From the store stand point. Yes vintage 2channel audio gear can hold up and be relevant for years. The technology does change, but the basic premise of the equipment does not. AV gear is for the most part out dated and left with limited use after two years. I have a pioneer av paid $1000 for it. It is 7-1 new is now 11-1, does not process 4k or Dolby atmos, only one hdmi out, this is just the short list of what tech has left it a relic. Yes it does still work and we still enjoy it but I have to be very creative and run three individual remotes to get the very limited most out of it. If you went into the store with a vintage 2 channel integrated or separates there would be a better chance.
"High end" store snobbery
Our county lies in a fairly remote part of the country.Our major city of 100,000 has one "high end" shop so to speak.
I visited them yesterday.The store has limited selection of decent stuff-a few McIntosh amps.Marantz.Paradigm ,Focal,Sonus faber etc.No Wilsons or Bel Canto category.
I asked then if they take trade ins-I want to upgrade my one year old Yamaha RX4 AVR,worth $500 retail.
They said they only take high end components for trade i.e.McIntosh etc.
After that conversation, the 3 store employees pretty will ignored my presence and I continued browsing their meagre inventory.
Lo and behold!
In a corner I spotted about 30 items-old Pioneer,Yamaha amps and even an equalizer from the 1970s.Prices ranged from $75 to $500.
I asked :"what are these"
response from employee:"oh, those are items we are familiar with as they were swapped out for upgraded gear by our customers."
Thanks for tolerating my rant...
Gabe