This is my second attempt at a vintage system, the first attempt had a Kenwood KR9600 received and a normal cheap CD player. I chose to move toward the separate amp/pre amp and upgraded from there. The black and gold of the McIntosh with the silver of the Phase Linear and then the black and gold of the Pioneer look REEALLY good. I am in college and I figured the best way I could get some really nice equipment was to go vintage, plus my father has a vintage system. The sound is superb. Very open and articulate, with a strong bottom end. The highs and midrange sparkle. The newer components (s-26's and sub) are used for parties and night time listening (well not the sub ;) ) when I need to tone it down a bit. I do not usually listen to them unless I need to keep things quiet or I have to play it really loud. Sometimes when people see my system on a webpage they say it must be junk because it's pretty old, but they haven't heard it. If you heard it, I would hope you might get a different opinion. It may not be a 15k system, but for what I am looking for it's damn close.
Great CDP, many high-end audio stores used this in their demo rooms. Great build quality, stable platter, legato link, wonderful sound. Looks reeally hot too!
Empire 598 Troubador
Really cool diode tone arm controls, sapphire bearings...sounds wonderful
JBL L-100
Very clean, tight bass, GREAT midrange and high frequencies. Has 12
JBL S-26
I got these so I could listen in my apt at night without driving my roommates and neighbors nuts....the L100's bass and midrange goes through walls like whoa.
JBL PB-10
Used for parties and pop music when the bass needs to rattle the room downstairs...
