Tandberg, Denon, JBL vintage system

[jdandy]

You know a system is sounding good when you can't seem to get enough of listening to it. This is what is going on with my vintage sound system I have in my Holiday Rambler travel trailer. This 35' travel trailer now sits on a large concrete pad connected to water, electric, and sewer, and I use it as a guest house or as another place to enjoy music. When I was on the road it was home for me whenever I had long term projects out of state. It's so much more comfortable than motels and feels just like home. Of course I couldn't be away from home without music so I always had a decent system in the travel trailer with me. For years I used the McIntosh 4300V receiver and the JBL4312A speakers, but the travel trailer has also had a McIntosh MC5100 and MR74 with a JVC XL-Z1050 CD player. I still have all of that gear.

My latest vintage system in the travel trailer is the Tandberg 3026A power amplifier, 3008A preamplifier, 3011A FM tuner, and Denon DV-2800 DVD/CD player driving the JBL 4312A speakers. I have improved my cables by adding Wireworld Equinox unbalanced interconnects and Wireworld Solstice speaker cable. My impression of this system, especially with the new speaker cables and interconnects, is it sounds very good. I spent the better part of three hours listening to the system in the travel trailer today and had no urge to shut it down. The sound is very current which is quite surprising when you consider it is predominately a 25 year old setup. There is great sound available from older gear and this Tandberg/Denon/JBL system is a perfect example. It is sounding fabulous. I am not easily impressed, but this vintage system has captured my attention in a very good way.

[Yamaki]

Very very nice system, Dan!

[jdandy]

Michael.......Thank you. Another great point with building a vintage system like this the cost. I have just under $3000 in this entire system including speakers and all cables. The performance this vintage system delivers far exceeds that dollar value. If this were my only system I would be happy. Putting together a quality vintage system is a real budget stretching idea for those with big music appetites and tight purse strings.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Michael.......Thank you. Another great point with building a vintage system like this the cost. I have just under $3000 in this entire system including speakers and all cables. The performance this vintage system delivers far exceeds that dollar value. If this were my only system I would be happy. Putting together a quality vintage system is a real budget stretching idea for those with big music appetites and tight purse strings.

Dan...these are all great points. That's why I am called Vintage Pete!

Seriously, I'm not a vintage guy exclusively, I like rather a blend of current technology together with proven, old-school concepts and product technology.

As to the cost factor, that's a huge advantage. Even buying a slightly used piece of gear can save you a bundle. So what if that McIntosh piece has a few hours on it?

Some of the old school concepts just didn't need to be significantly improved upon, IMO. For example, I just don't see the need to spend thousands on a computerized equalization system when
vintage graphic equalizers from certain manufacturers will do a great gob. YMMV, of course. (let the flogging begin... )

Your Tandberg/Denon/JBL vintage system is beautiful.


Certain vintage gear was just simply excellent, period. Look at it all...McIntosh, Crown, JBL, Accuphase, Marantz and many more. It's a gold mine out there.


Pete

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Michael.......Thank you. Another great point with building a vintage system like this the cost. I have just under $3000 in this entire system including speakers and all cables. The performance this vintage system delivers far exceeds that dollar value. If this were my only system I would be happy. Putting together a quality vintage system is a real budget stretching idea for those with big music appetites and tight purse strings.

Great system Dan. I am with you 100% regarding vintage. Even the new gear I buy (e.g. Tannoy and Shindo) look vintage :-).

I "envy" your trailer, I have fantasies of getting one myself and turning it into a mobile nano-house to travel around.

Do you have any photos of the trailer?

Alberto

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Alberto

Great system Dan. I am with you 100% regarding vintage. Even the new gear I buy (e.g. Tannoy and Shindo) look vintage :-).

I "envy" your trailer, I have fantasies of getting one myself and turning it into a mobile nano-house to travel around.

Do you have any photos of the trailer?

Alberto.......Travel trailers are a great way to go if you enjoy the lifestyle. Having a vintage sound system in the travel trailer adds a nice touch of home. The Holiday Rambler is air conditioned and heated, well insulated, and very comfortable for two people to live in without feeling cramped. It has a nice size living room, dining and kitchen area, bath and shower, plenty of closets and storage and a queen sized bed in the rear bedroom. The Holiday Rambler walls and roof are constructed using welded C channel aircraft aluminum frame so no wood to deteriorate over time. The Holiday Rambler is a very nice travel trailer. Sitting on the concrete pad it is connected to all utilities and satellite, with TV's in the living room and bedroom. The Holiday makes a great guest quarters.

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Alberto.......Travel trailers are a great way to go if you enjoy the lifestyle. Having a vintage sound system in the travel trailer adds a nice touch of home. The Holiday Rambler is air conditioned and heated, well insulated, and very comfortable for two people to live in without feeling cramped. It has a nice size living room, dining and kitchen area, bath and shower, plenty of closets and storage and a queen sized bed in the rear bedroom. The Holiday Rambler walls and roof are constructed using welded C channel aircraft aluminum frame so no wood to deteriorate over time. The Holiday Rambler is a very nice travel trailer. Sitting on the concrete pad it is connected to all utilities and satellite, with TV's in the living room and bedroom. The Holiday makes a great guest quarters.

Very nice! I wish I had a setup like yours (i.e. a large lot to keep it near the house.)

Alberto

[tweet]

Dan,

The Tandberg/Denon/JBL vintage system is beautiful and I'm sure it sounds fantastic. Having it all setup in another home out back is even better. Very, very nice.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by tweet

Dan,

The Tandberg/Denon/JBL vintage system is beautiful and I'm sure it sounds fantastic. Having it all setup in another home out back is even better. Very, very nice.

Terry.......I don't think I'll get any complaints from overnight guests about the sound system being inadequate.

[tweet]

Dan,

I can't imagine how anyone could be unhappy staying in your Holiday Rambler travel trailer with that Tandberg, Denon and JBL JBL 4312A setup. If they complain about those accommodations, they have some serious issues.

Next time I'm in Florida, I would sure enjoy stopping by for a quick visit to see your setups. I'm with you - seeing your neighbors at the Post Office is my idea of a nice home and it certainly looks like life is good in north Florida.