I just turned 20, and I recently picked up a Pioneer SX-850, a Technics turntable, and a pair of the infamous Bose 901’s to start off my vintage HiFi journey. Proud to be in that very small percentile of being an audio guy in my age group. I can’t wait to grow my collection over the next several decades!
@@stepheninge2173 Yep, I got the EQ + original tulip stands. The 901s are already controversial enough as is, but WOW, they do sound especially terrible without that equalizer, haha.
My youngest daughter is into music. She always loved playing vinyl on our system. Now that she's on her own, I restored a HK 330A along with a Denon DL TT with some Klipsch speakers and she loves it. She spends hours just reading and listening to music. She uses us as a vinyl library (400+ albums to choose from) We've been to several record shows and it's really neat to have your child find what you love to be able to share it with each other.
Im 71 and the days of old search out the stereo of your interest the quality..the ability to go to listen the product is gone.I miss the stores that you could go audition your interest. Here where i live we have one store that has been in business for 50 years. He is on the verge of closing. And the incoming generation will most liking not be interested in upgrading. And thats because everything is digital. The throw away society. Its sad.for us older audiophiles..love your channel and your point of view !
I remember going to several stereo shops around the city to audition various brands of gear because not all sold the same ones. That was part of the fun. Take a few of your favorite albums, have someone set up your choice of receiver, or amp, turntable & speakers was a process. You could dial it in like you wanted and sit back and listen to compare. I know I drove at least one salesperson a little nuts going through A-B listening to a 3 pairs of speakers, 3 receivers & numerous turntables but when all was said & done, I spent a TON of money on my Advent 5012 Oaks, Sony receiver & turntable, Ortofon cartridge & Pioneer cassette deck!!!
I’m 40 and bought a $1000 TV from Best Buy maybe 10 years ago or so. The Magnolia rep at Best Buy was a cool guy who brought me into their closed $200k+ Mcintosh & high end speaker room and gave me a demo just for fun. I swear I felt like I’d just seen my first concert. I told myself I’d own McIntosh someday and after years of investments I finally got a home system with a mix of vintage and newer Mac equipment. Your own ears as a sales tool really does sell itself.
Aged 85 come January, and with impaired hearing including pitch distortion since trauma in 2002 -- my prime listening days are long gone. But I still enjoy hearing about the state of audio reproduction and associated gear. And the down-to-earth, lowkey style here adds to the pleasure. Ii've attended hundreds of symphonic, solo, opera, ballet, jazz performances -- so I used to be able to evaluate gear pretty well. I find myself agreeing with almost every word here -- as well as having experienced some of the reversals of view myself. Many thanks.
i´m 82 but i still like changing components bought in diferent decades to enjoy the music i´ve bought and recorded all my life, it´s maybe the only real hobby i have, either than this have a lot of 70´s cars but not thinking about it as it were given to me several cars that had more powerfull engines and family´s couldn´t aford it´s gasoline comsuption, this ofered from family friends and others has they in the 80´s every car that had chromed bumpers or side mirrors were old and black plastic with foam were modern, and gasoline price increased a lot, not possible to drive them as daily cars. Like all ,i have real problems and family that are gone, some for stupid avoidable reasons as also most of my older friends but, still have two friends that i met them when we were 4 years old, i try to think in better times and music bring me back memories from persons i already didn´t remenber but somehow music made me remenber them and after having a strange feeling that all those girls i went camping with them at the beach i do not know nothing about them in the last 40 years or a less years gap but 1 to 5 years at the most, but that´s how i can abstract of all bad memories through out one´s life, not forgoten, for moments it brings me back to my late 20´s, when one didn´t had problems and all days seemed a bliss
It is what it is... Speaking for myself, I'm 64 years old and not interested in any monster receiver anymore, not to mention I wouldn't be able to pick one up to move it. LOL And now I live in an apartment so I can't play my music blasting like I used to when I was a teenager and in my twenties.. this is what happens when you get old.. things change.. our bodies change, our living conditions change and our priorities change.. But I can't imagine anyone choosing a quality sound system without going to a HiFi store to listen to it in person like we used to back in the 70s.. I practically lived in my local HiFi store.. I loved the smell inside the store of all those electronics turned on.. it was addicting..lol As far as Macintosh goes we'll just have to wait and see I just hope that Bose doesn't destroy a great company.... And Kevin, never buy that cheap coffee again, spend the money to get the good stuff that you deserve ☕😊
In the '70s and '80s I had to make special trips to whole-bean coffee retailers to get the good stuff. Now I can get Peet's pods at my local Kroger supermarket. There's no excuse for drinking bad coffee!
Greetings @karaDee2363!,my fellow music loving audiophile. This is from the Black Man O.G. and music loving audiophile,(my full title!😆). We're the same age and I definitely echo your sentiment. I still have one audio store that I still enjoy going to in the city. The other store that I would occasionally go to has moved far away.There were others that sold vinyl and CDs but were only partially of audiophile level. Unfortunately these are long gone. Yes, I to miss the days of going to record stores and sampling new releases. I also became friends with two audio salesmen and we maintained a respectable customer/seller relationship. We'd hang out occasionally, would talk for hours and have met some of each other's friends and family. These two guys were older than myself and have passed. I loved those old guys and I miss them. Thankfully their stores are still doing good.
P.S. I have mixed reactions to the McIntosh acquisition myself. I hope young people get introduced to the high end audio segment. Everybody knows Rolex, Porsche. Lamborghini and Ferrari. It's time people get to know the High End audio industry. Perhaps we could get The History channel to do a Modern Marvels episode on the history of High Fidelity and home music reproduction.
That's it, exactly. I used to make regular trips to more than one stereo store to listen to the latest equipment. My trips were frequent enough so that I could make an A/B comparison between the new equipment and something I was familiar with. Alas, stereo stores have all but disappeared. The last time I bought new speakers, I did it based on the manufacturer's reputation and a good review. When I got them, I did an A/B comparison with my old speakers. The new ones weren't bad, but my old ones were better. I ended up selling the new speakers and keeping my old ones.
I retired last February…my wife and I decided to rebuild our hi-fi equipment. Our kids grew up with more hi-tech surround sound 5 channel or more channel. We converted our home office into a seating area and 2 channel system with receiver, turntable, and even CD’s capability’s routed thru a VU meter capable of 2 setups of everything. Our hope is in 2025 to take a drive from Minnesota to Iowa and see if we can find our vintage options. Our youngest is still at home, and he has discovered 2 channel bliss… he asked for the 2 albums we just ordered from you, and I requested another SkyLabs tee shirt for Christmas. Thanks for everything in 2024, and Merry Christmas to you and the team!
So, I worked for an independent Service Center, and I personally went to Bose, @ The Mountain, to request to be a Bose service center. The answer was yes. We in fact were their Premier Repair center for all of their direct sales products from the 90's, until 2010, mostly their AW-1, CD2000, CD3000, and Wave Radio lines. I can assure you, that repair of legacy products were "high" on their list of priorities, because they cherish their reputation. They stockpiled old cassette components for their AW-1 models, salvaged physical potentiometers, and anything they could get their hands on to keep their 30 year old products alive. Even the CD2000's that were fitted with "Alps" CD pickups were redesigned to retrofit a Sony CD mechanism 20 years after they were made. I still to this day repair MANY of them a week for legacy customers.
People are doing the research. It’s 2024, brother! One and done purchases. Buy it for life, nam sayin? If people realize they’ll be in it $2000 for mid level gear… that’s a substantial enough purchase that someone is gonna sit back and do the value-math and purchase a quality unit once and never have to do it again. There’s tons of videos and forums where people can weigh their options from an informed perspective, there’s repair parts and how-to out there, so they can even recap if they want to. Your videos not only attract people to your business from a repair and purchase end, but equally, your videos are educating people and allowing them to buy smart and confidently. People can start out with an intellectual edge, thanks to people like you.
Buying nostalgic artifacts from your past also is a factor. 50-60+ year old people who grew up with LPs, had a lot of equipment over the years can maybe afford the time and expense now to snap up some of these dream machines they could never quite afford in their youth. Frankly, not everyone that was a teenager in the 60’s and 70’s knew what the top gear was in the 60’s and 70’s. You, and people like you are information sources to open peoples eyes to what’s out there!
I am 62 years on this planet. Never "locked down" thank you for your channel. You kick ass. My pioneer still kicks ass thanks to your tuneup. . Thank you Kevin.
There is satisfaction going thru old albums and finding a song you forgot about or a new old one you haven't heard before. Hang in there the 50 plus are still here! Thank you for doing this. Cheers
I'm going to share some of my experience - 70 years old now... I grew up in a family where we had a stereo console, my mom would load records up and have music playing in the house a lot of the time, especially through the holiday season. Some of the mid-fi from that era, had a TV in the center of the console. I went to college and a lot of people in my dorm had their own stereos in their rooms, people would go to other rooms and listen together to music. The exposure to music and stereo systems was widespread. After college, I worked in retail in a department store for a number of years. We sold mostly lower to mid-fi systems, but I remember the first Sony Walkman coming in. It had two headphone jacks, the idea being that people could walk together and listen to music together while out of the house. The second headphone jack disappeared almost immediately, and music was on the way to becoming more of an individual experience. Quality increased with CD's and eventually the iPod came out with digitally stored music. Over the last few years, I've occasionally looked at the products out in the market. There's a lot of speakers sold for computers and other speakers sold for Bluetooth systems - for many of those, I just don't see the emphasis on sound quality; that probably goes along with a lot of car stereos that emphasize the low end with a "subwoofer" that functions more like a big bass drum than any quality sound at the bottom end. In essence. a loss of any sense of quality sound, whether due to the idea of portability or just having some noise there. The cost of getting into quality stereo systems is getting really high - I look and just wonder how a lot of people can afford it; perhaps part of the market is simply offering what people will buy. With the emphasis on vintage equipment, I'm sure that part of all of the increase in prices is simply supply and demand, a lot of people interested already bought theirs and people selling are figuring out that they can get more money for their equipment. There's probably some effect of the economy as far as people being able to afford vintage equipment as well. I'm sure that there's a certain amount of ebb and flow to the vintage market due to a lot of factors. In the meantime, I'll paraphrase Charlton Heston: you can take my Harmon/Kardon when you can pry it from my cold, dead hands... One of the things missing from a lot of modern systems is good, low bass. There's a visceral experience of cranking up music on a good system that listening with ear buds just cannot replicate
I got into this hobby a few years ago, I just turned 25 and I have a ***MINT***McIntosh C11 Tube preamp, McIntosh MC2125 power amplifier, and run Altec Lansing Valencia’s. Love the sound of my equipment.
As a 25 year old guy that just inherited his grandpa's SX950, HPM100s and PL530, I just wish the old man would've shown me the stereo he'd ignored for 30 years. Most of my friends were entirely unaware such a category of home stereo existed. The most any of them were familiar with was maybe an acoustimass system, or a home theater. They seem very interested in my old stereo and ask a lot of questions, but seem really intimidated. Having researched the value of the stuff gramps had, I can't say I blame any of them. Vintage is a lot to take in. If you know younger family members or friends that enjoy music, maybe introduce them to the hobby, and give them some advice? The best way to generate interest in anything is to share it.
I live on the east coast of Canada, and wish your shop as here, as we really don't have a shop like yours here. I would be a regular coming in to see what you have. I hope your able to keep it going a long way into the future. I'll take this opportunity to wish you and your whole crew a Merry Christmas and great New Years.
I discovered your channel a few weeks ago, after inheriting my father's 1971 Sansui 441 Receiver and '71 Dual 1215. Your knowledge, humor, and honesty is incredibly refreshing. I'm a fan. Thanks for what you do. I'm in St. Louis and would welcome making a trip up to your store sometime.
I am 71 and enjoyed todays topic. Vintage will always have its attraction. I’m fortunate to have been into used home audio in the late 80’s thru early 2000’s when people were selling off vintage gear and vinyl at yards sales. The deals you could find were unbelievable by todays prices. I love your videos!
33 years old here and all in on vintage audio! Also, very into owning my own physical music. There's nothing like the hunt for your next vintage item or record🤘🏻Thanks for a great channel!
It’s not all dark clouds. After two weeks with my new Advance Paris X-i75, I’d say one of your new partners are making what has to be one of the best bargains in hifi. Very nice sounding indeed. If other manufacturers follow suit folks might open their wallets.
Very insightful video about interest and trends of equipment. I am 70 and have several inexpensive class D amps, one vintage Luxman L100 and a two A/B class streamer integrated. With the vintage, I paid $1,500 and spent another $2,000 in repairs. Hard to keep vintage going with very few qualified techs. Yes, young people don't care that much.
I'm 32 and I am more in line with the older crowd in that I ripped all of my dad's CDs. I just hate streaming music. Not having complete control over what songs play as well as introducing ads are just the biggest sins of those platforms. Not to mention the fact that it's murdered the concept of an album. Living in Asheville there isn't a single store that I could walk into and demo speakers and for a chronic researcher it makes buying hi-fi gear nerve wracking.
I love listening to you talk about the old and new products . It’s like going down memory lane. And you’re the coolest mellow person with the best sense of humor brother. My wife and I laughed our asses off about your coffee you couldn’t drink. Thank you!
A lot of really good comments in this video! I am 63, and retired about a year ago. While at work, we had lots of younger guys getting hired to replace me and the other oldsters that were on the verge of retirement. One thing I have noticed from the 20-somethings (I almost always asked) was that their taste in music and equipment is well towards portable music (headphones are everywhere), and maybe a single plug-in speaker at home. They just don't GET IT when it comes to hi-fi stereo equipment. It is old school, which to them means crappy. When I was a teen, or in my 20's, I and all of my friends wanted stereo equipment. The bigger the amp, the better. The bigger the speakers, the better. EVERYBODY thought in those terms. Nowadays, music seems to be something that happens while you live your life doing other stuff - very few youngsters seem to want to go back to the old days of a stereo system where you listen in an open room rather than through your headphones. There are, of course, exceptions, but the sheer numbers are going with headphones, etc. Even comments on YT posts of music 'reactions' say that the best way to experience the 60's song being reviewed is to listen on headphones so you can hear the stereo effect better. What they mean is better than on the laptop, or earbud (singular) from the phone. No one is saying that the song would sound so much better on a stereo system.
@@j.patrickmoore9137 1000% Unless you've experienced it, you just don't know. At least with clean bass, not boosted relative to the rest of the song. It makes one understand the importance of real bass in real music. Oh, and it is fun to rattle the windows.
@@j.patrickmoore9137 Yes, but this is why the "experience" is lackluster for many. You need good speakers for proper full reproduction. 90% of the speaker systems I see online are never going to give you that experience.
There is nothing that I can add to all of these wonderful comments. I am 70 years old (young?) and I have been in involved in this incredible journey since I was about 14 years old. I have seen a lot of changes since "the day". I have a lot of equipment in my home including two multimedia systems. But the Holy Grail (at least in my opinion) is a Pioneer SX-1250 which I got back in 1980 for $75.00. Yes, $75.00. I also have Large and Small Advent Speakers, Bose 601, and so much more. I find that being in this hobby is very therapeutic too. When upset, sad, depressed, I put something on and it automatically cheers me up. I love watching Kevin's videos and seeing new generations of people get involved. What I have found is that it is a common denominator and bridges young and old.
Man ,even the thrift shops are getting to be a dying place to find good deals for Old Tech equipment anymore. I found a 80's style Pioneer for $45 and surprisingly in new condition, but that was like last summer.
They’re keyed into the eBay prices and probably selling them out that way. I haven’t seen anything worthwhile in a couple years, and I go out looking in my area every couple weeks. Even the newer AV junk is going for $50 or better. The last great deal I got was a nice Sony CDP-C500 CD player for $10 that had a dog chewed power cord.
My teenage kids don't understand my collection of relic receivers and bulky speakers but one day when they have space of their own they will want some old school hardware, I'm pretty sure. You don't wanna listen on earbuds forever.
My daughter is 18, she LP's, she adopted my dads old collection and goes to record stores etc. She will listen to cd's in the car, and streaming when she's doing other stuff. But at home she puts on LP's, or bluetooth from her phone. I set her up a compact basic system- Yamaha integrated and JBL bookshelf speakers which she uses quite a bit. I gave the 15yr old son of a friend an old silver Kenwood integrated and a pair of B&W speakers, piped in his TV audio for gaming and a bluetooth receiver and he loves it. He just bought himself a little class T amp, speakers and bluetooth receiver for his dad's house. So there are young folks out there- I imagine some will like it enough to nerd up.
Great discussion! I’ve been selling hifi since 1989, including about 10 years selling used vintage and high end gear and what you are seeing makes sense to me. Only thing I would add to the changes in the audio market would be the amazing jump in the sound quality and build of super affordable, online, small hifi. The compact class D amps, the Dac’s , headphone amps etc are kinda amazing as affordable entry audio. Add in the fun of the tubes, cool meters etc that many have it is a great way to affordably dip your toe and wallet into hifi with hurting your back and bank account. As someone who has made their living in hifi, that’s a bummer as there is no money to be made in those, so a store can’t sell those products. As an audio/ music enthusiast it is a great way to affordably enjoy the hobby if one does not have the space, wallet or back for new or premium vintage hifi. I see that trend contributing to the shift in the audio market a bit also.
Dad brought back a Kenwood receiver from Okinawa in 72, when he was in the Corps. Fueled a passion for hi fi. Still listen on a Technics SA-700. An honest 100 watts per channel, with a 4 gang tuner. Love it!
I am 57, I have a son that is 14 and he was all of 2023 interested in Vinyl and I have him my old Technics SL-D30 turn table after tuning it up, repairing dust cover. I have him an old receiver and he loved it but got bored after awhile. He went into it with such enthusiasm for about 8 months to a year and does not show interest as much. It appears that they are always on to the next thing. When I was his age, I worked on a farm at 14, bought my first stereo received an Onkyo TX-3000 at 15, next by SL-30 at 16, tape teck at 17. It took years as I got in the hobby and collected records. I still have my mix tapes to this day and most of my original equipment. Longevity hobbies seems non-existant to some extent with todays younger folks. With that said, they are better or in at least my case helping me with Apps on my phone, setting up my smart TV etc.
The truth is that convenient music is what we listen to and how we listen. So back in the day I copied my vinyl tracks to Dolby cassettes, to use on my daily commute. Then I moved on to CDs. Now I use my tablet or phone and earbuds.I still have all my vinyl and the requisite gear to play it with. My 50 year old speaker system, home built with a proper crossover, still sounds great.
Exactly the same here. My son (14) could only be tempted after I fitted a BT5 receiver into the vintage system I gave him. Only then did he use it, but in less than a year he's back to gaming whenever he's inside and the stereo is unplugged and stowed. Something sad too, as I'm a self employed electronics service tech and he has zero interest in learning anything technical. It's all a chore to him. He's also a whiz with apps and software, but is not even remotely interested in things like cad or 3d printing. I often think I've failed somehow, but then he's just got different interests which dont cross mine so much, aandI guess when I was his age very few of my friends were into electronics, so its nothing unusual.
I, a 24 year-old, began exploring vintage hifi during the tail end of the pandemic in large part because my dad got back into it. I found a pair of Heresy 1s in a literal barn in rough cosmetic but perfect internal condition. I snagged them as well as a Technics SA-505 for $40 and restored both. Since then I acquired a Philips 7800 receiver (one of the last American-built receivers of the 1970s) and a pair of Cornwall 1s for $700. It’s been a great hobby thus far for myself and my dad.
Im 28 and upgraded to a marantz 2015, technics 1810, and baby advents. It’s basic sure, but all of my friends are enamored when they come over and we just listen to music for hours. I could very well see vintage audio becoming a trend that young people hop on wanting to be off of screens, but currently my generation is hurting financially. The price point of equipment is too much of an ask right now, but I could see a lot of upgrades from cheaper turntables and speakers happening once they move up in their careers. Thanks for all you do with this channel.
You were spot on! I'm over 60 with a big vintage collection. I've just recently begun 'experimenting' with the new stuff and particularly streaming. Old and new. A great combination!
GEN X here, love the physical media and stereo/speaker setup I got, yet, I love the streaming aspect (Amazon HD) as well with a excellent head of headphones. Best of both worlds!
I just love your mellow, soothing way of talking Kevin... it reminds of Steven Wright who does the voice over for the album Reservoir Dogs: 'K-Billy's Super Sounds of the 70's weekend just keeps on comin' with this little ditty, that reached up to twenty-one in may of 1970. The George Baker Selection: Little Green Bag'...... just great stuff!
I agree and also love the way he talks; very calm, conversational, almost like you’re in your lounge room enjoying a coffee just killing over our hobby 😊
This episode was spot on. With regard to younger people getting into audio, it seems like most of them are perfectly happy with listening to mp3 files on portable devices. I'm sure there are plenty of exceptions, there always are, but all of the young people I know couldn't care less about hi-fi. If it sounds 'good', then it's good enough. The last really nice home audio store in Oklahoma City closed about fifteen or twenty years ago, no doubt as a result of big-box stores and online retailers. I really missed getting to go to those stores and being able to listen to, and play with gear before making a purchase. Recently, a new home audio store opened in OKC, and I've visited them a few times. I really hope they do well, and I hope that such stores make a comeback.
Hey Kevin - I’m really glad my two ears are still working (albeit improved by hearing aids) and my eyes are still working (even better after cataract surgery). New technology is a generally a good thing and there will always be our desire for time- machine experiences that take us back to our youth. Everything comes in waves and I’ll bet those monster amps/receivers once again come onto the market. The pendulum has just swung the other way..for now. On another note, I’m enjoying seeing how relaxed you’ve become on screen. It seems that you’re finding your groove . It’s kinda like we’re having a friendly conversation about our mutual hobby/passion in someone’s man cave listening room. Keep up the good work! I’ll be coming back for more.
As a guy in my late 20s, my introduction to vintage audio came in the form of buying a pair of HPM100's for 20 bucks when I was a kid and not knowing what I had, until I one day a decade later decided to google them and consequently crapped my pants. Then, I got my degree in blacksmithing which taught me the worth of all things old, particularly tools and such. Which in combination with my ownership of these speakers made me think "Hey, I should get those working again." A restoration taking months of my life later, and they are currently singing away in the background as I write this comment. If I hadn't had either of these things happen to me, I would never have cared for vintage audio, or really vintage anything. But because of all of this, Ive learnt how good it feels to own something. Ive had enough music pulled from my spotify playlists, and shows I've loved pulled from netflix that its made me despise the medium. Ive realized, that the only way that something wont be pulled from my hands, is if I hold it in my hands to begin with. Young people, and people my age, don't react much to when things are ripped from their hands, because they grew up with this. They grew up not owning anything, so suddenly not owning it because a license agreement ran out or something, doesn't invoke any emotion. It was never expected that it would last forever. I was this way before i realized on my own that hey, it can be different. So like you said it is up to us now, the few of us who knows how it feels to own something, to educate those who don't. To make people interested again. To pass the knowledge forward that hey, you can live in a reality where your discography isnt dictated by a mega-corporation. That there is joy to be found in respecting your elders by taking care of the timeless pieces they left behind, like speakers, receivers, tools, furniture, clothes.... that the world was different then. That there is a world where the priorities were quality focused, and that that world lies in the past.
Im 36, ive been into vintage and new hifi equipment since i was a teenager... ill gladly keep the passion alive as long as i am! Id love to start a shop myself but my knowledge of repairs is very limited and i feel thats a service you absolutely need to run a vintage stereo shop.
Whenever you have a good product that people want, with good after-sale service, corporate America wants to get rid of it. Their business model is built around disposable products that maximize profits, not customer satisfaction. It was always heartening to know there were still a few companies like McIntosh out there, that built quality products and stood behind them. Hopefully Bose will see the value in that and not ruin it like so many other companies have with their acquisitions.
34 years old from Cedar Rapids, got a Pioneer TX-6500ii and SA-6500ii as a house warming from my father in law along with his large advent fried egg speakers he bought in high school. He came over and we got it hooked up, I replaced the blown woofers and I’ve been hooked since. Currently working on a stack of 9500 pioneer gear.
Another enjoyable installment. Glad that you broached the BOSE "Buying Spree". I had shot you an email about this, right after it happened, and missed your response. You are correct that the "New Daddy" is now an electronics manufacturer, and no longer a Venture Capital organization. Like you said, this could take one of two VERY different directions. Right this minute, I am going to take the high road, and HOPE that BOSE sees McIntosh as a technology resource. This Christmas, our daughter-in-law asked for a "record player". I have purchased a really good quality one that will be serviceable, and not damage the vinyl she has, and will purchase. I am going to tell her and our son, that when they get to their house, I will give them one of my vintage receivers that you know I have been collecting, and build them a two-channel system. Tell your Dad I said HI.....
I am working on my 15yr old granddaughter. She was fine with her iPhone and ear buds. She's used to a modest home theater system they have at home, so she knows something about fidelity. But it was not connecting to her persona music listening. So I sat her down with my ATH-50M powered by my Schiit Magni and had her stream something she knew off of youtube. Even that blew her mind. She refused to give them back. Sent her home with the Magni and a slightly lessor set of headphones I have. She streams off the iPhone or a notebook PC. So talking a streamer/ amp for her. She's heard my bigger system with Maggies and a ADCOM GFA555 from turntable. And was impressed. But did not fit into her lifestyle interest. But the amount of time she spent with earbuds did put the amp/ headphones right into the middle. We've talked turntable. She knows some of her current artists are releasing vinyl. So that might be happening if she can find room in her small bedroom. But I keep exposing her to more that fits her lifestyle just so she can learn to appreciate the difference. That drives the desire.
I think a major issue is not the equipment, but new people getting in vinyl, Only to find, the high price of reissued albums, and the quality, also the over grading from record sellers
Completely agree. Greed is going to kill the "vinyl" goose. I've stopped buying with special supposed audiophile LPs going for $100 to 200. Amazon lists some of the acoustic sounds brand records at over $300!!!
Interesting video. I am in that exact situation you described: 50 with two kids between 16 and 21 and trying to show them how nice it is to enjoy listening to a vinyl record, see the cover, read the information. The conclusion so far is: they don’t care. They were born in a different world and they see us just like we used to see our parents and grand parents. To me this whole analog audio experience will pretty much die with our generation.
@andrepochini1805 get a streamer. I bought a Wiim Mini and SMSL DAC and added it to my system. Super cheap, and super easy for the kids to stream in decent quality. Get them hooked on the sound quality and the rest may follow.
I've been buying up Sansui equipment. 2 BA-2000, 2 CA-2000, 3 AU-717, 1 AU-999, 1 AU-101. I just love the 1970s sound I grew up with. Playing through SP-5000 and SP-5500 brought back by servicemen who bought them at the PX.
Bought my G7700 in 1979, with a pair of C-W S1's. I've kept the receiver maintained, re-foamed the woofers about 8 years ago. It still sounds wonderful to me. Some folks have comfort foods. The decades gone by fall from my shoulders when I sit back with one of my favorite albums. Chicago II doesn't make me fatter, too.
Kevin, you made a good point about getting vintage equipment serviced these days. I'm from the Quad Cities and trying find a reliable place to get vintage equipment serviced is extremely difficult. 2 years ago I did find someone to repair my Sansui 8080DB about 20 miles outside of town who does good work but he's a retiree working very limited hours and will probably be closing up shop soon. Frustrating that repair places and good tech are few and far between now.
One company that I know still supports their older equipment is Ohm Acoustics. They will repair speakers they made all the way back to the 70s. I actually need to get new grill baskets for my 3XOs too. I've had them since I was 21 and I'm 56, but they're fantastic speakers! 😎👍
Have done radio and club stuff, back in the day. I'm into professional equipment (BGW or Crown amps, JBL (Yamaha/Tannoy) professional speakers, Technics (SL-1100A, SL-1200) turntables, etc. Man -- those were the days!!! If you ever get a chance to hear stuff like this, you will be blown away!!!
There are so many super cheap class D chifi amps being pushed by reviewers that I'm not surprised that mid level and lower vintage receivers has stagnated some. A Wiim and a 50 or 100 watt amp is less than $200, that's hard to pass by.
I’m 34 and started vintage and still only interested in that. Like you mentioned I’ve become “curious” of the new products and watch a lot of other TH-camrs who cover those and I think that’s mainly where it comes from. The content that gets put out reflects where the market is going if you ask me. Look what you did to the prices of HK gear, kevin! lol I’m only kidding but I did go and snatch up a citation 16 A and 17 because of y’all.
My thoughts as a +65 er ..A good percentage of hifi and music lovers are normally attracted to the hobby because of a family member being interested in the hobby it is then past down to younger newer generations..I have a collection of antique telephones hanging on walls in my home recently some young under 15s visit my home i was amazed the whole time they were there Not One Question or even a glance as to what they were...I found that amazing Zero Interest..And the problem goes deeper because the next generation of school teachers have not been taught about our past history... Which leads me to my last comment.....i have always said The Future Can Be Found In Our Past Regardless of what it is .... Love Your passion in HiFi 🙏
The best source I found for high-quality equipment is second-hand stores in Florida. A lot of money was spent years ago, retirement, and then property liquidation. Be sure to check them out if visiting on vacation.
Just saw you on Randy's YT Channel - Really appreciated your honesty and your personality. Thanks, Randy & Hi from a Scotsman in Japan, Kevin. All the very best! (Been into hi-fi since my teens; now in my 60's and still keen... great hobby!).
I owed a shop like yours in the early 80's. I repaired everything consumer, including stereo receivers. The Koreans invented the 200 dollar VCR and my business died within 2 years.
My dad had a TV repair shop that he closed in the late '90s. It really should have ended way before that. The cheap, non repairable TVs killed his business as well.
@@mikepodorski4272I know people scoff at tariffs and protectionism but America used to make fine high quality products that could be repaired easily and last for a decade or more. I hate the disposable culture.
@@mikeg2491 We had the same in Europe, high quality repairable products that came with a service manual. No need to keep those away from your markets. But people buy cheap. Asia just sold us what we wanted to buy. If we had closed our borders, a local producer would have done the same as soon as technology allowed them to.
Was fortunate enough to live in Des Moines for 8 years. Spent a lot of time and money in Kevin’s store. The speakers and receivers we got there are first rate. We bought the equipment we wanted based on room sizes and what we were going to do with it. The Marantz and some Bose speakers for the living room linked to our 85 inch TV. The Sansui with its power is upstairs in a large room coupled to so some sweet rock speakers that blast it out! The Pioneer with its advent speakers are in the garage. When the door is open you can hear it a few acres away!😂 Life is short enjoy your equipment!
My first 2 channel stereo was a Sherwood receiver, bookshelf speakers and a turntable. I added a Pioneer cassette deck to that for my cruising tapes. That was in my teens in the 70's. Now I'm much older and have decided to get back to a 2 channel system. Per your recommendation I went with a Pioneer SX 850, Pioneer ct-f9191 and a Pioneer PL41 with some JBL Century L100 speakers. This would have been a system I could have not afforded back in my teens. I miss the days when you could walk into an electronics store and smell the beautiful receiver's and amps and play with them. This younger generation may never experience that.
My brother says there are not as many monster receivers because I have most of them. Seriously there are fewer monster receivers knocking about because on average monster receivers cost $2,500 to $9,000 today. I brought most of my monster receivers between 2010 and 2021 when you could get a nice monster for $700 to 2,000. Heck my Pioneer SX-1980 in near mint condition cost just $3,500. Try to find a near mint Pioneer SX-1980 for $3,500 today. I have ten monster receivers & 2 low watt separates all restored to 1970's spec. I'm holding on to them till I croak. My local shop is JUST AUDIO in Baltimore, Maryland. I've likely given Just Audio over $25,000 in repair business. $1,000 new stuff. Thank you Kevin!
I'm in my 50's, I grew up with LP's. I started to collect records off of people throwing them out in the early 2000's, before they took off again just because I wanted to listen to music I wouldn't have had a chance to listen to otherwise. Now it feels like you have to know what you are looking to listen to, or have an algorithm choose what it thinks you want to listen to if you want to be exposed to new-old music. When records started to come back I was pretty happy. I was buying several records, some new copies of scratched old ones I had. The pricing was not that far off of what it was, I could find albums for 19 - 25 dollars (Canada) and that seemed pretty fair for an LP. I took a couple of years off getting into other things and recently started to look for some new albums. The volume of what was available on Vinyl has definitely improved, however... now the price of a low end record here can be $40 dollars and goes up to 100 for some records, and more than anything, that is keeping me away from buying records. So maybe a lot of the sales issues for old equipment comes from the fact that records have become a little bit too expensive. You probably aren't going to get a lot of people starting to get into records at 60 or so dollars a record.
Entry level stuff now costs what those high or mid-high end range stuff cost 5-6 years ago. Some prices have got out of hand. Us 20 to 30 somethings can't spend 1000, 1500, 2000 on a receiver when we're struggling to make ends meet.
Lots of good points here. I feel like there are two distinct worlds in audio. One is the convenience world of streaming or digital play so you're not fumbling with CD's or cassettes while driving. You don't have a case holding a dozen or 20 to choose from between the seats; there's hundreds. However, that world does not usually enjoy the quality and experience of what you said, the true sweet spot in front of a good two channel stereo system. Personally I still believe that vinyl is still one of the best sounding mediums when properly cared for and played on good equipment. Yeah, when I'm tinkering around in the garage or house, I stream. but when I really feel like cranking up some Boston, Rush or Pink Floyd and relaxing, there's no place like in front of the vintage system!
I'm 70 and I'm at kind of an odd place on vintage gear. I have a Dual 1229 and a pair of JBL L-100s, but I bought them new so they were modern equipment then. I kick myself now for getting rid of my HK 930, but I've always looked to new stuff when updating. The funny thing is that I've been looking back for my newer updates. My main system is now a 50x2 Vincent SV-500 integrated amp with tubes in the preamp section, a pair of acoustic suspension KLH 3s, and a Rega P3 turntable. I'd love to have a vintage Thorens turntable along with my Dual and I'd also love to have my HK 930 back, but with the current system I'm getting a lot of the vibe of my 50-years-ago system when I sit down and play records. As far as formats go, I was a reel-to-reel snob in the 70's so I didn't even get into cassettes until I had a player in my car. I welcomed CDs but not streaming until, once again, I had it in my car. I'm still a physical media addict and don't stream (yet) on my home system. I've pretty much quit buying new LPs and CDs due to the cost and the ultra-processed sound of most new music. Thank you for your consistently great videos. Someday I'm going to make the trek down from the Twin Cities to visit the store (except not after an ice storm at the state border like when I came down to have my Dual rehabbed).
Along with the twin power, one of the more unusual features on the 930 was the split tone controls. I could take a mono signal from an old record, run one set of tone controls one way and the other, the opposite, and create at least a bit of a sense of stereo separation from a mono signal. They could also be used to help balance out the bass response when one speaker had to be disadvantageously placed in a room, whether dealing with a room with an odd layout or a spouse with an excessive sense of visual aesthetics over the aural aesthetics.
@@j.patrickmoore9137 Yep. I used to play with that feature now and then but never used it seriously. I think it had a dial to select mono, stereo, reverse stereo, only left channel and only right channel. That was fun to mess with now and then too.
One current factor is that food and shelter come before audio equipment. Well, hopefully, they should. As I read the posts here, many guys are collecting (hoarding) vintage equipment. Wonderful. But that takes a lot of old equipment out of circulation until they pass on and then their wives will just about give it away. Good news is that you can purchase a really good system that blows away most vintage gear for cheap. The quality of sound (dollar for dollar) has gone up dramatically since the 70's. I know because I lived it. I dearly miss those days but that's nostalgia for ya. Anyway, it's all good.
I agree. Class D amplification has improved dramatically and great value. FM tuners are pretty much useless these days with streaming. Plus I don't need to own every song I hear, so I'm okay with streaming. Most of vintage thing is being driven by nostalgia with the thought of acquiring the same equipment you couldn't afford when a person was young. Too risky to pay 2-3k for 50 year old equipment that's going to need frequent repairs, especially with the lack of repair shops.
At 63 I fit the demographics of the channel. The 20s to early 30s group has seemingly paradoxical views on traditional stereo and vinyl. They buy and collect vinyl but are very selective, my 2 kids and many of their friends love vinyl but here's the rub, they don't own traditional let alone vintage equipment instead most listening via headphones/ear buds. Whether from phones/streamers or turntables with Bluetooth headphone out or a dac/headphone amp.
Hey Kevin - Just turned 40 but really started getting into hifi during covid. Personally I found the vintage audio world very intimidating at first, the guides you and Lenny (formerly at JustAudio) put together helped me greatly. Unlike new products, it's very difficult to quickly compare vintage products, especially across model years and manufactures. Further their are some common models with known issues to enthusiasts but not well documented for younger buyers to find - Like STK chips, black leg transistors, Sansui 5000 issues etc. - then you have to know the models that could be affected 😵 A suggestion for you, similar to your "best X under $" series if you could explore specific brands - product hierarchy, known issues, original MSRP; Even just explaining the convoluted naming conventions! It could be a great (evergreen) library resource to learn from... I think you did one for Pioneer SX line. Bonus points for exploring lesser known brands and other product lines besides amps/receivers. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Speaking for myself, I have been hanging on to my silverface Pioneer spec-II setup. I'm happy with that for my vintage stereo setup especially for listening to vinyl, receiver, and cassette. I have different setups for different experiences. I also have a Streaming / Digital Audio setup and a Home Theatre setup. It depends if a want an analog time machine, discover new music or have background music, or an immersive theatre experience.
Great video and enjoyed the chat on this particular topic. Industry is pushing way too many 5.25 bookshelf speakers and 50 watt amps. They are convincing young people that's all they will ever need. A lot of these products are costing high-end prices. $2-4k for a pair of bookshelf speakers? I'm not paying collector prices for vintage gear that I used to be able to more easily afford when it was new. A lot of us remember what it cost, and what performance level it belongs to. I have a Pioneer SA-8500 I bought new when I was 14. Love the thing but I hate the analog pots. Restored it a few years ago and now I don't want to wear it out and only take it out for a few days here and there and to dust it. So much of the old vintage has been rebuilt already and that just takes the vintage out of it for me. I like my lifetime vintage stuff. I don't really want someone else's. I kept what was worthy. I'm over 60 and dig more modern gear now, which is odd because, I am typically more stubborn about change. Even that which was made at around the beginning of this century. Love those beefy Denon AVRs that were built like tanks and can be had for under $100. 120+ WPC of power, bass management, actual binding posts, sub and pre-outs, bypass mode. . . with some being able to drive a 1 Ohm load. This is the new vintage for myself and many others. My 2-channel desires do not care that these AVRs have 5 or 7 channels. They make for excellent 2-channel amps and receivers. I ended up with two of the same model. These things give me the same feeling as my other vintage gear, minus the analog pots! That's my new limit for vintage. 20ish years, speakers with rubber surrounds, and electronics with digital controls. I've tried it all. I have just enough ancient vintage stuff to cure the romance of all that, but I like finding robust gear before the hoarder/collectors catch wind of it and drive the prices thru the roof. What I have cobbled together is a real contender with just about anything out there, both old and new. I'm all about the music and class D is a good value and gets the job done. I dig the wiim amp in my bedroom and streaming music is about the only thing I find useful about a danged cell phone. If it did not work satisfactorily, I would not use it.
Costs of materials, shipping and labor have changed. People often live in smaller homes, which means they're looking for smaller equipment. Using a sub to compensate. Power consumption is a thing now, and switching mode power supplies and digital are cheap. Manufacturers get to decide when stuff is obsolete, through software. The home theatre thing was an interesting move to get people buying again, but it the end it's another useless upgrade cycle (5.1, 7.2, dolby, thx, atmos). It just pushes us to spend more. Home automation is similar. Enjoy your system!
I have never had a K Cup that wasnt stale. I live by streaming. Two days a week I work from home, doing technical work and have to have non vocal music playing. In 2024, I heard over 4000 artists on Spotify. I purchased maybe 30 albums in electronic format. Streaming is a very high quality radio without advertising, and worth the monthly cost for me
Some people just don't get it±! I brought a vintage Wharfedale Diamond II speakers and a new Fosi Audio digital amp with a bluetooth to my friend, age 54, who lives alone in his 1 bedroom flat. That vintage & new combo really sounds great in a smaller room setup. Than his brother came along and convinced him to go with a Sonos 2 old soundbar that he wanted to get rid of. Now I am taking that setup to myself for a desktop setup! Well, as I said earlier, some people just not get it!
Kevin, the observation you made at ~5:00 is spot on. The "younger generation" (which is almost everyone to me) just don't seek the experiences that we older folks value. I, e, the gear is not nearly as important to them as the convenience and ready availability of the music and video content they want to hear at that moment in time. Think of it this way; we used to listen to music as the activity itself; consumers today are already engaged in some other activity and instantly call up music that to them compliments it. If you had to set up a "system" first, the moment would be lost on nearly every occasion. What do you think?
I think whatever HIFI equipment you have is plenty I mean if you have a vintage hardware is awesome.but I think the more we introduce this young generation to HIFI what a HIFI should sound like.in the living room I've got my ONKYO WITH SOME KLH AND SANSUI SP 3500s and the receiver is always on.either my 13 yr old or my wife is listening..especially right in this time of the year .CHRISTMAS SONGS..We don't stream or any new gadgets out there.we just JAM..and when I crank it .the neighbors listen as well..love your chanel KEN.lots of good info keep it comin..HAPPY HOLIDAYS..
Hifi is okay i guess but i prefer the bigger powered speakers and subwoofers from companies like Peavey, QSC, Electro Voice, or JBL. The thing that i like most about powered speakers or subs is how they have a built in amplifier. Hooking them was simple. I connected an XLR cable from the speaker to the mixer, and then i hooked up my cd player to the mixer. If you want to add two or four more speakers or subs then you just use another XLR cable to daisy chain them from the one thats connected to the mixer. Right now i have two QSC KW 153 speakers. I chose them because its a 3 way speaker and those sound better than 2 way speakers. Also i have two Bassboss makura dbl21 subwoofers. These have dual 21 inch subwoofers and they are superior to cabinets with dual 18 inch subwoofers. I'm using a Yamaha MG 10 mixer along with an Onyko DX-C390 cd player carousel. I'm fortunate enough to live in a rural area and with about 10 acres of land on between me and my nearest neighbor. The only issues with my setup is i have a lot of cables. Every speaker and sub has its own power outlet cable and that's a total of six cables when including the mixer and cd player. Then I have the four XLR speaker cables. Also those bassboss monsters draw a lot of electrical current when played at loud volumes. My entertainment room had the standard 15 amp wall outlet receptacles. I decided to change them to 20 amp outlets along with 12 gage electrical wiring. This was an extra precaution to help avoid an electrical short. Powered speakers are not for everyone but they are perfect for me.😂
Hi Kev, Frankie here from Spain. you need to go italian with your coffeemaker to get it right. Bialetti Moka if traditional manual or any Italian brand for the capsule electronic makers. German are very good too. as per coffee itself, I recommend Lavazza or any other Italian manufacturer. They don't pay me any comission or anything. I'm just telling you because as far as coffee is concerned, trust me, our Italian friends are the best. If you do as I'm telling you, you will never be disappointed or sad about your cup of coffee again, even if Bose makes the next Corvette 😂. Much love as always from West Spain❤
I just wonder how difficult it would be for a savvy electronic Giant to manufacture a line of vintage looking stereo components, (even loudspeakers?). I guess the guts could contain some of the better parts available now-a-days,(discreet driver and output transistors), with minimal surface-mount- technology for easier servicing. USB and a few others for convenience. I really think the idea would hit it off big time!
I'm seeing lots of 18 to 30 year olds getting into the hobby. Especially girls, one was interested in. A Pioneer turntable and an old Lafayette reciver she really enjoys it.
Ever thought about what those high powered receivers were used for! In my day, they were used for entertaining guests! For that we had to purchase high powered units to keep them dancing all night! The volume was so high, they couldn't hear each other talk! In 1974, we got caught up in the world of disco music. It was music that put it all together!.....
Great conversation! I think that’s a sober and honest look in to audio at the moment. Also: I had never heard of Advance Paris before. I checked them out on line and they have a fantastic lineup of products. Thanks for turning me on to those guys.
I think life quality has shifted from direct physical engagement to a more electronic interactive control based experience. I hope I am wrong, but today's attention span seams to be measured in seconds , not minutes and certainly not hours. I've been contemplating selling some of my gear. It took lots of time, money, luck and patience to acquire. current system : Yamaha CR-1040, B&O RX and RX-2, Boston Acoustics VR 965's and AR 93s's. I rarely ever use them. At 63, my priorities have recently reordered themselves... much to my dismay . I love your channel , Wishing you a Merry Christmas ! 🎄
This was an excellent presentation on your part. Here is what I observed. Those “super power receivers” were not big sellers when they were on the market. Most people (including myself) bought the entry and mid level equipment. From my standpoint, I’ve seen cases where those “super power receivers” were not as reliable as the mid level equipment. I have a PIONEER SX-550 receiver and it still sounds great. As for streaming? I’m doing it.
65 y.o vintage equipment fan here. Know what is winning us old guys over? Our cars. Even mid range cars get trashed if they have bad audio... but BMW, Audi, MB, etc? They get slapped by consumers if their audio isn't impressive. Lucid sent a tech out to my house with the parts to help an OTA update improve my bass response. Was good, is now great. My car now sounds better than my Yamaha powered house, and all kinds of streaming are just built in to the car.
Really interesting snapshot of where things are at right now. I love new & vintage. I have new speakers but a bunch of vintage amps along with one new class D amp. To be honest...the new amp is better all around than my old vintage amps but...I like the vintage amps more because I restored them & there is a nostalgic factor that makes me biased. I just love tubes... But most people can't repair this stuff so I'm a bad example of the average consumer.
At 67 I have been setting up/gifting a number of systems for my daughter who is 24 and her friends. One thing in short supply are high end cassette decks that these younger people want. Lack of techs I think is hurting the vintage audio industry as well as other vintage industries like the classic car world. I only repair stuff that I resell and that keeps me pretty busy and at a higher profit margin than doing repairs for the general public.
Part of the difficulty is that tape heads wear out and replacing them may be impossible. Harmon/Kardon had a really funny advertisement back in the 70's, emphasizing the quality of their tape heads over the competitors' by saying, essentially, theirs last longer but ours are better and you simply replace them when they wear out.
59 here, I recently bought a new Dayton Audio HTA200 amp (it's my channel avatar) and I am really happy with it. It has a blue tooth mode that I can cast from my phone if I want, but I am 90% vinyl. I still have my Sansui G5500 that I put on a different system.
All future McIntosh amps will feature 8 rear firing VU meters and one on the front. The attached Bose speakers will have drivers that spin left and right in their baffle holes to control tone and volume, but the sound itself will come out of the amplifier VU meters instead of the speakers. Sonus Faber will be renamed Rebaf Sunos and make clock radios.
I just turned 20, and I recently picked up a Pioneer SX-850, a Technics turntable, and a pair of the infamous Bose 901’s to start off my vintage HiFi journey. Proud to be in that very small percentile of being an audio guy in my age group. I can’t wait to grow my collection over the next several decades!
That’s awesome man. Keep the flame alive.
I just got an 850 too. Hooked up my sansui sr 222 and dual 1219 to it. And added my sansui ra 700 ontop of it. Sounds great!!!
I hope you got the Bose Equalizer that came with the 901's?
@@stepheninge2173 Yep, I got the EQ + original tulip stands. The 901s are already controversial enough as is, but WOW, they do sound especially terrible without that equalizer, haha.
Lol I feel so young in this game being in my late 30s. Love seeing people young than me coming aboard! Rock on!
My youngest daughter is into music. She always loved playing vinyl on our system. Now that she's on her own, I restored a HK 330A along with a Denon DL TT with some Klipsch speakers and she loves it. She spends hours just reading and listening to music. She uses us as a vinyl library (400+ albums to choose from)
We've been to several record shows and it's really neat to have your child find what you love to be able to share it with each other.
That's great!
Im 71 and the days of old search out the stereo of your interest the quality..the ability to go to listen the product is gone.I miss the stores that you could go audition your interest. Here where i live we have one store that has been in business for 50 years. He is on the verge of closing. And the incoming generation will most liking not be interested in upgrading. And thats because everything is digital. The throw away society. Its sad.for us older audiophiles..love your channel and your point of view !
“A cheap throw away society cannot care about the world they live in”
-me
A cheap throw away society cannot care about the world they live in
I remember going to several stereo shops around the city to audition various brands of gear because not all sold the same ones. That was part of the fun. Take a few of your favorite albums, have someone set up your choice of receiver, or amp, turntable & speakers was a process. You could dial it in like you wanted and sit back and listen to compare. I know I drove at least one salesperson a little nuts going through A-B listening to a 3 pairs of speakers, 3 receivers & numerous turntables but when all was said & done, I spent a TON of money on my Advent 5012 Oaks, Sony receiver & turntable, Ortofon cartridge & Pioneer cassette deck!!!
I’m 40 and bought a $1000 TV from Best Buy maybe 10 years ago or so. The Magnolia rep at Best Buy was a cool guy who brought me into their closed $200k+ Mcintosh & high end speaker room and gave me a demo just for fun. I swear I felt like I’d just seen my first concert. I told myself I’d own McIntosh someday and after years of investments I finally got a home system with a mix of vintage and newer Mac equipment. Your own ears as a sales tool really does sell itself.
With a quality DAC digital is not a problem, gramps. 😊 It's quite convenient actually.
Aged 85 come January, and with impaired hearing including pitch distortion since trauma in 2002 -- my prime listening days are long gone. But I still enjoy hearing about the state of audio reproduction and associated gear. And the down-to-earth, lowkey style here adds to the pleasure. Ii've attended hundreds of symphonic, solo, opera, ballet, jazz performances -- so I used to be able to evaluate gear pretty well. I find myself agreeing with almost every word here -- as well as having experienced some of the reversals of view myself. Many thanks.
i´m 82 but i still like changing components bought in diferent decades to enjoy the music i´ve bought and recorded all my life, it´s maybe the only real hobby i have, either than this have a lot of 70´s cars but not thinking about it as it were given to me several cars that had more powerfull engines and family´s couldn´t aford it´s gasoline comsuption, this ofered from family friends and others has they in the 80´s every car that had chromed bumpers or side mirrors were old and black plastic with foam were modern, and gasoline price increased a lot, not possible to drive them as daily cars.
Like all ,i have real problems and family that are gone, some for stupid avoidable reasons as also most of my older friends but, still have two friends that i met them when we were 4 years old, i try to think in better times and music bring me back memories from persons i already didn´t remenber but somehow music made me remenber them and after having a strange feeling that all those girls i went camping with them at the beach i do not know nothing about them in the last 40 years or a less years gap but 1 to 5 years at the most, but that´s how i can abstract of all bad memories through out one´s life, not forgoten, for moments it brings me back to my late 20´s, when one didn´t had problems and all days seemed a bliss
It is what it is... Speaking for myself, I'm 64 years old and not interested in any monster receiver anymore, not to mention I wouldn't be able to pick one up to move it. LOL
And now I live in an apartment so I can't play my music blasting like I used to when I was a teenager and in my twenties.. this is what happens when you get old.. things change.. our bodies change, our living conditions change and our priorities change..
But I can't imagine anyone choosing a quality sound system without going to a HiFi store to listen to it in person like we used to back in the 70s.. I practically lived in my local HiFi store.. I loved the smell inside the store of all those electronics turned on.. it was addicting..lol
As far as Macintosh goes we'll just have to wait and see I just hope that Bose doesn't destroy a great company....
And Kevin, never buy that cheap coffee again, spend the money to get the good stuff that you deserve ☕😊
I'll try and remember to get the good stuff next time.
In the '70s and '80s I had to make special trips to whole-bean coffee retailers to get the good stuff. Now I can get Peet's pods at my local Kroger supermarket. There's no excuse for drinking bad coffee!
Greetings @karaDee2363!,my fellow music loving audiophile. This is from the Black Man O.G. and music loving audiophile,(my full title!😆). We're the same age and I definitely echo your sentiment. I still have one audio store that I still enjoy going to in the city. The other store that I would occasionally go to has moved far away.There were others that sold vinyl and CDs but were only partially of audiophile level. Unfortunately these are long gone. Yes, I to miss the days of going to record stores and sampling new releases. I also became friends with two audio salesmen and we maintained a respectable customer/seller relationship. We'd hang out occasionally, would talk for hours and have met some of each other's friends and family. These two guys were older than myself and have passed. I loved those old guys and I miss them. Thankfully their stores are still doing good.
P.S. I have mixed reactions to the McIntosh acquisition myself. I hope young people get introduced to the high end audio segment. Everybody knows Rolex, Porsche. Lamborghini and Ferrari. It's time people get to know the High End audio industry. Perhaps we could get The History channel to do a Modern Marvels episode on the history of High Fidelity and home music reproduction.
That's it, exactly. I used to make regular trips to more than one stereo store to listen to the latest equipment. My trips were frequent enough so that I could make an A/B comparison between the new equipment and something I was familiar with. Alas, stereo stores have all but disappeared. The last time I bought new speakers, I did it based on the manufacturer's reputation and a good review. When I got them, I did an A/B comparison with my old speakers. The new ones weren't bad, but my old ones were better. I ended up selling the new speakers and keeping my old ones.
I retired last February…my wife and I decided to rebuild our hi-fi equipment. Our kids grew up with more hi-tech surround sound 5 channel or more channel. We converted our home office into a seating area and 2 channel system with receiver, turntable, and even CD’s capability’s routed thru a VU meter capable of 2 setups of everything. Our hope is in 2025 to take a drive from Minnesota to Iowa and see if we can find our vintage options. Our youngest is still at home, and he has discovered 2 channel bliss… he asked for the 2 albums we just ordered from you, and I requested another SkyLabs tee shirt for Christmas. Thanks for everything in 2024, and Merry Christmas to you and the team!
So, I worked for an independent Service Center, and I personally went to Bose, @ The Mountain, to request to be a Bose service center. The answer was yes. We in fact were their Premier Repair center for all of their direct sales products from the 90's, until 2010, mostly their AW-1, CD2000, CD3000, and Wave Radio lines. I can assure you, that repair of legacy products were "high" on their list of priorities, because they cherish their reputation. They stockpiled old cassette components for their AW-1 models, salvaged physical potentiometers, and anything they could get their hands on to keep their 30 year old products alive. Even the CD2000's that were fitted with "Alps" CD pickups were redesigned to retrofit a Sony CD mechanism 20 years after they were made. I still to this day repair MANY of them a week for legacy customers.
People are doing the research. It’s 2024, brother! One and done purchases. Buy it for life, nam sayin?
If people realize they’ll be in it $2000 for mid level gear… that’s a substantial enough purchase that someone is gonna sit back and do the value-math and purchase a quality unit once and never have to do it again.
There’s tons of videos and forums where people can weigh their options from an informed perspective, there’s repair parts and how-to out there, so they can even recap if they want to.
Your videos not only attract people to your business from a repair and purchase end, but equally, your videos are educating people and allowing them to buy smart and confidently. People can start out with an intellectual edge, thanks to people like you.
Buying nostalgic artifacts from your past also is a factor.
50-60+ year old people who grew up with LPs, had a lot of equipment over the years can maybe afford the time and expense now to snap up some of these dream machines they could never quite afford in their youth. Frankly, not everyone that was a teenager in the 60’s and 70’s knew what the top gear was in the 60’s and 70’s. You, and people like you are information sources to open peoples eyes to what’s out there!
I am 62 years on this planet. Never "locked down" thank you for your channel. You kick ass. My pioneer still kicks ass thanks to your tuneup. . Thank you Kevin.
There is satisfaction going thru old albums and finding a song you forgot about or a new old one you haven't heard before. Hang in there the 50 plus are still here! Thank you for doing this. Cheers
I'm going to share some of my experience - 70 years old now...
I grew up in a family where we had a stereo console, my mom would load records up and have music playing in the house a lot of the time, especially through the holiday season. Some of the mid-fi from that era, had a TV in the center of the console.
I went to college and a lot of people in my dorm had their own stereos in their rooms, people would go to other rooms and listen together to music. The exposure to music and stereo systems was widespread.
After college, I worked in retail in a department store for a number of years. We sold mostly lower to mid-fi systems, but I remember the first Sony Walkman coming in. It had two headphone jacks, the idea being that people could walk together and listen to music together while out of the house. The second headphone jack disappeared almost immediately, and music was on the way to becoming more of an individual experience. Quality increased with CD's and eventually the iPod came out with digitally stored music.
Over the last few years, I've occasionally looked at the products out in the market. There's a lot of speakers sold for computers and other speakers sold for Bluetooth systems - for many of those, I just don't see the emphasis on sound quality; that probably goes along with a lot of car stereos that emphasize the low end with a "subwoofer" that functions more like a big bass drum than any quality sound at the bottom end. In essence. a loss of any sense of quality sound, whether due to the idea of portability or just having some noise there.
The cost of getting into quality stereo systems is getting really high - I look and just wonder how a lot of people can afford it; perhaps part of the market is simply offering what people will buy. With the emphasis on vintage equipment, I'm sure that part of all of the increase in prices is simply supply and demand, a lot of people interested already bought theirs and people selling are figuring out that they can get more money for their equipment. There's probably some effect of the economy as far as people being able to afford vintage equipment as well. I'm sure that there's a certain amount of ebb and flow to the vintage market due to a lot of factors.
In the meantime, I'll paraphrase Charlton Heston: you can take my Harmon/Kardon when you can pry it from my cold, dead hands...
One of the things missing from a lot of modern systems is good, low bass. There's a visceral experience of cranking up music on a good system that listening with ear buds just cannot replicate
Im 41 and teached myself to service and repair vintage stuff. Currently working on an au 717. Thanks audiokarma.
Long live audiokarma
you taught yourself. Teached is not a word
I got into this hobby a few years ago, I just turned 25 and I have a ***MINT***McIntosh C11 Tube preamp, McIntosh MC2125 power amplifier, and run Altec Lansing Valencia’s. Love the sound of my equipment.
At 76 I have a McIntosh system that has given me an years of quality sound. Enjoy your system !
I'm 41 years, but I've been a big fun of Vintage / HiFi / Analog music since my 20s. I just bought a sx 1250 thanks to your channel! Thank You!
That's awesome! Thanks for watching.
As a 25 year old guy that just inherited his grandpa's SX950, HPM100s and PL530, I just wish the old man would've shown me the stereo he'd ignored for 30 years. Most of my friends were entirely unaware such a category of home stereo existed. The most any of them were familiar with was maybe an acoustimass system, or a home theater. They seem very interested in my old stereo and ask a lot of questions, but seem really intimidated. Having researched the value of the stuff gramps had, I can't say I blame any of them. Vintage is a lot to take in. If you know younger family members or friends that enjoy music, maybe introduce them to the hobby, and give them some advice? The best way to generate interest in anything is to share it.
I live on the east coast of Canada, and wish your shop as here, as we really don't have a shop like yours here. I would be a regular coming in to see what you have. I hope your able to keep it going a long way into the future. I'll take this opportunity to wish you and your whole crew a Merry Christmas and great New Years.
I discovered your channel a few weeks ago, after inheriting my father's 1971 Sansui 441 Receiver and '71 Dual 1215. Your knowledge, humor, and honesty is incredibly refreshing. I'm a fan. Thanks for what you do. I'm in St. Louis and would welcome making a trip up to your store sometime.
I am 71 and enjoyed todays topic. Vintage will always have its attraction. I’m fortunate to have been into used home audio in the late 80’s thru early 2000’s when people were selling off vintage gear and vinyl at yards sales. The deals you could find were unbelievable by todays prices.
I love your videos!
33 years old here and all in on vintage audio! Also, very into owning my own physical music. There's nothing like the hunt for your next vintage item or record🤘🏻Thanks for a great channel!
It’s not all dark clouds. After two weeks with my new Advance Paris X-i75, I’d say one of your new partners are making what has to be one of the best bargains in hifi. Very nice sounding indeed. If other manufacturers follow suit folks might open their wallets.
Very insightful video about interest and trends of equipment. I am 70 and have several inexpensive class D amps, one vintage Luxman L100 and a two A/B class streamer integrated. With the vintage, I paid $1,500 and spent another $2,000 in repairs. Hard to keep vintage going with very few qualified techs. Yes, young people don't care that much.
I'm 32 and I am more in line with the older crowd in that I ripped all of my dad's CDs. I just hate streaming music. Not having complete control over what songs play as well as introducing ads are just the biggest sins of those platforms. Not to mention the fact that it's murdered the concept of an album. Living in Asheville there isn't a single store that I could walk into and demo speakers and for a chronic researcher it makes buying hi-fi gear nerve wracking.
I love listening to you talk about the old and new products . It’s like going down memory lane. And you’re the coolest mellow person with the best sense of humor brother. My wife and I laughed our asses off about your coffee you couldn’t drink. Thank you!
A lot of really good comments in this video! I am 63, and retired about a year ago. While at work, we had lots of younger guys getting hired to replace me and the other oldsters that were on the verge of retirement. One thing I have noticed from the 20-somethings (I almost always asked) was that their taste in music and equipment is well towards portable music (headphones are everywhere), and maybe a single plug-in speaker at home. They just don't GET IT when it comes to hi-fi stereo equipment. It is old school, which to them means crappy. When I was a teen, or in my 20's, I and all of my friends wanted stereo equipment. The bigger the amp, the better. The bigger the speakers, the better. EVERYBODY thought in those terms. Nowadays, music seems to be something that happens while you live your life doing other stuff - very few youngsters seem to want to go back to the old days of a stereo system where you listen in an open room rather than through your headphones. There are, of course, exceptions, but the sheer numbers are going with headphones, etc. Even comments on YT posts of music 'reactions' say that the best way to experience the 60's song being reviewed is to listen on headphones so you can hear the stereo effect better. What they mean is better than on the laptop, or earbud (singular) from the phone. No one is saying that the song would sound so much better on a stereo system.
One of the big things that's missing from listening with earbuds is any visceral experience of bass notes. It's highly addictive!
@@j.patrickmoore9137 1000% Unless you've experienced it, you just don't know. At least with clean bass, not boosted relative to the rest of the song. It makes one understand the importance of real bass in real music. Oh, and it is fun to rattle the windows.
@@j.patrickmoore9137 Yes, but this is why the "experience" is lackluster for many. You need good speakers for proper full reproduction. 90% of the speaker systems I see online are never going to give you that experience.
There is nothing that I can add to all of these wonderful comments. I am 70 years old (young?) and I have been in involved in this incredible journey since I was about 14 years old. I have seen a lot of changes since "the day". I have a lot of equipment in my home including two multimedia systems. But the Holy Grail (at least in my opinion) is a Pioneer SX-1250 which I got back in 1980 for $75.00. Yes, $75.00. I also have Large and Small Advent Speakers, Bose 601, and so much more. I find that being in this hobby is very therapeutic too. When upset, sad, depressed, I put something on and it automatically cheers me up. I love watching Kevin's videos and seeing new generations of people get involved. What I have found is that it is a common denominator and bridges young and old.
Man ,even the thrift shops are getting to be a dying place to find good deals for Old Tech equipment anymore. I found a 80's style Pioneer for $45 and surprisingly in new condition, but that was like last summer.
They’re keyed into the eBay prices and probably selling them out that way. I haven’t seen anything worthwhile in a couple years, and I go out looking in my area every couple weeks. Even the newer AV junk is going for $50 or better. The last great deal I got was a nice Sony CDP-C500 CD player for $10 that had a dog chewed power cord.
My teenage kids don't understand my collection of relic receivers and bulky speakers but one day when they have space of their own they will want some old school hardware, I'm pretty sure. You don't wanna listen on earbuds forever.
44yrs old and just bought my first streamer,a WiiM mini and I love it,works great with my Sansui AU555a I also recently bought!
My daughter is 18, she LP's, she adopted my dads old collection and goes to record stores etc. She will listen to cd's in the car, and streaming when she's doing other stuff. But at home she puts on LP's, or bluetooth from her phone. I set her up a compact basic system- Yamaha integrated and JBL bookshelf speakers which she uses quite a bit. I gave the 15yr old son of a friend an old silver Kenwood integrated and a pair of B&W speakers, piped in his TV audio for gaming and a bluetooth receiver and he loves it. He just bought himself a little class T amp, speakers and bluetooth receiver for his dad's house. So there are young folks out there- I imagine some will like it enough to nerd up.
Great discussion! I’ve been selling hifi since 1989, including about 10 years selling used vintage and high end gear and what you are seeing makes sense to me. Only thing I would add to the changes in the audio market would be the amazing jump in the sound quality and build of super affordable, online, small hifi. The compact class D amps, the Dac’s , headphone amps etc are kinda amazing as affordable entry audio. Add in the fun of the tubes, cool meters etc that many have it is a great way to affordably dip your toe and wallet into hifi with hurting your back and bank account. As someone who has made their living in hifi, that’s a bummer as there is no money to be made in those, so a store can’t sell those products. As an audio/ music enthusiast it is a great way to affordably enjoy the hobby if one does not have the space, wallet or back for new or premium vintage hifi. I see that trend contributing to the shift in the audio market a bit also.
Dad brought back a Kenwood receiver from Okinawa in 72, when he was in the Corps. Fueled a passion for hi fi. Still listen on a Technics SA-700. An honest 100 watts per channel, with a 4 gang tuner. Love it!
I am 57, I have a son that is 14 and he was all of 2023 interested in Vinyl and I have him my old Technics SL-D30 turn table after tuning it up, repairing dust cover. I have him an old receiver and he loved it but got bored after awhile. He went into it with such enthusiasm for about 8 months to a year and does not show interest as much. It appears that they are always on to the next thing. When I was his age, I worked on a farm at 14, bought my first stereo received an Onkyo TX-3000 at 15, next by SL-30 at 16, tape teck at 17. It took years as I got in the hobby and collected records. I still have my mix tapes to this day and most of my original equipment. Longevity hobbies seems non-existant to some extent with todays younger folks. With that said, they are better or in at least my case helping me with Apps on my phone, setting up my smart TV etc.
The truth is that convenient music is what we listen to and how we listen. So back in the day I copied my vinyl tracks to Dolby cassettes, to use on my daily commute. Then I moved on to CDs. Now I use my tablet or phone and earbuds.I still have all my vinyl and the requisite gear to play it with. My 50 year old speaker system, home built with a proper crossover, still sounds great.
Exactly the same here. My son (14) could only be tempted after I fitted a BT5 receiver into the vintage system I gave him. Only then did he use it, but in less than a year he's back to gaming whenever he's inside and the stereo is unplugged and stowed.
Something sad too, as I'm a self employed electronics service tech and he has zero interest in learning anything technical. It's all a chore to him.
He's also a whiz with apps and software, but is not even remotely interested in things like cad or 3d printing.
I often think I've failed somehow, but then he's just got different interests which dont cross mine so much, aandI guess when I was his age very few of my friends were into electronics, so its nothing unusual.
I, a 24 year-old, began exploring vintage hifi during the tail end of the pandemic in large part because my dad got back into it. I found a pair of Heresy 1s in a literal barn in rough cosmetic but perfect internal condition. I snagged them as well as a Technics SA-505 for $40 and restored both. Since then I acquired a Philips 7800 receiver (one of the last American-built receivers of the 1970s) and a pair of Cornwall 1s for $700. It’s been a great hobby thus far for myself and my dad.
Im 28 and upgraded to a marantz 2015, technics 1810, and baby advents. It’s basic sure, but all of my friends are enamored when they come over and we just listen to music for hours.
I could very well see vintage audio becoming a trend that young people hop on wanting to be off of screens, but currently my generation is hurting financially. The price point of equipment is too much of an ask right now, but I could see a lot of upgrades from cheaper turntables and speakers happening once they move up in their careers. Thanks for all you do with this channel.
You were spot on! I'm over 60 with a big vintage collection. I've just recently begun 'experimenting' with the new stuff and particularly streaming. Old and new. A great combination!
GEN X here, love the physical media and stereo/speaker setup I got, yet, I love the streaming aspect (Amazon HD) as well with a excellent head of headphones. Best of both worlds!
I just love your mellow, soothing way of talking Kevin... it reminds of Steven Wright who does the voice over for the album Reservoir Dogs: 'K-Billy's Super Sounds of the 70's weekend just keeps on comin' with this little ditty, that reached up to twenty-one in may of 1970. The George Baker Selection: Little Green Bag'...... just great stuff!
I agree and also love the way he talks; very calm, conversational, almost like you’re in your lounge room enjoying a coffee just killing over our hobby 😊
He sounds like he's taken too many sedatives
This episode was spot on. With regard to younger people getting into audio, it seems like most of them are perfectly happy with listening to mp3 files on portable devices. I'm sure there are plenty of exceptions, there always are, but all of the young people I know couldn't care less about hi-fi. If it sounds 'good', then it's good enough.
The last really nice home audio store in Oklahoma City closed about fifteen or twenty years ago, no doubt as a result of big-box stores and online retailers. I really missed getting to go to those stores and being able to listen to, and play with gear before making a purchase. Recently, a new home audio store opened in OKC, and I've visited them a few times. I really hope they do well, and I hope that such stores make a comeback.
I loved the brutally honest coffee commercial.
Hey Kevin - I’m really glad my two ears are still working (albeit improved by hearing aids) and my eyes are still working (even better after cataract surgery). New technology is a generally a good thing and there will always be our desire for time- machine experiences that take us back to our youth. Everything comes in waves and I’ll bet those monster amps/receivers once again come onto the market. The pendulum has just swung the other way..for now. On another note, I’m enjoying seeing how relaxed you’ve become on screen. It seems that you’re finding your groove . It’s kinda like we’re having a friendly conversation about our mutual hobby/passion in someone’s man cave listening room. Keep up the good work! I’ll be coming back for more.
As a guy in my late 20s, my introduction to vintage audio came in the form of buying a pair of HPM100's for 20 bucks when I was a kid and not knowing what I had, until I one day a decade later decided to google them and consequently crapped my pants. Then, I got my degree in blacksmithing which taught me the worth of all things old, particularly tools and such. Which in combination with my ownership of these speakers made me think "Hey, I should get those working again." A restoration taking months of my life later, and they are currently singing away in the background as I write this comment.
If I hadn't had either of these things happen to me, I would never have cared for vintage audio, or really vintage anything. But because of all of this, Ive learnt how good it feels to own something. Ive had enough music pulled from my spotify playlists, and shows I've loved pulled from netflix that its made me despise the medium. Ive realized, that the only way that something wont be pulled from my hands, is if I hold it in my hands to begin with.
Young people, and people my age, don't react much to when things are ripped from their hands, because they grew up with this. They grew up not owning anything, so suddenly not owning it because a license agreement ran out or something, doesn't invoke any emotion. It was never expected that it would last forever. I was this way before i realized on my own that hey, it can be different.
So like you said it is up to us now, the few of us who knows how it feels to own something, to educate those who don't. To make people interested again. To pass the knowledge forward that hey, you can live in a reality where your discography isnt dictated by a mega-corporation. That there is joy to be found in respecting your elders by taking care of the timeless pieces they left behind, like speakers, receivers, tools, furniture, clothes.... that the world was different then. That there is a world where the priorities were quality focused, and that that world lies in the past.
Im 36, ive been into vintage and new hifi equipment since i was a teenager... ill gladly keep the passion alive as long as i am! Id love to start a shop myself but my knowledge of repairs is very limited and i feel thats a service you absolutely need to run a vintage stereo shop.
Whenever you have a good product that people want, with good after-sale service, corporate America wants to get rid of it. Their business model is built around disposable products that maximize profits, not customer satisfaction. It was always heartening to know there were still a few companies like McIntosh out there, that built quality products and stood behind them. Hopefully Bose will see the value in that and not ruin it like so many other companies have with their acquisitions.
I'm 58 and moved into streaming from local computer 24 years ago. Never looked back. New files in 24/96 format? No problem! Also, room for storage...
Good for you! I agree, LPs are bulky and take up a lot of space, plus have become too expensive.
34 years old from Cedar Rapids, got a Pioneer TX-6500ii and SA-6500ii as a house warming from my father in law along with his large advent fried egg speakers he bought in high school. He came over and we got it hooked up, I replaced the blown woofers and I’ve been hooked since. Currently working on a stack of 9500 pioneer gear.
Another enjoyable installment. Glad that you broached the BOSE "Buying Spree". I had shot you an email about this, right after it happened, and missed your response. You are correct that the "New Daddy" is now an electronics manufacturer, and no longer a Venture Capital organization. Like you said, this could take one of two VERY different directions. Right this minute, I am going to take the high road, and HOPE that BOSE sees McIntosh as a technology resource. This Christmas, our daughter-in-law asked for a "record player". I have purchased a really good quality one that will be serviceable, and not damage the vinyl she has, and will purchase. I am going to tell her and our son, that when they get to their house, I will give them one of my vintage receivers that you know I have been collecting, and build them a two-channel system. Tell your Dad I said HI.....
Us younger adults don’t have money. No joke - would love a nice vintage setup. My budget is my Iphone and a cheap pair of monoprice desktop speakers…
I am working on my 15yr old granddaughter. She was fine with her iPhone and ear buds. She's used to a modest home theater system they have at home, so she knows something about fidelity. But it was not connecting to her persona music listening. So I sat her down with my ATH-50M powered by my Schiit Magni and had her stream something she knew off of youtube. Even that blew her mind. She refused to give them back. Sent her home with the Magni and a slightly lessor set of headphones I have. She streams off the iPhone or a notebook PC. So talking a streamer/ amp for her. She's heard my bigger system with Maggies and a ADCOM GFA555 from turntable. And was impressed. But did not fit into her lifestyle interest. But the amount of time she spent with earbuds did put the amp/ headphones right into the middle. We've talked turntable. She knows some of her current artists are releasing vinyl. So that might be happening if she can find room in her small bedroom. But I keep exposing her to more that fits her lifestyle just so she can learn to appreciate the difference. That drives the desire.
I think a major issue is not the equipment, but new people getting in vinyl, Only to find, the high price of reissued albums, and the quality, also the over grading from record sellers
Completely agree. Greed is going to kill the "vinyl" goose. I've stopped buying with special supposed audiophile LPs going for $100 to 200. Amazon lists some of the acoustic sounds brand records at over $300!!!
Interesting video.
I am in that exact situation you described: 50 with two kids between 16 and 21 and trying to show them how nice it is to enjoy listening to a vinyl record, see the cover, read the information.
The conclusion so far is: they don’t care.
They were born in a different world and they see us just like we used to see our parents and grand parents.
To me this whole analog audio experience will pretty much die with our generation.
@andrepochini1805 get a streamer. I bought a Wiim Mini and SMSL DAC and added it to my system. Super cheap, and super easy for the kids to stream in decent quality. Get them hooked on the sound quality and the rest may follow.
I've been buying up Sansui equipment. 2 BA-2000, 2 CA-2000, 3 AU-717, 1 AU-999, 1 AU-101. I just love the 1970s sound I grew up with. Playing through SP-5000 and SP-5500 brought back by servicemen who bought them at the PX.
Bought my G7700 in 1979, with a pair of C-W S1's. I've kept the receiver maintained, re-foamed the woofers about 8 years ago. It still sounds wonderful to me. Some folks have comfort foods. The decades gone by fall from my shoulders when I sit back with one of my favorite albums. Chicago II doesn't make me fatter, too.
Kevin, you made a good point about getting vintage equipment serviced these days. I'm from the Quad Cities and trying find a reliable place to get vintage equipment serviced is extremely difficult. 2 years ago I did find someone to repair my Sansui 8080DB about 20 miles outside of town who does good work but he's a retiree working very limited hours and will probably be closing up shop soon. Frustrating that repair places and good tech are few and far between now.
58 and still collecting and loving it! Appreciate your channel. Some things Vintage won't be improved on by streaming in this life. 😀🖖✌🤟
You are 100% right about this year being strange. I'm finding people are being very careful with money and that affects everything.
One company that I know still supports their older equipment is Ohm Acoustics. They will repair speakers they made all the way back to the 70s. I actually need to get new grill baskets for my 3XOs too. I've had them since I was 21 and I'm 56, but they're fantastic speakers! 😎👍
Have done radio and club stuff, back in the day. I'm into professional equipment (BGW or Crown amps, JBL (Yamaha/Tannoy) professional speakers, Technics (SL-1100A, SL-1200) turntables, etc. Man -- those were the days!!! If you ever get a chance to hear stuff like this, you will be blown away!!!
There are so many super cheap class D chifi amps being pushed by reviewers that I'm not surprised that mid level and lower vintage receivers has stagnated some. A Wiim and a 50 or 100 watt amp is less than $200, that's hard to pass by.
I’m 34 and started vintage and still only interested in that. Like you mentioned I’ve become “curious” of the new products and watch a lot of other TH-camrs who cover those and I think that’s mainly where it comes from. The content that gets put out reflects where the market is going if you ask me. Look what you did to the prices of HK gear, kevin!
lol I’m only kidding but I did go and snatch up a citation 16 A and 17 because of y’all.
My thoughts as a +65 er ..A good percentage of hifi and music lovers are normally attracted to the hobby because of a family member being interested in the hobby it is then past down to younger newer generations..I have a collection of antique telephones hanging on walls in my home recently some young under 15s visit my home i was amazed the whole time they were there Not One Question or even a glance as to what they were...I found that amazing Zero Interest..And the problem goes deeper because the next generation of school teachers have not been taught about our past history... Which leads me to my last comment.....i have always said The Future Can Be Found In Our Past
Regardless of what it is ....
Love Your passion in HiFi 🙏
The best source I found for high-quality equipment is second-hand stores in Florida. A lot of money was spent years ago, retirement, and then property liquidation.
Be sure to check them out if visiting on vacation.
That's like going to Arizona in February or March and shopping for a used RV - one spouse dies and the other sells it off and flies home.
Glad you live in the US. Here over in Germany the second hand market is small and insane overprized when you could find your piece you are after.
Just saw you on Randy's YT Channel - Really appreciated your honesty and your personality. Thanks, Randy & Hi from a Scotsman in Japan, Kevin. All the very best! (Been into hi-fi since my teens; now in my 60's and still keen... great hobby!).
I owed a shop like yours in the early 80's. I repaired everything consumer, including stereo receivers. The Koreans invented the 200 dollar VCR and my business died
within 2 years.
My dad had a TV repair shop that he closed in the late '90s. It really should have ended way before that. The cheap, non repairable TVs killed his business as well.
@@mikepodorski4272I know people scoff at tariffs and protectionism but America used to make fine high quality products that could be repaired easily and last for a decade or more. I hate the disposable culture.
By 1990, Walmart was selling the typical 19 inch TV for less than my father could buy one *wholesale* at his TV sales/repair shop.
@@mikeg2491 We had the same in Europe, high quality repairable products that came with a service manual. No need to keep those away from your markets. But people buy cheap. Asia just sold us what we wanted to buy. If we had closed our borders, a local producer would have done the same as soon as technology allowed them to.
Was fortunate enough to live in Des Moines for 8 years. Spent a lot of time and money in Kevin’s store. The speakers and receivers we got there are first rate. We bought the equipment we wanted based on room sizes and what we were going to do with it.
The Marantz and some Bose speakers for the living room linked to our 85 inch TV. The Sansui with its power is upstairs in a large room coupled to so some sweet rock speakers that blast it out!
The Pioneer with its advent speakers are in the garage. When the door is open you can hear it a few acres away!😂
Life is short enjoy your equipment!
My first 2 channel stereo was a Sherwood receiver, bookshelf speakers and a turntable. I added a Pioneer cassette deck to that for my cruising tapes. That was in my teens in the 70's. Now I'm much older and have decided to get back to a 2 channel system. Per your recommendation I went with a Pioneer SX 850, Pioneer ct-f9191 and a Pioneer PL41 with some JBL Century L100 speakers. This would have been a system I could have not afforded back in my teens. I miss the days when you could walk into an electronics store and smell the beautiful receiver's and amps and play with them. This younger generation may never experience that.
My brother says there are not as many monster receivers because I have most of them. Seriously there are fewer monster receivers knocking about because on average monster receivers cost $2,500 to $9,000 today. I brought most of my monster receivers between 2010 and 2021 when you could get a nice monster for $700 to 2,000. Heck my Pioneer SX-1980 in near mint condition cost just $3,500. Try to find a near mint Pioneer SX-1980 for $3,500 today. I have ten monster receivers & 2 low watt separates all restored to 1970's spec. I'm holding on to them till I croak. My local shop is JUST AUDIO in Baltimore, Maryland. I've likely given Just Audio over $25,000 in repair business. $1,000 new stuff. Thank you Kevin!
I'm in my 50's, I grew up with LP's. I started to collect records off of people throwing them out in the early 2000's, before they took off again just because I wanted to listen to music I wouldn't have had a chance to listen to otherwise. Now it feels like you have to know what you are looking to listen to, or have an algorithm choose what it thinks you want to listen to if you want to be exposed to new-old music. When records started to come back I was pretty happy. I was buying several records, some new copies of scratched old ones I had. The pricing was not that far off of what it was, I could find albums for 19 - 25 dollars (Canada) and that seemed pretty fair for an LP. I took a couple of years off getting into other things and recently started to look for some new albums. The volume of what was available on Vinyl has definitely improved, however... now the price of a low end record here can be $40 dollars and goes up to 100 for some records, and more than anything, that is keeping me away from buying records. So maybe a lot of the sales issues for old equipment comes from the fact that records have become a little bit too expensive. You probably aren't going to get a lot of people starting to get into records at 60 or so dollars a record.
Great video, Kevin.
I’m thankful for your calm demeanor & for laying everything out there.
Entry level stuff now costs what those high or mid-high end range stuff cost 5-6 years ago. Some prices have got out of hand. Us 20 to 30 somethings can't spend 1000, 1500, 2000 on a receiver when we're struggling to make ends meet.
Lots of good points here. I feel like there are two distinct worlds in audio. One is the convenience world of streaming or digital play so you're not fumbling with CD's or cassettes while driving. You don't have a case holding a dozen or 20 to choose from between the seats; there's hundreds. However, that world does not usually enjoy the quality and experience of what you said, the true sweet spot in front of a good two channel stereo system. Personally I still believe that vinyl is still one of the best sounding mediums when properly cared for and played on good equipment. Yeah, when I'm tinkering around in the garage or house, I stream. but when I really feel like cranking up some Boston, Rush or Pink Floyd and relaxing, there's no place like in front of the vintage system!
I'm 70 and I'm at kind of an odd place on vintage gear. I have a Dual 1229 and a pair of JBL L-100s, but I bought them new so they were modern equipment then. I kick myself now for getting rid of my HK 930, but I've always looked to new stuff when updating.
The funny thing is that I've been looking back for my newer updates. My main system is now a 50x2 Vincent SV-500 integrated amp with tubes in the preamp section, a pair of acoustic suspension KLH 3s, and a Rega P3 turntable. I'd love to have a vintage Thorens turntable along with my Dual and I'd also love to have my HK 930 back, but with the current system I'm getting a lot of the vibe of my 50-years-ago system when I sit down and play records.
As far as formats go, I was a reel-to-reel snob in the 70's so I didn't even get into cassettes until I had a player in my car. I welcomed CDs but not streaming until, once again, I had it in my car. I'm still a physical media addict and don't stream (yet) on my home system. I've pretty much quit buying new LPs and CDs due to the cost and the ultra-processed sound of most new music.
Thank you for your consistently great videos. Someday I'm going to make the trek down from the Twin Cities to visit the store (except not after an ice storm at the state border like when I came down to have my Dual rehabbed).
Along with the twin power, one of the more unusual features on the 930 was the split tone controls. I could take a mono signal from an old record, run one set of tone controls one way and the other, the opposite, and create at least a bit of a sense of stereo separation from a mono signal. They could also be used to help balance out the bass response when one speaker had to be disadvantageously placed in a room, whether dealing with a room with an odd layout or a spouse with an excessive sense of visual aesthetics over the aural aesthetics.
@@j.patrickmoore9137 Yep. I used to play with that feature now and then but never used it seriously. I think it had a dial to select mono, stereo, reverse stereo, only left channel and only right channel. That was fun to mess with now and then too.
One current factor is that food and shelter come before audio equipment. Well, hopefully, they should. As I read the posts here, many guys are collecting (hoarding) vintage equipment. Wonderful. But that takes a lot of old equipment out of circulation until they pass on and then their wives will just about give it away. Good news is that you can purchase a really good system that blows away most vintage gear for cheap. The quality of sound (dollar for dollar) has gone up dramatically since the 70's. I know because I lived it. I dearly miss those days but that's nostalgia for ya. Anyway, it's all good.
I agree. Class D amplification has improved dramatically and great value. FM tuners are pretty much useless these days with streaming. Plus I don't need to own every song I hear, so I'm okay with streaming. Most of vintage thing is being driven by nostalgia with the thought of acquiring the same equipment you couldn't afford when a person was young. Too risky to pay 2-3k for 50 year old equipment that's going to need frequent repairs, especially with the lack of repair shops.
At 63 I fit the demographics of the channel. The 20s to early 30s group has seemingly paradoxical views on traditional stereo and vinyl. They buy and collect vinyl but are very selective, my 2 kids and many of their friends love vinyl but here's the rub, they don't own traditional let alone vintage equipment instead most listening via headphones/ear buds. Whether from phones/streamers or turntables with Bluetooth headphone out or a dac/headphone amp.
Hey Kevin - Just turned 40 but really started getting into hifi during covid. Personally I found the vintage audio world very intimidating at first, the guides you and Lenny (formerly at JustAudio) put together helped me greatly. Unlike new products, it's very difficult to quickly compare vintage products, especially across model years and manufactures. Further their are some common models with known issues to enthusiasts but not well documented for younger buyers to find - Like STK chips, black leg transistors, Sansui 5000 issues etc. - then you have to know the models that could be affected 😵
A suggestion for you, similar to your "best X under $" series if you could explore specific brands - product hierarchy, known issues, original MSRP; Even just explaining the convoluted naming conventions! It could be a great (evergreen) library resource to learn from... I think you did one for Pioneer SX line. Bonus points for exploring lesser known brands and other product lines besides amps/receivers. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Kind of wish I didn't just see that, but I'm glad I did. You offered some perspectives I haven't considered before.
Speaking for myself, I have been hanging on to my silverface Pioneer spec-II setup. I'm happy with that for my vintage stereo setup especially for listening to vinyl, receiver, and cassette. I have different setups for different experiences. I also have a Streaming / Digital Audio setup and a Home Theatre setup. It depends if a want an analog time machine, discover new music or have background music, or an immersive theatre experience.
Great video and enjoyed the chat on this particular topic. Industry is pushing way too many 5.25 bookshelf speakers and 50 watt amps. They are convincing young people that's all they will ever need. A lot of these products are costing high-end prices. $2-4k for a pair of bookshelf speakers?
I'm not paying collector prices for vintage gear that I used to be able to more easily afford when it was new. A lot of us remember what it cost, and what performance level it belongs to. I have a Pioneer SA-8500 I bought new when I was 14. Love the thing but I hate the analog pots. Restored it a few years ago and now I don't want to wear it out and only take it out for a few days here and there and to dust it.
So much of the old vintage has been rebuilt already and that just takes the vintage out of it for me. I like my lifetime vintage stuff. I don't really want someone else's. I kept what was worthy.
I'm over 60 and dig more modern gear now, which is odd because, I am typically more stubborn about change. Even that which was made at around the beginning of this century. Love those beefy Denon AVRs that were built like tanks and can be had for under $100. 120+ WPC of power, bass management, actual binding posts, sub and pre-outs, bypass mode. . . with some being able to drive a 1 Ohm load. This is the new vintage for myself and many others. My 2-channel desires do not care that these AVRs have 5 or 7 channels. They make for excellent 2-channel amps and receivers. I ended up with two of the same model. These things give me the same feeling as my other vintage gear, minus the analog pots!
That's my new limit for vintage. 20ish years, speakers with rubber surrounds, and electronics with digital controls. I've tried it all. I have just enough ancient vintage stuff to cure the romance of all that, but I like finding robust gear before the hoarder/collectors catch wind of it and drive the prices thru the roof. What I have cobbled together is a real contender with just about anything out there, both old and new.
I'm all about the music and class D is a good value and gets the job done. I dig the wiim amp in my bedroom and streaming music is about the only thing I find useful about a danged cell phone. If it did not work satisfactorily, I would not use it.
Costs of materials, shipping and labor have changed. People often live in smaller homes, which means they're looking for smaller equipment. Using a sub to compensate. Power consumption is a thing now, and switching mode power supplies and digital are cheap. Manufacturers get to decide when stuff is obsolete, through software. The home theatre thing was an interesting move to get people buying again, but it the end it's another useless upgrade cycle (5.1, 7.2, dolby, thx, atmos). It just pushes us to spend more. Home automation is similar. Enjoy your system!
A friend of mine gave me the Pioneer SX1250 that I sold to him new when I worked for a Pioneer dealer. It is in immaculate condition.
They sell for $3,000 or so nowadays. Your's is probably worth $5,000
Well so much for the plug for Sam's Club coffee😅. Good show Kevin
I made the mistake of buying that Donut Shop coffee once, too. Never again!
I have never had a K Cup that wasnt stale.
I live by streaming. Two days a week I work from home, doing technical work and have to have non vocal music playing.
In 2024, I heard over 4000 artists on Spotify. I purchased maybe 30 albums in electronic format.
Streaming is a very high quality radio without advertising, and worth the monthly cost for me
Some people just don't get it±! I brought a vintage Wharfedale Diamond II speakers and a new Fosi Audio digital amp with a bluetooth to my friend, age 54, who lives alone in his 1 bedroom flat. That vintage & new combo really sounds great in a smaller room setup. Than his brother came along and convinced him to go with a Sonos 2 old soundbar that he wanted to get rid of. Now I am taking that setup to myself for a desktop setup! Well, as I said earlier, some people just not get it!
Kevin, the observation you made at ~5:00 is spot on. The "younger generation" (which is almost everyone to me) just don't seek the experiences that we older folks value. I, e, the gear is not nearly as important to them as the convenience and ready availability of the music and video content they want to hear at that moment in time. Think of it this way; we used to listen to music as the activity itself; consumers today are already engaged in some other activity and instantly call up music that to them compliments it. If you had to set up a "system" first, the moment would be lost on nearly every occasion. What do you think?
I think whatever HIFI equipment you have is plenty I mean if you have a vintage hardware is awesome.but I think the more we introduce this young generation to HIFI what a HIFI should sound like.in the living room I've got my ONKYO WITH SOME KLH AND SANSUI SP 3500s and the receiver is always on.either my 13 yr old or my wife is listening..especially right in this time of the year .CHRISTMAS SONGS..We don't stream or any new gadgets out there.we just JAM..and when I crank it .the neighbors listen as well..love your chanel KEN.lots of good info keep it comin..HAPPY HOLIDAYS..
Hifi is okay i guess but i prefer the bigger powered speakers and subwoofers from companies like Peavey, QSC, Electro Voice, or JBL. The thing that i like most about powered speakers or subs is how they have a built in amplifier. Hooking them was simple. I connected an XLR cable from the speaker to the mixer, and then i hooked up my cd player to the mixer. If you want to add two or four more speakers or subs then you just use another XLR cable to daisy chain them from the one thats connected to the mixer. Right now i have two QSC KW 153 speakers. I chose them because its a 3 way speaker and those sound better than 2 way speakers. Also i have two Bassboss makura dbl21 subwoofers. These have dual 21 inch subwoofers and they are superior to cabinets with dual 18 inch subwoofers. I'm using a Yamaha MG 10 mixer along with an Onyko DX-C390 cd player carousel. I'm fortunate enough to live in a rural area and with about 10 acres of land on between me and my nearest neighbor. The only issues with my setup is i have a lot of cables. Every speaker and sub has its own power outlet cable and that's a total of six cables when including the mixer and cd player. Then I have the four XLR speaker cables. Also those bassboss monsters draw a lot of electrical current when played at loud volumes. My entertainment room had the standard 15 amp wall outlet receptacles. I decided to change them to 20 amp outlets along with 12 gage electrical wiring. This was an extra precaution to help avoid an electrical short. Powered speakers are not for everyone but they are perfect for me.😂
Just played my system for my future son in law. He was very impressed by a system from the 70s. Think I have him hooked
Hi Kev, Frankie here from Spain. you need to go italian with your coffeemaker to get it right. Bialetti Moka if traditional manual or any Italian brand for the capsule electronic makers. German are very good too. as per coffee itself, I recommend Lavazza or any other Italian manufacturer. They don't pay me any comission or anything. I'm just telling you because as far as coffee is concerned, trust me, our Italian friends are the best. If you do as I'm telling you, you will never be disappointed or sad about your cup of coffee again, even if Bose makes the next Corvette 😂. Much love as always from West Spain❤
K-Cup pro tip. Grind your own and use a refillable basket. Works great! I finally broke down and got a Keurig and this is how I do 95% of my cups.
I just wonder how difficult it would be for a savvy electronic Giant to manufacture a line of vintage looking stereo components, (even loudspeakers?). I guess the guts could contain some of the better parts available now-a-days,(discreet driver and output transistors), with minimal surface-mount- technology for easier servicing. USB and a few others for convenience. I really think the idea would hit it off big time!
They could make it, but the prices would be ridiculous unfortunately.
I'm seeing lots of 18 to 30 year olds getting into the hobby. Especially girls, one was interested in. A Pioneer turntable and an old Lafayette reciver she really enjoys it.
Ever thought about what those high powered receivers were used for! In my day, they were used for entertaining guests! For that we had to purchase high powered units to keep them dancing all night! The volume was so high, they
couldn't hear each other talk! In 1974, we got caught up in the world of disco music. It was music that put it all together!.....
Great conversation! I think that’s a sober and honest look in to audio at the moment.
Also: I had never heard of Advance Paris before. I checked them out on line and they have a fantastic lineup of products. Thanks for turning me on to those guys.
I think life quality has shifted from direct physical engagement to a more electronic interactive control based experience. I hope I am wrong, but today's attention span seams to be measured in seconds , not minutes and certainly not hours.
I've been contemplating selling some of my gear. It took lots of time, money, luck and patience to acquire. current system : Yamaha CR-1040, B&O RX and RX-2, Boston Acoustics VR 965's and AR 93s's. I rarely ever use them. At 63, my priorities have recently reordered themselves... much to my dismay .
I love your channel , Wishing you a Merry Christmas ! 🎄
This was an excellent presentation on your part. Here is what I observed. Those “super power receivers” were not big sellers when they were on the market. Most people (including myself) bought the entry and mid level equipment. From my standpoint, I’ve seen cases where those “super power receivers” were not as reliable as the mid level equipment. I have a PIONEER SX-550 receiver and it still sounds great. As for streaming? I’m doing it.
I think Bose bought McIntosh to use that name in luxury car audio. I'm pretty sure you're right. Service on home audio will likely suffer a lot.
65 y.o vintage equipment fan here. Know what is winning us old guys over? Our cars. Even mid range cars get trashed if they have bad audio... but BMW, Audi, MB, etc? They get slapped by consumers if their audio isn't impressive. Lucid sent a tech out to my house with the parts to help an OTA update improve my bass response. Was good, is now great. My car now sounds better than my Yamaha powered house, and all kinds of streaming are just built in to the car.
Kevin, I sold my LP's back in the late 80's...For CD's...and have never looked back!
Really interesting snapshot of where things are at right now. I love new & vintage. I have new speakers but a bunch of vintage amps along with one new class D amp. To be honest...the new amp is better all around than my old vintage amps but...I like the vintage amps more because I restored them & there is a nostalgic factor that makes me biased. I just love tubes... But most people can't repair this stuff so I'm a bad example of the average consumer.
At 67 I have been setting up/gifting a number of systems for my daughter who is 24 and her friends. One thing in short supply are high end cassette decks that these younger people want. Lack of techs I think is hurting the vintage audio industry as well as other vintage industries like the classic car world. I only repair stuff that I resell and that keeps me pretty busy and at a higher profit margin than doing repairs for the general public.
Part of the difficulty is that tape heads wear out and replacing them may be impossible. Harmon/Kardon had a really funny advertisement back in the 70's, emphasizing the quality of their tape heads over the competitors' by saying, essentially, theirs last longer but ours are better and you simply replace them when they wear out.
59 here, I recently bought a new Dayton Audio HTA200 amp (it's my channel avatar) and I am really happy with it. It has a blue tooth mode that I can cast from my phone if I want, but I am 90% vinyl. I still have my Sansui G5500 that I put on a different system.
All future McIntosh amps will feature 8 rear firing VU meters and one on the front. The attached Bose speakers will have drivers that spin left and right in their baffle holes to control tone and volume, but the sound itself will come out of the amplifier VU meters instead of the speakers. Sonus Faber will be renamed Rebaf Sunos and make clock radios.
Always great content. Love seeing the more unusual older stuff.