2. amps-preamps
  3. 191808-197360

Does old-fashioned necessarily mean out of date?

Having recently purchased an amplifier that I expect would not command the attention it might have a decade or so ago, it leads me to the following observation and question.

While technological innovation in the design and construction of audio equipment continues admirably unabated, I would assert that there are venerable products still being manufactured whose qualities seem to remain not only undiminished but unsurpassed regardless of the "cutting edge" products they are juxtaposed to.  I believe that one such product is the Ars-Sonum Filarmonia XP Universum.  It is meticulously--in fact, lovingly--constructed.  It utilizes high quality components assembled in an effective architecture to produce its modest but robust output of 28 wpc. Most importantly, the sound it produces, in conjunction with the right equipment, can only be described as glorious.  

So what I am wondering  is whether there are others who agree that the best way to go forward sometimes is to stay deliberately still.  And if so, to which pieces of equipment would this thinking apply.

Thanks.

mew2150
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,011 posts
 

Acoustics dont age...

My vintage piece are good and flexible in a way many contemporary are not...Or the price gap is so huge that i dont bother with new because of the S.Q. at my hand right now... cool

ghdprentice
6,965 posts
 

@mahgister 

 

Interesting observation / perspective. It makes some sense… that as performance has increased different sound quality paths have emerged… with greater detail, transparency… etc. different companies have taken different directions. So, yes, in a sense vintage has a flexibility you generally do not get today.

hedwigstheme
134 posts
 

Off the top of my head--Shindo, VAC, Jadis, some McIntosh and HK Citation, etc., have withstood the test of time. A few rare loudspeakers, too--Altec 19, JBL Paragon, maybe Revel Salon/Salon 2 and KEF Reference series. Garrard/Lenco turntables.

viridian's avatar
viridian
5,021 posts
 

It does on my case. I am both old fashioned and out of date.

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,011 posts
 

Exactly...

And not only that, but some design or technology as it was made specifically with his own set of trade-off for sure exist no more ... My 2 Sansui of the golden age as they are made are exemples but more than those my vintage AKG K340 is unique and absolutely not low grade but among the top headphone even today...

For sure many contemporary technologies innovation improve all there is in Audio.... Specially since few years ago....

Then very good vintage exist but it is an exception not a rule... Also there are risks about maintenance of old gear...

Nothing is perfect here ...

Give me the 10,000 dollars i will buy the Immanis headphone, it will probably beat my K340 (100 bucks) on most acoustic count if not all but i am not even sure for that ...cool

I am completely happy as you are because as wise gentlemen we had learned  as you said yourself to appreciate and evaluate what we have ( in my case i modified it )

My very best to you....

 

@mahgister

 

Interesting observation / perspective. It makes some sense… that as performance has increased different sound quality paths have emerged… with greater detail, transparency… etc. different companies have taken different directions. So, yes, in a sense vintage has a flexibility you generally do not get today.

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