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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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heretobuy
133 posts
 

I think you have two kinds of allure for vintage gear, gear that's a kind audio Stradivarius and gear that just looks cool, even if it doesn't perform that well. Not that there couldn't be gear that's both.

alan60's avatar
alan60
185 posts
 

Vintage gear that still sounds good. 

Quad ESL57

Early Linn Sondek LP12

Naim NAP 250

Leak Stereo 20

BBC LS35a

I could go on.

brunomarcs's avatar
brunomarcs
307 posts
 

How does the Sansui au-517 au- 717 and so forth integrates sound once restored properly? And I mean full service with perhaps some better parts if available?  Is this a worthwhile rabbit hole to fall into and to use this gear in a second or third system? 

ericba's avatar
ericba
52 posts
 

I had a Heybrook TT2 with an Alphason HRS100 MCS tonearm and external power supply . Compared it side by side with new TT s above 5k$ and it beat them hands down. Was still going fine since 1985 until I sold it recently. Talk about value for the money.

dinov's avatar
dinov
846 posts
 

I have both and I really love vintage gear, the restoration process, the sound, the look, collecting etc. I can be very rewarding and expensive, like vintage automobiles. I have 3 vintage systems, and the one piece I could swap out and use in my main modern system is my McIntosh Mx110z. Although it doesn’t have the inputs and features of my C2300 preamp, the sound is amazing, and an FM tuner as a bonus. I realize this is not for everyone but it is a very enjoyable aspect of this hobby for me.

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