This thread is based on my long-time experiences as a professional servicer of Home Entertainment Equipment, and my own personal equipment choices.
If any of it sounds "biased", it's only because I don't mince words. I like sharing the truth about such things to others in hopes that it'll save them money and any aggravation.
And, it's similar to the speaking out from others about Home Appliances and the current state of things.
So here goes......
We all want quality, and we all want to spend our money on something worthy.
But the industry mostly treats the public like silly puppets, catering to their conditioned lives with glorified advertizing and snazzy appearance.
I've been "in the guts" of literally thousands of products from TV's to high-end stereo stuff, along with "vintage" antiques/heirlooms that required special attention.
But as the decades progressed, I've noticed the so-called improvements and technology changes.
Some, were a good idea, others, not pretty.
The stuff sold these days in my opinion is garbage, in comparison to what I call "The Golden Years" of audio.
Those were from the early-late 1960's up to the late 1980's, centering on 1974 to 1980 as the peak years of "HiFi".
Look at what you're forced to buy these days, if you want something....
It may looks snazzy, and might even sound nice to your ears.
Digital processing can impress you.
Convenient bluetooth, streaming, etc., makes it more attractive, because you've been handed that stuff as a result of the slow conditioning process of society.
Then how come the substantial numbers of people wanting that vintage stuff again?
You know, the "Analog" stuff that used to be king.
I'll tell you.....
Because humans speak and hear in analog, not digital.
Once you add Digital to the mix, you're messing with the original sound.
Like I stated, processing analog is impressive to the ears, I know that.
But my trained ears can still, even at my age, tell the difference.
And no, it's not my mind doing tricks on me.
Listening to music in analog on analog equipment is and can be such a seductive and surprising experience that some have re-imagined again.
I hear people all the time telling me that.
Sure, I listen to CD's, and online to MP3's.
It's nice, and one can get used to that, even lazy.
But plop a record on a decent turntable..... voila...... something comes back to you that all those years of digital listening made you forget.
By the way, whenever you hear the mention of Tube equipment having a "warm sound", it's all in your head, something dreamed up by somebody on the internet because tubes have heated filaments which warm up and get hot.
My expensive testing equipment and analizing procedures don't have human ears or human biases stemming from internet talk to sway them.
And confirm what I'm saying.
I'm wondering if anyone here can understand what I'm trying to share, or feels the same way.
Thanks for reading.
Indded Matt. The stereo wars in the 70s were competitive and they were often rated conservatively and even surpassed the published spec's. The type of measuring equipment matters too. The power transformers were larger and that makes a big difference even at the same watt ratings. A new example is the Yamaha AS -1200 compared the S 701. The results are online by an independent reviewer. While only 10 watts difference between them, the s 701 doesn't quite double down on the power bandwidth in the middle gain with 100 watts/channel while the AS 1200 does with 90 watts. It has a torroidal transformer and larger power capacitors and a floating amp design. This comes with a premium price of $2,900 vs. $800. It also has VU meters. Weight is 48 lbs. and 27 lbs respectively.
I just couldn't afford it. Buying vintage restored is just as expensive and you only get a 90 day warranty usually. It's a risk buying a vintage as is unit for less and possibly having to spend hundreds of dollars for a repair later. I wasn't given approval for one. The new models are warranted 2 and 5 years which is likely also in the higher price.
I couldn't agree more, Matt. For most home listeners, did you know that 10-20 watts per channel is all that is really needed. And, I'm talking about REAL watts, not peak wattage or any of the other ways manufacturers measure their audio outputs. This deception started way back in the late 1960's.
very good unit,but sonics might be 2nd to a 1981 Akai that is a fave in my cassette deck fleet.
