Yeah seems like I will be looking for unicorns in either case - I'm screwed unless someone knows some leprechauns? No? Eh well... maybe one these Big VU vintage amps will get posted and I can snag it for something reasonable and reduce the risk...
When you say the Hitachi - cheapish - you mean the asking price or the amp?
Garage sales - yep - been combing the local adds on craigslist as well for something.
I also think I am going to have to go window shopping in the local nose bleed costs hifi store. Assuming these are true hifi right? See if I can get a few samplings of what it sounds like. The more I read up in this forum the more I am discovering I am a wannabe audiophile - ha. I doubt they will have an oppo - vintage McIntosh or Technics paired with a 5Ch for listening - as that would be sorta against the grain of commissions on sales.
In the end - a Marantz 8802 or 7702 with dirty dacs and all maybe where I land. It is in the budget rangish and likely to match my Klipsch RF's for both stereo and surround with atmos because who doesn't want to be in a sound bubble of effects for movies. And while there are tons of other pre/po's perhaps this will just be enough progression with out going into the bank for a loan.
I will share as it develops in case someone else reading these can feel where I am coming from in this.
When you say the Hitachi - cheapish - you mean the asking price or the amp?
Garage sales - yep - been combing the local adds on craigslist as well for something.
I also think I am going to have to go window shopping in the local nose bleed costs hifi store. Assuming these are true hifi right? See if I can get a few samplings of what it sounds like. The more I read up in this forum the more I am discovering I am a wannabe audiophile - ha. I doubt they will have an oppo - vintage McIntosh or Technics paired with a 5Ch for listening - as that would be sorta against the grain of commissions on sales.
In the end - a Marantz 8802 or 7702 with dirty dacs and all maybe where I land. It is in the budget rangish and likely to match my Klipsch RF's for both stereo and surround with atmos because who doesn't want to be in a sound bubble of effects for movies. And while there are tons of other pre/po's perhaps this will just be enough progression with out going into the bank for a loan.
I will share as it develops in case someone else reading these can feel where I am coming from in this.