What would have been a typical match to these back in the day?

[deam]

Hi everyone. This is a question I've had for a while, and I thought this might be a good place to ask - seeing how we have a good number of members from the UK.

Since I moved to the EU (almost 4 years now! ), over time, I've come across pieces of kit from which I've built the stereo I use daily. It's a lovely combination and I really enjoy it.

Currently:

Thorens TD-160 w/ original (MkI) arm and an SME which is currently sitting idle (I need to go over the mounting, I used it for a while and loved it but it was mounted rather precariously). Cartridges are a number of inexpensive-ish MMs.

NAD 3220PE integrated amp, I believe this is a later iteration of the classic 3020, although a few of the features appear to have been left off. Still, probably one of my all-time best hifi buys at 30-ish€.

Dual 1219 (the kind of 'ongoing repair' deal that mostly works but still needs work) turntable, also with an assortment of MM carts. This one's kind of the odd one out, though, being German and a bit older (I think?).

Speakers, and here's where the thing falls short: unknown DIY sealed/full-range (well, they're one of those deals where there's a small cardboard cone affixed to the dustcap) 8" boxes. I didn't have speakers and found these lying on the curb a couple years back and brought them home. They're not that bad all in all, the speakers inside are good, Beyma brand, which has been a fairly respected Spanish manufacturer for quite some time. I did have to add a couple free-standing tweeters on top of the boxes 'cause I wasn't getting enough highs, and the end result is far from terrible. But the boxes look like sh--!

So I was wondering... from what I've read the TD160+NAD combo would've been a reasonably typical choice for someone who wanted decent-quality reproduction in, uh, the early '80s? back in the UK. Would this be right? And if so, and here's the actual question after all this yapping... what might the speakers have been?

Cheers! 

[hatehifi]

Mission and IMF were the two which come to mind as in 'any' and Celestion and Monitor for certain models though there are far more.

[rossman]

I would have thought the Linn Kan might have been been paired with the Nad. I've never heard a pair myself but I think they have a reputation for having very "hot" treble IIRC.

[deam]

Thanks! I guess my question was more 'what would be the NAD 3020 of speakers', as in, some kind of 'giant killer' from that period.

Basically, I'd like to complete the set with a period-correct and as good and inexpensive as possible set of speakers. I know I'm probably asking for too much, but hey... 

[hatehifi]

Hey Deam, Mission... See what you can find. There is hardly any Mission that didn't sound 'right'. I picked up a pair of EUR 30/used ones (forgot the number, model), which looked rather cheap, etc. but: my friend threw out his Kaans for them (no offense Paul - the Kaans need a serious amp too).

[deam]

Hey Deam, Mission... See what you can find. There is hardly any Mission that didn't sound 'right'. I picked up a pair of EUR 30/used ones (forgot the number, model), which looked rather cheap, etc. but: my friend threw out his Kaans for them (no offense Paul - the Kaans need a serious amp too).

Thanks! Were there any particularly well-known models or lines? I don't really know all that much about speakers at all. Ideally I'd like something 2-way and as small as possible...

[qualityten]

Linn Index Plus maybe or Heybrook HB1?  KEF 104s are lovely too, especially with recapped crossovers.  Wharfedale Diamonds for those on tight budgets.

[hatehifi]

I got the impression Deam is looking for something on a more modest budget than a Heybrook HB1 (excellent speak) of Kef 104. The Celestion 3 (or SL6) were good if afforadble. What is your budget, Deam? The Wharfdale Diamond (I had a friend who ran 4, i.e. double per side and sounded great) is as small as they get but the Missions are like 2x shoe boxes. Mission 750LE, 780...

[deam]

I got the impression Deam is looking for something on a more modest budget [...] What is your budget, Deam?

As little as possible  .

[stevieg]

Mission 700LE, Celestion Ditton 15 I like but are a bit too early.  For early 80s you may want to stick with soft dome tweeters - the metal domes can be a bit challenging with digital..... Try and listen before you buy as there won't be any drop in replacement speaker units. I like a date coherent system, may not be the highest resolution, but it preserves the past for the future.  Just run a metaphorical oily rag over it if it works and call the dings "patina".

Cheers Steve

[deam]

Mission 700LE, Celestion Ditton 15 I like but are a bit too early.  For early 80s you may want to stick with soft dome tweeters - the metal domes can be a bit challenging with digital..... Try and listen before you buy as there won't be any drop in replacement speaker units. I like a date coherent system, may not be the highest resolution, but it preserves the past for the future.  Just run a metaphorical oily rag over it if it works and call the dings "patina".

Cheers Steve

Hahah thanks Steve. Well it doesn't have to be like 'academically' period correct either, I suppose there's a bit of leeway either way - I'm not trying to put together a museum piece here, just a decent 'everyman's hifi system' that might MORE OR LESS have existed back in the day. If this makes sense (I know I'm being vague -not to say annoying or frustrating- as all hell).

[pickstat]

Another forgotton classic that would have been used then was the brilliant Celef dom 2 speakers which were a budget offering from Proac . These speakers were fantastic and I can well remember having a demo with  the very popular small Mission speakers that were all the rage back then and being shocked how much better the Celef's were.

[nic]

i dug out and reconnected my old uni system: Ariston Q deck, Rotel RA820 and Goodman Maxims. The latter have been a very pleasant surprise.

[rossman]

How about Wharfedale Diamonds or Kef C10 or C15? I think John is on target with the suggestion of missions too, 760, 780 or 750 models should be good.

If you're looking to spend as little as possible Freecycle and Freegle or a wanted ad in the local paper could be worth a try.

[willbewill]

In the early 80s I had:

AR legend with Linn LVV and Nagaoka MP11 Boron




Rotel RA820B


Heybrook HB1s on Linn Kan stands



Very nice it was too