Vintage audio getting more expensive.
- Thread starter loweran
- Start date
Frankly I am beyond surprised by the current valuations on vintage audio gear, realistically it seems to have mirrored that of vintage classic cars. In this arena what they term as recreations or clones now command prices that were once reserved for the originals. We now see original, numbers matching muscle and classic cars approaching or exceeding 6 figures.
Vintage audio is even more baffling. As a McIntosh owner since the late 70's, I've watched these values remain very consistent over the decades. At no time were the used units being had for bargain rates, and at no time have they ever really spiked beyond explanation. Just seemed to remain consistent in holding their value.
Marantz, Pioneer, Sansui etc are now valued beyond any reasonable explanation relative to their original pricing.
About 12 years ago I purchased a mint Marantz 2270 w/cabinet for the outrageous price of $350. (This was at the time when they were just starting to hit $500)
Outrageous because I can clearly recall throughout the 80's and 90's any of those Marantz 22XX series receivers could be had for $50 - $75 tops, they were a dime a dozen. I reluctantly purchased it because I really wanted one for a specific location and it was so pristine. In the last couple of weeks I watched a unit locally get sold via FB Marketplace for $1400. Unreal.
I really wonder what is driving this... nostalgia, appearance, sound quality? I suppose one could make these points. Value? Can't be that, these were all mid-grade products back in the 70's. One has to wonder the demographic that is purchasing. I can't imagine someone who purchased one of these units back in 1975 for $399 jumping at a chance too add a thousand dollars to that price. Hipsters? Again, what actual percentage do they make up, it takes a fair amount of disposable income to participate. Given what housing costs are today, it hardly seems likely. The only thing I know for certain, I should have picked up a dozen of these products decades ago and just sat on them.
Vintage audio is even more baffling. As a McIntosh owner since the late 70's, I've watched these values remain very consistent over the decades. At no time were the used units being had for bargain rates, and at no time have they ever really spiked beyond explanation. Just seemed to remain consistent in holding their value.
Marantz, Pioneer, Sansui etc are now valued beyond any reasonable explanation relative to their original pricing.
About 12 years ago I purchased a mint Marantz 2270 w/cabinet for the outrageous price of $350. (This was at the time when they were just starting to hit $500)
Outrageous because I can clearly recall throughout the 80's and 90's any of those Marantz 22XX series receivers could be had for $50 - $75 tops, they were a dime a dozen. I reluctantly purchased it because I really wanted one for a specific location and it was so pristine. In the last couple of weeks I watched a unit locally get sold via FB Marketplace for $1400. Unreal.
I really wonder what is driving this... nostalgia, appearance, sound quality? I suppose one could make these points. Value? Can't be that, these were all mid-grade products back in the 70's. One has to wonder the demographic that is purchasing. I can't imagine someone who purchased one of these units back in 1975 for $399 jumping at a chance too add a thousand dollars to that price. Hipsters? Again, what actual percentage do they make up, it takes a fair amount of disposable income to participate. Given what housing costs are today, it hardly seems likely. The only thing I know for certain, I should have picked up a dozen of these products decades ago and just sat on them.
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Souleles
Member
I don’t agree, I suppose if my collection of receivers were as you stated several time’s “Old Crap” then I probably could get better new , that’s not the case I don’t collect crap, I find what I’m looking for, clean it up inside and out then it goes out for a complete restoration the craftsmanship and beauty, longevity, performance, speak for themselves, it’s disrespectful and rude to all who collect and admire vintage Receivers when you call it old crap, today’s mainstream products turn to crap after a short period of time, that’s a known, and I seriously doubt anything you purchase new today under a thousand dollars will be around in fifty yearsI don't push back against vintage gear. I push back on the mindset that you can't get as good for the same money new, that is justand a disservice to people new to the hobby that come here for advice.
With the price of vintage now, you can often get better for less $$ going new.
SMDH
I also restore gear. As far as receivers go, I got away from those 40yrs ago when I was 18. What is your experience with new quality gear?
I call my all stuff old crap.. cars, motorcycles, tractors, guns and stereo stuff. Just because you chose to be triggered by it does not mean it is being disrespectful nor is it the intent. And you are the only one shaking your fist about it.
Collect away and believe your myth. As I stated, I push back so new people that come here for info are getting good info and not from people with rose colored glasses on.
BTW, I put food on the table fixing electronics for 23yrs and still actively do it as a hobby.
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Souleles
Member
New quality Gear for under 1,400.00 ? I own three classic cars and have never heard them called old crap , perhaps you should take your collectables up another level if you think their old crap, some collect crap and others take old crap and restore to a level that nobody would even consider it to be crapSMDH
I also restore gear. As far as receivers go, I got away from those 40yrs ago when I was 18. What is your experience with new quality gear?
I call my all stuff old crap.. cars, motorcycles, tractors, guns and stereo stuff. Just because you chose to be triggered by it does not mean it is being disrespectful nor is it the intent. And you are the only one shaking your fist about it.
Collect away and believe your myth. As I stated, I push back so new people that come here for info are getting good info and not from people with rose colored glasses on.
BTW, I put food on the table fixing electronics for 23yrs and still actively do it as a hobby.
The amp and pre in my sig would happen to be an example, what is your experience with new gear, you failed to answer that. Sounds like you talking from a position of ignorance on new gear, which is fine and not a bad thing, just get some experience before dying on the vintage hill trying to defend it.
My cars are not crap either, I just call old stuff old crap becasue I do. Should I change that because it triggers you?
are you the "what stuff should be called" police? We have a few spelling and grammar cops around, might as well have one of those. 
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If the same person uses "crap" with both "new" and "old", it's fairly obvious it not intended as a slight against either. If only used with one or the other, then it comes across as disrespectful and abrasive. The written word is different from the spoken and not everybody is familiar with everyone else's style. Half the quarrels here would probably never have happened if they were taking place in person. A little diplomacy goes a long way and it costs nothing. 
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Souleles
Member
Now you’re being a smart assThe amp and pre in my sig would happen to be an example, what is your experience with new gear, you failed to answer that. Sounds like you talking from a position of ignorance on new gear, which is fine and not a bad thing, just get some experience before dying on the vintage hill trying to defend it.
My cars are not crap either, I just call old stuff old crap becasue I do. Should I change that because it triggers you?
orsen
Jukebox Hero
i gotta agree @GChief on this one. if i gotta have the old stuff rebuilt from the ground up, i'll stick with new.
i have a whole bunch of old, its gorgeous, but for reliability and ease of use new wins. built in DAC's and remotes help too.
this thread is old here's a new one disagreeing with this one. so believe what you want.
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i have a whole bunch of old, its gorgeous, but for reliability and ease of use new wins. built in DAC's and remotes help too.
this thread is old here's a new one disagreeing with this one. so believe what you want.
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Souleles
Member
We’re on different sides of the fence , I have no desire when it comes to new gear, nothing to do with one being better than the other that’s not what I was trying to say, sound is subjective, I’m not into all the connections of modern stuff , there’s nothing wrong with either route you decide to take , but when I find a vintage piece spend time cleaning it inside and outside making a new case whatever it needs then sending it out for four to five months for a complete restoration some parts upgrade from known problems, then trying various speakers , turn table etc, till you achieve the best sound for MY ears, that gives me satisfaction, when I said I couldn’t get that sound buying new for the money I had invested, it the satisfaction from all the efforts I invested in the project, hearing is subjective it’s everything involved the looks, power , longevity, and the feeling of bringing it back to life, should I have been chastised or ridiculed because I felt I couldn’t get that from buying new , it’s the whole experience, trying to write about things like this doesn’t always get received in the manner one is trying to say, old crap is old crap until it’s been lovingly restored to a high level that’s nothing that I would consider
Crap I’m done with this unfortunately
adnick
Addicted Member
This is a “No Win Argument“, most have already made their choices and now the comments have strayed from the OP…..
Some of my equipment is 60 + years old, several turntables are going on 70, and could still out live my grandchildren.
One would pay dearly to match the performance of an Update/Rebuilt TD 124, Garrard 301, Denon DP 80, Yamaha 2000, Technics SP 10, Lenco, ROK etc… Interestingly the Garrard 301 still had excellent specs after almost 70 years and the TD 124 wasn’t that bad but it’s only 67, and new materials and a refresh can produce much better specs than when it was new
My SUT components are even older, approaching 80, and new equivalents don’t exist, (Altec Peerless transformers) there’s no facilities or manufacturing processes to produce them.
Have some new equipment and since my old stuff is rebuilt my new tube gear is just as likely to fail as my old tube e gear.
Enjoy both old and new but the old has proven its worth, and it just keeps increasing, time will tell with the new stuff
VR
Andy
Some of my equipment is 60 + years old, several turntables are going on 70, and could still out live my grandchildren.
One would pay dearly to match the performance of an Update/Rebuilt TD 124, Garrard 301, Denon DP 80, Yamaha 2000, Technics SP 10, Lenco, ROK etc… Interestingly the Garrard 301 still had excellent specs after almost 70 years and the TD 124 wasn’t that bad but it’s only 67, and new materials and a refresh can produce much better specs than when it was new
My SUT components are even older, approaching 80, and new equivalents don’t exist, (Altec Peerless transformers) there’s no facilities or manufacturing processes to produce them.
Have some new equipment and since my old stuff is rebuilt my new tube gear is just as likely to fail as my old tube e gear.
Enjoy both old and new but the old has proven its worth, and it just keeps increasing, time will tell with the new stuff
VR
Andy
orsen
Jukebox Hero
i agree totally, to each his own. its enjoying the music the way that suits you.
Among my old crap is a 84 yr old tractor that I use almost every day.
Yep, and that is what the old crap in my sig is, completely restored original ckts with all new hand matched components from a local vendor we use for work, they let me measure everything and I can take what I want. Probably better then new when done.
If the Chief is calling HIS stuff crap, that ain't being a smartass in my opinion..... Now if he starts calling YOUR stuff crap, well, , , , then ya might have a point......
Souleles
Member
Thank you that’s all I been trying to say
Souleles
Member
I’m talking about the emogi’s one with a flag that has BS on it another with a finger circling around the ear , that’s being a smart assIf the Chief is calling HIS stuff crap, that ain't being a smartass in my opinion..... Now if he starts calling YOUR stuff crap, well, , , , then ya might have a point......
Why? Because IMO I think it's a BS myth from experience. Still wondering what your experience is with quality new gear is.