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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akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,306 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Give me a reason to go back with outdated devices?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
6,449 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. 

ghdprentice
7,217 posts
 

I got into high end audio to the extent I could in the early 70’s as well. With the exception of a few tube amps (generally from the 60’s) which brought unusual warmth with some real lack of details and a very high noise floor, but a unique warm sound… that old gear was just not good sounding in comparison to the gear available today. I keep an old early seventies integrated amp that I bought in 1972 around to look at. But honestly, it’s only good to look at. 

If I collected anything to listen to it would be some really old tube gear.

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,905 posts
 

I have rebuilt 1960s monobloc amplification with modern tubes. They sound excellent with fine detail, good bass and superb midband. 

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,246 posts
 

@stereo5 : I have both the tall and the short Rectilinear III speakers in my collection. Along with a pair of the mini-III's. Excellent but now forgotten speakers. I believe Richard Shahinian designed the III's.

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