Vintage Polk comparisons

NeilGabriel

OK...this is probaby a bad question for this forum, but I do own 5 pairs of monitors. What speakers would you guys/gals consider comparable in sound and quality to the Monitor series from early 80's. I enjoy picking up used speakers now and then but would like to branch out a bit for variety's sake. I have owned Infinity, Technics, Pioneer (obviosuly nothing high end) and auditioned many speakers that just never sounded as good as my now 24 year old Polks. I did break down a couple years ago and got some Monitor Silver 6's which are very nice but cost a grand (compared to a nice pair of used 10's for a couple hundred). And while we are at it, how about a recommendation on an older model integrated (yes integrated) amp to drive Polks. I gave my Yamaha A-700 (also 24 yrs old) to my son and want something else older to play around with. Thanks. Neil

P.S. I decided there are two laws we really do need to live by. Our boat should not cost more than our house and the stereo should not cost more than our car. I might relent on the second.

Jim Shearer

I have a fondness for my old receivers: a Sansui 4000 (bought new in 1972) and a Yamaha CR-1000 (bought new in 1975). Many reguard these as coming from the 'golden age' of receivers. For lots of good info on classic gear, check out AudioKarma.org. Folks over there can advise you on the better units to watch for and what constitute reasonable prices.

Cheers, Jim

specialidiot

For an amp, I found that my Marantz 1060 worked great with Polk 7b's.

NeilGabriel

I'm seeing a number of Carver CM 1090 integrated amps on Ebay. Anyone know if these had a problem? Over the years, I have noticed that a lot of apparent good buys on Ebay turned out to be products with a history of problems, as in some design or component defect. I'm looking at these to run either my Polk 10b"s or the SDA-CRS+. (And I wouldn't sell any of my Polks if my wife's life depended on it). I'll post under the general stereo topic as well. Thanks. Mike

55LS70

I'm afraid I don't know much about the CM 1090. I did however purchase a Carver M-1 new in about 1986 or 1987. My brother has it now and it still works. Back in 1976 I purchased new a Marantz 1060 integrated amp. My cousin currently has that amp and it also still works. Reliabilaty wasn't a problem with either amp. I wish I could say that about the tube equipment I've owned. When cranked up that Carver screamed like a dying god but I always gave the 1060 a little edge in sound quality. For a sand box it was a nice smooth sounding little amp. Probably should have kept it and spent the money I threw at amps since then on more important items, like food, clothing, shelter, etc.

george daniel

I found that if you mate the monitor series with a tube amp==magic,, IMHO.

MillerLiteScott

I agree with George.

ben62670

For the money I don't think you can out do a set of old monitors. I have heard many good things about tubes, and yet to hear anything but tubed receivers.