Gotten into vintage receivers but wanting to pair my 2 channel with new tech speaks.

bd1886

I'm running a Pioneer SX-1010 (110w) that blows my newer high watt amp into the dirt. I was planning on going with some older quality speaks but decided to check out my LS70's with it first....Holy #****%! These things sing so sweet with the Pioneer it is amazing! A lot has happened with speaker tech since the LS70's and thinking about selling off some extra stuff to upgrade my mains. How big of a difference would the Lsi9's make? (Have a sub and an even larger "Monster" if needed....like the sound of the SX-1010 best though.)

F1nut

What is or was your newer high watt amp?

tonyb

I think he means receiver. Either way, your using a vintage receiver with a vintage speaker and both very good pieces to boot for that era. However, newer speakers are going to be more revealing thus showing off the flaws in a vintage receiver. Not always the case depending on the gear of course, but the only way to know for sure with your ears is to give it a whirl and find out.

bd1886

F1nut wrote: »

What is or was your newer high watt amp?

My receiver (yes) is an Onkyo TX-NR609 @100w. For channeling all my modern theater and computer needs, it is great for me. For 2 channel it is clear and precise but has no 'breath and body" and just gives a "clinical" sound. All Channel Stereo offers it up but rarely do I want to go that with music. I have no illusions about how more expensive modern receivers do 2 channel extremely well but....you don't get that for my needs and budget.

cnh

Tony and DSkip have some good points above. I've been into vintage recievers, speakers, etc., now for a couple of years and I've collected quite a few (have to get rid of some soon!).

I almost always run "vintage" speakers with Vintage gear and that works fine. I suppose just for some kicks I might hook up the Lsi-7s to a vintage piece...probably have to go higher power (Technics SA-5570 or even better, the Pioneer SX-3900). I doubt that this will sound better than its current set up below.

I have noticed playing my vintage systems in the same room with the LSi-7s system below that the 7s do put out more detail than just about ALL systems but perhaps one? The ADS L520s and Yamaha CR-800 actually come close in detail? But ADS speakers are pretty darned good, and those Yamahas are fairly clean and neutral (a bit more like modern gear).

Though the SX-1010 is a "Superb" Pioneer (considered by some, the "best" of the silver faces--even better sounding than the more powerful SX 1250 and SX 1980?) I'm not sure that it won't burn out trying to drive LSi-9s which would like to see even MORE power at 4 ohms. I don't think that is a good idea unless you use that Pioneer as a pre-amp with some more powerful SS gear?

In any case, if you do try it, don't PUSH it!

I'll tell you what sounds really really nice on that series Pioneer: some nice vintage EPIs or maybe Polk Monitor 7s! Hook yourself up with some and prepared to be amazed.

Though modern gear can be more revealing, have better imaging, more complete sound stage, and so on. Once you fire up some nice "vintage" sound, you know what? You often "forget" about your modern gear and just leave the vintage running. It's a TOTALLY different experience. One that is NOT questing for the best, most realistic, most neutral sound but one that is the most "pleasing" for endless hours where you don't need to do "serious" listening! Frankly, I find serious "listening" to be taxing; I feel like I should be sitting there with my laptop taking notes and attending to "every" note, "every" instrument, how accurate it is, where it is and so on, to the point where it EXHAUSTS me and I throw up my hands and say, "All I want to do is listen to some music not write a Thesis about it!"

Enjoy!

cnh

cnh

Newer Onkyo 60X series sound a bit thin with music. Try something like a NAD integrated instead (more musical and less clinical/digital).

A nice used C325 or newer C326 would be good. If you want to run LSI-9s though, I'd go up the ladder and get a NAD that has at least 120 watts a side!

Or if you have more to spend. Think about some Parasound separates. If you like the "warmer" sound of the Pioneer you should stay with warmer gear, even if it's a bit more modern?

Or maybe something by Carver?

cnh