Office system

If you don't know much about vintage electronics and having a FUNCTIONAL system is important you may want to go with modern versions of vintage equipment. If it is just going to sit there and look pretty you can get anything.

I would recomend Jolida or Antique Sound Labs integrated amp.

Vintage solid state tuners shouldn't give you too many problems. I love my Accuphase T-100 but anything made by Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, or Marantz from that same era should look nice and serve your purpose for less money.

VIntage speakers are likely to have rotten or soon tobe rotten foam surrounds. There are a pair of Spendor S3e's for sale on A'gon for $750. Look classic, sound good, reasonably priced. Or you can get a pair of Klipsch Hereesy
most any time for $400 on Ebay.

Jolida JD-202 integrated amp---$750 retail
Vintage tuner---$400
Spendor S3e (used)---$750

$100 left for stands.

Good luck!

Bryan:

What type of sound do you want to achieve with the vintage components? Or is it really more of the vintage look that you are after?

Most vintage electronics that you will pick up will require some type of professional refurbishing ... we are talking about a thorough cleaning; parts replacement; etc. Vintage speakers will probably require replacing the surrounds, as well.

To read up on vintage components, check out the Vintage Forum at Audio Asylum .

I purchased two vintage Marantz receivers (2240 & 2216B) and with professional refurbishing each one cost me about $400 total. They are great as tuners, but only adequate as amplifiers. I partnered them with current speakers and CD players.

Something to consider would be Outlaw Audio's RR2150 stereo receiver . It features an exceptional tuner, but also a real retro look. Good thing about it though, it that it would be new and would not be a repair pit.

Regards, Rich

Thanks Bignerd100 and Rich. I have a bunch of vintage tuners and what I like in vintage stuff is that they are unique and have typically a warm sound. Especially tube versions. I am a bit of an electronics geek and have a bunch of vintage tuners so I thought I would take it to the next level and explore some of this great stuff. I want a conversation piece and to prove that the old stuff still sounds great.

Bryan, I have an all vintage system that I love. I know it wouldn't be everyones cup o tea. I have a pair of refurbished McIntosh MC40 tube monoblocks and a pair of Altec 604-8G speakers (model 17's). Think BIG. I think it truly sounds amazing for very little money. Trust me, people will notice it when they first walk in the door. If that is what you are after, along with excellent sound. With a little patience, they should be able to be found for right around your budget. And the speakers don't have a foam surround to worry about replacing. Rock, jazz, vocals, folk, it seems to do them all exceptionally well.