Yet Another Listening Room

[Sonnie Parker]

Now Angie says I have really lost my marbles this time, but at the same time, she is excited about it because I'm gonna put this Stratford Chaise in the room.

This was our daughters den many moons ago, then it became a workout room that eventually turned into a junk room. I cleaned it out today. I gotta get the carpet cleaned next week, but we want to put together a easy listening system for this room. I wouldn't mind doing a vintage look. The room is 12.5' wide (big picture wall) x 13.5' deep.

We are going to break out all of our vinyl and buy some storage cabinets for all our records. I think we can store some on the wood shelf that is in the room now. But... I'd really like to have about a 6' wide cabinet, which will be placed on the wall underneath the big picture, that will hold some albums and on top would be a vintage receiver and a turntable, with an album stand showing the album playing. Maybe a couple of vintage speakers in each corner. Below are some pics.

If you have any ideas... please share them with us.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

For an intergrated amp, I am heavily considering the NAD C-3050 that has that vintage look with the modern goods. Price is very reasonable.

 

[JStewart]

For an intergrated amp, I am heavily considering the NAD C-3050 that has that vintage look with the modern goods. Price is very reasonable.

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I really like the retro look and current tech combo, too.
For a kind of retro, vinyl listening room, why not an actual classic integrated?
Also, It probably doesn’t make a bit of difference sound wise, but an all analog signal path would certainly be part of the retro theme. Iirc all inputs are digitized on this NAD.

 

[Sal1950]

For storage of any types I highly recommend the IKEA Kallax shelving system. You can buy and configure it
in just about any size and manner that you need. Available in a few different colors, etc and very reasonably priced.
I built a 4' wide by 3' high setup in my spare bedroom for storage of musical media and other things. Love it.

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[Sonnie Parker]

I don't know that I'm that concerned about the retro sound, as it was just okay. I've pretty much settled on the Technics SL-1210GR2 turntable (thank you @Robert Zohn Value Electronics.) It's hard to believe I used to DJ using their DJ tables back in the day. Anyway... they still look the same... and I want something low-maintenance. I'd hate to pair it with an old receiver or integrated amp with issues. I think the first thing to go out on most of those older vintage models was the phono input with humming noises. Plus, I'm fairly OCD about the look of my equipment, and looking at over 100 different vintage models, I haven't found even one that I think I could live with due to scratches, dings, dents, etc. There's no way to know how long it would last, and I don't want to have to be shipping it to a shop for repairs for weeks on end. They do look cool, but I just can't bring myself to agree they will be the best-sounding and most reliable combined.

If I'm settled on the Technics SL-1210GR2... it would likely be black since the NAD is black.

Considering the Wharfedale Linton with stands: https://www.amazon.com/Wharfedale-Linton-with-Stands-Walnut/dp/B07YF4JZPH?tag=avnirvana03-20

I thought about the NAD because it would allow me to have access to Roon, although it's not a complete necessity, just a side benefit of that unit. If I go with the NAD, I'd go with the black Technics table. Robert at Value Electronics has these available.

What I'd really like to have is the Accuphase E-280... love that champagne look. I managed to find one on Audiogon in mint condition for $4700, but that's without the phono card, which is another $1200 or so. Gorgeous it is!

I haven't convinced myself to try and justify the cost, yet.

There is a Luxman L-505uXII Mark II in mint condition on eBay for $2750.

There's also the option of the Technics SU-G700M2 at $2900 that can be had in black or silver.

I seem to prefer the black, but if I went with the Luxman or Technics silver, I'd move to the silver turntable as well.

Then... AND THEN... as much as I love McIntosh... there is always the (I might be drooling a bit here) MA352... so sweet... at $7000.

 

[JStewart]

I’ve listened to the Lintons. You’re going to like those. They measured better with the grilles on. Nice retro appearance with those too.

 

[JStewart]

You can always get the appropriate model Wiim to get you Roon.

Love the look of the Accuphase myself.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

You can always get the appropriate model Wiim to get you Roon.

Love the look of the Accuphase myself.

I have a WiiM Ultra now that I am using with some headphone amps... as well as an Eversolo DMP-A6. Both are super nice. And you are right... it would be easy enough to get Roon if I wanted it.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I spoke with Fidel at Ann Arbor Audio Design on the phone today... super nice fellow. We worked out a deal for the Accuphase E-280 with the phono card. I am stoked!

 

[Sal1950]

I spoke with Fidel at Ann Arbor Audio Design on the phone today... super nice fellow. We worked out a deal for the Accuphase E-280 with the phono card. I am stoked!

View attachment 73858

Awesome, your getting what you really wanted, Congrats

 

[JStewart]

I spoke with Fidel at Ann Arbor Audio Design on the phone today... super nice fellow. We worked out a deal for the Accuphase E-280 with the phono card. I am stoked!

View attachment 73858

Fantastic!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I think I may be backing up on the Lintons and favoring the KLH Model Five. I think they have a bit more of a vintage look, so I started researching them a little more. I just watched Erin's video comparing them, and he says if you can place them near the wall as recommended, the KLH win "hands down." Well... these will definitely be up against the wall... can't really pull them out from the wall in this room. These are not for critical listening anyway but at lower volumes while lounging and playing on the computer. The Hifyed video comparison gave the KLH the nod at lower volumes. As a matter of fact, they scored the KLH a perfect 45 and the Lintons a 38. Of course, I'll need to listen to see for myself what they will sound like in my room. I may order both and see which will win out.

 

[NBPK402]

This is the style chair I would love to have...

 

[Sonnie Parker]

That definitely looks like a good listening chair there. My wife would love it because she likes to sit sideways and hang her feet off the side.

 

[JStewart]

I think I may be backing up on the Lintons and favoring the KLH Model Five. I think they have a bit more of a vintage look, so I started researching them a little more. I just watched Erin's video comparing them, and he says if you can place them near the wall as recommended, the KLH win "hands down." Well... these will definitely be up against the wall... can't really pull them out from the wall in this room. These are not for critical listening anyway but at lower volumes while lounging and playing on the computer. The Hifyed video comparison gave the KLH the nod at lower volumes. As a matter of fact, they scored the KLH a perfect 45 and the Lintons a 38. Of course, I'll need to listen to see for myself what they will sound like in my room. I may order both and see which will win out.

View attachment 73878

I think they’ll look nice in that room and with the champagne color of the Accuphase.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yep... should be a good match overall.

I am finding that locating a dealer with these in stock is impossible. I called KLH to get a list of their dealers since their "Find a dealer" link is not working for US dealers. I got connected with Jeff Dano (National Sale Director), and he started quizzing me on the room. He said the Model Five would be over kill for that small of a room. They can reach 112 dB output... that pretty incredible for that small of a speaker. He said the Model Three should work fine for me and he sent me info on a dealer to work with. 101 dB at 45Hz... hmmm.

 

[ddude003]

How about one of the JBL Classic lines like the JBL L52 Classic for instance... Black, Blue or Orange flavors...

You might check with uncle Kevy at Upscale Audio for any things your looking for... I have got a few thing from him in the past and always been happy with his products and support...

 

[Sonnie Parker]

How about one of the JBL Classic lines like the JBL L52 Classic for instance... Black, Blue or Orange flavors...

You might check with uncle Kevy at Upscale Audio for any things your looking for... I have got a few thing from him in the past and always been happy with his products and support...

I did consider the JBL, but I can't handle the look of the checkered covers. It's just not my style.

I checked Upscale for the KLH models, but they are out of stock on both in the Walnut finish. Neither are easy to find. I will keep him in mind for the future.

 

[ddude003]

Lol... My mom and dad had a pair of orange ones in the late 60s or early 70's along with a nice Sony integrated... Not really my style either but they sure did sound good back in the day... Sorry that didn't work out for you finding those KLHs...

 

[Sonnie Parker]

The KLH National Sales Manager found me a pair of walnut Model Three at Turntable Lab in NY.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

It's official... we listened to 7-8 different albums last night. It was fun!

 

[NBPK402]

It's official... we listened to 7-8 different albums last night. It was fun!

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View attachment 74290

How does the Accuphase sound?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

How does the Accuphase sound?

It all sounds amazing. This is new for me. I've never had an integrated amp and turntable of this quality, and so far, it's all been super clean and reminds me of the old days of playing albums in my apartments.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

My wife has ordered more pictures, and once we get it all finished, I'll make a short video of the room. It's truly retro-looking, in my opinion. About the only thing it's missing is the blacklight posters, lol.

 

[3dbinCanada]

Nice setup and room.