How many use Vintage Hi-Fi systems?

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

Norman,
I respect your opinion. In my case, I haven't changed cables to adjust treble or bass, but to add additional 3D realism & space between the instruments. They do that too.  

In my business we often taste wine in a blind format so as to remove the possibility of tainting our assessments beforehand by knowing which producer's are in the lineup. As often we do not disclose what country or region where the wines are from. 

While adopting the same format for comparing receivers to separates is a bit more labor intensive given the size and weight of the equipment, I can relate that I have done so in the past - which is why this 40+ year old receiver will never leave my house. 

I could tell the sonic differences between my separates and the receiver, but I could not find fault in either - nor could I swapping out current model stuff versus current model stuff. 

Nostalgia plays a very large role in my attachment to the Pioneer; I worked and saved and forsook other earthly delights to attain it way back when, and I just can't let it go unappreciated. It still sounds good and I currently have "better" equipment to weigh my opinion against.  Both th deserve a place in my home. 

Oblgny,

I agree with you.  Nostalgia does play a role. Had some friends over a few weeks ago and one walked up to the 9090db and just stared at it. He had always wanted one when he was a teenager.  When I look at it I remember very well having to save and save (layaway actually) to buy it. 

The differnces that I hear in the vintage gear are just some how more pleasant to me. For some reason I love what I hear and I don't find myself analyzing the gear the way I do when I'm swapping out amps and preamps.

The bottom line is, that whatever draws you in, recreates that magic that makes listening so enjoyable is what you should be listening too regardless of others opinions. 

Norman