Status report: the Sansui AU-517 stays on 24/7 and it keeps working, haha. The Nak's control motor took a couple of spritzes of contact cleaner to put it back into the hassle free zone. And the most welcome new addition is a matched pair of a/d/s/ L200e, which replaced Minimus 7's, added finesse and refinement. Sacre bleu!
65W/channel, dual mono, circa 1977, black beauty magic maker. Mint cosmetics, rack handles, rear footers and even the maker's hand inscribed, silver han.
Nakamichi CR-3A
I got my first one of these new in 1987, total cost to date: $1,100+ until sold on Ebay for $51, haha. The one I use now is a 1988 model and like new -- total cost in 2010 with new belt: $82.
Nakamichi CDP-2A
Gorgeous 16 bit dual DAC single player from 1988, made in Japan. Built like a tank, sounds like a dream come true.
a/d/s/ L200e
Almost seven inches tall, these sequentially numbered, pedigreed lil wonders amaze me every day. Highly recommended replacement for Realistic Minimus 7's.
Sony RK-C324T
8 foot RCA cables. In a fun system, electrical continuity is all that matters. Ok, yes they do have gold plated RCAs.
Radio Shack 16 gauge
One step up from lamp cord. This stuff is stouter than my amp's power cord, haha.