2. vintage
  3. 191440-196043

The Allure of Vintage Audio Gear

Vintage audio gear holds a unique charm, offering rich sound and timeless design that many modern components can't quite replicate. Brands like Marantz, McIntosh, and JBL are still revered for their warm, detailed sound, especially in tube amps and classic speakers. While modern technology offers improved reliability and lower distortion, vintage gear brings a sense of nostalgia and character that many audiophiles crave.

Do you prefer the warmth of vintage, or do you lean toward modern hi-fi innovations? How would you mix vintage with modern in your setup?

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artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,935 posts
 

I had or heard the vintage before it was vintage. Some sounded good. Some was ehh, well. Some wasnt that good. I never heard  Pioneer setup I could stand for more than 5-10 minutes. Denon was clean but all midrange.  I had/still have a Harmon Kardon 730 receiver and the only thing I ever heard that IMO sounded as good was  Nakamichi separates that a friend had.

I went to stereo stores but many of the salesmen seemed to turn everything up too loud. Went to audition Carvers Amazing Loudspeakers which was hooked to a Carver preamp  (& maybe amp). the salesman bragged about the haulographic (setting ?) on the preamp. It was horrible. I couldn't believe he was so proud of what my son and I thought horrid. One point I'd make is that even back in the 70's & 80's you had to spend more to get more.

BTW I'm planning to get my HK730 restored to see how it stacks up against my existing amp

akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,254 posts
 

@artemus_5 +1

 

 

 

Give me a reason to go back with outdated devices? Nope…

I’ve been in this crazy hobby since my early 70s university days (...the Jurassic Era of home audio) . “Vintage” in audio just means “old” technology, and does not match, much less try to improve upon the audio performance and audio satisfaction in current era options.

Even with my “vintage” top-end system of that era (... JBL L100s, MARANTZ 2270 , ELAC MIRACORD TT with a SHURE V15. Cartridge ...), even comparatively modest budget system offerings today operate in an upgraded performance league; with a significant and clear step up in audio performance (and listener appreciation IMO) ... not even close .

I have four 2-channel systems now ranging from $2k to $45k. I spend 80% of my listening time to the middle two tier systems that I already consider comparatively superior to my early 70’s vintage system above, with its early era heavily coloured “California” sound with its exaggerated sine curve shape frequency response

My “A” system jumps a helluva lot higher into an entirely different comparative oxygen-breather strata in terms of its audio performance..

TAKEAWAY

“Vintage” in audio has an appeal primarily to nostalgia fans. If it stirs your drink, then fine …, enjoy ….carry on. My 70’s system sounded fine for its time …(emphasis added .) …full stop.

 

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,390 posts
 

The only vintage I would think about purchasing today would be a pair of Rectilinear 3A or Rectilinear 7 speakers.  I owned both in the early through late 70’s but stupidly sold them for something I thought would be better, it was not. 

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