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Modern integrated vs. vintage...what do I get?

OK, was bitching over some noise coming out of my system the other night and the issue of having to swap out a piece in the rack given a messed up back. I have only vintage pre and power amps. Out of the blue my wife suggested why dont you just buy something new, modern that you will not have to mess with, McIntosh or whatever? (She knows Mac because I have old pieces and have dragged her in to see new stuff when back at the in-laws in DE) Given that we are doing a bunch of renovation work on the house,I think she is feeling that I should spend some money on something I care about.(I had been thinking of trying a Rogue CM integrated but granite took that money.)Now the door is reopened. SO, two questions. First, what do I really get in terms of difference/performance for buying modern equipment? Second, since I live in HI there is one dealer and all he has is Mac and AR I know what I hear there. What about some of these other brands like Creek, LSA? I want an integrated, probably SS, preferably with option for 2 pairs of speakers, for use with Ohm Walsh 2 or Spendor S3/5 (possibly Kef LS50 dont the line). Must be musical, reliable cause there are no techs here, 75-100 watts and say no more than $5k. I listen to all kinds of music and the room is a living room maybe 15 x 18. My current setup is a rebuilt McIntosh MC250 with an Acurus Rll (this week) and Sony SACD5400ES, Cambridge 740C and Squeezebox with basic Morrow wiring.
joekapahulu
zd542
5,339 posts
 
Check out a BAT 300 integrated. You will probably find that it's a big upgrade from what you have now. Build quality is as good as it gets.
billbartuska
83 posts
 
I think with vintage you get more bang for the buck, and at $5k, you get all the bang!
joekapahulu OP
250 posts
 
Thanks for the responses so far. I probably wasnt very clear...reading my submission back. What I am trying to really understand is the performance gain from modern equipment? I have read lots of stuff online and I think its mainly more clarity, some better resolution and detail, maybe access to a remote, smaller form factor. The tradeoff seems to be that many pieces are less musical, brighter, give you listening fatigue, and may be less durable. That may be why I have gravitated to McIntosh...I am familiar with the sound, durability, it sounds like music and I can hear it here. BUT, arent there other brands that can provide that, with the exception of being sold in HI, too? That was why I was mentioning Creek, LSA, they see to pop up alot. My interest in Rogue is because I have never had tubes, its American made, the company gets lots of kudos and they seem to be well made and customer oriented.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I'm a bit confused. In your original post you say that you are looking for probably SS integrated. Then in your second post you are questioning the Rogue, which is a tube unit. What gives??

Your conclusion above seems to be fairly accurate, in a general sense. As time has marched on the audio world has been chasing higher resolution, which means that many more modern designs offer more articulation, detail and resolution. As with any clearer picture, the result depends on what you are looking at/listening to. If your recording is full of warts, these warts will now be better exposed. That is why many still like the older, more musical, lower resolution gear of yesteryear.
beewax
173 posts
 
Your wife very smart, keep her. Are you still buying a tube TV or led TV? a analog phone or smart phone? Atari or PS4 and the list goes on and on and on, with Modern equipment = enjoying the music for life.
Vintage equipment = Tweaking the sound for life.
The choice is your. Good Luck,
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