof in europe !! I use JM Reynaud Cantibile speakers and a Vintage technics amp. The ZU’s are now available in France and already out of stock!!!!!
The 950 receiver is from 76-77 the 980 is from 78-79
Paul, You have a really great setup. I never had a reel to reel but they have always fascinated me. I don’t know how practical it would be for me at the present time but who knows....
I always like those Pioneer receivers from those years and they looked nice also. I get kind of paranoid and fear a component in my system may go bad but it looks like you have that covered!!!
Hey Bradley, I'm always paranoid that a piece of gear will go out right before I want to have a listening session(knock on wood), so I try to have options.
Pretty much sums up my setup as well for the past 10 years of my life, though not as clean and fancy seperates. Sub in an htpc for the R2R, etc etc. Currently trying to integrate a 5.1 setup thats also coherent to the stereo/hifi, may use a klipsch pro-media 5.1 system with proper wood bookshelf speakers subbed in for the crappy satelites : D
I have two sound bars....an Vizio and a Philips....they are my go to system....the other are portables....two parycenters from Hardin/Kardin....then i have CD players...by Phillips...Aiwa.... Panasonic...Sony with surround sound.......they all sound ...but different sound patterns....the one are my go to are the ones with the 3d surround sound.... I do live in a small apartment also... limited also... My front room...is my music spot Too...i am with you on this😊
Just great. Thank You for Video ! :)
Thank you for watching, love it!
Nice stuff 👍👍👍
Great audio equipment, love the reel to reel. I too am compromised by small living space(small house), but make the best of it. I have the main stereo in the living room, McIntosh amp, B&W speakers, Denon TT. Another stereo in the second bedroom, Marantz amp, B&W bookshelf speakers, NAD CD player no TT yet I am happy with both stereos! Keep collecting keep diggin’!
Your setup sounds fantastic, you should do a video! McIntosh/B&W and Denon sounds like a great matchup, and all of that gear is beautiful. Thanks for stopping by!