The Allure of Vintage Audio Gear

Another false dichotomy.

Some vintage is harsh.

Some contemporary stuff conveys a warm sound.

There is no need to sacrifice quality in a vintage system.

I’m a vintage guy, but I sacrifice little to nothing in terms of detail. My system is not for everyone, it may have a coloration but the information is mostly all there.

I ended up vintage because I took what I started out with when I was 14 years old and built out from there according to my inclinations and preferences based on my personal aesthetics and ideology. I guess some sentimentality enters into it: I’ve had most of the components in my system for 40+ years now, so they are an extension of me.

aesthetics:

- analog gives me what to my ears are a warm, rich, detailed and silky smooth sound.
- I have chosen gear as much for how it looks, its vibe etc but I don’t sacrifice sound

ideology

- I am an environmentalist. So, I have chosen gear that is very energy efficient, and I fix it when it breaks. I don’t go out and get the next latest and greatest thing, because when my system is running optimally, it can sound as good as most anything out there regardless of cost.
- there are starving people in Gaza and the Sudan and in Newburgh NY. Repairing, recycling equipment is extremely cost effective, a way to control my spending and keep it modest.

theaudioatticvinylsundays.com

@esporma

Well, I know no one is going to change your mind, but I had someone over the other day who was dumbfounded and scratching his head. He was struggling with the fact that he spent $150,000 on completely modern equipment, yet I was getting sound quality that was - a little colored? Yes, but - as good and better than his for 1/3 the cost with vintage equipment regarding soundstage placement, detail, timber accuracy and particularly depth, height as well as breadth. The depth to the point that it is holographic / surround. He called it seductive and arresting.

Go figure.