Retro 90s setup

[random7100]

Hello there, just joined up, so hi

I like the older (90s) gear, i have a Marantz CD52 mk2 SE player, Denon TU260L tuner and Rotel RA970BX amp, cracking bits of kit. Currently have them with a pair of Mission 702 standmounters (before they stopped them and switched them to the 702e floorstanders)

Have a few questions...

1. Thinking of going for some more 'period' Mission 751 speakers. Im in a small room here, how would you think these would compare to the 702 standmounts? Obv the 751 are are from a well liked range. I like my music clear and punchy, hate 'grating' highs. I had some B&W 601 a few years ago tho and gotta admit the 602 are tempting too!

2. the amp, Rotel RA970BX. I like it a lot, but cant find much info on it, unlike the CD player. especially, whats the the BX bit signify, anything? i presume it was the model before the 971 in any case?

Just as an aside, i can hardly find any info or reviews on the standmount 702, where they really available for that short a time?

Thanks all!

Paul

 

[the record spot]

The original 751 (i.e. pre-Freedom model) was a belter. Amazingly good speaker and should be fine with the RA970BX, whicih I also had for a while. The 751 should comfortably outperform the 702. It stomped all over everything else at the time including the later B&Ws you mention and for good reason, this range was Mission's finest moment IMO. No contest for me and it'll deliver the characteristics you want and quite possibly more than you expect.

The CD52 II SE is a good one too. If you can land one of the HK6500, or 6800 series amps, you won't go wrong either. Amazingly accomplished amps from a brand that's often overlooked by hi-fi fans in the UK in favour of the usual suspects. Wrongly, I'd suggest..

 

[random7100]

Funny yours should be the first reply, i spotted your posts on the older gear a while ago while reviewing info before buying the Marantz :wave:

I think i will be after the 751 to be honest then, all things are pointing towards it being a good move. the 702 arent bad, but they are a bit too 'big' for the small room im in

 

[chebby]

I have started assembling the elements of a compact second system for the spare room with a recent purchase of some JPW Sonatas in immaculate condition. One tweeter was duff though so I bought a brand new set of tweeters last week and had them fitted on Thursday.

I am testing the Sonatas (and running in the new tweeters a bit) with my M-CR603 temporarily and they sound excellent. I have put them on some old Partington Trophy stands for the weekend but they will end up on wall brackets (or little speaker shelves) either side of an iMac in a small spare room.

The JPWs have sealed cabinets. I deliberately chose this kind of design (from about 1991 - 1992) because the cabinets are slightly shallower, front to back, than they are wide. I didn't want narrow. but very deep. speakers with reflex ports (like 99.9 percent of modern designs) because I need them to be very close to a wall and I don't want any reflex port activity going on at such close range in a small room.

Next thing I have to decide on is whether to look for a 'classic' amp/receiver from the 1980s/1990s (especially something with glowing VU meters ) and factor in servicing charges, or to go for something small and modern (with all the DAC and digital doodads like Airplay built in) like the tiny Denon CEOL Piccolo.

The Piccolo makes more sense - and uses very little energy - and is a known quantity given that it's from the same Denon/Marantz 'family' as my M-CR603. But a honking great Japanese receiver (with meters) is tugging at my nostalgic side despite inevitable servicing costs and needing a DAC to talk to the computer.

There won't be any CD player or turntable. The source will be the iMac and radio.

 

[audioaddict]

hi i had a lovely 90s system marantz ki sig cd player sony 920 amp yamaha tuner and mourdant short ms25i speakers which were small but powerful,, they might suit you very well in your small room

 

[ID.]

Next thing I have to decide on is whether to look for a 'classic' amp/receiver from the 1980s/1990s (especially something with glowing VU meters ) and factor in servicing charges, or to go for something small and modern (with all the DAC and digital doodads like Airplay built in) like the tiny Denon CEOL Piccolo.

The Piccolo makes more sense - and uses very little energy - and is a known quantity given that it's from the same Denon/Marantz 'family' as my M-CR603. But a honking great Japanese receiver (with meters) is tugging at my nostalgic side despite inevitable servicing costs and needing a DAC to talk to the computer.

TEAC AI-501DA a bit pricier than you were considering? Class D, on board DAC, but some retro meters on the front. I don't think it streams over a network or has airplay, tbut it can be fed directly from a computer.

 

[audioaddict]

aw led power meters needles led lights flashing more buttons that a concoerde cockpit a man after my own heart

 

[audioaddict]

aw led power meters needles led lights flashing more buttons that a concoerde cockpit a man after my own heart