No they won't!
What are your thoughts on young people (teenagers/children) taking interest in vintage electronics?
- Thread starter Romeo Wolf
- Start date
No they won't!
dblDeckWreck
Active Member
What are your thoughts on young people (teenagers/children) taking interest in vintage electronics?
I did when I was a teen, so I understand the appeal.
You won’t get an intolerant grumble from this guy.
I did when I was a teen, so I understand the appeal.
You won’t get an intolerant grumble from this guy.
I'm 67 and I really don't understand the negative responses.
We should encourage young people to pursue the hobby.
So a few "valuable vintage pieces" get wrecked "because there are no more being manufactured"?
There are plenty of hoards of the stuff around.
Not like a young person is going to buy a $500-$1,000 unit and take it apart to see how it works.
If they experiment with a $30 BPC from Goodwill and ruin it, so what?
I was encouraged by a couple of adults when I was in 4th grade or so. (shortwave radio)
Without that encouragement, I might not even be in the hobby, let alone get a degree in Electronics and earn a living in that field during my early working career.
We should encourage young people to pursue the hobby.
So a few "valuable vintage pieces" get wrecked "because there are no more being manufactured"?
There are plenty of hoards of the stuff around.
Not like a young person is going to buy a $500-$1,000 unit and take it apart to see how it works.
If they experiment with a $30 BPC from Goodwill and ruin it, so what?
I was encouraged by a couple of adults when I was in 4th grade or so. (shortwave radio)
Without that encouragement, I might not even be in the hobby, let alone get a degree in Electronics and earn a living in that field during my early working career.
I figure it this way, its just a thing. Either someone can potentially wreck it and learn something in the process, or someone can toss it in the dumpster when I die. I'd much rather have it be an educational tool. I've surely killed enough things in my time on this planet but I learned something from it.
I actually still own one of the pieces of equipment I learned the most on, a Robyn SB-520D CB radio. I blew that damn thing up so often that my tech started saying "what this time" every time I showed up with it. I saw him several times a year. The board in that thing is an absolute mess, loads of parts replaced, traces damaged, you name it. It still works though, the last time I killed it I fixed it myself. It was a Christmas present when I was 15. At the time it was a 25 year old radio that was fairly well regarded and I was that young kid destroying things. A few years later I was the person people brought absolute "it can't be fixed" basket cases to because they knew I'd probably done at least as badly myself. It got to the point where I wouldn't even buy radios that worked, purely because the fun was in making it go again. I've mostly moved away from CB stuff but I still don't tend to buy audio gear that just works as expected. The fun is in fixing it.
I actually still own one of the pieces of equipment I learned the most on, a Robyn SB-520D CB radio. I blew that damn thing up so often that my tech started saying "what this time" every time I showed up with it. I saw him several times a year. The board in that thing is an absolute mess, loads of parts replaced, traces damaged, you name it. It still works though, the last time I killed it I fixed it myself. It was a Christmas present when I was 15. At the time it was a 25 year old radio that was fairly well regarded and I was that young kid destroying things. A few years later I was the person people brought absolute "it can't be fixed" basket cases to because they knew I'd probably done at least as badly myself. It got to the point where I wouldn't even buy radios that worked, purely because the fun was in making it go again. I've mostly moved away from CB stuff but I still don't tend to buy audio gear that just works as expected. The fun is in fixing it.
toodletunes
Well-Known Member
This thought is not regarding younger folk's interest in the nuts and bolts of electronics, but of vintage gear and appreciation of music played on it.
It was only three or four years after I had 'backed into' vintage audio that we visited my wife's son and erstwhile betrothed shortly after they had moved to Brooklyn. As much enjoyment as they derive from music, I couldn't help but noticing the BPC stereo when we visited them in the fall of '09. Perhaps a vestige of younger folks (25) shorter bread. Regardless, a holiday mission was hatched, and we filled their vehicle for their return trip with a Pioneer PL-580, Sansui 7000, a pair of NLA's, and about seventy five choice LPs. They've not looked back.
About four year's ago, my wife's nephew noted his ten year old daughter's nascent interest in records. Bingo; another scheme hatched. Her primary realm of musical enjoyment is classical. So birthdays and holidays the past four years, subsequent to that first system, have been a gimmee. A great opportunity to expand her range of musical appreciation, classical and otherwise, and surefire gifts from us. Always a subset of music to find for her as well as us when on the hunt.
When the enjoyment of the music shakes hands with an appreciation of older gear, it makes no difference as to the age of the beholder. When younger though (all relative, of course), the runway affords more length.
It was only three or four years after I had 'backed into' vintage audio that we visited my wife's son and erstwhile betrothed shortly after they had moved to Brooklyn. As much enjoyment as they derive from music, I couldn't help but noticing the BPC stereo when we visited them in the fall of '09. Perhaps a vestige of younger folks (25) shorter bread. Regardless, a holiday mission was hatched, and we filled their vehicle for their return trip with a Pioneer PL-580, Sansui 7000, a pair of NLA's, and about seventy five choice LPs. They've not looked back.
About four year's ago, my wife's nephew noted his ten year old daughter's nascent interest in records. Bingo; another scheme hatched. Her primary realm of musical enjoyment is classical. So birthdays and holidays the past four years, subsequent to that first system, have been a gimmee. A great opportunity to expand her range of musical appreciation, classical and otherwise, and surefire gifts from us. Always a subset of music to find for her as well as us when on the hunt.
When the enjoyment of the music shakes hands with an appreciation of older gear, it makes no difference as to the age of the beholder. When younger though (all relative, of course), the runway affords more length.
Once I could afford new gear I lost interest in old gear except for certain speakers, and I'm not talking about direct radiating box speakers.
JoeESP9
ESL's & tubes since 83
Whether or not young people get into vintage or not should be of secondary interest. We should be concerned about getting others and the younger interested in high quality audio reproduction. It's not about whether it's vintage or not. It is all about the music. Isn't it?
A lot of vintage isn't that good and what is worth buying usually needs work. The most covetable pieces are already priced beyond what they're actually worth on any level.
All the available new Chi-Fi has made good sound available to even the most meager budget. Vintage is no longer the only way to go for budget conscious buyers. For the same money as vintage one can acquire very good sounding new gear. It doesn't need to be worked on to function properly and comes with a warranty. It's also very reasonably priced.
A lot of vintage isn't that good and what is worth buying usually needs work. The most covetable pieces are already priced beyond what they're actually worth on any level.
All the available new Chi-Fi has made good sound available to even the most meager budget. Vintage is no longer the only way to go for budget conscious buyers. For the same money as vintage one can acquire very good sounding new gear. It doesn't need to be worked on to function properly and comes with a warranty. It's also very reasonably priced.
red 111
Addicted Member
A lot of vintage gear is just a pretty face& now very over valued…that’s why I tell budding HIFI enthusiasts to check out new budget gear & save for better speakers…you don’t need dancing meters to make the music sound good…people have told me that adds to the enjoyment…but I’ve never had that distraction & don’t need it myself…many won’t like my opinion…but old & needing service ( if you can get it done correctly) take away from listening time
red 111
Addicted Member
Don’t forget the black light posters( hahah)You can't discount the allure of eye candy.
OTOH: As I've aged the eye has become less important for listening. I frequently listen with my eyes closed. Sometimes I forget to turn on my Lava lamp.
I think we're verging well off the original topic of electronics and moving into the land of audiophile though. They overlap out of necessity but they are definitely not the same hobby.
My interest in audio has always been secondary to my interest in electronics in general and very vintage electronics specifically. I came into this stuff largely from antique radios. The transition from tube radios to tube amplifiers is fairly straightforward. Same basic principals, except the programming isn't garbage and it sounds better.
My interest in audio has always been secondary to my interest in electronics in general and very vintage electronics specifically. I came into this stuff largely from antique radios. The transition from tube radios to tube amplifiers is fairly straightforward. Same basic principals, except the programming isn't garbage and it sounds better.
twiiii
Lunatic Member
I guess its no different than learning to appreciate old cars, old furniture, old guns, old paintings or anything else that is fascinating and intriguing. I wish more people would be come fascinated in the study of history. Maybe mankind wouldn't keep making the same mistakes over and over again. That can apply to the way we choose to live, the way we work or the way we play. Maybe we would learn to weed out our government representatives at the poles every two years or so, too.
Blasty
Solder Ninja
Romeo, I recall when you first joined, no worries! We like having you here. We've all been where you started. I can still dig up some of my earliest posts on another forum from 20 years ago, when I was 15, that make me cringe a little.
I am all for the young crowd getting into this stuff (except for buying perfectly good albums to hang on the wall, what a waste!) As far as tubes go, I'm still considered the young crowd. I like seeing people take an interest in tubes because somebody has to curate them when the old guys who grew up with them are gone. Tubes are fascinating and beautiful, and represent a historical timeline of electronics that you can hold in your hand and even experience*. A lot of old stuff calls to me in that way. In my opinion, one of the worst crimes humanity can commit is letting history fade into nonexistence.
*Once I whipped up a 1-tube radio using a CG1162 triode made in 1918, just so I could actually hear a 100-year-old tube doing its thing. Yes, I know it was originally designed to be a transmitter tube. The exercise put me a bit on edge, seeing how white-hot the old tungsten was running at rated current. What if I was the idiot that burned it out? It went fine, and it was great! A small experience from a century ago, but today.
And I mean no offense by saying "old guys," in referring to the tube generation. It's "old guys" that taught me about tubes and instilled that passion in me. I have much respect.
I am all for the young crowd getting into this stuff (except for buying perfectly good albums to hang on the wall, what a waste!) As far as tubes go, I'm still considered the young crowd. I like seeing people take an interest in tubes because somebody has to curate them when the old guys who grew up with them are gone. Tubes are fascinating and beautiful, and represent a historical timeline of electronics that you can hold in your hand and even experience*. A lot of old stuff calls to me in that way. In my opinion, one of the worst crimes humanity can commit is letting history fade into nonexistence.
*Once I whipped up a 1-tube radio using a CG1162 triode made in 1918, just so I could actually hear a 100-year-old tube doing its thing. Yes, I know it was originally designed to be a transmitter tube.
The exercise put me a bit on edge, seeing how white-hot the old tungsten was running at rated current. What if I was the idiot that burned it out? It went fine, and it was great! A small experience from a century ago, but today.And I mean no offense by saying "old guys," in referring to the tube generation. It's "old guys" that taught me about tubes and instilled that passion in me. I have much respect.
Blasty
Solder Ninja
"YOU!!.. Yes YOU on the sidewalk. Live show tonight!! "
Is this a real speaker? Sure looks f-g awesome and weighs 200lb at least..
1974 Dodge Diplomat. Cop engine. Cop suspension. Cop tires..
Cuz I AM moving down to the Swamp.View attachment 2366051
If the original Bluesmobile was 4x4 it would have been even more sonically awesome!!
Not sure if anyone answered that one yet, but it's SORT OF real. That device started as a Canadian air raid siren (CLM is the manufacturer, I don't recall what that stands for, if I ever knew). It's a weird design, one rotor pulls air from the front (inner) horn and projects sound via the larger (outer) horn. The second rotor is in the back, and pulls air from the rear and projects it out the "snorkel" looking thing on top (which it appears the Blues Brothers blocked off). For the movie, they simply jammed a big re-entrant PA horn in there, the rest just completed the impressive look. Despite Canadian manufacture, these sirens were installed in some US locations, Chicago for one. Search "CLM Siren" images and you can see what it started as.
KeninDC
Hazy Cosmic Jive
Digging the detour into Doo Wop. The Rhino Doo Wop CD box set (remember box sets?) is a keeper. Doo Wop was/is one of those labels that was applied after the fact (like Freakbeat, Classic Rock, etc.).
My daughter has a turntable and a stack of Lana Del Rey LPs. But, yeah, she uses a JBL Bluetooth for most of her listening at college. My son uses my hi-fi in the basement when his friends are over. I've got an SMSL Bluetooth streamer as an input into the ModWright tube linestage>Krell>B&W setup. Not vintage (except for NOS tubes), but certainly high fidelity. In both cases, son and daughter stream Spotify. Convenience and playlists are hard to beat. I've got a large JBL "Xtreme" speaker that is great outside by the pool.
The old Marantz 2238>B&W system gets the most use in my house and attracts my college-aged kids with a Bluetooth input. I wish my KEF speakers at the beach had the same Kevlar as the B&Ws at home. My kids were partying at the beach house and blew out the more fragile KEF cone. I'm rambling, but a child proof stereo for a toddler is different than one for the "kids" who have now adopted plenty of your youthful bad habits.
My daughter has a turntable and a stack of Lana Del Rey LPs. But, yeah, she uses a JBL Bluetooth for most of her listening at college. My son uses my hi-fi in the basement when his friends are over. I've got an SMSL Bluetooth streamer as an input into the ModWright tube linestage>Krell>B&W setup. Not vintage (except for NOS tubes), but certainly high fidelity. In both cases, son and daughter stream Spotify. Convenience and playlists are hard to beat. I've got a large JBL "Xtreme" speaker that is great outside by the pool.
The old Marantz 2238>B&W system gets the most use in my house and attracts my college-aged kids with a Bluetooth input. I wish my KEF speakers at the beach had the same Kevlar as the B&Ws at home. My kids were partying at the beach house and blew out the more fragile KEF cone. I'm rambling, but a child proof stereo for a toddler is different than one for the "kids" who have now adopted plenty of your youthful bad habits.
markmcmuz
Well-Known Member
I think most younger folks are from the personal ipod, mp3 and now smartphone mode of having music around. Us older folks started with am radios to all in one small consoles (think Panasonic) and then to separate components and so the journey began. Our family loves music: concerts, in the car, in the home (and now all over the house with Roon) But the kids? Small Bluetooth speakers using smartphones. I have hatched a plan to give each one a refurbished Magnavox console pull. I just demo'd my DG 8600 through some RP 600 Ms the other day. I think he was impressed. I think the vacuum tubes add a bit of coolness that they will appreciate. But I think the key is hooking them on the SOUND of a nice stereo.
Bring it on, these newcomers are bridging the consumption of the tech of their day (now) with the tech of our day (the concept of component stereo, new or old).
One of our members and a buddy came by last summer, lugging speakers and a receiver in an Uber! That’s stuff I’d have done, but not in an Uber (obv). It’s dedication and fascination and that’s what will keep the idea of better (albeit more complicated) sound going.
One of our members and a buddy came by last summer, lugging speakers and a receiver in an Uber! That’s stuff I’d have done, but not in an Uber (obv). It’s dedication and fascination and that’s what will keep the idea of better (albeit more complicated) sound going.