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
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.
jorsan OP
178 posts
 
Thanks T-bone, different from the amp/preamp situation, I consider that in the TT area no important improvements has been made thru all this years: audio companies are selling the same technology with a much higher prices and 21 century designs, but thru the used market we can have today the best of the 60's - 80's period at a very rasonable prices. Same happens -in my opinion- with cartridges.
bradearles
30 posts
 
Stanwal is right. He sums it up quite nicely. I would add that replacing old coupling caps and installing V-Caps in their place can be a huge improvement but they need as much as 300+ hours break in time before you recognize their full potential. I'm not a dealer and have no affiliation with the company that sells V-Caps. The Russian caps on ebay are dirt cheap and the reviews rate them well for their price. V-Caps aren't cheap but they are perhaps the best out there today.
cooljazzcat
17 posts
 
What happens to specific components as they age? What are the effects of dust and smoke over the years? Any techs out there who have seen a lot of stuff?
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