why do people use really old receivers on new expensive speakers?

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mista ting

Gawd
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Apr 13, 2006
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whats going on here? i see people with speakers 1k$++ using really old receivers....some with tubes sticking out. some made in 1970's...is there any advantages to use them? do they sound better?
 
1970's was a golden era in terms of receivers. Warm, lush sound; solid (huge) power supplies; built to last reliability; but better is subjective. I love vintage gear, the sound, look, everything. Others like newer gear that may trade warmth for slightly more detail.
 
The audio is tons better than new expensive receivers driving really old speakers.
 
Totally off topic... But Mr. Wolf, did you get your Yamaha RX-V863 or did you stick with the Panasonic in the end?
 
mista ting said:
whats going on here? i see people with speakers 1k$++ using really old receivers....some with tubes sticking out. some made in 1970's...is there any advantages to use them? do they sound better?
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There are very good stereo receivers that can easily surpass more current and expensive stereo receivers..Better build quality, no cutting corners for mass production..Tubes just give you a different sound over solid state..Usually warmer, sweet and lush, full bodied notes, more weight to the music..And other audiophile code words..And you can choose your sound depending on the tubes..More detail..Warmth..smooth..musical. etc.
 
The typical explanation for why people prefer tubes over solid state is harmonic distortion. From a scientific perspective, vacuum tubes can't surpass the pure, crystalline quality of solid state components, but tubes also add elements of pleasing harmonic distortion. Harmonic distortion, in the right "quantities", can improve "musicality".

Now, I've had a couple of mid-70's Marantz solid state receivers and, if you ask me, they absolutely rival most any other integrated receiver in the sub-$500 market for less than $200. Not only that, but they have an amazing vintage aesthetic -- brushed steel face, steel knobs, warm blue dial lights and wooden enclosures. Just beautiful, beautiful things. They're simply fun to look at while enjoying music, and that seems to somehow improve the listening experience.
 
phide said:
The typical explanation for why people prefer tubes over solid state is harmonic distortion. From a scientific perspective, vacuum tubes can't surpass the pure, crystalline quality of solid state components, but tubes also add elements of pleasing harmonic distortion. Harmonic distortion, in the right "quantities", can improve "musicality".

Now, I've had a couple of mid-70's Marantz solid state receivers and, if you ask me, they absolutely rival most any other integrated receiver in the sub-$500 market for less than $200. Not only that, but they have an amazing vintage aesthetic -- brushed steel face, steel knobs, warm blue dial lights and wooden enclosures. Just beautiful, beautiful things. They're simply fun to look at while enjoying music, and that seems to somehow improve the listening experience.
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Yeah, real craftmanship in those days..Something you can marvel at, easily justifying your purchase..My 1,200 Yammy V1800 doesn't come close to the aesthetic you described.. In audio, older is better..Some of the best speakers were made in the 50's-70's. No outsourcing for cheap labor and shotty quality control issues.
 
do they sound better?
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This.

Audio is subjective. Lots of folks love tubes. Lots of folks love the sound from a particular receiver. New and shiny doesn't always = better sounding.
 
I should note that if you're thinking of getting a vintage amp, be aware that they do need some care and maintenance. Cleaning and replacing parts due to age isn't uncommon. Also I noticed that the vintage stuff heats up far more than the newer stuff, so if heat and power consumption is a concern, a newer amp might be better for you.
 
The components used in nicer sounding equipment around the 70's favoured even harmonics and less odd harmonics, especially valve / tube kit (more important for equipment with higher harmonic distortion like valve kit).
This sounds nicer to the human ear.

There is very good sounding kit from that era and there is very good kit these days too.
Its not true to say that one era is better than the other, it depends on the material you listen to, your own preferences and how well your kit /room go together and are setup.
 
Or, speakers are a physically moving object, suffering the wear and tear of their own movement, and the fact the materials they're made from break down eventually. An ancient amp will likely still work, and a few replacement components here and there is easy.

You can change a tube or even a MosFet in just a few minutes. To recone a speaker (especially an old one) takes way more time and patience- if you can find appropriate parts at all. Even if you could, they would likely change the T/S parameters of the driver, necessitating reconing every one of them.
 
Go look at the guitar amps running a modern rock concert and tell me what you see in there :)
 
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