How many use Vintage Hi-Fi systems?

I just don't see how a receiver can compete with a separate amp and preamp of high quality. Receivers were meant to do everything well and pack so much into one box. They aren't going to have the drive and punch of a separate amp and preamp when driving difficult loads. I know we are talking about cream of the crop receivers but still in comparison to higher end separates that are able to really drive power hungry speakers I don't see how they can? However, I didn't buy my receivers to compete with higher end separates but I know they still sound awesome and will enjoy them for years (hopefully)  :)

whipsaw,

Kensonic!  I love Accuphase gear.  When it first became available they directly compared it the build quality of McIntosh when it was reviewed.  

I agree with you 100%.  They leave very little to improve upon.  

Norman

Thanks Norman.

Luxman was also considered to by high-class from that period in Japan, and I have owned one of their very good receivers from the '70s. But this Accuphase integrated amp is outstanding!

I also had it serviced and re-capped, which does makes an important difference with 40+ year-old gear.

What's interesting is that the '70s was a period in which Japan was out to prove itself on a world stage, and not only with audio. Seiko had begun to do so with watches in the '60s, and of course the major Japanese car companies were also beginning their ascent in foreign markets.

Tony

I wonder if one of the reasons older gear can really shine today is due to the vast improvements in cables & interconnects. Those allow there true performance to come through. Thoughts?

Boxer12,

Not a fan of $$$$$ interconnects and cables.  I found that as once common features as 'tone controls' fell out of favor with the high end community (don't get me started), that there was a need to adjust tones on certain music playback. I readily here differences in cables, but to me they are silly.  My audio buddies snap em up and explain how their is more air, more highs, or now they have a complete full bottom end.  When I am playing a recording that needs more highs  I walk over to my preamp and adjust the treble. 

The late great genius James Bongiorno once said that he will design a preamp without tone controls when someone showed him a 'flat' room.  I agree.

Having extensive studio experience I can say without question that 99% of all of our recorded music has had some type of equaliztion adjustment during the recording process.  That and I don't know of any recording studios that use expensive esoteric cables in the recording loop. None.  

To me cables are used as today's tone controls.  I have a few expensive cables that I purchased over the years.  They are in a drawer with my unused audio accessories.  I keep them on hand to demonstrate how they emulate my preamps tone controls ( though no where as effectively).  I know, I'm gonna hear it from everyone who has their favorite cable in use.  My advise, use a preamp with tone controls and put your cable dollars into records, tapes or whatever.

Norman