JohnnyTheG

Very well said @frankmarsi. NYC is exactly how you imagined it has changed. It's a pity it lost a lot of it's old charm and appeal. Gentrification and rich out of state developers has made a fleeting memory of what it once was. Having said that, I still love it here. It's amazing but not surprising to think those ARs you bought in 71 are still sounding fantastic. Did you ever have any work done on them or are they as they were when purchased new? I image you recapped them at some point? I'm with you though, I have not heard any modern equipment that sounds as good as my system, especially my ARs. A real testament to their quality.

@Alex C What an incredible find! You are one lucky man. That's needle in a haystack stuff right there. And pairing it with those vintage Marantz components is amazing! I'd give anything to hear what they sound like. I love my AR2a's that have been upgraded to 2ax's and cannot get over how incredible they sound after 60 years of service! My dad bought them new back in circa 61 and I have had them since about 1982. I also have my dad's McIntosh C11 preamp and his Dynakit ST70 which has been modded the the van alstine circuit board. People come to my house and are constantly blown away by how real and lifelike the music sounds. They just don't make em like that anymore if you ask me. @frankmarsi What a great story about getting your first ARs. I live in Brooklyn and would love to know where that old hi fi store was on Avenue U. I am sure it went out of business during the Reagan years haha.

Wow, that is very interesting. Now I am very curious to try the 5 and compare it to my 2ax for bass response. Thanks Roy for your valued opinion.

This is very helpful, thank you for your input. I currently have a pair of 2ax speakers with 10" woofers and love the bass response I get in my listening room. At times I think I almost have too much bass which is why I was a bit hesitant with the 3a speakers which have 12" woofers.

I have an opportunity to buy a pair of AR 5s in pretty good condition recapped with Dayton Audio capacitors. I know the AR5 was basically the same as the 3a but with a 10" woofer. I believe these are relatively rare in the AR world, but wanted to get people's opinions of how they compare with the 3a. Thanks John

What a great idea. If you get them built and they wind up being pretty close to the originals, let me know the cost. I may join you in getting a pair.

Wow you have to do a youtube video on your different speakers and amps. That would be a very entertaining watch and informative. Who did you get to rebuild the tweeters and the mids on the ARs? Was it Larry from vintage AR?

Do you have a favorite amongst the speakers?

That is fantastic. It sounds like Hi-fi heaven.

Wow, that a beautiful setup. Bozaks, ARs and Macs. IS there anything better?

Haha, ahh youth! You spent your time focused on the right things.

Wow, @xmas111finally we tracked down someone who actually owned them! Did you hear a difference in the horizontal positioning of the speakers? In terms of the shelves, I am sure there are many that are sitting in antique stores and thrift stores around the country being sold just as furniture.

Wow amazing! Glad to see you have them horizontally. Villchur would be proud of you. Are those the 2ax speakers on top of the 3's?

I think the rod iron legs on the shelves must have been held to the shelves pretty securely. They would have to hold up the weight of the speakers and a rack of LPs underneath. RoyC makes replicas of the smaller stands, I wonder if he ever took a crack and making the shelves? @ar_proI think I saw the picture you are referring to. The speaker was definitely on an AR shelf in that pic if I remember correctly.

Yeah I agree. I am sure most people just used them as regular book/LP shelves. I'm sure there is nothing distinguishing them as being AR.