Any update on your system? I hope those Jubals are making beautiful music!
I know what it's like being severely limited on the budget. It took me 17 years of searching and upgrading to the point I decided it was good enough. I only have $1300 invested and would be very surprised to hear a better system for the price. After countless hours of looking at yard sales, estate sales, flea markets and thrift stores as well as talking to people who may know someone who is also into good audio. I ran into some very good deals, had a lot of fun and met some very nice people along the way.
Thanks for asking.
In a nutshell, the project, for the moment, is stalled.
Finally got off my arse a few weeks ago and unpacked the old gear and put the speakers back together. Connected everything up and pushed the Power button on the receiver.
No click. No lights.
Nada.
Nothing.
Zero.
No external access to any fuses.
Contacted a repair place recommended by a h.s. buddy and took it in.
A few days later found out it was a (suspected) bad IC. But, he couldn’t find a replacement on the Internet. And, also thought it was gonna take a special tool to remove it. Told him to stop and picked it up a few days later. In the meantime, called a former Sony co-worker and told him I’d take up his offer to buy a new receiver through the Sony Employee Store. Compared to when I worked for them, the hifi selection was very limited. Ended up selecting a low-end, plain Jane receiver with around 90w per channel. ETA is next week Wednesday or so.
Still debating whether I want to take my two tape decks in for refurbishing but will cross that bridge once I get the new receiver.