The Allure of Vintage Audio Gear

Right now I’m listening to rebuilt stacked Quad 57’s with added Enigma Sopranino super tweeters, the latter not being vintage, powered by just serviced Futterman H3-AA amps. The panels are wired in series, the tweeters straight off the amps in parallel. WOW! Being a professional musician, I can attest that this is superior to my Focal Stella Utopias, except for bass slam? It’s a lush sound that wraps around me in gorgeous tonality. Not bad for mid 50’s speakers! Whenever I switch out to my modern systems, I feel withdrawal from losing the magic. 

If something has performed for 40+ years, and still is, it must be pretty good in an number of ways. I hate to see garages and backrooms of stores floor to ceiling full of this stuff knowing it's unused and will probably stay that way. 

In the guitar world, a 30-year-old guitar is now considered vintage.  If 30 years is considered vintage for audio gear, then most of my analog system is vintage, and I suspect it is comparable in sound quality to most modern gear, and probably more durable--SOTA Star Sapphire TT with ET-2 arm, Classé Audio electronics, Nakamichi cassette decks, Luxman tuner (that I rarely use anymore), and upgraded Apogee Duetta II speakers. 

I guess I'm the rare audiophile that is satisfied with his system long-term.  I have made many digital upgrades, however, as I realize that digital technology is improving more rapidly, with better sound quality available at decreasing prices, compared to 30 years ago.

@pooch2 

+1 Harmon Kardan 730, my receiver for 40 years.

Never had the bug to upgrade until it died.

Same here except mine didn't last as long, probably because I played it every day for hours. Mine still works but a channel cuts out and there is static. but the sound is still huge & full. I really want to get it restored but other needs are required now. maybe later.

FWIW it blew a power supply in the late 80's so I bought a Luxman R-115. great reviews. I hated it and sold it within  a year and got the HK fixed.

I've been in this hobby a long time. I have mostly what I called mid-range gear. Most of my systems were under $15000, the majority were around $6000. Over the years quality gear has become more affordable. Still trying to improve my system/s, never finished. I'm fulling in the modern era and not looking back.