|   new versus vintage | Dave The Canuck
May 9, 2003 3:32 PM | | Hello,
I have owned both vintage stuff and newer A-V receivers and wanted to ask a question about the reason for the sonic superiority of the older stuff. I can see how an older Sansui receiver, for example, will kick the pants off a newer Kenwood or Pioneer AV receiver in terms of musicality, but it puzzles me why a Marantz SR-685 piece I owned until recently couldn't hold a candle to the vintage stuff. This Marantz was HEAVY with a honking big transformer and four 10,000 uF capacitors. Yet its sound on CD seemed pleasant, but lifeless, and relatively lacking in bass compared to my Sansui G6700 100 wpc piece. Bottom line: I can see why a light receiver with chip outputs, a chipmunk transformer and 4700 uF caps might suck in comparison to the beasts of the 1970s, but why would a newer piece with discrete outputs and a massive power supply not be competitive? Thanks in advance. |
| re: new versus vintage | sam46
May 11, 2003 6:57 PM | | I have often wondered the same thing. Perhaps somewhere along the line, compromises were made by manufacturers to stay in the mainstream market. Companies seemed to change direction in the early 80's and went to a more mass produced and marketable design. Instead of selling 1,000,000 excellent units, they went for selling 50,000,000 mediocre units with the remotes and graphic displays that the consumer wanted. There are still excellent amps made today, they just cost a lot more, and sell a lot fewer. I feel that perhaps with all the electronic switching and proccesing involved in modern amps, the signal is diluted and homogenized into an acceptable compromise. I dunno, I would like to hear some thoughts on this too..thanks |
| re: new versus vintage | PeteH
May 13, 2003 3:34 PM | | Good question.
Stereo gear was designed for music playback. AV stuff is designed for movie soundtracks. I have an excellent Pioneer Elite DD receiver, has superb specs, but I only use it for watching TV, videos & dvds. I use one of my many stereo systems for music.
BTW, I'd like to invite you to http://www.audiokarma.org for a great group of vintage enthusiasts. |
| re: new versus vintage | Mark111867
Jun 9, 2003 3:26 PM | | Hi Dave. I can't comment on the A/V stuff, but I can comment on two channel stereo receivers. I had an older Onkyo from 1991, an Onkyo TX-844. Sounded great, but blew up after ten years. As a replacement, I auditioned the newer Onkyo models, a couple of Denon receivers, and a Yamaha. The Yamaha RX-596 was the best out of the units I auditioned. After a couple of years, I saw an Onkyo TX-844 on E-Bay and bought it. The comparison was like night and day. The older Onkyo sounds much better than any of the units I auditioned. I guess $350 back then got you a lot more for your money. Wouldn't it be interesting to find out how much out "vintage gear" would cost in today's market? |
| re: new versus vintage | twinpowered
Jun 24, 2003 1:56 PM | | marantz in the 1970's sounded a bit EQed out to me to begin with, try a harmon kardon 430 twin powered (1978ish) I would suggest the HK 730 from same era but they suffer from heat damage most of the time making them sound shrill and are hard to rehab to completeness. The 430s almost always work like new , you will then see how a twin powered analog reciver will kick the ass of almost anything new musicality wise. head my warning about the 730 if you try this. you might think it sounds good untill you hear a cooler running 430. best part about it is the hks from that era can be picked up for under 200 bucks the 430 and 730 that is. The sound qaulity youre noticing may also be because the marantz is fried from heat, if its a powerfull unit. but marantz dident make great recievers to spite the popularity they enjoy. they were good recivers but not great. main think is have fun with it. if your digital amp blows it away well hey thats great enjoy it then :) Another issue is the speaker if youre using a speaker with a metal tipped tweeter as many newer speakers have it may be more geared for a digital amp. If the dynaco A25s ever break down the analog community is in trouble ! lol i gauruntee you a hk 430 or 730 (1978) mixed with a retro pair of dynaco A25s (with crappy covers off) in good condition will sound more musical and better for music in all areas then any digital amp and speaker set up, or stike me down now ! lol :) ok i dont gauruntee opinions sorry :) have fun |
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