2. amps-preamps
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old vs. new , wich one is better?

Hi,
In the last year or two my impresion is that there are more and more people buying old audio amps, preamps, turntables,etc. When you ask them why, they say that is because some old products were build with such a quality that is impossible to be replicated today, not because the technology, but -for example- actual cost limitations and the way the comapnies are managed today (profitability as their main focus).
what I would like to read from you is if in your experience as critical listeners, in some cases the old and best (for their time) Sansuis,Pioneer, Mcintosh, Dynaco, or others, could be better than the actual amps, preamps, turntables, etc. and if you agree, what products in particular and why, what do you find in the old ones that is absent in the new ones.
Thanks for your comments, I think this could be interesting.
jorsan
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Often you can get the best of both worlds, old and new. Take the tube Cayin products, which are built in China from top quality current components, but the design is vintage HK, Marantz and McIntosh. I have a few Cayin products and have compared them in my system to rebuild Mc's and HK units of the same design. The Cayin have the edge, and they are a great value with super service in the USA, if you need it. In summary, it is the design, executed with top materials that wins.
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t_bone
1,182 posts
 
I agree with many of Stanwal's points, most of all his last one. My story: not ages ago, I bought an SS head amp and SS pre with built-in phono made 30yrs ago. It was not cheap, but was less than a third of original price. My gut is that while I spent about 30% of their original price in local currency terms, it would cost 3-4x original price to get that quality now, if not more (the mfr's repair tech for these pieces says "5x original price for the headamp, 3-4x for the pre"). Is there a better headamp mad now? Maybe. I have not run across one. Is there a better pre+phono made now? Most likely, but I don't want to spend that kind of money. Do I think I got better bang for buck than buying new? Absolutely.

In turntables, I am sure that a few of today's top turntables are among the best turntables ever made. I can't afford those. I can, however, get most of the way there with "old" turntables.

I expect that the quality relationship may break down with "old tube amps" vs "new tube amps." For one, Chinese-manufactured redesigns of classic circuits are good bang for buck. For another, excellent old tube equipment is not cheap.
jorsan OP
178 posts
 
Great!!! .... thanks to all for your valuable input, looks like we have consensus about that old amps/preamps are not better than new ones but.... what about turntables?, do you consider we saw the best 3 or 4 decades ago?; will be great to know your opinion about this topic.
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
There are some very fine 30yr old tables. I daresay one can get excellent bang for buck with some of those tables. I certainly enjoy mine. For superbucks, one could purchase a currently-made table which would probably beat any of them, but it would cost many multiples more, perhaps orders of magnitude more.
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