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audiophiles or retrophiles

As I read the posts on Audiogon with their gushing about the warmth of tubes, vinyl, horns, older technology, it seems there is a reversion. New bad, old good. Solid state bad, tubes good. Digital bad, analog good.

I expect a return of the wind-up gramaphone with catus stylus. No electricity to sully the sound and a natural material used to read the grooves. Must be good!

How many audiophiles are actually retrophiles?

But then again, many refer to their audio systems as a hobby, rather than as a means to the end of listening to music. As such, the care of analog tape with its fragility (head alignment, avoiding print through), matching of output tubes, cleaning vinyl and worrying about tracking forces, and so forth are activities that a hobbiest might enjoy. So much more opportunity to demonstrate expertise than merely turing on solid state electronics and putting a CD in a drawer. So much more lore. So much more mystic.

db
donbellphd
cdc
1,862 posts
 
What I don't understand is why people think you need tubes and vinyl to get that type of sound. I agree with KR4 in Stereophile9/2005 page 99 re: Almarro M0A speakers:

"The speaker sounded like a SET amp. I never actually drove the M0A with a SET amp, and the sound was the same whether I used my Creek solid state amplification or my tube Audio Valve/Audio Research push-pull combination".

I agree with that based on what I am hearing with my current speakers / solid state amplification.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,609 posts
 
I saw more tubes and records in 15 minutes today than I have for years.

It was at my daughter's 8th grade history show where the students designed presentations about how history has affected the music of the times.

My daughter covered the 60's. I loaned her some tubes, records and other relics of the time. We also scored a $5 authentic operating Lava Lamp at 5 Below for, well, $5.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,609 posts
 
BTW, I would classify myself as both.

I have a large music library, lots of gear to listen with more than my fair share of records, a big music server with various networked players, and even a few tubes, two record players, a few pair of both modern and retro looking speakers, a Modern Victorian style home with Gazebo and garden, Class D amps, an old 40's vintage Air King table radio to restore someday, Nippers all over including a dog who resembles the guy, and a desire to also own a nicely restored and properly operating Victrola and maybe even a SET amp. Why? Just because. My wife is the true Victorian at heart though.

Gotta downsize someday soon...
psag
518 posts
 
I own a ton of vinyl, as well as many CD's, SACD's, and digital downloads, and I have no preference. The fact that there are so many adherents for either or both indicates that there is no superior format. It simply pales in importance, in comparison to system matching, the quality of the hardware, and the room.

Cost, however is a consideration. To replicate tube musicality with solid state, a big financial investment is needed. To replicate solid state power with tubes, a big investment in tube-watts is needed.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Wow i didn't know that!!
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