A record player will last generations if you take care of it. Join our newsletter for tech tips, reviews, free ebooks, and exclusive deals! separate components only, sorry no consoles or similar. Learn more. Usually the word "vintage" refers to antiques, early sports cars, tweed jackets and strong cheese but I'm going to apply it more loosely here to describe old audio equipment from the 60s all the way up to the late 80s, with a few exceptions to be made for early 90s models too. You can now buy on line and choose between shipping or in store pickup. Long-term maintenance is so simple it’s almost an afterthought. As a reviewer of oft-frivolous things, I'm impressed by still-functioning, ancient items like cast iron pans, insulated thermoses, and hundred-year-old sewing machines. We'll buy your HiFi Audio equipment for more cash than anyone else! The whole process has been so smooth. It’s easy to buy and sell new and used vintage hifi and audio equipment | list your items for free by emailing info@hifi-intouch.co.uk As home audio began to drastically improve in the late 60s, the 1970s heralded a golden age of audio equipment. There are a number of great brands that made excellent-sounding solid-state options from the disco days, but the one that I keep coming back to is NAD. Have you got a vintage home setup? Let us know all about it in the comments, below. When it comes to sound quality, the latest designs don’t always improve on what came before. When I was at conservatory, there was an NAD amp in every room. Share. I particularly like options from Grado Labs, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, Sony, and Audio-Technica, though there are plenty of great wired headphones out there. Before continuing it's worth pointing out one potential problem we have now that everything is digital, rather than analogue. The $1,300 Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the ultimate Android phone. Even if you’re not capable of repairing this stuff yourself, much (but not all) of it was designed before planned obsolescence was much of a thing in the audio world. You have been warned! This isn't a sure-fire way of getting hold of what you want, but it will definitely reduce the number of potential bidders. It's the thing you plug your turntable, CD player, or streaming device into, and it's what powers your speakers. Please confirm your email address in the email we just sent you. When it’s Hi-Fi it can be even more so. Our entire inventory is now available here . Most amplifiers specify suitable speakers on the very back of the unit, but a quick search online should also provide some information if you need it. Share. We warranty all sales and service for 90 days! If you buy a pair and get the caps replaced, you’ll want to redo that every decade or two. It’s got enough power to deliver a deep and wide sound stage that’s appropriate in a larger space but might not have quite enough oomph to blow your 808 kick drums through the neighbor’s walls. The name of the game for high-wear items is replaceable components! The thing to look for is quality knobs and components. To get around this problem you will need to convert the digital signal to an analogue one using a device known as a DAC, or digital to analogue converter. How to buy second-hand and vintage hi-fi amplifiers; Do some research. For the money you put in, an old vintage audio amp has the potential to provide way more bang for your buck than a modern active speaker system. Remember that a high-end valve amp will show just about any solid state up for what it really is, but a second hand solid state amp has far more chance of coming into your possession at an affordable price. Vintage audio electronics, particularly solid state amplifiers, are heavy. Published on March 6, 2018. BUY our RECORDS ONLINE. Vintage Audio All of our vintage amplifiers, turntables, amplifiers and receivers complete an extensive restoration process and include a full 90 day warranty. While there's nothing stopping you searching for a used AV receiver that's digital-ready, these devices have not been on the market for anywhere the same amount of time and thus you won't be able to find such great bargains. It is important to note if you plan on buying a turntable, you need a receiver that has a phonostage. Written by Paul Rigby. 01. Free vintage audio info database. Sell your HiFi to us with free collection and cash paid instantly. We buy, sell, trade, service and restore fine quality pre-owned vintage stereo and high end hi fi audio electronics. Don't forget to factor this into your available budget, and it doesn't hurt to know a thing or two about impedance which is measured in ohms. You will be involved in shipping, receiving, quality control, organization, cleaning, maintenance, pickups, deliveries, etc. If you want to save money and headaches, skip the finicky vintage tube amps in favor of something more durable from the post-tube, solid-state era of the 1970s and '80s. Vintage Amplifiers. You might just find yourself blown away by the second-hand market. By Paul Rigby in Features March 6, 2018. Getting hold of old tuners, CD players and turntables isn't out of the question, but if you're a digital convert with terabytes of music you are unlikely to invest in a cassette deck any time soon. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. The Vintage Knob, a growing "online audio museum," has beautifully designed pages with photos and commentary on all types of audio gear (including tuners). The Marantz 2245 hits a real sweet spot in terms of power and price. From Tim Brookes, Why Is Google Chrome Using So Much RAM? Refurbishing and Repair. Before you know it you've got more amps than you know what to do with, and the illusion of a bargain becomes more enticing than using your equipment to actually listen to music. So any repairs you or your local expert can make should keep the piece working for another decade or two. Check out options from Ultimate Ears and Shure, which both sell models with replaceable ear cables and even custom-molded eartips on the high-end buds. (Click on picture to see detailed view) Before-Early 60's HK Citation 1 Tube Preamp. dorm rooms across the country had to be powered by something.More often than not, they were made to sing by the clean, dependable, abuse-resistant power of a Pioneer receiver. Solid state amplifiers established themselves as affordable high-fidelity equipment, and while many still prefer valve amplifiers for their "warmer sound" and higher dynamic range; solid state should not be ruled out. Limit the competition by looking for used items, within your locale, that specify pick up only. Take a look at how we received this HK Tube Preamp! The 1200 is the most famous record player ever, having made a name for itself as the hyper-durable favorite of DJs around the globe. It’ll drive inefficient speakers with ease, and the feature set is robust. Because they’re handled so frequently, there are fewer options when it comes to buying vintage or used headphones. If you know what you’re doing, you can buy an old amp and speakers that sounds as good as the latest and greatest options. As far as options that will last forever, I suggest only buying wired headphones with replaceable cables, earpads, and headband pads. In fact you'll be hard pressed to find a silver-faced 1970s model that weighs less than 5 KG, and that might end up costing more in postage than the final auction price. “Prices are all over the map,” says Dudley Chicoine, who restores and sells vintage audio equipment as the owner of Tech 1 Electronicsin Missoula, Mont. Just follow three easy steps, we will be at your doorstep, cash in hand, ready to collect your HiFi. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries. Don’t buy expensive cables! to speakers of the same rating. Cooking eggs and keeping liquids hot for hours is great, but I'm most thankful for the human nerds who figured out how to accurately reproduce sound waves. The iPhone 7 is a recent example of how analog output will soon be a thing of the past. Works flawlessly. The "Vintage Audio and Video" category is also a great place to look, and many bargains have been had due to the seller's mis-categorisation. If you want your headphones to last more than a few years, you’ll want to avoid anything with a battery or computer chip. This explains why top of the line AV receivers offer a huge amount of digital inputs, built for 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound with an emphasis on visual media rather than traditional "analogue" stereo. Also look for receivers, which are usually (but not always) an amp with a radio tuner built into it. The 8 best vintage amplifiers and what to look out for when buying second hand. Luckily, this process is remarkably easy, and most major speakers have readily available refoaming kits. Vintage Stereo Equipment We believe that many of the amplifiers, receivers and turntables from the 1960’s and 1970’s are superior to their modern counterparts. Buy 100 feet of thick, 14-gauge (or lower/thicker) speaker wire from Amazon or your local hardware store and a pack of banana clips. Vintage Audio Equipment. For listening to music, two good speakers and a decent amp will do just fine. Specializing in the best from Marantz, Pioneer and Sansui. Vintage hifi buying guide & FAQ. Vintage Stereo Hi Fi Audio Classic Collectible If you’re not sure how long it’s been, it’s also worth changing out the crossovers in the speakers—the component that tells the speaker at what frequency to start sending information to the tweeter instead of the woofer. 0 0 0 0. This way you can find the perfect pair for you and your system. With a DAC you can export the digital signal from your TV, Blu-ray player or even laptop and enjoy far better sound than what your TV can provide. As is the case with many electronics, you should avoid canned air due to the temperature at which it leaves the can and the number of contaminants it contains. It’s a common misconception that older speakers sound "warmer" than newer speakers. Audio Bluebook's extensive database of high-end audio products offers instant access to everything you need to know to set the right price. You can really cheap out on speaker wire if you haven't got a particularly grand setup — even Amazon Basics will do the job. Looking for earbuds? Our review: Tamagotchi, Furby, and all of our favorite. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our lives—from culture to business, science to design. 0 0 0 0. Listen and enjoy. Here are classic components that we audio nerds swear by, and a few tips on what to look for when buying old-school equipment. In general, be on the lookout for solid wood speaker cabinets and brand names you recognize. I will never hesitate to do business with you guys in the future and will recommend you to everyone I know. Choose speakers that will work in your room (Image credit: Future) When you buy new it’s a good idea to visit various dealers to compare speakers. “I constantly use the analogy of vintage cars running parallels with vintage audio,” says Mike Garry, owner of Hudson Valley HiFi, which specializes in buying, restoring and selling vintage audio equipment. They're different from powered speakers, which have their own power cables and are commonly found these days with AirPlay or Bluetooth capability. In many cases, this foam is the thing that degrades first, and if it has holes, cracks, or other wear, the foam will need to be replaced. Vintage speaker brands to look for include Klipsch, JBL, Harman Kardon, Bowers & Wilkins, Bose, Boston Acoustics, Acoustic Research, and Advent, though there are many other great brands from the prog rock era and later. Enthusiasts have been buying and selling high end audio equipment on Audiogon for 20 years. Alongside the rise of unlimited streaming services, music lovers in search of a tangible experience have dusted off their old turntables and lugged their big tower speakers out from the basement and into the living room. They're simple, and they're far less expensive than their powered cousins. The funky styling of vintage speakers like these JBLs will add a splash of charm to any room in your home. The amplifier is the heart of your system. How to buy great sound on the cheap, think 'vintage' audio. If you have a recent television, games console and even DVD or Blu-ray player then you may be restricted to digital audio outputs. When shopping vintage, look for models from Technics, Pioneer, Sony, and other still-in-business brand names. Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and even the music-instrument reselling platform Reverb are great places to look for cool vintage audio gear. Luckily, Audiogon is the largest Hi-Fi marketplace and community in the industry. Finally you might find that your new amp requires a bit of a clean. A phonostage is sometimes built into a receiver, inputs labeled “phono”, or can be purchased as a separate piece of equipment. Vintage Stereo Restoration, Service and Sales is what we do! Ad Choices. Crackling volume or tone controls mean a dirty connection and for that something like DeOxit contact cleaner (or equivalent) will do the trick. When buying vintage audio equipment more than 20 or 25 years old, there's a good chance the product will require service or refurbishment. Vintage Pioneer Receiver. BUY ON LINE. Home; Gallery; Services; Rental; Home; Gallery; Services; Rental; Vintage Audio Devices & Services. Oftentimes, you can find a nonworking amp or record player at a vintage store or Goodwill and make a small repair to get it working again, if you’ve got a soldering iron and enough time to study up. If you choose wisely, it will last a lifetime. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: WIRED Review. The best part? and Hassle Free! Rival Wireless Earbuds Are Eating Into AirPods' Market Share, How to Turn an Old Laptop Screen Into a Magic Mirror, The 7 Best Free Microsoft Office Alternatives, Tips and Apps to Reduce Eye Strain on All Your Apple Devices. Don't feel like counting pennies and tracking your money? WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. Smaller amps have 15 to … Category Features. Paul Rigby follows his guide to vintage amplifiers with a look at some of the most enduring speaker designs. Refoaming will be required less frequently. For source audio you can simply use a computer, TV (more on this later) smartphone with a streaming service, or old MP3 player. Sure, they might not have the latest waveguide technology, but they still sound amazing. The company's black boxes aren’t the prettiest, but you can find iconic vintage amps like the NAD 3020 (introduced in 1978) for under $200 used, and they blow many modern amps out of the water. Those too can be bought for life! Many units have a wooden housing with metal components, and some gadgets are completely constructed out of sleek aluminum material. BUY VINTAGE AUDIO. Buying or Selling High-End Audio Equipment? A Buying Guide for Vintage Stereo Receivers. Hi-Fi Heyday: Vintage Turntables, Receivers, and Stereo Speakers The powerful resurgence of the vinyl record and multi-component home stereo systems is no fleeting fashion trend. You have found the right place for vintage audio equipment that has been serviced and is ready for years of use. Selling Your HiFi Equipment has Never Been Easer! Just like amps, quality speakers are heavy. Especially in terms of build quality, sound quality, reliability, and serviceability. It’s also worth looking up a local repair shop. For cleaning dust a soft, new paintbrush and careful use of a vacuum cleaner should remove most undesirables. Better still, you might snag an absolute bargain. To determine if an amp or set of speakers is worth your money you will need to sharpen your search skills and check out forums like AudioKarma and AVForums. We offer for sale all types of audio appliances - from tape decks, receivers, tuners, reel to reel tape recorders, amplifiers and preamps Put simply: They’re basically unbreakable, requiring only occasional maintenance and cartridge replacements. Seeing as you're probably on a budget, reading an article about budget vintage audio, brands like FiiO (try the $20 D3) and the slightly more expensive $50 Muse will do the job, just make sure you've got the right output on your TV or other equipment as well as the necessary cables to connect everything. Rocketbook Orbit Review: A Real Solution to Paperless Notetaking? Make sure your amp feels relatively heavy; if it feels flimsy on the outside, it’s probably flimsy on the inside too. Hifi Manuals Free | The vintage hifi free downloads: Looking for information about your vintage stereo equipment, your vintage amp! As with any eBay auction there are things you can do to improve your chances of a bargain. A vintage Kenwood receiver is usually outfitted with an AM/FM tuner and multiple inputs for exterior devices like turntables, mp3 players, and CD players. Read on for our guide to buying second-hand speakers. Vintage audio devices and services. Before long you'll be trawling eBay on a nightly basis, looking for decades-old stereo equipment as your significant other laments the loss of attic, living room and garage space. We are now accepting new repairs. Innovative Audio specializes in selling affordable "vintage" hi-fis. It’s extremely cheap maintenance: A refoaming kit will run you about $30 for most speakers, and capacitors are a couple dollars each. You can follow him on Twitter. You can also choose from a supply of vintage audio equipment parts and vacuum tubes here at The Old Stereo Guy's place. Even an unheard of model sitting at the back of a thrift store might delight you with a light and clean performance worthy of any entertainment system. Vintage Turntables, Vintage Speakers, and much more for sale. Many of these were workhorses for decades—they're the preferred model of hip-hop and techno DJs—so they might look beat up and still work great. Many of us have never even touched a soldering iron - but making things can incredibly rewarding. Another option, if you don’t want to buy used, is to buy a reissue of a classic model like the new Technics SL-1200. The further away from the amp you place your speakers, the thicker the wire you will need. All rights reserved. Passive loudspeakers—the kind you plug speaker cables into and are powered by an external amp—are super durable. Wired may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. In order to build yourself a decent home audio setup you will need at least two components: an amplifier and a pair of speakers. 5 Budgeting Tools to Manage Your Finances and Save Money, the thought of a "project" brings you joy, Beginner's Electronics: 10 Skills You Need to Know, FiiO D3 (D03K) Digital to Analog Audio Converter - 192kHz/24bit Optical and Coaxial DAC, Black Tda1543x4 DIR9001+4X TDA1543 Parallel Connect Dac Muse with Power Supply, Amazon Basics 100ft 16-Gauge Audio Stereo Speaker Wire Cable, 100 Feet, More Make sure you get a vintage turntable properly serviced, including a look at the middle bearing (which needs oiling about once a year) and the belt, which can get stretched out over time. If "character" excites you and the thought of a "project" brings you joy at thought of hours in the garage, inspecting capacitors and cleaning connectors then you will fit right in here. In most cities, finding an electronics or audio nerd isn’t too difficult using local listing sites. Here are classic components that we audio nerds swear by, and a few tips on what to look for when buying old-school equipment. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. Here's How to Fix It, 7 Ways to Free Up Storage Space on Google Photos, iMac Is Due To Receive Its First Design Upgrade Since 2012, The Most Common Wi-Fi Standards and Types, Explained, Samsung Finally Announces the Galaxy S21 Series of Phones, The Fairphone 3 is an Affordable, Ethical, Sustainable Must-Have. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. In fact you'll be hard pressed to find a silver-faced 1970s model that weighs less than 5 KG, and that might end up costing more in postage than the final auction price. We service 70's or newer . Unlike TVs, computers, or other electronics, stereos that produce lifelike audio haven't changed too much in a few decades. Vintage stereo receivers are designed with practical knobs and buttons that adjust sound volume and frequencies. Limit the competition by looking for used items, within your locale, that specify pick up only. Sell Your Hi Fi. Are you looking for decent home audio? eBay has a lot of categories that can fit an amplifier, so be sure to check in "Receivers" and "Hi-Fi Systems" as well as "Amplifiers". These cables will last a lifetime. You then need to buy seven speakers and a separate sub-woofer and find somewhere to put them. The receiver is the part of the sound system that is responsible for broadcasting the signal to the speakers. Speakers are the most important link in the chain, and a good amp will still sound bad with if the speakers aren't up to scratch (though the opposite is also true). In the ’70s, all those millions of Advents, EPIs, JBLs and ARs blasting out Allman Brothers, the Who, Jimi and CSN&Y in beer-drenched, smoke-filled (never mind what kind!) Most finds will just work straight away, but if a speaker needs a repair, the job is usually very basic. For the money you put in, an old amp has the potential to provide way more bang for your buck than a modern active speaker system. The bombproof Technics SL-1200 is the workhorse favored by hip-hop and techno DJs. One thing that analogue amplifiers don't know what to do with is a digital signal. Test Equipment (20) Tonearms (5) Tubes (147) Tuner Preamps (3) Tuners (38) Turntables (59) Video Equipment (3) Help Wanted: Utility Player Career opportunity with a relaxed, slow growing, long established audio company. The vintage amplifier market can be very kind to you if you keep an eye out for a bargain. Year of release, retail price, private party value, trade-in value and our own Agon Average, which uses Audiogon's proprietary market data to determine the recommended real market value.

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