Your oldest gear?


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

What piece of equipment have you owned the longest? 

zavato

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.

I have a 1959 HK Citation II and 4 stacked 1974 NLA Advents a Thorens TD-147 an a 1962 Dynaco ST-70. I am too old to remember how long i have owned them all