new member, some questions, need help please

My speakers were built in 1956.

I have been listening to them for 47 years.

For the first two and a half decades, I would come down with a case of FOMO fever about every 5 years or so and go running around listening to stuff I could afford, and stuff I couldn’t. Eventually my immune system built up and I haven’t been doing that anymore.

Every 15 years I get the speakers remagnitized and reconed.

I’m kinda locked into them because my amps love them.

They have their issues but I’ve adjusted other parts of the system to get the sound I want. It’s a late 60s to mid 70s tube sound. It’s not for everybody but it’s not without its subtleties, it’s extraordinarily transparent and detailed (likely thanks to the amps and the cartridge) almost everyone who hears it is blown away, say things like “It’s better than being there”.

So I disagree with many here: all other things equal, newer is not necessarily better. Listen to a bunch of stuff with closed eyes and an open mind. Pick what sounds best. To YOU.

Btw, expensive isn’t necessarily best either. I’ve been tube rolling my phono stage. I’ve been listening to tubes that go from $50 to $500. The guy selling me the tubes was with me in the room trying them out. He suggested that the $50 tube sounded best in my system. That was a relief to hear because I thought it definitely did too but I didn’t trust myself: I thought it was my wallet talking to me.

theaudioatticvinylsundays.com

Jaime, I would lean on the advise to go out and listen to speakers at dealers or a show if you can.  That will give you a flavor of what you prefer now.  Sometimes tinnitus can be aggravated by the voicing of some speaker designs. 

Thank you all for chiming in.  Exciting to restart my audiophile journey!  thank you again for your kind and informative thoughts

Jaime

If you are not in a hurry to make a purchase, and can wait 6 months, I'd recommend that you go to Axpona in the Chicago area. The show is April 11th through13th. I'd go the entire 3 days,

There will be a lot of the best manufacturers of speakers, amplifiers and preamps, streamers, DACs, etc. You could listen to so much in such a short period of time.

If you are not so patient, you could go to a big dealer (like Upscale Audio near LA), and spend a couple of days listening to your hearts delight. There are so many companies now that did not exist 20 years ago that are state of the art, and you owe it to yourself to get acquainted with them. Some of them are still craftsmen building equipment by hand here in the US, and there is some excellent audiophile equipment coming out of Korea, Japan, Europe, and yes even China

@vthokie83 This is what I'm doing. This will be my 4th straight year going to AXPONA. Already have my hotel and airlines tickets booked. Many of the rooms are not ideal for listening but it gives you a good idea of what is available and helps you narrow down your choices. Speakers are also on my purchasing list this year. I prefer planers/electrostatics and OB speakers. Also have been to numerous shows in Southern California and a couple of Rocky Mountain shows before they shut that down. If you don't have a higher end dealer close to where you live, then attending these large shows is the next best thing.