2. vintage
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Still happily using vintage gear?

I was sitting listening to my main system consisting of an Audio Research SP8 preamp, NYAL Moscode 600 Maxi, Vandersteen 5 speakers, Thorens TD126MkIII with Sumiko Blue Point, VPI HW16, and was completely satisfied, again, with the experience. (Kimber 12TC, Morrow, Straightwire, AQ and Furman accessories)
All the equipment has been well cared for and kept in good repair: caps replaced, TT overhauled etc.
But it has an average age of about 30 years!
I love reading about all the latest gear, and lust after some of it dearly, but... I'm satisfied with what I have.
I'm playing with digital and having my fun with that, but I was wondering:
Is anyone else still happy with equipment that is now considered "vintage"?
(I don't think of it as "vintage", I just think of it as long-lasting!)
So... what's the oldest piece in your rig?
Mine is the Moscode. 40 years young.

fredapplegate
fatdaddy2
368 posts
 
Garrard 401 purchased as NOS from a guy in Germany who acquired it as part of EMI Germany's surplus inventory.  My personal end-game vinyl rig.  A couple of closet "waiting to repairs" from Tandberg and Audionics.
hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello,
All you you are so funny. Your gear is incredible. It might be old, but an old Porsche or Ferrari is still awesome and tons of fun to drive. I have a few older Sony pieces that are on a second system that I really enjoy. Too bad we can’t do an audio crawl. I am certain these systems you all have sounds unique and amazing. I also want to say how much I appreciate everyone taking the time to help out each other when auditioning and getting gear is so difficult. 
whipsaw
753 posts
 
For a couple of years, not long ago, I used a re-capped Accuphase E-303x integrated amp, and it was thoroughly enjoyable.
adrianleewelch's avatar
adrianleewelch
74 posts
 
I have mostly vintage gear. A pair of Altec A5s, a pair of Altec model 19s, and a pair of Altec model 15s.  I still have a Kenwood M1D amplifier. Turntables are a Thorens TD 318, and a Dual 1229. The McIntosh MC 7100 is getting old too. My preamp and subs are new. Also new are my cabling, crossovers, diaphragms, Dac, streamer, and things of that nature. I do love vintage gear. 
tk21
237 posts
 
I only have one piece of vintage gear that is still wired up in one of my rooms. It's a 45w Harman Kardon integrated amp I bought in the early-mid 1980s for about $250, IIRC, from a high-end shop near Washington DC.  No WiFi capabilities, no LED front panel, no remote control ... but it still gets the job done, year after year.

In contrast, less than 2 years ago I bought a combination DAC/streamer/pre-amp. Made in China. Sells for about $3400.  Well, lately, my system no longer recognizes it as a "Roon-Ready" networked device. So on the LAN, it now only works as an Airplay receiver.  I've been trouble-shooting the darn thing for days, trying to figure out if it's a hardware problem, a settings problem, a network or firmware or software problem.  Complicated! 
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