When to replace old (Classic) equipment

[RonC]

Back in the mid-80's, I considered myself somewhat of an audiophile. I wasn't a golden-ear by any means. I had audiophile friends who heard things I didn't even dream of.
I stopped serious, concentrated listening some 15 years ago when I found that I was listening for sound, not music. Also, I started significant international travel for work that left me little time for listening.
The present: I have begun to give myself permission to take time out to sit back, relax, and listen to my large classical, big band and bluegrass collection. I have a Hafler 945 Tuner-preamp (A Hafler 110 preamp is stored int he basement), NAD PP-2 phono preamp, Adcom GFA 555 amp, and just replaced my Infinity Composition Prelude Speakers with Martin Logan Electromotion ESL speakers and a Martin Logan Dynamo 700 sub-woofer.
The front end is a Denon DP-790 turntable with Grace 707 arm and old Shure V15 Type V phono cartridge; a NAD 515bee CD player; and a restored Pioneer RT909 reel to reel for my Barclay Crocker reel to reel tapes.

The Hafler 945 preamp tuner and Adcom GFA 555 amp date back to the late 80s with the turntable mired in that era as well. The Shure cartridge was great in its day, and the stylus is in good condition. The Denon turntable predates the belt drive fad started by Linn Sondek.

So, do I wait for the old equipment to die of old age or consider replacing them? The power supply capacitors on old amps tend to leak after a while. There is no sign of that now, but I suppose it could happen any time. There are people around who restore Adcom amps. There are some fairly inexpensive, belt-drive turntables out there. Do I stand pat with some of the classic components or start saving for more modern parts?

Thanks,
Ron

 

[cubdog]

If you can afford to why not upgrade. There is so much new and excellent audio gear to experience. Nothing wrong with your current stuff but as you stated it is getting on in years. At any rate welcome to AK.

cubdog

 

[bluesky]

If you like the sound of the vintage gear you have now, and your gear works well, sounds fine, and everything is perfect...your lucky. I'd keep the gear you have.

'Nothing new' impresses me. And that's everything from cars, to new construction homes, to stereos, to cameras, to telephones, to you name it. It's like there is always something wrong with the 'new' stuff, especially if China has anything to do with it. 'Broken brand new'. Or it just ain't right and never will be.

I'm sure new stereo gear is great, like Bryston, but so is the vintage gear when you have 'stable equipment'. Almost bought a new Bryston last year but I found my present amp, a 1987 AU-X901 "Vintage Series" (which is exactly the amp I wanted) after daily searching for 10+ months. I wouldn't change out my present amp for anything new. Totally satisified sonically and mechanically. It just sounds right. And right is right.

Also, I always read, as we all do, folks with new gear who say: It's really a fine amp...but, or they are really fine speakers but..., or fine cables BUT...

But?? There shouldn't be any 'buts' when you are spending 'many thousands of dollars'. If your buying new...know 'exactly' what you are buying.

Specific model vintage equipment just sounds right. And that's why you bought it, or refurbrished it, in the first place because it has a specific sound you enjoy.

And vintage gear is just fun to own and fun to look at. You see a new amp and it's like who cares, anyone can buy it if you have the money. Just buy it. When you have that 'special older, maybe rare, vintage gear' that sounds just really fine ... you have something special. If your into vintage.

BUT (ahhh, the buts) ... getting the vintage gear together that works properly as designed, and up to spec, isn't easy. You have to get darn lucky. The down side of older vintage gear is...'it's really getting really old now'! Restoration is a very real consideration unless you got really lucky with your gear. Also, you could spend 'a lot of money' refurbrushing the gear only to have it crash out on you again. That's a very real economic and user concern, and it can be a real nightmare. I've lost $1500+. It's all part of the process. Pre 1980 gear is usually restorable. Another thing...'who and where' is the 'qualified tech' that will be fixing it if it needs to be fixed. Can you drive it over to him? Or does it have to be shipped at $55 one way, $100+ round trip. Yeah, it's a problem but 'once that problem is solved' vintage is wonderful. 'Stability of the equipment is the problem'. If 'your' gear is stable...your lucky!! Enjoy.

Nothing wrong with new gear. I'm not bashing new gear, I just personally much more ' enjoy ' vintage. Like the Antique Roadshow! haha.

Guess it all depends on what you want, and enjoy, and the stability of the equipment your using. Once it's all up an running as designed...vintage is a wonderful thing!

Vintage racks too!!

 

[bob06]

What Bluesky said. :thmbsp: I have Vintage Gear and woun't dream about getting rid of them. There nothing better IMO.

 

[cubdog]

If you like the sound of the vintage gear you have now, and your gear works well, sounds fine, and everything is perfect...your lucky. I'd keep the gear you have.

'Nothing new' impresses me. And that's everything from cars, to new construction homes, to stereos, to cameras, to telephones, to you name it. It's like there is always something wrong with the 'new' stuff, especially if China has anything to do with it. 'Broken brand new'. Or it just ain't right and never will be.

I'm sure new stereo gear is great, like Bryston, but so is the vintage gear when you have 'stable equipment'. Almost bought a new Bryston last year but I found my present amp, a 1987 AU-X901 "Vintage Series" (which is exactly the amp I wanted) after daily searching for 10+ months. I wouldn't change out my present amp for anything new. Totally satisified sonically and mechanically. It just sounds right. And right is right.

Also, I always read, as we all do, folks with new gear who say: It's really a fine amp...but, or they are really fine speakers but..., or fine cables BUT...

But?? There shouldn't be any 'buts' when you are spending 'many thousands of dollars'. If your buying new...know 'exactly' what you are buying.

Specific model vintage equipment just sounds right. And that's why you bought it, or refurbrished it, in the first place because it has a specific sound you enjoy.

And vintage gear is just fun to own and fun to look at. You see a new amp and it's like who cares, anyone can buy it if you have the money. Just buy it. When you have that 'special older, maybe rare, vintage gear' that sounds just really fine ... you have something special. If your into vintage.

BUT (ahhh, the buts) ... getting the vintage gear together that works properly as designed, and up to spec, isn't easy. You have to get darn lucky. The down side of older vintage gear is...'it's really getting really old now'! Restoration is a very real consideration unless you got really lucky with your gear. Also, you could spend 'a lot of money' refurbrushing the gear only to have it crash out on you again. That's a very real economic and user concern, and it can be a real nightmare. I've lost $1500+. It's all part of the process. Pre 1980 gear is usually restorable. Another thing...'who and where' is the 'qualified tech' that will be fixing it if it needs to be fixed. Can you drive it over to him? Or does it have to be shipped at $55 one way, $100+ round trip. Yeah, it's a problem but 'once that problem is solved' vintage is wonderful. 'Stability of the equipment is the problem'. If 'your' gear is stable...your lucky!! Enjoy.

Nothing wrong with new gear. I'm not bashing new gear, I just personally much more ' enjoy ' vintage. Like the Antique Roadshow! haha.

Guess it all depends on what you want, and enjoy, and the stability of the equipment your using. Once it's all up an running as designed...vintage is a wonderful thing!

Vintage racks too!!

No disrespect but what a load of crap. The OPs vintage gear was purchased when new. Since when is an Adcom 555 amp "fun to look at"? Broken brand new? just what does that mean? Come on man.

cubdog

 

[Tom Brennan]

So, do I wait for the old equipment to die of old age or consider replacing them?

Go around to hi-fi stores and give things a look and a listen. If you're hearing better sound in shops than at home it's reaonable to consider new gear (just what gear is another story).

 

[Tom Brennan]

Nothing wrong with new gear. I'm not bashing new gear,.........

Cut the crap, you ARE bashing new gear and in a most unreasonable manner in the bargain.

 

[Sandy G]

I'd keep the old stuff if its still working well. ESPECIALLY if it works well TOGETHER- Go changing one or 2 pieces, & the "Synergy" is liable to be gone...

 

[kermit z]

Go around to hi-fi stores and give things a look and a listen. If you're hearing better sound in shops than at home it's reaonable to consider new gear (just what gear is another story).

I agree:thmbsp: Go to some hi-end shops and have a listen. You may find you like your gear better, and thats great And you may find you like some new stuff better, and thats great too. Don't buy into "New gear is bad" talk. And, China is making some nice stuff these days, so dont' discard anything. Have a listen and let your ears decide.

 

[Bigerik]

No disrespect but what a load of crap. The OPs vintage gear was purchased when new. Since when is an Adcom 555 amp "fun to look at"? Broken brand new? just what does that mean? Come on man.

cubdog

Agreed. I would much rather have a Canadian made Bryston, with it's 20 year warranty, then something made 25 years ago by a company that is long since out of business. Bryston has also had available upgrade options for their older gear, so they make sure it does not get obsolete.

There is a thinking on AK, that progress in audio stopped somewhere between, oh 1980 and 1985. Nothing could be further from the truth. The world has moved on. Yes, the mass market has shrunk, but good audio is still being made and constantly developed.

 

[prisoners]

There's a tremendous amount of new bang for the buck systems out there today. Companies like NAD and Cambridge Audio are making gear that offers astounding sound for the price. Pair that with a nice pair of PSB speakers and you can have a truly nice system for far less than you probably suspect. Make yourself a customer/friend/frequent visitor of your local hi-fi shop and tell them what you want to do. Any good salesman will show you all sorts of options at whatever price point you are comfortable with.

 

[Styx_II]

If you can afford to why not upgrade. There is so much new and excellent audio gear to experience. Nothing wrong with your current stuff but as you stated it is getting on in years. At any rate welcome to AK.

cubdog

+1 As much as I love vintage (classic) gear, I find myself being drawn to more current offerings.

 

[Markw]

Hard to say.

You've got spme pretty decent stuff there and you COULD go and replace everything from the sources to the speakers and find a change in the sound.

But, dollars to donuts, that change may be for the better or worse and, even more to the point, that change will be made by the new speakers, not the rst of the equipment.

IOW, it you feel the need for a change, start with the speakers.

 

[jimfet]

I have alway bought new or almost new since the 70's. As my stuff failed, I replaced. Did repair an amp once that had lightning run in on it. I love the reliability of the new stuff. Plus it is cheaper compared to what it cost then.
Example. I had a Series 20, 30 wpc class A amp back in the late 70's. It was over $1000 then. Got it with an employee purchase program for half.
Now a days I can get a new, better sounding Monarchy 25 wpc class A amp for less than $600, no employee discount. I think it sounds better. I own two. I see these Series 20 amps selling now a day's for well over $1000. These things are over 30 years old now, have more than likely been worked on, and may not work tomorrow. Can't figure out why some one would buy one when new is better.

Plus I think 90% of new speakers trounce 90% of old speakers that are in the same catagory of price for then and now. But that is just me.

 

[kconnor]

Plus I think 90% of new speakers trounce 90% of old speakers that are in the same catagory of price for then and now. But that is just me.

Definitely agree with that.

I think your best bang for the buck as far as amplifiers and preamps are concerned is to look for lightly used TOTL from mid to late ‘90’s. The electronics and build quality are way more sophisticated than the silver faced 1960’s and ‘70s stuff people seem to be fond of overpaying for. You can buy some great stuff real cheap that is generally being over looked.

 

[JoeESP9]

bluesky;
I wonder if you would be so anti new gear if Sansui was still in business. I also wonder what company you would have fixated on if Sansui never existed.

 

[awise1961]

I guess that I am fortunate in that I have been able to set up several systems with both new or vintage gear.
I like both and depending on mood I will fire up one or the other.
I am a firm believer that technology has not stood still since the late 70's.
To the OP; go test drive some examples of new gear at what ever hifi shop you have near by, or borrow from a friend if that is possible.
In the end you'll make up your own mind and be happy.

Al. Wise

 

[reggaenaut]

bluesky;
I wonder if you would be so anti new gear if Sansui was still in business. I also wonder what company you would have fixated on if Sansui never existed.

Yeah I can understand why a Sansui fan doesn't want to mess with new gear: Au 9900, 4000 receiver.

 

[KrisM]

Yeah I can understand why a Sansui fan doesn't want to mess with new gear: Au 9900, 4000 receiver.

I'm a Sansui fan and I mess with new gear. I feel so conflicted. But when I think about it, I was just born in the 70s, I'm not stuck there.

 

[willyrover]

You only have to spend a day at AK Fest to realize that, yes, vintage can sound great and there are quality, great sounding, new pieces being made by many companies.

You'll also see clearly that technology has not stood still since the 70s. Speakers especially, come to mind.