Console speakers w/ Sony Receiver

bobdod

bobdod

Super Member
I am hoping to get some feedback/guidance from those of you who know a bit about stereo consoles (those old credenza type things with built in radio/turntable/etc.). I have an area in my house where I would like to set up my Sony STR-7800sd on something like a credenza. After thinking about it, I thought that a cool mid-century console with built in speakers would be ideal. I'd like to use my Sony STR-7800sd to power the speakers (the console's built in amp/radio/turntable will not be used). The source to the Sony will be a DAC or FM (no turntable usage here).

I've looked around and see that popular console manufacturers were the likes of Zenith, Magnavox, RCA, Philco, etc. I am ideally looking for something that has a mid-century look and good speakers that will pair well with my Sony receiver. Can anyone recommend a brand or model that would meet my needs?

In a perfect world I'd find something like the Altec 831A Capistrano, but thats not likely, so I am figuring a console is more realistic.
 
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An RCA Ann Arbor would look nice. If you could find one, I'd yank the electronics (probably already a lost cause anyway) and the speakers and put a newer pair of speakers behind the grills. Try garage sales or estate auctions, those are usually good places to find things like that. My grandparents left me a different model with a TV, but at the time I had no where to put it so I let it go.
 
Way too much power for console speakers. Either be very judicious with the volume, or remove the speakers and restuff as suggested by others.
 
Son-of-Vere said:
Way too much power for console speakers. Either be very judicious with the volume, or remove the speakers and restuff as suggested by others.
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I don't play loud, but yes, this is a consideration. I'd use the Sony in my living room setup, but the problem is that its a massive unit, measuring 19" deep, and won't fit on my media console in there. I really want to find a place and use for it in my house though as its a special piece that needs to be used.
 
PartyPooper said:
An RCA Ann Arbor would look nice. If you could find one, I'd yank the electronics (probably already a lost cause anyway) and the speakers and put a newer pair of speakers behind the grills. Try garage sales or estate auctions, those are usually good places to find things like that. My grandparents left me a different model with a TV, but at the time I had no where to put it so I let it go.
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I've heard that RCA stuff isn't great quality. Not sure if this is true or not as my knowledge is limited. I am not keen on the looks of the ann arbor model, but realize that is subjective. I am more interested to see which brands/models are considered higher quality. I have no knowledge at all about the hierarchy of the different brands from that era.
 
I was shopping on FB Marketplace and an empty Barzilay console caught my eye. You may be able to find something similar that's had the electronics removed. Stuff with modern speakers, as others have suggested, and enjoy. There are quite a few consoles on my local FB now and you may find that to be the case in your area.
 
macgolf said:
I was shopping on FB Marketplace and an empty Barzilay console caught my eye. You may be able to find something similar that's had the electronics removed. Stuff with modern speakers, as others have suggested, and enjoy. There are quite a few consoles on my local FB now and you may find that to be the case in your area.
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Yeah, I've been checking CL/FB without much luck. I am only seeing provincial/traditional design consoles. The few modern design ones I've seen are way too expensive ($400 and up). I was hoping that maybe I could find a large speaker like the Altec Capistrano I mentioned, but the closest I've seen are Fisher XP18s, which are are not physically deep enough to put my STR-7800SD on top of them.
 
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