dsan
11th October 2011, 12:01 PM
Spare time + me + trademe = trouble.
While waiting impatiently for my cartridge and headshell to arrive: (http://www.audioenz.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/12929-Dipping-my-toes...into-vinyl), I was trawling through trademe and managed to pick up a vintage Kenwood KA-305 and a faulty Pioneer A-400x for $40 each.
The Kenwood sounds a lot better than I expected, and it might even replace the Cambridge which I have never become attached to. It probably doesn't have the same clarity as the Cambridge, but the music seems more involving and enjoyable (please excuse the very nontechnical descriptions). The only issue is that it seems to have more juice than the Cambridge, and there is a channel imbalance at low levels. Is this likely to be a reflection on the age/quality of the amp, or is it something that can be fixed? Both channels are the same volume when you go past 1 on the dial.
The Pioneer has a crackly and muffled left channel, so I'm keen to get it fixed. Anyone know of good repairers in Dunedin? Otherwise I might send it to Retrotronics in Auckland, but would like to avoid the $50-$60 in shipping if possible. Any other recommendations would be appreciated.
As my far too sensible girlfriend said, "is it still a bargain if you weren't going to buy it in the first place?" And she may have a point :) But the Kenwood seems like a very enjoyable amp for the price, and if I can get the Pioneer fixed for $100, then it might be a very cheap upgrade to the Cambridge. I was planning on spending $1000 on a new amp when back in gainful employment next year, but if the Pioneer sounds good, then that money can be allocated to buying vinyl :D
While waiting impatiently for my cartridge and headshell to arrive: (http://www.audioenz.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/12929-Dipping-my-toes...into-vinyl), I was trawling through trademe and managed to pick up a vintage Kenwood KA-305 and a faulty Pioneer A-400x for $40 each.
The Kenwood sounds a lot better than I expected, and it might even replace the Cambridge which I have never become attached to. It probably doesn't have the same clarity as the Cambridge, but the music seems more involving and enjoyable (please excuse the very nontechnical descriptions). The only issue is that it seems to have more juice than the Cambridge, and there is a channel imbalance at low levels. Is this likely to be a reflection on the age/quality of the amp, or is it something that can be fixed? Both channels are the same volume when you go past 1 on the dial.
The Pioneer has a crackly and muffled left channel, so I'm keen to get it fixed. Anyone know of good repairers in Dunedin? Otherwise I might send it to Retrotronics in Auckland, but would like to avoid the $50-$60 in shipping if possible. Any other recommendations would be appreciated.
As my far too sensible girlfriend said, "is it still a bargain if you weren't going to buy it in the first place?" And she may have a point :) But the Kenwood seems like a very enjoyable amp for the price, and if I can get the Pioneer fixed for $100, then it might be a very cheap upgrade to the Cambridge. I was planning on spending $1000 on a new amp when back in gainful employment next year, but if the Pioneer sounds good, then that money can be allocated to buying vinyl :D