They are older than me, they are clunky and weigh a ton, and they break down often.
So what’s there to love about vintage Hi-Fi?
There are many reasons actually. I fell in 💗 with vintage gears, and here are my three main reasons.
#1 They look great
#2 They sound great
#3 And they are a bargain
But love requires an eye for details, care, and patience.
#1 They look great
The designers back then sure knew how to make their gears look timeless. The wood veneers, the gold/silver metallic chassis, and the classic knob-gauge-switch combos would make any heads turn.
The build quality was also superb. Back in the 70s & 80s, these gears were not mass-produced for the mass market. They were made for people who loved their music. Amps were made like tanks, turntables like seafaring frigates, and speakers like cargo ships.
#2 They sound great
My first and unforgettable experience was pairing my father-in-law's vintage Infinity studio monitors with my "modern" Yamaha AS-301 amp. The amp never quite worked. Volume had to be cranked up to produce anything meaningful, and yet music still sounded weak and flat. Everything changed when I switched to a vintage mid-priced Technics amp. The power and the clarity were just the total opposite. Watts were real watts back then.
#3 They are a bargain!
Great speakers, amps, CD players, and turntables can be owned for less than Bt 10k.
Buying used items, in general, can help you save lots of money. Buying vintage gears can bring you great sounds at reasonable prices. One reason is because these gears were expensive when they were launched. For example, Diatone DS-37B speakers retailed for JPY 55,000 (THB 11,000) in 1987, which is equivalent to JPY 160,000 (THB 32,000) in today's money! A pair in good condition can be owned now for less than Bt 10k.
Of course vintage gears aren’t perfect, and there are important things to keep in mind.
1. Finding gears in good and unmodified conditions can be a challenge. Here, it's important to buy from credible sources who stand by their products.
2. Some gears are older than we are, with many as old as our parents. So please go gentle on them.
3. And since they are that old, they will at times require repairs & maintenance. Patience is key. Having a trustworthy go-to technician is advisable. Having a spare piece is also a good idea in case an amp breaks down and you don't want to suffer from major music withdrawal symptoms. It's also a good reason to justify with the other half about having another set(s) in the house.