When to replace old (Classic) equipment

[coonmanx]

If it aint broke...

I would never get rid of my classic setup unless it was totally broken. It still sounds good.

Newer isn't always better. There was a time when quality was the main concern in making components. I would say late 70s and early 80s. After that (mid 80s) there was a rush to BPC.

All of that being said, there are still some companies out there making quality and new gear. NAD is still in the business of making quality amps. But you should ask yourself if there is a reason to replace good old gear. I personally would just start building a second system. That way you don't have to get rid of the older stuff but you can slowly build some new stuff up. First step to becoming a hoarder.

 

[cubdog]

If it aint broke...

I would never get rid of my classic setup unless it was totally broken. It still sounds good.

Newer isn't always better. There was a time when quality was the main concern in making components. I would say late 70s and early 80s. After that (mid 80s) there was a rush to BPC.

I can't believe so many AK members still hold this to be true.

cubdog

 

[MWalt]

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

+1 Bluesky is at it again.

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

What he said. ^^^^^^

I can't believe so many AK members still hold this to be true.

cubdog

+1 What a friggin myth!

 

[prisoners]

10 minutes inside one of the area shops that carry truly high-end gear will convert even the biggest Luddite on AK.

 

[Bigerik]

I can't believe so many AK members still hold this to be true.

cubdog

Just shows how many people haven't listened to new gear. I get people preferring a certain sound, I've got a Scott 299D so I understand that. But that doesn't negate the quality of all the new stuff being produced. If anything, the best quality audio gear ever made is being made today. But it won't be as good as the stuff made tomorrow.

 

[Bigerik]

It's kinda funny how people who buy new gear are subtly looked down upon by some vintage lovers here. It seems that anyone buying new gear is paying too much and wasting their money. Yet I don't see the same thing being said about those people who bought Marantz 2500's, Pioneer SX-1980's, etc. People paid major money for their gear back then. But somehow it is wrong to do that now.

 

[awise1961]

... If anything, the best quality audio gear ever made is being made today. But it won't be as good as the stuff made tomorrow.

Well said!:thmbsp:

Al. Wise

 

[KrisM]

It's kinda funny how people who buy new gear are subtly looked down upon by some vintage lovers here. It seems that anyone buying new gear is paying too much and wasting their money. Yet I don't see the same thing being said about those people who bought Marantz 2500's, Pioneer SX-1980's, etc. People paid major money for their gear back then. But somehow it is wrong to do that now.

Very true. It is also kinda funny how people who buy new gear get a free pass to look down on those who like vintage gear. There are plenty of "digs" thrown by both camps, if you ask me. People should feel free to enjoy whatever they want. They should just hold back on the blanket statements like the ones bluesky put forward.

 

[cubdog]

I joined AK because of my love for Sansui. I get that. But my Sansui gear was 40 years old. Progress is a wonderful thing if one embraces it.

cubdog

 

[mfhale]

It's funny how many folks identify with only one camp, as if the friend of vintage MUST be the enemy of modern. Why not both? I've got old stuff, sorta old stuff and brand spankin' new stuff - all in the same setup. (HERETIC! LIGHT THE BONFIRE!)

Because I'm vain, I'll quote myself:

...it doesn't have to be black or white, embrace the grey!

To the OP: If you like what you have, keep it. If you want to try something new, try it. I can promise that if you bring home some new speakers, your old turntable won't be the least bit offended. :thmbsp:

 

[KrisM]

It's funny how many folks identify with only one camp, as if the friend of vintage MUST be the enemy of modern. Why not both? I've got old stuff, sorta old stuff and brand spankin' new stuff - all in the same setup. (HERETIC! LIGHT THE BONFIRE!)

It is funny, but it is also quite sad. There is no need for camps. Last time I checked, almost all modern gear uses RCA connections. Same with old gear. There is no crime if one mixes and matches. No crime if one sticks with one or the other exclusively, either.

 

[stish]

Stish

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.

The best response I've seen. After 35 years pursuing this hobby, I've learned there's only good and bad, age has nothing to do with it.

 

[JoeESP9]

As one who has vintage, "pro" and new gear I'm solidly in both camps.

One thing I don't do is try to convince others that there's been no advancement in the audio arts since the era of classic Japanese receivers.

Some of the best gear ever made is being made right now. That many can't afford or won't pay the money for it isn't relevant. Short pockets don't change the quality.

 

[yaya97]

It is funny, but it is also quite sad. There is no need for camps. Last time I checked, almost all modern gear uses RCA connections. Same with old gear. There is no crime if one mixes and matches. No crime if one sticks with one or the other exclusively, either.

I fully agree. Even though I have vintage now ( Mac 6100, old Thorens TT and Speakerlabs from the 70`s) I am not locked in any nostalgia craze. This being said I listened to some nice new speakers that I did like a few months back ( I think Harbeth????) but ....wow the huge $$$$( over 3500 I think) made me refall in love with my Speakerlabs that cost me under 300 with their awesome bass... I would guess to get IMHO a better speaker today to replace mine, I might end up paying over 2K...wife says no!:nono:
Now if we talk looks, the new leben amps are IMHO the coolest looking ever but I have yet to hear one!

 

[kirk57]

I think the OP should start a new thread saying he just got all this old gear, title it "scroe" and then everybody can tell him how lucky he is!

Seriously, since you have some very nice new speakers there, I'd look at new amplification, or preamp anyway. Ideally find a dealer that will let you take gear home to audition.

The Denon TT looks like a good one and is likely better than cheaper new belt drives. The arm you have is also quite good and a good match with the Shure. Maybe a nice JICO SAS stylus for the cart when it comes time to replace. (~$150)

You can get a DAC for around $400 (or less) that would be a nice upgrade to your digital source.

For me the biggest change in my system came with the addition of a Squeezebox, which is feeding music from my 'music server' (i.e. my computer). Squeezebox Touch is about $300...

 

[cubdog]

To the OP. Ron, you have gotten a bit more than you bargained for with our responses to your original question. Sorry if we got off track a little. It happens as we are all very passionate about audio.

cubdog

 

[Tom Brennan]

One thing I don't do is try to convince others that there's been no advancement in the audio arts since the era of classic Japanese receivers.

And when those classic Japanese receivers were being made nobody I knew thought they were the top gear around; most audiophiles (as opposed to people who had a nice stereo) were using Mac, Dynaco, Audio Research, Paoli, Eico, Quad, Crown, Levinson and such. And old at the time Marantz and Fisher tube gear, NOT Marantz and Fisher SS receivers.

 

[coonmanx]

It's not that new gear isn't good. It's just that some of the good old classic gear was well made and can stand the test of time. If it doesn't sound good then get rid of it. But just going out to buy something new just because it's new doesn't prove anything other than you bought something new and shiny. Quality is quality no matter when it was made.

 

[JohnVF]

A bunch of people on the internet who's experience with the current state of the art is suspect is not going to lead you to water. Let your ears do that. There's excellent gear out there but only you can decide if the improvement is there, and if it is, whether or not its worth the extra cost to get there. Another route is to look for used gear that still might sound better than what you have, depending on what that used gear is.

It is in no way as simple as saying "stay with what you have" or "stay vintage" or "go modern". The real choice is...is there better? And that could be new or old. I think there is, and I think that going out to try to find it could be really fun (it was for me..I ended up with a combination of vintage and current gear. All that I care about is whether something is good, I could care less what 'vintage' it is).

 

[reggaenaut]

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

Be careful!

If what you have gives you great pleasure, then new replacements both in part or whole might not. Plus the fact that you usually take a hit if you try to resell the new.

If it is possible try to audition in a home setting.

In general playing around with the good new stuff is for people with some length in the pocket.

It is a very SAFE stance to undertake preventative maintenance with what you have thus guaranteeing a continuity of your "sound".