I’m an avid collector. I’ve been that way for 55 years. My main collections are, of course, Vintage Stereo. Guitars and Amplifiers, and US Coins! Like you, my passion are loudspeakers. Also I’m really into Integrated Amps. Love my US made Fender Strats. It’s a never ending hunt for great Tone!!
You are so great , you remind me of the most enjoyable times during seventies and eighties , I think I’m same age I’m 1959 , my dream always buying audio equipments , and I’m also long time ago love collecting audio equipments , my first cassette player was Akai GX 36 I bout in 1972 and in 1976 I bought Akai GX 38 and from that I continued collecting audio equipments , and my top of the line was Revox B77 which I bought in 1981 . good luck for all collectors .
Wow, thank you! For those of us that recall that golden age of audio, it certainly brings back great memories every time I see and use this wonderful gear. Keep enjoying your collection!
Hi Bill. Love the channel. Very, very impressive collection, and as one Vintage HiFi collector to another, here's my personal kudos. You've been a very busy bee and so I'm wondering if we've ever crossed paths on the nation's interstates searching/picking up the next haul. Lots of our late boomer generation bretheren also got the bug, and spend countless hours scouring the various online sellers - although alternatively in the high end circuit (not me). BTW, congratulations on finding a cool solution to the WAF conundrum. A separate building to indulge. Happy wife happy life!!! Please keep the shows coming as my YT subscription will remain assured, just as were all those 70's Stereo Review, Hi Fidelity and Audio mags. 😊
Hey Dino! I typically go by Scott, but "Bill" is fine. 🙂 Thanks for watching and subscribing. We may certainly have passed each other at some point out there on the byways picking up that next piece of gear. If you don't have one, a separate building is the BEST! LOL
I enjoyed this video so much!!! Makes me think of when I was a kid in the 70's, and I always LOved Loved Audio! I am not a collector but I Love the Technics brand and some others.
While I was living on campus in the early 90s, I had a job at the Library. I read Stereo Review magazine every month. I wanted those beautiful peices of gear. Once I was financially able, kids grown, I started collecting the gear I day dreamed about.
You can still build your own audio gear but need to source the parts from multiple vendors. You also need some basic electronics and safety knowledge on how to correctly wire a high voltage DC-PSU. So the builder is also responsible for designing the build (and test) instructions. You can purchase amp-boards from many different places but then you need to find the transformers, case and filter caps, switches, LED's etc.
Thank you so much for sharing! I am an Audio collector as well so I enjoy listening to others that share the same passion! I bought my first stereo when I was senior in high school in 1986. A Marantz SR240 , Technics SL-B92 and Sansui Classique S770 and still have the set today! I have turned the guest room at the house into my audio collection cave , so no guests just music, LOL !
A kindred spirit! :-) Back in the late 80's/early 90's, I used to drop by local pawn shops just to mill around and look at stuff. I recall vividly the huge receivers that were stacked on shelves and priced at what we consider now giveaway prices. Black faceplates & digital screens were all the rage, along with remotes! How I wish I had a time machine. :-)
Here’s to the class of 86.🍻 You guys are awesome. Great video. TY…I think we had an inkling, how amazing, the times were, we were living in. And we’re kind of caretakers. Collecting is in our blood. I still have most of my toys and original records and tapes. But who knew to save all the boxes. My Brother’s got the collector bug too…Fire Trucks and cars. Yep, real FT…Hook and latter the whole bit…Very big garage. Scott will appreciate this. I ended up with the stereo system, that, I had picked up brochures for- 25 years later…seemingly by pure luck….talk about kindred. Funny, I want a time machine just to go back and buy some blank tapes… nice Nakamichi at the end…BTW…What a beauty! Catch you on the B-side 😎
@@jimmyBside Most find the brochures AFTER they buy the vintage gear! Seems like it was just meant to be. 🙂 Sometimes I daydream about having a time machine to go back and walk into one of the early tube era hi-fi shops to buy a Fisher, Scott, Sherwood, etc. tube amp and some Altec speakers, etc. Might need to have some fun and make a few different outro videos using different Cassette decks.
Loved seeing Carver gear in movies and tv back in the day. Enjoyed your discussion Scott. Reminded me of my own experience at times. Keep ‘em coming’ .
Thanks for sharing. No one makes videos and shows off their collection... one piece, with one video at a time. I myself would love that: seeing the (blue?) dial glow, watching the meters jump, going over all of the buttons, dials and sliders on each. They used to make them to look like spaceship control dashes. It would be even better if the pieces are reviewed as well, i.e. comparing the sound, as if they were new.
I love your collection and your videos. If I had a choice between a modern Chi-Fi amp that has perfect sound and a beautiful vintage piece that made almost perfect sound, I would pick the vintage piece every time. I love love love the looks of silver amps and receivers. As I'm watching you on my big screen, I'm looking at my mint Harman Kardon PM-650 amp from 1983. I have older pieces but this is my favorite.
Great video, your man after my own heart. I have quite a collection also it ranges from solid-state silver face to tube Stereos and amplifiers. I loved your comment about collecting cars and collecting artwork, and when it comes to collecting audio people, ask, what are you gonna do with all of it. Why don’t you get rid of some of it. And I rebottle, which of your golf clubs are you going to sell… Lol they look at me like I’m crazy. These are pieces that I cherish and truly give me great pleasure just to have in my possession, I rotate the stock often along with my speakers and turntables and reel to reel‘s. Keep up the good work. I have music going 15 hours a day in the background every single day since I’ve retired two years ago. I salute you my friend.
Ohm F speakers used a single full-range driver. I never heard them, but they had 360 degree sound dispersion. I seen a pair online for a low price and kind of regret not looking into buying them.
Typically, they are low priced because they need to be refurbished and it requires some special tooling to do it, so most often they need to be sent back to the factory. The Ohm company was recently put up from sale, but the original owner sadly passed away in October before a new owner was found, from what I understand.
Believe I found you thanks to Skylabs. I am a collector at heart. It was auto racing collectables mostly diescasts, then some racing art, mostly Sportscar Racing. The stuff takes up space so I try not to collect stuff I don't use. I also remember the guides published by the magazines with all the specs of everything made. I miss that time, btw I am about 20 years younger than you. In college, my roommate went on the hunt to get the best 5.1 home theater he could afford. Thanks to those guides and open box sales after the holidays, I was able to enjoy a good system, much better than our friends enjoyed. I put together a system after buiying a house. I have 4 cars. 70 Chevy C/10, 70 Chevelle SS396, 01 Z06 and my daily an 01 Chevy truck. You still get you can only drive one. Maybe the Italian car collector doesn't get that. The higher end of whatever you collect tends to get looked down on less. I type this with a bit of humor which won't come across over just text. I'd love to have a 90s or older BMW, or Porsche. I've considered it but 20+ year old GM cars like vintage audio are easier, cheeper to get parts for and fix things in my own garage and thus cost of onwership is less. Looking forward to more reviews. My father was an electrical engineer and his fraternity little brother was as well and an audiophile. I inherited the core of his system and am looking to put together something to get it back working.
I had a 1987 BMW 325es way back when, most $$$ car I ever owned (due to repairs). That thing seemed to eat bearings at $500 a pop! And back then, that was a LOT of money I really could not afford. While it was a lot of fun, I could not justify the cost. Later, I had a Miata that just ran like a sewing machine and was a blast! Ah, the memories. Thanks for joining the fun here!
What happened? Continuing my post. And built 2 pair of speakers to go with the Heathkit. I was 14 at the time and my dad didn't help with the electronics but did with the cabinets. I've repaired more vintage stereo stuff that I can remember. Being in Nashville made it possible to get an amazing verity of equipment from common audio to tube stuff line amps compressors 2" tape machines and you name it. But my main fortay is loudspeaker design and building. Subsequently I have collected various drivers deemed valuable to me for experiments and have done so over the decades, for hifi, retail, studios and whoever else asks.
You have an amazing collection! Or is it really a museum?! I am a collector too, not as big or valuable as yours, but I have been able to acquire some highly sought after pieces that I am proud to own, some that you have as well and some that I have sold that you have. I had an original Oracle Delphi 1, and traded it for a Pioneer SX-1280, not my best move, but it was a nice piece. I just couldn't get used to the sound of that receiver, so I sold it and the Oracle is gone :( win some lose some... By the way a lot of new shows are using vintage gear in their sets now too as it seems to be quite trendy!
I sometimes refer to it as my museum. I too have had similar surprises, expecting something iconic to blow me away, only to be disappointed. But it is all fun in the long run and just part of the journey that is collecting. I get a laugh every time I see a commercial or show zooming up close to show a record starting on a turntable so they can "cue the music" for the scene. :-)
Sorry for too much questions, I have the oportunity to buy one of this ones, Fisher TX100 or Heathkit AR-15, the Heatkit look a little bit more nicer. Which of the two do You think could be a better start into vintage audio? I already have a pair of Celestion F1 speakers. Sorry but after watching some of your videos I'm in love with vintage audio. Thanks for your time.
Hey there! Welcome to the crazy world of vintage audio! 🙂 My advice, try to do some up front research on sites like AudioKarma.org as there are YEARS of information for most vintage gear. Still some exceptions for the very rare things, but in general, you can get a good idea about something from there. As anywhere, there will be those that like or don't like a piece of gear, but there is always some bit of information to learn from both sides. When I started collecting, initially, I wanted only Sansui gear, but soon I realized, I better not set my goals on something so specific because, at the end of the day, it is what you can find and I may never find a specific unit. Widening my interest to everything opened the door to all sorts of fun gear. So, for your current choices, I would recommend going with the unit that is in the best physical condition. Typically, you can get most any technical issue addressed, but a damaged faceplate, etc. is not repairable (only replaceable by a donor unit). Dirty units can be cleaned (most often), so take a good look and negotiate on the price, if possible. Secondly, do some research to try and find out if there are any parts prone to failure, like power switches, etc. that are not easily replaced. Lastly, ask your tech if they have any experience on either unit as it may need some servicing at some point, if not immediately. Hope that was helpful and good luck!
People Instead of using my money on drugs, alcohol, restaurants and stripclubs, I rather have a Hobby and save my money, as I can easily sell my equipment and get my money back. I'm a Cassette decks collector and I'm really impressed by your collection and condition of your stereo equipment.
Realistic (brand of Radio Shack) had some great models. They outsourced their manufacturing to other companies, Kenwood, Pioneer, etc, were supposedly companies that manufactured some of their models. I have owned an STA-2100D which was a TOTL model for them. It was a gorgeous unit, but unfortunately, it was in my prior home and I sold it before moving to my current location. I would love to find other examples to add to my collection. I do have some Nova speakers though.
Hey SN…Ohhhfff…Heartbreaking about the comics. It’s just awful. Good thing there’s a happy ending on those shelves behind you. I can go on and watch the rest of the video. Sheesh….
LOL, don't fret, it was over 45 yrs ago and I am over it now.... finally! 🙂Better it was way back then and not now. I had all of the Marvel series from the very beginning, Amazing Fantasy 15, Spiderman, Hulk, Fantastic Four, Avengers, Iron Man, etc., they were not all mint, but many were. Believe it or not, the fire was set by my little brother in my room after I went to school!!
@@stereoniche Wow…Hopefully your brothers over it too. Hey, I almost set our whole house up, by overfilling a running Kerosene heater. Oh the dumb 💩I did…I was just a kid. Yea, those are some awesome comics for sure. It doesn’t all have to be mint. Something to be said for previously enjoyed conditions. Like you said, a collector would ideally like one of everything….🤠
I’m an avid collector. I’ve been that way for 55 years. My main collections are, of course, Vintage Stereo. Guitars and Amplifiers, and US Coins! Like you, my passion are loudspeakers. Also I’m really into Integrated Amps. Love my US made Fender Strats. It’s a never ending hunt for great Tone!!
Welcome! It is such fun to find something you haven't seen before. A bit exhilarating really. About where are you located?
You are so great , you remind me of the most enjoyable times during seventies and eighties , I think I’m same age I’m 1959 , my dream always buying audio equipments , and I’m also long time ago love collecting audio equipments , my first cassette player was Akai GX 36 I bout in 1972 and in 1976 I bought Akai GX 38 and from that I continued collecting audio equipments , and my top of the line was Revox B77 which I bought in 1981 . good luck for all collectors .
Wow, thank you! For those of us that recall that golden age of audio, it certainly brings back great memories every time I see and use this wonderful gear. Keep enjoying your collection!
Hi Bill. Love the channel. Very, very impressive collection, and as one Vintage HiFi collector to another, here's my personal kudos. You've been a very busy bee and so I'm wondering if we've ever crossed paths on the nation's interstates searching/picking up the next haul. Lots of our late boomer generation bretheren also got the bug, and spend countless hours scouring the various online sellers - although alternatively in the high end circuit (not me). BTW, congratulations on finding a cool solution to the WAF conundrum. A separate building to indulge. Happy wife happy life!!! Please keep the shows coming as my YT subscription will remain assured, just as were all those 70's Stereo Review, Hi Fidelity and Audio mags. 😊
Hey Dino! I typically go by Scott, but "Bill" is fine. 🙂 Thanks for watching and subscribing. We may certainly have passed each other at some point out there on the byways picking up that next piece of gear. If you don't have one, a separate building is the BEST! LOL
Correction - we want TWO of everything! Need an extra for backup/parts :). Great channel. Thanks.
So true! :-)
I enjoyed this video so much!!! Makes me think of when I was a kid in the 70's, and I always LOved Loved Audio! I am not a collector but I Love the Technics brand and some others.
Thanks Richard! Certainly a wonderful era for audio.
Your passion for collecting vintage gear is great and thank you for sharing. Cars and hifi are great...
Thanks Crimson!
While I was living on campus in the early 90s, I had a job at the Library. I read Stereo Review magazine every month. I wanted those beautiful peices of gear. Once I was financially able, kids grown, I started collecting the gear I day dreamed about.
You can still build your own audio gear but need to source the parts from multiple vendors. You also need some basic electronics and safety knowledge on how to correctly wire a high voltage DC-PSU. So the builder is also responsible for designing the build (and test) instructions. You can purchase amp-boards from many different places but then you need to find the transformers, case and filter caps, switches, LED's etc.
Thank you so much for sharing! I am an Audio collector as well so I enjoy listening to others that share the same passion!
I bought my first stereo when I was senior in high school in 1986.
A Marantz SR240 , Technics SL-B92 and Sansui Classique S770 and still have the set today!
I have turned the guest room at the house into my audio collection cave , so no guests just music, LOL !
A kindred spirit! :-) Back in the late 80's/early 90's, I used to drop by local pawn shops just to mill around and look at stuff. I recall vividly the huge receivers that were stacked on shelves and priced at what we consider now giveaway prices. Black faceplates & digital screens were all the rage, along with remotes! How I wish I had a time machine. :-)
Here’s to the class of 86.🍻 You guys are awesome. Great video. TY…I think we had an inkling, how amazing, the times were, we were living in. And we’re kind of caretakers. Collecting is in our blood. I still have most of my toys and original records and tapes. But who knew to save all the boxes. My Brother’s got the collector bug too…Fire Trucks and cars. Yep, real FT…Hook and latter the whole bit…Very big garage.
Scott will appreciate this. I ended up with the stereo system, that, I had picked up brochures for- 25 years later…seemingly by pure luck….talk about kindred.
Funny, I want a time machine just to go back and buy some blank tapes… nice Nakamichi at the end…BTW…What a beauty!
Catch you on the B-side 😎
@@jimmyBside Most find the brochures AFTER they buy the vintage gear! Seems like it was just meant to be. 🙂 Sometimes I daydream about having a time machine to go back and walk into one of the early tube era hi-fi shops to buy a Fisher, Scott, Sherwood, etc. tube amp and some Altec speakers, etc.
Might need to have some fun and make a few different outro videos using different Cassette decks.
Loved seeing Carver gear in movies and tv back in the day. Enjoyed your discussion Scott. Reminded me of my own experience at times. Keep ‘em coming’ .
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing.
No one makes videos and shows off their collection... one piece, with one video at a time. I myself would love that: seeing the (blue?) dial glow, watching the meters jump, going over all of the buttons, dials and sliders on each. They used to make them to look like spaceship control dashes. It would be even better if the pieces are reviewed as well, i.e. comparing the sound, as if they were new.
Oh... and they should if possible, put the videos into a playlist.
Thanks for the comments. I'll have some new reviews coming soon and they are all added to the appropriate playlist.
I love your collection and your videos. If I had a choice between a modern Chi-Fi amp that has perfect sound and a beautiful vintage piece that made almost perfect sound, I would pick the vintage piece every time. I love love love the looks of silver amps and receivers. As I'm watching you on my big screen, I'm looking at my mint Harman Kardon PM-650 amp from 1983. I have older pieces but this is my favorite.
Thanks Mike! That series of HK somewhat reminds me of the Yamaha design aesthetic of clean lines.
Great video, your man after my own heart. I have quite a collection also it ranges from solid-state silver face to tube Stereos and amplifiers. I loved your comment about collecting cars and collecting artwork, and when it comes to collecting audio people, ask, what are you gonna do with all of it. Why don’t you get rid of some of it. And I rebottle, which of your golf clubs are you going to sell… Lol they look at me like I’m crazy. These are pieces that I cherish and truly give me great pleasure just to have in my possession, I rotate the stock often along with my speakers and turntables and reel to reel‘s. Keep up the good work. I have music going 15 hours a day in the background every single day since I’ve retired two years ago. I salute you my friend.
Thanks Cutlass! From one collector to another, keep those tunes and gear playing!
Ohm F speakers used a single full-range driver. I never heard them, but they had 360 degree sound dispersion. I seen a pair online for a low price and kind of regret not looking into buying them.
Typically, they are low priced because they need to be refurbished and it requires some special tooling to do it, so most often they need to be sent back to the factory. The Ohm company was recently put up from sale, but the original owner sadly passed away in October before a new owner was found, from what I understand.
I started young, built my first kit a Heathkit ar2020 quad receiver and built a
Great Info!
Believe I found you thanks to Skylabs. I am a collector at heart. It was auto racing collectables mostly diescasts, then some racing art, mostly Sportscar Racing. The stuff takes up space so I try not to collect stuff I don't use. I also remember the guides published by the magazines with all the specs of everything made. I miss that time, btw I am about 20 years younger than you. In college, my roommate went on the hunt to get the best 5.1 home theater he could afford. Thanks to those guides and open box sales after the holidays, I was able to enjoy a good system, much better than our friends enjoyed. I put together a system after buiying a house.
I have 4 cars. 70 Chevy C/10, 70 Chevelle SS396, 01 Z06 and my daily an 01 Chevy truck. You still get you can only drive one. Maybe the Italian car collector doesn't get that. The higher end of whatever you collect tends to get looked down on less. I type this with a bit of humor which won't come across over just text. I'd love to have a 90s or older BMW, or Porsche. I've considered it but 20+ year old GM cars like vintage audio are easier, cheeper to get parts for and fix things in my own garage and thus cost of onwership is less.
Looking forward to more reviews. My father was an electrical engineer and his fraternity little brother was as well and an audiophile. I inherited the core of his system and am looking to put together something to get it back working.
I had a 1987 BMW 325es way back when, most $$$ car I ever owned (due to repairs). That thing seemed to eat bearings at $500 a pop! And back then, that was a LOT of money I really could not afford. While it was a lot of fun, I could not justify the cost. Later, I had a Miata that just ran like a sewing machine and was a blast! Ah, the memories. Thanks for joining the fun here!
What happened? Continuing my post.
And built 2 pair of speakers to go with the Heathkit. I was 14 at the time and my dad didn't help with the electronics but did with the cabinets. I've repaired more vintage stereo stuff that I can remember.
Being in Nashville made it possible to get an amazing verity of equipment from common audio to tube stuff line amps compressors 2" tape machines and you name it.
But my main fortay is loudspeaker design and building. Subsequently I have collected various drivers deemed valuable to me for experiments and have done so over the decades, for hifi, retail, studios and whoever else asks.
All fun tinkering with this old gear. BTW, you can edit a prior post instead of continuing in a new one.
@stereoniche Probably so but I'm an analog man in a digital world 🌎
You have an amazing collection! Or is it really a museum?! I am a collector too, not as big or valuable as yours, but I have been able to acquire some highly sought after pieces that I am proud to own, some that you have as well and some that I have sold that you have. I had an original Oracle Delphi 1, and traded it for a Pioneer SX-1280, not my best move, but it was a nice piece. I just couldn't get used to the sound of that receiver, so I sold it and the Oracle is gone :( win some lose some...
By the way a lot of new shows are using vintage gear in their sets now too as it seems to be quite trendy!
I sometimes refer to it as my museum. I too have had similar surprises, expecting something iconic to blow me away, only to be disappointed. But it is all fun in the long run and just part of the journey that is collecting.
I get a laugh every time I see a commercial or show zooming up close to show a record starting on a turntable so they can "cue the music" for the scene. :-)
Sorry for too much questions, I have the oportunity to buy one of this ones, Fisher TX100 or Heathkit AR-15, the Heatkit look a little bit more nicer. Which of the two do You think could be a better start into vintage audio? I already have a pair of Celestion F1 speakers. Sorry but after watching some of your videos I'm in love with vintage audio. Thanks for your time.
Hey there! Welcome to the crazy world of vintage audio! 🙂
My advice, try to do some up front research on sites like AudioKarma.org as there are YEARS of information for most vintage gear. Still some exceptions for the very rare things, but in general, you can get a good idea about something from there. As anywhere, there will be those that like or don't like a piece of gear, but there is always some bit of information to learn from both sides.
When I started collecting, initially, I wanted only Sansui gear, but soon I realized, I better not set my goals on something so specific because, at the end of the day, it is what you can find and I may never find a specific unit. Widening my interest to everything opened the door to all sorts of fun gear.
So, for your current choices, I would recommend going with the unit that is in the best physical condition. Typically, you can get most any technical issue addressed, but a damaged faceplate, etc. is not repairable (only replaceable by a donor unit). Dirty units can be cleaned (most often), so take a good look and negotiate on the price, if possible. Secondly, do some research to try and find out if there are any parts prone to failure, like power switches, etc. that are not easily replaced. Lastly, ask your tech if they have any experience on either unit as it may need some servicing at some point, if not immediately.
Hope that was helpful and good luck!
I don’t have a hoarding problem, I just need a bigger space.
Always the key issue! :-)
People Instead of using my money on drugs, alcohol, restaurants and stripclubs, I rather have a Hobby and save my money, as I can easily sell my equipment and get my money back.
I'm a Cassette decks collector and I'm really impressed by your collection and condition of your stereo equipment.
Thanks for watching. I'll have some new cassette reviews soon.
@@stereoniche Nice I'll be waiting, You are my new idol! :))
@@manzanaresantonio LOL, oh no! The pressure! 🙂
@@stereoniche 😁
I am a collector yet my significant other says I am a horder. I guess it's a fine line
Well, those significant others can be a bit more critical. :-)
So I'm wondering...Was any of your equipment used in the HBO series "Vinyl" ?
Maybe the same manufacturer and model, but not my specific units. Would be kind of cool if it was though.
Hey, nice collection, I'd love to tour it sometime! Where are you located?
Hey there. I am not exactly open to the public, but if you are around western NC, give me a shout and I'll see about giving you a tour some time. :-)
Hi! What do You think about Realistic brand? Do You own any of them?
Realistic (brand of Radio Shack) had some great models. They outsourced their manufacturing to other companies, Kenwood, Pioneer, etc, were supposedly companies that manufactured some of their models. I have owned an STA-2100D which was a TOTL model for them. It was a gorgeous unit, but unfortunately, it was in my prior home and I sold it before moving to my current location. I would love to find other examples to add to my collection. I do have some Nova speakers though.
Hey SN…Ohhhfff…Heartbreaking about the comics. It’s just awful. Good thing there’s a happy ending on those shelves behind you. I can go on and watch the rest of the video. Sheesh….
LOL, don't fret, it was over 45 yrs ago and I am over it now.... finally! 🙂Better it was way back then and not now. I had all of the Marvel series from the very beginning, Amazing Fantasy 15, Spiderman, Hulk, Fantastic Four, Avengers, Iron Man, etc., they were not all mint, but many were. Believe it or not, the fire was set by my little brother in my room after I went to school!!
@@stereoniche Wow…Hopefully your brothers over it too. Hey, I almost set our whole house up, by overfilling a running Kerosene heater. Oh the dumb 💩I did…I was just a kid. Yea, those are some awesome comics for sure. It doesn’t all have to be mint. Something to be said for previously enjoyed conditions. Like you said, a collector would ideally like one of everything….🤠