Vintage Stereo
A fully functional vintage hi-fi system with modern streaming — built for around 2000 NOK.
Old amplifiers are real solid engineering. They have that warm, comfy sound.
The system
- **TEAC BX-500** Silver Aluminium Stereo Amplifier — 700 NOK
- **JVC QL-F4** Fully Automatic Turntable — 500 NOK
- **Pioneer Stereo Cabinet** — 300 NOK
- **Müzo Cobblestone** wireless audio device (AirPlay + Spotify Connect) — 490 NOK
- **Pioneer HPM-70 Speakers** — gifted by my father
Total: approximately 2000 NOK.
The build
Everything came from second-hand sources. The amplifier and turntable needed cleaning — knobs, cables, internal contacts — and the original bulbs were replaced with LEDs to reduce heat. The Müzo Cobblestone bridges the analogue system to modern streaming, so it plays vinyl and Spotify through the same speakers.
Why old is better (sometimes)
Equipment built in the 1970s and 80s was over-engineered by necessity. No planned obsolescence. The JVC turntable is fully automatic, built like a tank, and sounds better than most modern alternatives at ten times the price. The Pioneer speakers were my father's — they are older than I am and still the best speakers in the room.
