Frequently asked questions about vintage vs modern hi-fi equipment and why older gear is often more desirable, more reliable and sounds as good or better!
Yes, though this answer somewhat depends on what you consider decent and affordable! Those looking for new high-performance machines for under $1,000 will find very little of interest. High-performance turntabling can’t be done for $1K new, spend a little more though and things start to improve. If you broaden your horizons to include pre-owned equipment, […]
Are there any decent, affordable new turntables? Read More »
The simple answer is yes if you want to keep it running. Ask yourself: do watches, power tools and motorcycles eventually need to be overhauled and/or restored? The answer, of course, is yes and this applies to everything built by human hands. I don’t need more overhaul work and many people are prepared to throw
Does all older hi-fi equipment need to be overhauled or restored? Read More »
Assuming you have around $1000 to spend, this gets you a far better vintage turntable than a new one, assuming the vintage deck is in good working order. There actually isn’t anything I can strongly recommend for $1000 new, unfortunately. But, that same amount of money would get you a decent Technics SL-23, SL-120, SL-1200,
What’s better: a vintage turntable or a new one? Read More »
A VERY good question, with an answer that depends on what you value, but for most people, it will be an older CD player. Let me instead ask you this: What’s better: a CD player that is beautifully built, reliable over decades and sounds great, or a player that only sounds great, but lacks the
This is a good question with a simple answer: it was designed and built to last longer. We need to start this brief discussion by acknowledging the shift in product design life and public expectations around this. Back in the day, people saved and bought hi-fi gear, with a view to keeping it for a
There’s misinformation, nonsense and pseudoscience in every technical field, but hi-fi is unfortunately one of the worst. Opinions Finding good advice isn’t easy. I often speak with advice seekers who’ll say things like: “Mike, I read in a forum that I should buy XYZ, what do you think…?” Typical advice-seeker The overwhelming problem is that
Everyone has a different opinion, where can I find good advice? Read More »
Because the vintage gear you already own is almost certainly better than any decent new gear you can afford! Nothing you can buy for sensible money now is built like vintage hi-fi equipment, or made in Japan. Nor is much of it very sonically inspiring either, something those of us who don’t make a living
Why repair vintage equipment when I can buy new? Read More »
