The Allure of Vintage Audio Gear


Vintage audio gear holds a unique charm, offering rich sound and timeless design that many modern components can't quite replicate. Brands like Marantz, McIntosh, and JBL are still revered for their warm, detailed sound, especially in tube amps and classic speakers. While modern technology offers improved reliability and lower distortion, vintage gear brings a sense of nostalgia and character that many audiophiles crave.

Do you prefer the warmth of vintage, or do you lean toward modern hi-fi innovations? How would you mix vintage with modern in your setup?

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Showing 1 response by whart

@vitussl101 -Amen. Not all old equipment qualifies. And the brand name Marantz became a different story once Saul Marantz sold to Sony/Superscope.

I still have my Quad 57s from 1974 that were sympathetically restored by Electrostatic Solutions and a pair of Quad IIs with period glass that Bill Thalmann went over - he said he hadn’t seen real GEC KT66s in a long while. That stuff is enduring, though it still has limitations.

I had a set of Crosby Quad 63s which I basically gave away when I moved-- I preferred the original Quad loudspeaker to the 63, even though the latter is a better "all-arounder."

Some of this gear enters collector’s territory, eg. the Marantz 7 tube preamp. The "C" is for cabinet, does not necessarily mean it is a tube unit. Lots of those were around back in the day, some were modded. At the time, I preferred the ARC SP3-a-1, which is now itself an antique collectible. But your point- that "older" Marantz doesn’t equate with quality sound is a fair one.