That is certainly the case with me. While many of my components are old, that’s not why I chose them. The fact my woofers were made in 1947 is something I find amusing, even amazing really, but the reason they’re in my speakers is they sound the best of any woofers I’ve tried.
American Sound, "The Absolute Nothing"
- Thread starter PeterA
- Start date
Okay. Yes I know how the phrase derived. You are being a tad finnicky to deflect. Go a little broader from 'clarysis model' to 'new equipment'. Poetic license, etc. Your dealership sells new equipment and you do not sell vintage. You were talking about equipment aging in a conversation about vintage gear. As a dealer of new equipment I understand your desire to encourage aging.
This is how I read Ron’s comments too. He actually used the loaded term “decay”. Well, my speakers from the late 50s have not decayed and my vintage cartridges have not decayed.
Buying, preferring, and discussing vintage gear is it odds with the interests of the mainstream audio industry. I understand where Ron is coming from.
I don't think mainstream audio and vintage should be at odds given the robust used marketplace. There is competition for each dollar. Dealers found they need to take trade-ins to make a new sale. I suppose used is a prelude to vintage.
I'm actually not sure what counts as vintage. Is it 25 years to get an antique car license plate? I don't know much about wine but I thought vintage was the year the wine is ... what ... bottled? BobV will know. Not specific to a trade, 'vintage' sounds like it belongs to something made before WWII.
"Loaded"? Wow, you are reaching!
Yes, decay is a reasonable description of what happens to electrolytic capacitors.
How would you even know?
Here is a simple yes or no question: Does your Vitavox CN191 use an electrolytic capacitor or a carbon composition resistor?
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And the glues in wood speaker cabinets? Corpses decay.
Well, you seem to think they have decayed. But if the speaker has now decayed after 65 years and.I still prefer it to the modern alternatives, imagine what it most have sounded like when new. How much progress has the industry made in 50-60 years?
I do not know about the capacitor or resistor in my crossovers.
I get your position.
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Its easy to replace these if gone bad.
With a similar high quality cap or resistor of the same value.
David did a refurbishment of Tangs Horns , i assume this is part of the refurbishment ??
Same applies for the Vitavox i reckon .
If have 3 tapemachines from the Sixties / seventies .
Critical caps/ Resistors etc were replaced professionally in 2020 , still topnotch sound
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Well put together. I agree that performance, sound and timbre are deciding factors. I’m not a vintage audio guy, I like modern stuff but there some old components -especially the speakers- sound very good, sometimes better than lifeless modern counterparts. But in general modern components are better IMHO.
IMHO the reason for old speakers sounding good is simplified crossovers and extremely high burn in time over 50-60 years. Unlike other components speaker drivers are mechanical devices. The spider and surround of a driver used for 50 years becomes incredibly relaxed. The most important thing with an old driver is that it doesn’t have a deteriorating surround. IMHO surround replacement is killing the driver’s sound unless it’s still in production and the job is done by the manufacturer.
I don't know. I have no dog in this hunt. All I know is that electrolytic capacitors and carbon composition resistors decay over decades, and that almost all audiophiles and engineers alike believe that they should be replaced.
It depends on your sonic preferences and sonic definitions of "progress."
Thank you!
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People who thought the non-Apex version sounded better should consult their audiologist. There is no comparison there.
Same for the Daryl vs. David Wilsons.
Peter may be correct on the Lamm.
some people like Boulder, some people like darTZeel, some people like VAC, some people like Lamm.
i had darTZeel, VAC and Lamm amps in my system together, and there were different preferences between different people.
i know what i preferred. the one that had the least distinctive gear signature.....to my ears. and stayed that way as the music got complicated.
I ll state even the rossini sounded better then the Apex.
Dont confuse Apex in price and Marketing with SQ Lee.
No, I disagree. Good restorers can spot all issues with spiders, suspension, magnets, so those are not an issue in good restores.
Separately, vintage speakers are often harsh and shouty if implemented incorrectly, definitely Altec is sh*t in stock form.
Whether soft or not when properly done is purely a matter of which driver and if tweeter used.
Proper restores will have crossovers changed.
We are in agreement that different people have different preferences. My objection is when there are clear advancements in certain products. The Apex on dCS and the recent Wilson Audio driver, etc. upgrades are, in my view based on long-term ownership of the before and after models, significant improvements in what came before.
If you don’t hear the Apex improvement on the Rossini, then maybe that’s a clue why your speakers have not gotten traction.
Magazines are only confusion. Lee.
To determine what you really like you gotta hear it for yourself.
Not disturbed by marketing , peer pressure whatever .
Just go sit with an open mind and emerse yourself with sound
To determine what you really like you gotta hear it for yourself.
Not disturbed by marketing , peer pressure whatever .
Just go sit with an open mind and emerse yourself with sound
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