Your oldest gear?


What’s the oldest piece of equipment in your system? 
 

What piece of equipment have you owned the longest? 

zavato

Concept 2QD direct drive turntable, new since 1978, also Kenwood KR8010 receiver also new from 1978, I bought them both at Pacific Stereo in Chicago. Both of these are still in my 4th system and they both sound great and will be with me until I am gone.

I still have two pieces from my 1980s college system: a Thorens TD 166 MkII turntable and Cerwin-Vega HED speakers. I've archived the CVs because they kinda sound like crap but the Thorens is still a beauty.

Funny story on the CVs if anyone cares - me and 6 of my buddies all bought the same speakers from Marty at the Sound Concept in Mt Kisco NY in 1981. Marty said "$1400 and a six of Heineken for all 7." When we picked them up just before closing time he locked the door, lit up a jay, handed out the beers and cranked up a set of Magnepans. A great time, and probably the best $200 I ever spent.

Hmmm....Probably my Quad II amps in the vintage system, refurbished by the late Bill Thalmann, from 1959 and 1961 with top tier glass (GEC KT66s). I have some gear like Technics SP-10 that I bought in 1973- running in my vintage system- restored by Thalmann, an ARC Dual 75a that I bought new in 1975- not in service, but I have a full tube complement that I bought years ago- needs a recap. My Quad '57s are from 1973, I bought them in 1974, restored by Kent McCollum, running in my vintage system. Old Decca Ribbons- I'm not sure how old, probably from the '60s, need work. 

I got rid of a lot of gear I wasn't using a decade ago. Had some nice pieces, an ARC SP-10mkii, among other things. 

My main system is relatively new- circa 2006-7. Lamm ML2s are really the center piece, driving a pair of Avant-garde Duos. The rest is from the same period, roughly speaking. A few Koetsu stones--now a rare commodity, given the death of the original company. 

@whart ,

Can you give us a rundown on sound differentiations between your newer and vintage systems?

Thanks!

My Classé CDP10 from 2004 just died last week 🥲 Was a remarkable CD/DAC back then for the price. Sold a Heybrook TT2 last year which I had since 1985. It was quite a piece of gear, particularly with a Alphason HRS-100 reference tonearm. It topped many newer turntable and I had to invest quite a bit of money to make a significant difference in sound.  When one buys quality, it can provide satisfaction for a long time.