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142 Years

Attending a management training session the other week my team was presented as having a total of 67 years of experience. Not initally flattered I understood that this was a good thing.
When it comes to audio components does this translate or is time to join the 21st century? I added up the ages of each of my primary components and was shocked.
1) Amplifier = 39 years
2) Preamp = 11 years
3) Turntable = 19 years
4) Phono Pre = 17 years
5) NAK = 17 years
6) Reel to Reel = 24 years
7) Speakers = 15

Is this a bad thing or a good thing. How much experience does your rig bring to the table? In the general scheme of things, is my system middle aged or over the hill? Well what do you think you whippersnappers!
Please do not take this post seriously. I just had some free time.
128x128ashra
satch
329 posts
 
There was a thread somewhere about the oldest piece of gear in one's system, which, in my case, is a Thorens TT from around 1974/5. Anyway, if you like the sound of your gear, and it's working ok, why bother? One other thing: how more components in one's system, the older the total will look.....
unclejeff
1,313 posts
 
If you like it then why waste the money on newer stuff. I would, however check out newer speakers, or at least take a close look at the cones to see if they are still capable of holding the magnets in place.

Many of the newest speakers will be a nice improvement.
ashra's avatar
ashra OP
148 posts
 
The speakers (magnets etc) and the turntable(new springs, belt etc) have been checked out. When I change speakers I'm partial to the Vandersteen Signature 3As. The reel to reel has new belts and fresh lubrication. The amp has new Svetlana KT88s and imput tubes. As much as I enjoy the power and pre(lots of imputs) amps, I think they are my weakest links. I think I want to go the tube pre and SS power amp route. Any suggestions would be great.
gliderguider's avatar
gliderguider
294 posts
 
My gear is still so young I have to spank the amps to make them breathe.

My dad, however, has a very venerable system. The Heil ESS AMT-1 speakers and the SAE amp and preamp all date from 1974. That's 90 years right there. A Heathkit tuner that's 25 years old. A Denon turntable that's about 20. Call it a total of 135 years in just five components. Compared to that, Ashra, your system still has all its own hair.

The nice thing is Dad still listens to music on that system every day, and gets immense pleasure from it. Whenever it broke, he fixed it. If it wasn't broken, he didn't. To him, it's all about the music.
ogsarg
59 posts
 
My current system must be getting up there as well. Let's see: Here is my current setup:
Pioneer SX-1250=27
Thorens TD145=25 (approx.)
JBL L100's=30
Yamaha Cassette deck=20
Yamaha CD=17
Total of 119

Other stuff that I have laying around...
Marantz 2238b, 27
Kenwood KR-7600, ~26
JBL 4311's, 27
SAE A7 integrated, I think about 25 y.o.
Matching T7 tuner
Another set of L-100's, 30

Some day I'll have to break down and buy something new.
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