2. amps-preamps
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old vs. new , wich one is better?

Hi,
In the last year or two my impresion is that there are more and more people buying old audio amps, preamps, turntables,etc. When you ask them why, they say that is because some old products were build with such a quality that is impossible to be replicated today, not because the technology, but -for example- actual cost limitations and the way the comapnies are managed today (profitability as their main focus).
what I would like to read from you is if in your experience as critical listeners, in some cases the old and best (for their time) Sansuis,Pioneer, Mcintosh, Dynaco, or others, could be better than the actual amps, preamps, turntables, etc. and if you agree, what products in particular and why, what do you find in the old ones that is absent in the new ones.
Thanks for your comments, I think this could be interesting.
jorsan
jorsan OP
178 posts
 
Thanks T-bone, different from the amp/preamp situation, I consider that in the TT area no important improvements has been made thru all this years: audio companies are selling the same technology with a much higher prices and 21 century designs, but thru the used market we can have today the best of the 60's - 80's period at a very rasonable prices. Same happens -in my opinion- with cartridges.
bradearles
30 posts
 
Stanwal is right. He sums it up quite nicely. I would add that replacing old coupling caps and installing V-Caps in their place can be a huge improvement but they need as much as 300+ hours break in time before you recognize their full potential. I'm not a dealer and have no affiliation with the company that sells V-Caps. The Russian caps on ebay are dirt cheap and the reviews rate them well for their price. V-Caps aren't cheap but they are perhaps the best out there today.
cooljazzcat
17 posts
 
What happens to specific components as they age? What are the effects of dust and smoke over the years? Any techs out there who have seen a lot of stuff?
jorsan OP
178 posts
 
.... and dont forget about old/new turntables comparison.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
better is subjective. having listened to old (depends upon definition of old). personally, since parts were different in the 60's, 70's , etc., the comparison between old and new is like comparing apples and oranges.

so, what does this mean ? there are definite differences sonically between amps, pres and speakers from the 60's to 80's and products in production in 2010.

i prefer the sound of the 60's to what is available today.

the older products had frequency response anomalies which according to some had a pleasant character--attenuation above 5000 hz and a peak in the upper bass.

the newer products are less inaccurate in frequency response and seem more resolving tham the older products.

its all a matter of taste as has been indicated in previous threads.
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