How many use Vintage Hi-Fi systems?

Hi Guys, when I think about all of the old great vintage gear that I have had in the last forty years of this obsession, and either traded or sold ( Scott, Fisher, Technics SP-10 w/arm,Mac.,KLH and many others) that I would love to have back now, it makes me want to cry. Musically, we have not gained a whole lot if at all during this time.
All that I now have of vintage gear that I love is a Marantz 2275 Receiver, two pair of excellent condition, all original AR 3 speakers ,one pair of mint large Advents, a Dual 1229 tt., a Mitsubishi DA-F20 tuner and a Teac RA-40S open reel recorder.
Sometimes when I listen to my large modern system, and always tweaking in order to wring every ounce of" being there" with the musicians out of it, I want to say "the hell with it" and go back to my vintage stuff and really "enjoy the Music"
Great thread Norman, thanks for starting it.
Carter

Carter,
Man you are spot on. It seems that all of us, somewhere in time lost the entire notion that it is all about the music. The system that I mentioned is one that I have owned for over 30 years. However, it wasn't the only one I listened too in all that time. I was caught up in upgrade Hell for years. Went through thousands of dollars and in the end, was never more satisfied than with the system that I use now. So, like everyone else, I sold gear at a massive loss only to end up appreciating, and throughly enjoying the system that I always went back too. The Citations. My upgrade days are OVER. I am content. When this revelation finally hit me, I began once again to just enjoy the music. I listen every day, and love what I am hearing.
Great post Carter...
Norman

Hanaleimike,

Man, I am going to pour a double scotch tonight and cry with you. Sorry about the loss. But, cheer up! Lots of good Conrad Johnson, McIntosh, Citation, Dynaco, marantz, etc.. to be found. Go for it. You'll have the time of your life, and your wallet will thank you.

Norman

Great discussion! I have a "quasi vintage" system at our ski chalet. Yamaha 2010 amp _ cost me $250 and it has both mm and mc phono with variable loading etc etc. Very sweet and punchy sound. Sources are Micro-Seiki BL 51, ADC arm and Empire 750 cart for vinyl and Granite Audio tube CD player - not really vintage but I do have a Philips Bitstream 850 CD player that sort of qualifies as 'vintage'.

Speakers are home designed MTM transmission lines.

I am always blown away by how musical this modest investment sounds. No, it is not the ultimate in detail, or even transparency, but wow it it never fails to excite the musicality in the LP or CD. Relaxed would be a hallmark descriptor, that Yamaha has drive and control so it begs the question of what makes a great musical experience in the home?

With this type of equipment there is no hype, just pure enjoyment and system synergy.

Steve

Steve,

My eldest son uses a Vintage Yamaha hifi. C2 pre-amp and a m40 amplifier that he runs in class A mode. It is a very sweet set up, no disappointments. He uses a set of EPI 100's with a POLK subwoofer. The Yamaha pre-amp is really impressive, at least as good as if not better than my Citation 17. And the phono section is what really stands out to me. You're right, NO HYPE, just pure enjoyment... for years now.. with minimal cost.

I have yet to hear, a substantial improvement in any new 'state of the art' system from what was available twenty or thirty years ago. In fact, isn't that what everyone is now discovering? Idler drive turntables, reel to reel, tube amps? We got it right long ago... we just didn't know it until digital came around and we discovered 'listening fatigue'.

Keep the faith.. vintage is where its at.

Norman