HiFi sound. Which do you think sound better?

[domwilson]

What do you guys think sound better? Old equipment or new equipment; What and why?

[RCprince]

33's and 45's

[domwilson]

why?

[bwells]

33's over 45's plus they have more stuff on them along with the scratches. 45's are going way back

[Ub Hauled]

I like the warmth of the Tube amps... sound so pretty!

[RCprince]

why?

it's a more sensual sound. Digital music sounds to artificial, to perfect and clean.

[domwilson]

I like the sound of vinyl. Older amps (before 1996) sound better to me as well.

[Flying Scotsman]

Tube/valve amps and preamps... modern turntables and arms with mc cartridges...sweet sound with great frequency range. You can not beat it

Douggie

[domwilson]

Alot of older speakers sound great too.

[785boats]

I still run an old set of Polk Audio Mk 7 speakers with a Harman Kardon Amp & a Rotel turntable. All bought in the late 70's or early 80's.
Sounds smoother & sweeter than a lot of modern setups I've heard.
More mellow with bright crisp highs & more depth in the midrange. And a bass that you can feel the vibrations of, not just a dull thump like some that I've heard.
Paul.

[domwilson]

The audio industry, for the more "popular brands" has resorted back to the marketing hype and strategies of the late 60's, early 70's. Overly enthusiastic specs and claims.
For example: CD's are supposed to have superior audio qualities to that of analog vinyl or tape. SACD's have audio quality approaching the clarity and definition of analog. So which is it?

Since 1997 the way amplifier output is measured has changed. It used to be RMS power output, both channels driven, across a certain frequency range. Now it is 1 channel driven at whatever frequency (usually 1khz). So that home theater receiver that boasts 120 watts per channel? Probably 75-80 watts in reality. But this also depends on the design, manufacturer, etc. With audio these days, the old saying definitely applies, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." No pun intended.

[785boats]

You're right there Dom. They measure in Peak power because it sounds so much more than R.M.S.
The wife recently bought one of those turntables that allow you to download a record into the computer & copy onto a CD.
It will be interesting to see if the copy maintains the original qualities of the record or loses the depth & warmth in the digital translation.
I must get it set up & give it a go.
Cheers.
Paul.

[Flying Scotsman]

The audio industry, for the more "popular brands" has resorted back to the marketing hype and strategies of the late 60's, early 70's. Overly enthusiastic specs and claims.
For example: CD's are supposed to have superior audio qualities to that of analog vinyl or tape. SACD's have audio quality approaching the clarity and definition of analog. So which is it?

Since 1997 the way amplifier output is measured has changed. It used to be RMS power output, both channels driven, across a certain frequency range. Now it is 1 channel driven at whatever frequency (usually 1khz). So that home theater receiver that boasts 120 watts per channel? Probably 75-80 watts in reality. But this also depends on the design, manufacturer, etc. With audio these days, the old saying definitely applies, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." No pun intended.

An interesting statement many tube amps of that era with low RMS per channel would easily outperform and drive difficult speaker loads than many touted transistor amps. Car amp specs...do not get me started. I have CD, SACD and believe me a good vinyl system is the way to go. MP3 and likes, no comment!

Douggie

[Flying Scotsman]

The real point here is most new mediums and distributors of audio compress the original source. That is why your FM, satellite radio, MP3, TV, sound is less than stellar. It also applies to video, that HD TV signal is also compressed.

Douggie

[domwilson]

Tube amps are more stable driving low impedance loads and don't clip as hard as transistors do. Even with the high compression of todays entertainment formats, when played on older amps/receivers sound noticeably better. I took a Ipod and hooked it up to my home theater reciever and it wasn't as detailed. Then I used the same ipod, same speakers, and hooked it up to a older receiver and the sound difference was very noticeable. It sounded clearer, with more definition on the older unit.