AXPONA 2025
- Thread starter jcamero
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
nakmandan
Vintage Nak enthusiast
Had a good time yesterday at the show. I met/saw some audio celebrities, Paul McGowan of PS Audio and Steve Gutenberg. This year I took a different approach and sat in on three seminars instead of just looking at stuff and nothing else. I sat in on "The virtues of vintage gear", "The science of human hearing", and "Revox, the most legendary stereo tape recorders". All three were informative and interesting. I went with my 22 year old son and got a couple of comments that it was nice to see generational pairs at the show, not just a bunch of middle and old age men.
I had a good time as well. We got there at 10am and couldn't believe how fast 6PM came.
Best part - was hanging out with @kwingylee and @Tom Brennan during lunch.
Disappointing part was listening to the two different rooms that had McIntosh gear in it. In one of the rooms the bass was pretty boomy, even though it was a fairly large room. I understand these are not the most ideal rooms.
Cool about the seminars, what did they say in the "The virtues of vintage gear" that was interesting? the Revox one sounds good as well.
Best part - was hanging out with @kwingylee and @Tom Brennan during lunch.
Disappointing part was listening to the two different rooms that had McIntosh gear in it. In one of the rooms the bass was pretty boomy, even though it was a fairly large room. I understand these are not the most ideal rooms.
Cool about the seminars, what did they say in the "The virtues of vintage gear" that was interesting? the Revox one sounds good as well.
I was there all day Friday and Sunday. Listened to a lot of very nice equipment, met several YouTube reviewers that I subscribe to, and blew up my fun money budget.
I bought a Cambridge Audio EXN-100 streaming DAC, a Geshelli Labs Archel 3 Pro headphone amp, a pair of Harmonic Dyne headphones, a cool little light meter thing from Fosi, and a couple of Judas Priest records.
Glad this only happens once a year otherwise I’d go broke!
I bought a Cambridge Audio EXN-100 streaming DAC, a Geshelli Labs Archel 3 Pro headphone amp, a pair of Harmonic Dyne headphones, a cool little light meter thing from Fosi, and a couple of Judas Priest records.
Glad this only happens once a year otherwise I’d go broke!
Why exactly did you bring your credit card?
I heard the Fosi room sounded better than many expected.
The Fosi room was indeed very good! I own the ZA3 stereo amplifier and I can’t wait for the ZP3 preamp to come out. It was playing in the room and sounded great; I was told it’s expected to be available in June for $150 US. Their entire line represents an insane price to performance ratio.
Yup. I have V3 monos. I would not want to be in competition w them.
kwingylee
Well-Known Member
We enjoyed your company as well.... meeting friends at the show was the best part!
nakmandan
Vintage Nak enthusiast
@srm51555 I guess what I found interesting about the virtues of vintage gear presentation was the reasons why vintage gear seems to appeal to so many people. Nostalgia plays a BIG part of the appeal. A lot of people reminisced about their dads stereo equipment from back in the day, or a friend down the street dad's stereo, etc. None of us had any money when we were young, and the quest for cool, expensive, out of reach gear was strong. Plus the fact that back then, for many of us, a cool stereo at home was a status symbol. There were no other ways to enjoy high quality music other than live performances or having your own band! The fact that much of this gear is still available second hand and the fact that most of us have a lot more disposable income than when we were kids means that we can now finally obtain those long ago sought after pieces. Reliving the glory days I suppose.
I think a lot of us older folks still find the vintage gear appealing, as compared to new items. I know I sure do! Lots of knobs, switches and buttons with lots of solid metal and weight seem more satisfying to use and own than a small plastic box with a touch screen, only one button, or something that has to be controlled from a smart phone. And then there's the price. Old second hand prices vs new audiophile prices. Although strangely enough, the deals on old vintage gear are quickly drying up, as a lot of the vintage gear prices have taken off. Another factor is the formats. Tape was talked about, and a lot of people still find cassette and open reel tape, as well as vinyl very doable. Many of us still have our old record and tape collections and being able to play them again and listen to what we were into in our youth is a blast from the past. Even CD's seem to be making a comeback!
One other aspect of the vintage gear scene is the challenge of getting this old equipment repaired. Brick and mortar repair shops that were once everywhere are now few and far between. And the few that are still around may not have anyone well versed in cassette or open reel tape repair. In fact, while I was at the show, one of the local music and vintage gear stores were advertising they were looking for a good technician to work on their vintage stereo equipment, which they have expanded into.
So I found it interesting that at an exposition of new equipment, there were still plenty of people interested in old equipment. Just having attended the last two years of this show, I did notice there seemed to be more interest in older gear and older formats.
I think a lot of us older folks still find the vintage gear appealing, as compared to new items. I know I sure do! Lots of knobs, switches and buttons with lots of solid metal and weight seem more satisfying to use and own than a small plastic box with a touch screen, only one button, or something that has to be controlled from a smart phone. And then there's the price. Old second hand prices vs new audiophile prices. Although strangely enough, the deals on old vintage gear are quickly drying up, as a lot of the vintage gear prices have taken off. Another factor is the formats. Tape was talked about, and a lot of people still find cassette and open reel tape, as well as vinyl very doable. Many of us still have our old record and tape collections and being able to play them again and listen to what we were into in our youth is a blast from the past. Even CD's seem to be making a comeback!
One other aspect of the vintage gear scene is the challenge of getting this old equipment repaired. Brick and mortar repair shops that were once everywhere are now few and far between. And the few that are still around may not have anyone well versed in cassette or open reel tape repair. In fact, while I was at the show, one of the local music and vintage gear stores were advertising they were looking for a good technician to work on their vintage stereo equipment, which they have expanded into.
So I found it interesting that at an exposition of new equipment, there were still plenty of people interested in old equipment. Just having attended the last two years of this show, I did notice there seemed to be more interest in older gear and older formats.
Maybe price should have come first.
You can still get a hell of a vintage amp (rebuilt or at least refurbished) for $1000 or less - sometimes much less.
I saw on another site rebuilt Nelson Pass designed 200 WPC amp & matching preamp for $1500 ish.
Bet that was a fun seminar.
Thanks for the write up. I 100% agree with your post. While I also enjoy vintage gear, you brought up the point of repair. I went to school for electronics, but has zero desire to troubleshoot at home. I just want it to work.
I’ve been lucky enough to have both really good vintage gear and really good new gear. Personally, I like tone controls. My full DSP Crown network amp is nice but has no controls other than the volume control. It does have the advantage of not needing a preamp because the volume control is through ethernet and an EC – V control.
Thanks,
Scott
I’ve been lucky enough to have both really good vintage gear and really good new gear. Personally, I like tone controls. My full DSP Crown network amp is nice but has no controls other than the volume control. It does have the advantage of not needing a preamp because the volume control is through ethernet and an EC – V control.
Thanks,
Scott
