How old is to Old ?

There was a thread not so long ago asking whats the oldest piece of kit you are using, for reference my oldest is about 10-15 years old.

What I was wondering is How old is to Old ?

Some of 70/80s wiring is a scary to look at, but is it still safe ! and how long can we expect electrical things to last ?

I know TT should pretty much last forever, but things like amps (solid state) and speakers.

Any thoughts would be greatly received.

Thanx

 

I routinely use a Leak Troughline II and Leak Stereo 20 that are older than I am, which is saying something.

-- Ian

 

Who knows? Internal wiring's probably safer than the flex going INTO the box in question as it doesn't move around too much, but caps and such go off with age. Certainly, Naim amps are supposed to be serviced every 10 years...

My oldest component is my 1972 Akai CR81D 8track cartridge recorder. The flex on it is evil, but I've not replaced it yet. It still works well - not bad for 32 years old, with 10 of those until 1998 spent in a cupboard (I acquired it in 1998).

 

My oldest compoment is a Rotel premap from about 1989 which I use as a switchbox and as a high quality phono stage my turntable.

Most of my sisters systems dates back to the 1970s and ealry 80;s.

 

My oldest componants are the Ditton 66/2 speakers, which are getting on for 25 years old.
They've never had the cone rubber changed (or the drivers removed), and they sound pretty darned good to me (but then I'm a deaf old ex-muso soundman)
I've also got a pair of 70s Kef Cadenza speakers, which I demonstrated to a m8 t'other day against his standmount Tannoy somethingorothers. The conclusion we came to was that big old floorstanders wipe the floor with modern standmounts (can't beat a generalisation!)

 

I've still got a Goodmans cassette deck I bought in 1974. Now I know Goodmans doesn't sound very impressive, but this is a badged deck made by Nakamichi. I'm regretting having sold the Linn LP12 I bought in 1974 for £64!!!

 

I use a Chapman 306 stereo valve amp in my second system at my other house. I'm not sure how old it is but its no doubt older than I am! (18) Probably over twice that!

 

Pioneer SA-408 amplifier (2 x 20W) purchased in January 1980, still in daily use. The volume pot is a bit scratchy, though.

B&W DM14 speakers, manufactured in 1983, got them second-hand in 1987.


Regards,

L.

 

I know this ins't Hifi, but i have an old video machine Panasonic Used most days bought 1988

 

My Quad 33/303 and my Rogers LS3/5As are each 25 years old and still going strong.

 

I have the following
Akai getto blaster 1986, works ok
jvc tape deck 1970's,works ok
arcam cd player 1990, works ok
atc active speakers 1995, works ok
denon amp 1990, works ok
cyrus cd 1996, works ok (although went back to cyrus in 2002 repair cost 50.00)
pioneer speakers, big, 4 drivers, 1970's? sounds like you're in a night club, still ok!
my mate still has a technics CD I sold him in 1990 that was about 3 yrs old.
In fact I can't remember throwing anything out because it was knackered

In dec 2003 spent over 2 grand on toshiba widescreen tv, dvd (with hard drive) & vcr.
jan 2004 dvd faulty back to toshiba for 3 weeks, also returned twice more
during 2004 becaues of faults, to be fair they did extend the warranty by
3 months "WOW". The vcr went faulty summer 2004 and was replaced.
But now the TV has developed a fault 2 months out of warranty. the
dealer who I bought it from doesn't want to know. They suggested
I write a nice letter to Toshiba and maybe they will repair it free of
charge.

They don't make 'em like they used to!!!!!!!!!!


have had a letter from Toshiba they are going to repair the TV F.O.C

 

a pair of Celestion Ditton 15s (bought new in 1976) still doing duty in dining room, and Pioneer SX450 receiver (same purchase) seems to please daughter.

 

- Oracle Delphi, Koetsu Black - 1984 or so (fettled, cleaned, refurbished at various times)
- Technics ST3500 Tuner - 1977 ish - used daily (stereo bulb blown, otherwise perfect working order)
- Meridian 101 preamp (as a signal bufffer to a 2nd system) 1980 ish
- Complete B&O system (901 receiver, 1202 tt, S22 speakers) used as 2nd system (and computer amp/speakers) mid 70's, bought 2nd hand from charity shop for £25, but foam now going on woofers so need repair

- and a friend of mine has a set of Quad II/22s from the late 50's (so just a bit older than me) completely untouched/repaired apart from one (I think) replacement valve

I also have in full working order a NAD 7210 receiver from '82 or so

However, I also have the following collection awaiting repair (and their presence not greatly appreciated by my wife):
- Lecson AC1 (no power)
- Lecson AP3 (1 channel blown - I shorted it as I was reassembling it)
- the Meridian 101 has a faulty phono stage in 1 channel - not a problem as a buffer amp
- Nakamichi 600 cassette
- Cambridge Audio P60 (late 70's)

To be fair, bits do go wrong and need reparing, but I'd never hesitate buying old kit that was good in its day (cause it's still good now). From all the kit I've got now, the only bits of hifi I've bought new were:
- Koetsu Black
- Cambridge Audio P60
- Technics Tuner
Everything else, including the rest of my system not otherwise listed here, is all 2nd hand or ex-dem or graded (or bankrupt stock in the case of the Lecsons). I see no benefit in paying extra for something shiny new, when the greates kit from 4-5 years ago is half list price

 

Being used regularly:

amps:
A&R A60 / SA60 (1979)
Nytech CTA252XDII / CXA252
Creek CAS4040

speakers:
IMF TLS-80
ARC 050
ARC 101
RAM 100

sounds good to me.......!

 

I have a pair of speakers over 25 years old and they sound very good to me.

 

I have numerous sets of 25-30 year old KEF speakers, 20+ year old Nak cassette deck, 28 year Rotel amp, 25 year old Sony reel to reel, 10+ year old pre and power Naim amps, and 10+ year old Rega deck. The Rotel did need a new pot but other than that no problems.
Terry

 

Lots of stuff from the late 70s here still sounding mint.