Bookshelves - Vintage vs New

Braddles
Braddles Posts: 228
edited March 2008 in Speakers
I have just set up my old Luxman 2 channel gear and i need to put mt R20s back as the rears in my HT so i am on the look out for some Bookshelf speakers that would suit.

I have found on ebay (australia) some new RTi A3s for a bargan (just under half price) and have also found a pair of monitor 5s in as new condition.

I have a pair of monitor 12s in my HT so i know how good the vintage stuff is.

So what do you guys think??

The new A3s or the old 5s???????
2 Channel
Amp - Jas Audio Bravo 3.2 set
Power Cord - Tunami GPX
CDP - Marantz cd6002 - Audio gd Ref 5 Dac
Speakers - Tekton Lore,Polk Audio RTA11tl completely refreshed.
Post edited by Braddles on
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited March 2008
    I like the vintage sound of the older Monitor series, especially in conjunction with the replacement tweeter, RD0194 or 98.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited March 2008
    I love the Monitor 5's.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited March 2008
    Yup, I just RDOed my SL2000 Monitor 5 Jrs and they cannot be beat for what you get. A very musical pair of speakers that go easy on your electronics, aren't too big, and put out bigger sound then they are supposed to.
    Jake
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited March 2008
    always a tough question. new gear at a cheap price is always a good thing, but the vintage stuff should be experienced as well. I loved my monitor 5's back in the day, even without the replacement tweet, but as Doro said, the replacement tweets are a good thing (silk, more laid back)

    if you like a more laid back sound, go with the Monitor 5, if you like a more upfront presentation, the RTi3's will be your cup of tea, but as I said, the hobbyist should experience the old stuff first hand at some point.

    I'll say neither choice will be a bad one, so thats good :D
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited March 2008
    I love polk's vintage stuff. In fact, that's all I run at this point. Having owned the monitor 5's for some time, I must say I'm very impressed with them... especially their low end. Did I mention they look great too? :D
    Lovin that music year after year.

    Main 2 Channel System

    Polk SDA-1B,
    Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
    Rotel RB-980BX,
    OPPO DV-970HD,
    Lite Audio DAC AH,
    IXOS XHA305 Interconnects

    Computer Rig

    Polk SDA CRS+,
    Creek Audio 5350 SE,
    Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
    HRT Music Streamer II
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited March 2008
    I RDO'ed 1 set of Monitor 5's but left the Peerless tweeters.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited March 2008
    I think for the money, vintage cannot be beat.

    I cant imagine how much it would cost me to replace my 7's with something new.
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited March 2008
    Like ohskigod said, it depends on what you like. I have a pair of M5jrs here that are excellent, but recently did a demo of the A3...quite a bit edgier, but surprisingly good. I don't think you'll be unhappy either way.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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