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Nakamichi Stasis amps.
In the June issue of <I>Stereophile</I>, another classic component is reviewed (the Eico HF-81 amplifier). Even though they don't measure up by today's standards, many audiophiles prefer certain classic designs. Are there any classic components that you prefer to newer products?
I voted "no," but I still have my 29-year-old double stacked Advents (a "D'Appolito array" before it had a name?) still rockin' after all these years. I'm desperately saving up for a pair of what will probably be Vandersteen 2CE Signatures, or maybe something else in that price range. Until then, I still like what I get out of my vintage speakers.
As for "classic," I usually go for the early/mid '80s amplifiers (Cello Duet 350, for example) because of pricing. With tube designs the high-end amps from the '60s are a favorite. I own a Lafayette LA 550, and it sounds fantastic on my Apogee Duettas, although not very loud.
All of my speakers are vintage (Klipsch, Altec, Allison, DCM, AR) or DIY. Amplification is vintage, mostly tube (Eico HF-81, Sherwood S-5500II, Fisher 500C) or quasi-DIY (Bottlehead SET). Tuners are vintage, mostly tube and mostly mono (eg, Sherwood, Eico). Sources are more or less modern.
There is lots of very nice new stuff, but in the last few years I've added some vintage McIntosh. The C27 and MC2125 will stay forever, they have no sound of their own and are easy to maintain. In my opinion, older "S" tonearms are sometimes better than the new types.
Most of the higher-end pieces from big-name brands of the '70s and early eighties (pre-1983) sound better to me than anything available today, except for top-end boutique stuff like Krell that I can't afford. I only buy vintage gear any more. It is more affordable, sounds better, and is easily brought back to like-new condition, unlike modern gear that usually has to be thrown out after a few years. Vintage gear is much better value-for-money, in my opinion.
Most modern gear that is superior to classic/vintage gear is unaffordable by mere mortals. And there's nothing like finding a bedraggled waif of a component at a thrift or yard sale and restoring it, giving the hobby a "hands-on" aspect that the consumer electronics industry has all but eradicated. Vintage and DIY: a hard combination to beat!
Many of the classic H/K twin-powered receivers and some of the older Trio-Kenwood gear (L-07M, L-09M, L-07C). Despite their deficiencies, some of the older Altec and Dynaco bookshelf speakers are simple pleasures to listen to for non-critical listening.
I have new and vintage gear. Fully refurbished by a pro (like member Echowars of AudioKarma.org), the best vintage products sound close to the current stuff, enough so that system synergy can make a bigger difference than the age of the design.