When Was The Audio Golden Age?


I looked at the Vintage section here for the first time.  It made me speculate on what other forum users would view as the best era in Audio.  For me it is the present.  The level of quality is just so high, and the choice is there.  Tube fanciers, for example, are able to indulge in a way that was impossible 3 decades ago, and analog lovers are very well set.  And even my mid Fi secondary systems probably outshine most high end systems from decades agoHowever when one hears a well restored tube based system, play one speaker from the mid to late 1940s it can dazzle and seduce.  So what do others think?  Are we at the summit now, or did we hit the top in past and have we taken a few steps down?

mahler123

I agree with @sudnh and others who have referenced the 50’s and early 60’s as the golden age of sound recording, especially in classical music. Tube equipment and mini miking led to the warmth and incredible sound staging that is only beginning to be matched digitally in the past few years.

esoteric = intended for a few… Now is golden…enjoy it.

But just in case…i run a ( heavily modified ) 1961 MC240 in one of my systems…

Right now. High resolution music unlimited for literally peanuts. Very reasonably priced DACs and amps and active speakers, delivered to your doorsteps AND you can return them for a full refund, no questions asked.

Seriously, could you get all that just 15 years ago?

Concrete Stereo  


@mikhailark Well, I guess you had to have a really good relationship with your dealer ( which does relate to whom you were able to get 'great sensimilla' from, which did have it's own 'freight' to procure.... ;)  ) who would cut you a 'personal favor'....

41 years ago, you might have been able to buy the above,

One of a series of 8..

All of which are in museums now, which makes the price of one 'set' likely on the level of MBLs' with all those natty details...amps, pre, source....etc.

What price perfection, and what exactly does that consist of ...?

Joy in what you own....J