What made you like/want vintage gear?

[MrCurt1959]

I enjoy the SOUND of the old Console I came across by chance a few years ago. It was instantly noticeable how nice the TUBE sound was. I had grown up with a RCA Console that my Parents bought new in '64 . So when this came along I figured I would now be able to play my old records ( From my Childhood) that I never got rid of. This has brought me much joy, just to be able to re-capture the warm sound that Solid State and Digital CANNOT give. It's a time travel thing, bringin' me back to my childhood days, when things were less stressed and more relaxed. I really use this old Beast. I would not give it up for anything. AND It was FREE. 1962 Motorola Model SK71BWA .............I'm so lucky to have this in my home, and it's fun to see the reaction on peoples faces when they hear that BEAUTIFUL SOUND .

 

[Tom Brennan]

This has brought me much joy, just to be able to re-capture the warm sound that Solid State and Digital CANNOT give.

I think you can get a warm sound using SS and digital; damned near any coloration you want can be introduced with the right speakers. And I've heard SS electronics with a warm coloration, such as a Mitsubishi preamp I owned for a couple of days that had all the vices of a Scott tube unit and few of it's virtues. And good digital can sound warm if the recording is warm.

 

[bluesky]

When I got into it... it was new.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

I went the other route. Had both modern and vintage gear for years. But over time came to realize that I preferred modern and my vintage gear migrated into storage. Then beginning about 3 years ago, I started selling off my vintage stuff. Marantz 2275, Tandberg TR2040, 2 Dynaco SCA-35, Eico HF-81, Dynaco PAS 3, a Yamaha early 80s receiver, Magnavox & Philips CD players, Pioneer late 70s receiver, speakers from Ohm, JBL, Radio Shack, and more. Can't recall all of them right now. No regrets at all, in fact, I'm glad to be rid of it. To my ears the older stuff just wasn't as clear or transparent, didn't image or create that realistic sound which sends chills down your back. This is in comparison to good quality newer gear, not low-end mass market gear.

 

[MrCurt1959]

Hi Tom Brennan, Your probably right about the SS sound. With the right Equip. Sound can be manipulated into rich tones and textures. I have a few different modes of Vinyl playing machines............including a 1918 Brunswick Wind up 78 RPM Floor model............And.............a Technics Direct Drive Automatic Turntable Model SL-D2 run through a Yamaha Natural Sound receiver RX 570 and Klipsch Speakers. While the Early 78 RPM does not even come close.......it's fun for a change of pace. The "Modern SS set up " does sound nice, but I still prefer the console, especially for those records cut in that era. Some more recent records will not play so well as they were cut in a different manner. These music makers are in adjoining rooms in my home with very similar acoustics ..........So I do have a fair comparison here. Maybe I'm Just being nostalgic................but I really do love this old console. Thanks for your comment.

 

[swamppirate]

I enjoy the SOUND of the old Console I came across by chance a few years ago. It was instantly noticeable how nice the TUBE sound was. I had grown up with View attachment 645652 View attachment 645653 a RCA Console that my Parents bought new in '64 . So when this came along I figured I would now be able to play my old records ( From my Childhood) that I never got rid of. This has brought me much joy, just to be able to re-capture the warm sound that Solid State and Digital CANNOT give. It's a time travel thing, bringin' me back to my childhood days, when things were less stressed and more relaxed. I really use this old Beast. I would not give it up for anything. AND It was FREE. 1962 Motorola Model SK71BWA .............I'm so lucky to have this in my home, and it's fun to see the reaction on peoples faces when they hear that BEAUTIFUL SOUND . View attachment 645652 View attachment 645653

Very nice!

 

[c5corvette]

I went the other route. Had both modern and vintage gear for years. But over time came to realize that I preferred modern and my vintage gear migrated into storage. Then beginning about 3 years ago, I started selling off my vintage stuff. Marantz 2275, Tandberg TR2040, 2 Dynaco SCA-35, Eico HF-81, Dynaco PAS 3, a Yamaha early 80s receiver, Magnavox & Philips CD players, Pioneer late 70s receiver, speakers from Ohm, JBL, Radio Shack, and more. Can't recall all of them right now. No regrets at all, in fact, I'm glad to be rid of it. To my ears the older stuff just wasn't as clear or transparent, didn't image or create that realistic sound which sends chills down your back. This is in comparison to good quality newer gear, not low-end mass market gear.

Slowly moving down the same path

 

[50nstillhifi]

Nostalgia... my friend... nostalgia!

 

[Dr Tinear]

When I got into it... it was new.

Same here. My main system has very gradually been migrating to high-quality modern gear as I find it on the used market at prices I can afford. If my budget were larger, the migration would be quicker and might even include some brand-new equipment.

 

[BLAH BLAH]

Its the only time I dare say that I recaptured a first love...
Whenever I enter a room and spy you...my eyes lock upon you and never leave you...
And now that I have you in my arms...hold you...touch....at times even caress...
So many intimate moments shared together...ahhh the tunes we played together...the pleasure....
I feel young again...
Sansui my love...my first deep love...

 

[Eric Lloyd]

It's the sound my ears were educated on, so I gravitate to that. Also, I have a thing for the look of Pioneer receivers from '77 to '81.

 

[audioman00]

Personally I just got sick of all the dsp and digital buttons, etc. There is something I like better about older technology with analog volume knobs and bass, treb knobs.
I really miss my digital amp's sometimes but analog is where it's at for me, but hey... I use a Turntable almost every time I listen so I guess I'm old school for being a guy born in the 80's.

 

[c.coyle]

The price is right, simpler interfaces than modern gear, intended to be repairable, remind me of my 20s. I find working on electronic gear, new as well as old, peaceful and relaxing.

 

[mjw21a]

Partially that vintage equipment is generally better quality than modern gear, but also the beautiful wood finish on older equipment. In my case its just by B&W DM-16 speakers though I'd love to get a turntable with a lovely rosewood veneer one of these days.

 

[Smaug]

Same here. Nothing better than sitting with my wife, a Marantz, JBLs and jazz.

...and a glass of _____ <-- insert favorite libation

 

[Chris Durant]

Now if this isn't a loaded question , I love the stuff. We have a system in our Den, we have a system in my bedroom, we have an actual music room with 3 or more non working and 1 working system in there too. The reason for me is, sound quality when everything is up to par ( working ), Playing many types of music on these systems, sounds better than on our main living room system which is a descent system for TV and Movies. Then you have all the memories and the fact that when I was 16, I sold Stereo Systems to people, from our house, I got a few large companies at the time to let me purchase things at cost, and would take orders from all kinds of people in town, get the stuff, then deliver and set it up for them. Had a ball right up until some maggot robbed our house and I lost quite a bit and had my 1st real world life lesson. That said my 1st Job was Lafayette Radio, back in the days when they still had pretty cool stuff. I also love the looks of these systems, in my older mans opinion you cant beat the looks of a silver face quad or stereo receiver when on and lit up, Garrard Zero 100, and some -- once again my opinion -- kick ass mega Japanese Speakers from the late 60's and early 70's. I like real wood veneer and not black , black, black crapola Ok enough of my opinions. Chris

 

[GUNN]

I have a Kenwood VR-6070 which is used for movies and music and sounds good but i like the look of my Panasonic SA-6800 paired with my Garrard Zero 100,
vintage audio equipment to me warms a room not only in it's sound but in it's looks. In my living room i have a 1938 RCA floor model radio which easily draws the eye towards it and away from the flat panel tv which is what i wanted. Analog equipment has a personality all it's own.

 

[Twiddler]

I don't own any vintage gear but this site makes me want to. I think I'm attracted in part by the look of some vintage receivers (backlight tuner dials, VU meters, etc) Then there's the nostalgia factor of owning gear that was made when you were a teenager.
What's keeping me from pulling the trigger is the inflated prices, the fear of endless/costly repairs and the doubt that maybe it won't sound as good as my modern gear. I seem to recall that back in the seventies I moved away from mainstream Japanese gear in favor of brands like Audio Research and Threshold. There must have been a reason. I can't find a good deal on those brands in mint condition and brands like HH Scott, Fisher, etc are even harder to find. Would I really be happier soundwise with 70's Marantz, Pioneer, Yamaha, etc gear than with their modern counterparts or brands like Rega, NAD, Naim etc?

 

[GUNN]

Prices does not neccesarily have to be inflated. People into vintage audio seem to pull it to them. I do television, audio,and computer repair, and lot of times have trouble giving it away. Equipment new and old have individual personality. You can have both modern and vintage. Here in Cleveland we have "Play it Again Sam" which sells nothing but older equipment. I let a lot of equipment go when i was younger because i assume the newer was better. Not so.

 

[Twiddler]

Prices does not neccesarily have to be inflated. People into vintage audio seem to pull it to them. I do television, audio,and computer repair, and lot of times have trouble giving it away. Equipment new and old have individual personality. You can have both modern and vintage. Here in Cleveland we have "Play it Again Sam" which sells nothing but older equipment. I let a lot of equipment go when i was younger because i assume the newer was better. Not so.

The affordable gear that I see locally (Montreal) is usually not the more desirable models and/or in poor condition. When I do see something like a mint Yamaha 2010 for sale the price is usually quite steep. I'm not interested in scratched, banged up or plain ugly (anti-WAF) gear even if it's in good working order - at any price.
That being said I have a friend who's constantly on the lookout and who does manage to snag some nice tube gear at good prices but then he usually spends lots of time and $$$ trying to fix a number of problems. I guess I'm just not as lucky/motivated as he is.