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Greg's Yard Sale Stereo System
1975 Marantz 2220b Stereophonic Receiver
Technics SL-1200MK2 Turntable
Sansui QS-500 Four Channel Rear Amplifier (Quadrophonic Decoder)
Sony CDP-C315 Five Disc Changer
Modular Component Systems 3570 Cassette Recorder/Player
Marantz SP-1200 Speaker System
This is the system I have in my record room that I use most frequently
to enjoy music at home.
I was able to put this setup together for under $50 by shopping around
at yard sales.
1975 Marantz 2220b Stereophonic Receiver- I found this treasure
at a yard sale for $5. It needed some TLC, as it was missing two knobs
and some lamps. Since it would probably be used for parts if I sold it
on Ebay, I decided to use it myself. After a good cleaning and a little
rigging, it still sounds as good as ever. It is conservatively rated to
put out 20 watts per channel, but it cranks much louder.
Technics SL-1200MK Turntable- This is a component that all DJs
are familiar with. A sturdy and reliable turntable, this SL-1200MK2 came
from a radio station where I worked. The management decided to get rid
of some old turntables and I actually managed to pick this one up for free.
After a little restoration and a new cartridge, it works like a charm.
Sansui QS-500 Four Channel Rear Amplifier- I found a complete
Sansui stereo system at a yard sale for $25. In addition to a Sansui 2000x
receiver, this quad unit was also included. It still works quite well.
For rear speakers, I hooked up an older pair of Bose bookshelf units. I
only had one quad album to test the unit when I bought it, a classic by
the band Chase (perhaps the lamest record of the 70s?) A stereo system
from this era has to have quad, right?
Sony CDP-C315 5 Disc CD Changer- Another lucky yard sale acquisition.
I walked into a house sale one Saturday and there was nothing left except
for a kitchen set and this CD player. All I had left in my wallet after
hours of yard sailing was $14. Anxious to get everything out of the house
that day, the owner gladly gave this item up. It has paid for itself with
reliable service.
Modular Component Systems 3570 Stereo Cassette Deck - I
have not been able to find out anything about the MCS brand of audio equipment.
My guess is that it was made for a chain store like Sears or JC Penny in
the late 70s or early 80s by a name brand company. It has extremely study
construction, lots of nice features and excellent sound. This deck was
well worth the yard sale price of $5. The owner actually had a matching
receiver and turntable that I turned down.
Marantz SP-1200 Speaker System- Another execellent yard sale
buy at $10 for the pair. These speakers are absolutely incredible. Like
most Marantz equipment these are of the highest quality. They compliment
the 70s Marantz receiver well, with a thick bassy sound and crystal clear
high-end response. They are rated to accept up to from 10 watts to 120
watts at 8ohms, so the 2220b is just barely showing off their potential.
I use XP Monster Cable to hook up my speakers, and highly recommend it
to you if you're currently using something cheaper. My bass response more
than doubled when I got rid of the cheap Radio Shack speaker wire I was
using. I got another lucky break when a friend gave me 40 feet of Monster
Cable from his basement that he wasn't using.
OTHER COMPONENTS I FOUND AT YARD SALES:
Sony STR-7045 Receiver- This model dates from 1971 and put out
40 watts per channel. I only paid $5 for it at a yard sale and it gave
me about a year of good service before the left channel started to crackle.
It's a wonderful sounding receiver, comparable to my Marantz and best Sansui
units I've heard. Not many collectors speak highly of Sony's 1970s receivers,
but this one is a beauty. Someday, I may take it to have it fixed, but
for now it's collecting dust.
Allied 3030 BK Loud Speaker System- These speakers were given
to me by my father-in-law. They were his father's speakers and he seems
to think that they were purchased sometime in the 1950s. Judging by the
construction and the labels still on the back of these speakers, that seems
probable. I have not been able to find much information about Allied equipment,
although at some point they were associated with Radio Shack and I think
they provided hobbyists with kits for building radio equipment. These speakers
are still in great shape and have a wonderful thick sound that compliments
my 70s equipment.
Sansui 221
This is a low end Sansui receiver, that has a wonderful sound for its
size. It only has about 8 watts per channel, but for a little receiver,
it kicks. Sansui made some great equipment in the 70s, the best of which
is the monster 9090 model. I purchased this Sansui at a flea market for
$20. It's a nice small system that I use in the bedroom.
The morale of this story is get out to those yard sales. You can find
some incredible deals when people are anxious to get the old junk out of
the house!
Some Classic Audio Links:
Classic-Audio
Classic Audio Pages
A variety
of classic audio gear
Classic
Marantz Gear
A Great 70s Stereo System
purchased from Ebay auctions
Classic Sansui Gear Page
Audio
Asylum Message Forum
Vintage
Tube Equipment
Hi Fi Heaven
Classic
Technics Page
Classic Speaker
Page
Vintage Recording Equipment
Vintage Radio Repairs
Vintage Electronics
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