Retro Equipment - What Are Your Thoughts?

[Macca]

Bad idea? Good idea? Not enough of it? Too much already?

Fairly lightweight article here:

https://www.lifewire.com/why-retro-inspired-hi-fi-components-are-getting-so-hot-right-now-7098483

Personally I don't like the contemporary styling of equipment and I don't like the blue screens and having to use menus instead of switches and buttons so I'm all for it.

When it comes to speakers I do like the stand mount three-ways with the 12'' bass too.

I'd like to see more of it.

[vinylmagic]

If it's silver and shiny I love it.... However as I 've found there's a lo tof dross out there, so caveat emptor

Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk

[rigger67]

About a year ago, I was in an unfamiliar town and I saw a Richer Sounds so I crossed the road to take a look in the window, just to see what was current I guess.

I was quite shocked with the amount of what I consider "Laura Ashley" styling from - off the top of my head - Ruark for one.
The cloth they used on their "speaker" unit - I think it may have been some kind of all-in-one powered streamer thing - looked like something out of a tweed catalogue from the fifties.

I really didn't like it at all ..

It's all part of the whole shabby chic movement coupled with a very late realisation that a lot of women control the disposable income in households.
Twenty-odd years ago there was a shift in the pub trade towards curtains, nice furniture, etc as they realised the same thing.

Surprised it's taken this long to be honest ..

I like the Wharfedales and Missions though, having said that ..

[Lawrence001]

I'm all for vintage styling including the tweed grille look, and I'm not a woman. (Well I don't feel like one today anyway.)

It makes me feel like I was ahead of my time buying vintage Kefs and Goodmans nearly 20 years ago.

[Macca]

I was quite shocked with the amount of what I consider "Laura Ashley" styling from - off the top of my head - Ruark for one.
The cloth they used on their "speaker" unit - I think it may have been some kind of all-in-one powered streamer thing - looked like something out of a tweed catalogue from the fifties.

I really didn't like it at all ..
.

This sort of thing?

https://i.ibb.co/gWYFSz5/ruark.webp (https://imgbb.com/)

[Macca]

I'm all for vintage styling including the tweed grille look, and I'm not a woman. (Well I don't feel like one today anyway.)

It makes me feel like I was ahead of my time buying vintage Kefs and Goodmans nearly 20 years ago.

yes - some of us still have this stuff from the first time around!

[Macca]

you want a brand new integrated amp, all else being equal would you go for this

https://i.ibb.co/K90rLy7/Cambridge-Audio-CX81-Front-1024x503.jpg (https://ibb.co/NLVymYp)


Or this?

https://i.ibb.co/jzYqZ5J/NAD-C3050-LE.png (https://ibb.co/xYbw8sF)

[rigger67]

This sort of thing?

https://i.ibb.co/gWYFSz5/ruark.webp (https://imgbb.com/)

Yep ...

https://i.gifer.com/2dJ1.gif

[struth]

you want a brand new integrated amp, all else being equal would you go for this

https://i.ibb.co/K90rLy7/Cambridge-Audio-CX81-Front-1024x503.jpg (https://ibb.co/NLVymYp)


Or this?

https://i.ibb.co/jzYqZ5J/NAD-C3050-LE.png (https://ibb.co/xYbw8sF)

big nad is nice but you may have to buy the series as it probably wont go with anything else visually...maybe why they did it of course...

[Macca]

big nad is nice but you may have to buy the series as it probably wont go with anything else visually...maybe why they did it of course...

They don't actually seem to sell anything else that's a visual match - not as far as I can see anyway.

[walpurgis]

Bad idea? Good idea? Not enough of it? Too much already?

Could be all crap for the plebs. Overpriced but built down to a price, made in China or from Chinese parts and obviously cashing in on the retro thing. On the other hand, it might all be marvellous! :D

[Macca]

Could be all crap for the plebs. Overpriced but built down to a price, made in China or from Chinese parts and obviously cashing in on the retro thing. On the other hand, it might all be marvellous! :D

comfy on that fence? In fairness I think the Chinese Wharfedales are pretty good.

[Pete The Cat]

The article's opening statement that vintage gear is unreliable needs qualification. Depending on your definition of vintage, and being able to agree that normal servicing isn't the same as meaning something is unreliable, I've had numerous boxes over the years with no problem at all.

As to the change in cosmetic style, I see it as marketing to disguise the reality that true innovation in sound reproduction performance has slowed to the point where second hand vintage is as good as today's kit for a fraction of the price.

Pete

[Lawrence001]

To be honest, much as I like vintage gear I'd be concerned about running a 70s amp on expensive speakers even if it's been serviced. Something that was in spec at the time of the service could quickly deteriorate and cause a catastrophic issue. But for a second system with vintage speakers (not big Tannoy DCs) I'd be fine with it

In my main system I'd happily run good vintage speakers with a modern but retro look amp like an Accuphase.

[Barry]

you want a brand new integrated amp, all else being equal would you go for this

https://i.ibb.co/K90rLy7/Cambridge-Audio-CX81-Front-1024x503.jpg (https://ibb.co/NLVymYp)


Or this?

https://i.ibb.co/jzYqZ5J/NAD-C3050-LE.png (https://ibb.co/xYbw8sF)

Regarding styling: the Cambridge amp (preferably in black).

The NAD is out for me - its got bloody useless and distracting meters on it!

But I share your like for knobs, switches and buttons, and
dislike of remotes. I have other cosmetic likes and dislikes - I dislike italic script anywhere on the fascia, nor do I like it when the size of the fascia is larger than the case behind it.

Fussy bugger aren't I?

[Macca]

Regarding styling: the Cambridge amp (preferably in black).

The NAD is out for me - its got bloody useless and distracting meters on it!

But I share your like for knobs, switches and buttons, and
dislike of remotes. I have other cosmetic likes and dislikes - I dislike italic script anywhere on the fascia, nor do I like it when the size of the fascia is larger than the case behind it.

Fussy bugger aren't I?

Not keen on the italics either but I picked those two as good examples of contemporary bland and contemporary retro.

[Macca]

To be honest, much as I like vintage gear I'd be concerned about running a 70s amp on expensive speakers even if it's been serviced. Something that was in spec at the time of the service could quickly deteriorate and cause a catastrophic issue. But for a second system with vintage speakers (not big Tannoy DCs) I'd be fine with it

In my main system I'd happily run good vintage speakers with a modern but retro look amp like an Accuphase.

depends what 70s amp, the decent ones (i.e not the British stuff) would have speaker protection even back then.

[Barry]

Depends on which "British stuff" you mean. I would be happy with more or less anything from Radford, Quad or Leak.

Much of my audio gear is from the late '60s and early '70s.

[Macca]

Depends on which "British stuff" you mean. I would be happy with more or less anything from Radford, Quad or Leak.

Much of my audio gear is from the late '60s and early '70s.

Fair point but probably the exception rather than the rule.

[Jimbo]

Personally I thought there wasn't any newly designed and built hifi gear that was really retro even though its styling maybe a nod to the past.

But then I thought of some of the JBL speakers and KLH speakers and some of the Japanese kit amplifiers like Sun Valley and I realised there are some truly great retro products that probably are not far off 1970s equipment?

https://wallofsound.ca/misc/news/sun-valley-211845-set-tube-amp-kit-from-japan/


I also own a retro system (look below in signature) which matches its retro owner!:). It sounds great, looks great and gives a glimpse of how gear sounded like way back when vinyl was king and competition was mad fierce.

[Macca]

that's vintage not retro - retro is new made to look like old

[walpurgis]

I guess if you keep stuff like the current Leak and NAD amps and Tannoy Legacy speakers long enough, they'll become 'vintage retro'.

[Beobloke]

you want a brand new integrated amp, all else being equal would you go for this

https://i.ibb.co/K90rLy7/Cambridge-Audio-CX81-Front-1024x503.jpg (https://ibb.co/NLVymYp)


Or this?

https://i.ibb.co/jzYqZ5J/NAD-C3050-LE.png (https://ibb.co/xYbw8sF)

In pure styling terms, the NAD every time ‘cos it’s got VU meters!

I’ve not heard one yet, though, and my worry would be that, whilst it’s fine for it to look like the old NAD 3030 from the 1970s, it would be dreadful if it sounded like it, too.

[Mikeandvan]

you want a brand new integrated amp, all else being equal would you go for this

https://i.ibb.co/K90rLy7/Cambridge-Audio-CX81-Front-1024x503.jpg (https://ibb.co/NLVymYp)


Or this?

https://i.ibb.co/jzYqZ5J/NAD-C3050-LE.png (https://ibb.co/xYbw8sF)

I saw that Nad amp in 7 oaks today, it looks great, but I'm not actually a fan of VU meters, I mean what is the fucking point? But I am even less a fan of 'menus', in fact I'd go as far as to say they're a fucking wind up, I hate the fucking things, too many questions!! Yes switches and buttons all the way. PS Naim have actually done a good one here and gone half way, in that they have 'soft' buttons that don't hurt when you press them. The suggie I'm using at the minute is ok, the sound is pleasing with the speakers I use, but the controls are somewhat primitive, you can;t even switch sources using the remote!! It looks nice though.

[Jimbo]

that's vintage not retro - retro is new made to look like old

Ah yes good point. :doh:

[Lawrence001]

Test

[Techno Commander]

In pure styling terms, the NAD every time ‘cos it’s got VU meters!
.

Absolutely. But its always better to have a pair of Nads. :)

[Lawrence001]

Absolutely. But its always better to have a pair of Nads. :)Fnarr Fnarr

[Pigmy Pony]

Absolutely. But its always better to have a pair of Nads. :)

After extensive listening testes I'd have to agree :)