You can hear ” They don’t make em like they used to” echoing from one generation to the next. That goes for virtually all material products especially the electro-mechanical big boy toys such as stereo equipment, automobiles, even watches and appliances. In reality, technology moves forward and in most cases new is better then old in many respects.
What’s the fascination with old stereo equipment, vintage cars or century old Rolex watches? As Grandpa would say “they surely don’t make them like that anymore.” Most people would agree, the older stereo and hi fi equipment sounds so much better than new. What’s that? But you just stated new is better then that old stuff. If you look back into the last sixty or so years there was all different types of music to listen to on your Marantz or Fisher gear. What do we have now as far as music that demands high quality and powerful reproduction? Sure there are some beats being produced but nothing like in years gone by. The 1950’s – 1980’s had everything from rock and roll to disco. What do we have now? Not much that warrants a McIntosh component system. Most of the music produced now-a-days is forgotten after a month never to be heard again. Do new songs even have titles or names? No music = No need for quality audio equipment.
I consider myself an audiophile. Even with diminished hearing, I love the sound and look of audio equipment from the 1960’s and 1970’s. But here is the deal, and it’s a BIG DEAL. I can fix or attempt to repair the old “stuff.” Vintage equipment is great when it works. After thirty to sixty years virtually ALL electronic equipment needs some type of service. A favorite line of many people, not in the know is, ” hey you just have to replace the caps(electrolytic capacitors) and it will work like new. Guess what? It’s not always a capacitor at fault. It could be a resistor, coil, switch, inductor, or even a crystal. In fact, all components tend to drift over time, so your 35 year old Pioneer receiver probably has a smorgasbord of problems. And after those problems are addressed, the unit will need a complete alignment. The mom and pop TV and radio shop is almost extinct in 2016. Sure, there are a few places left in and around the big cities but the service rates they charge have the same amount of digits as your telephone number. Simply put, there aren’t many old school techs who can or want to repair this old stuff anymore. And if you do happen to come across a service center to fix your vintage Sansui, you will have to remortgage your home to pay for it. It’s just the way it is, old stuff breaks. Yes some brands/models have longevity on their side but eventually it all needs repair. I have a Kenwood KR-9600 in my gym. It’s been rocking for over twenty five years and to this day it never misses a beat. It even still has its original lamps. But…how many units are like that? From experience I can state they are rare.
Basically you have two choices. Either you can fix the old equipment yourself or pay someone else when it fails. Most of the old equipment cannot be used as a daily driver. How many 1960-1970 automobiles do you see driving around as reliable, dependable, transportation? Old cars are like old stereos, they are loads of fun as long as they work. As previously stated I love vintage electronics. I enjoy tinkering, and bringing old boat anchors back to life. What do you think???
What’s the fascination with old stereo equipment, vintage cars or century old Rolex watches? As Grandpa would say “they surely don’t make them like that anymore.” Most people would agree, the older stereo and hi fi equipment sounds so much better than new. What’s that? But you just stated new is better then that old stuff. If you look back into the last sixty or so years there was all different types of music to listen to on your Marantz or Fisher gear. What do we have now as far as music that demands high quality and powerful reproduction? Sure there are some beats being produced but nothing like in years gone by. The 1950’s – 1980’s had everything from rock and roll to disco. What do we have now? Not much that warrants a McIntosh component system. Most of the music produced now-a-days is forgotten after a month never to be heard again. Do new songs even have titles or names? No music = No need for quality audio equipment.
I consider myself an audiophile. Even with diminished hearing, I love the sound and look of audio equipment from the 1960’s and 1970’s. But here is the deal, and it’s a BIG DEAL. I can fix or attempt to repair the old “stuff.” Vintage equipment is great when it works. After thirty to sixty years virtually ALL electronic equipment needs some type of service. A favorite line of many people, not in the know is, ” hey you just have to replace the caps(electrolytic capacitors) and it will work like new. Guess what? It’s not always a capacitor at fault. It could be a resistor, coil, switch, inductor, or even a crystal. In fact, all components tend to drift over time, so your 35 year old Pioneer receiver probably has a smorgasbord of problems. And after those problems are addressed, the unit will need a complete alignment. The mom and pop TV and radio shop is almost extinct in 2016. Sure, there are a few places left in and around the big cities but the service rates they charge have the same amount of digits as your telephone number. Simply put, there aren’t many old school techs who can or want to repair this old stuff anymore. And if you do happen to come across a service center to fix your vintage Sansui, you will have to remortgage your home to pay for it. It’s just the way it is, old stuff breaks. Yes some brands/models have longevity on their side but eventually it all needs repair. I have a Kenwood KR-9600 in my gym. It’s been rocking for over twenty five years and to this day it never misses a beat. It even still has its original lamps. But…how many units are like that? From experience I can state they are rare.
Basically you have two choices. Either you can fix the old equipment yourself or pay someone else when it fails. Most of the old equipment cannot be used as a daily driver. How many 1960-1970 automobiles do you see driving around as reliable, dependable, transportation? Old cars are like old stereos, they are loads of fun as long as they work. As previously stated I love vintage electronics. I enjoy tinkering, and bringing old boat anchors back to life. What do you think???
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