Now that the heart of your system has been chosen, it is time to have some fun and begin searching for your choice of music sources. Remember that we are building a vintage analogue system, MP3's need not apply Brother Brian. Before we start choosing music sources, let's discuss the folks selling music sources for your analogue equipment. It is critical
to buy from the right folks!
There are many good outlets for purchasing vintage equipment. CL's gives you a chance to meet the seller and inspect what you are buying, I highly recommend meeting face to face. EpRay offers outstanding values, but know who you are buying from! Make sure the seller is well recommended and has excellent reviews. Another source is Audiogon. It advertises very reputable folks offering excellent equipment for sale. Generally you will pay a bit more, but the equipment is usually pristine because true audiophiles trade there. The other two sites offer great value because a good percentage of the sellers have no idea what they are selling and if they do, they do not understand what it is worth. Again buyer beware, understand that it may cost you a bit to fix something that was not quite as described, but you may end up with a fantastic value! I have experienced this.
Recently I purchased a Sansui receiver from a local CL seller, gave him $40.00. He had the original box, manuals and sales receipt. It even included an addendum from Sansui which corrected misprinted specifications in the manual ... (God I miss that period of time)!! In 1975 he paid over $500.00 for this top of the line receiver, yes, the one I gave him $40.00 for!! I had my favorite Hi Fi repair shop bring it back to factory specifications for about $240.00. For a total of $280.00 I have a receiver that sounds phenomenal, (to be reviewed in the next few weeks), and I have seen selling for up to $450.00!! The point I am trying to make is that sometimes you can find a piece of equipment needing a little "rehab', if you buy cheap, you will be rewarded!! In these cases when you suspect rehabilitation may be needed, make sure to have a repair source ready and make sure you see what you are buying before you buy it! Now, how do you find repair sources? Is anyone in your town selling record albums? That can be your first step towards locating a good repair shop.
Retailers selling albums may have some equipment for sale as well, such as turntables, or they may know of someone that sells or refurbishes turntables. They will more than likely know of sources selling equipment. The bottom line here is simple, find out who sells vinyl albums in your area and you will probably find an entire network of local selling and repair sources! However I will caution you, not everyone who claims to know vintage equipment, knows vintage equipment! Research whatever equipment you may be interested in, Vinyl Engine is an outstanding source of information, use it, research it, you will be glad you did. Make sure you understand what can go wrong, this equipment has been around since 1960 something, lots of information on what can go wrong so, RESEARCH before you buy.
Now that we have touched up on selling and repair sources for our vintage music sources, do your home work! Next writing we will get into music sources, one at a time, and offer opinion on brands, models, accessories and all that good stuff.
Until next time ... Enjoy the Music!!!!
