The small speaker, priced at about $550 per pair, possesses a magic that well exceeds its price. The TC-50 was nothing short of a miracle when introduced at the 1983 CES convention. Pass is even known to crack a smile when this model is mentioned in conversation. But spare parts are available, and there are a few people that specialize in restoring this classic. Many years later, it only takes a few shots of scotch for publisher Jeff Dorgay to wax poetic about the one he owned in the 80s.Ī cursory look inside reveals a beefy power supply that will no doubt need some TLC. One hundred watts of pure class A power with the coolest power indicators you’ll ever see. Not the first class-A power amplifier from amplifier shaman Nelson Pass, but believed by many to be one of his best. If you do take the plunge, again, call the manufacturer to find out if it still stocks transport mechanisms. This means that a used CD player will probably be destroyed when it gets shipped. Earlier transports usually used some kind of transit screws to secure the mechanism, and chances are high that along the line, they were lost. Who knows more about your preamp than the company that made it?ĬD players are the one component that you should avoid obtaining in used condition. A quick call to the manufacturer will prove telling. Keep in mind that professional shops specialize in particular brands of gear and remain devoted to repair and refurbishment. Also, never buy used vintage gear that has been “modified.” Most modders are hacks at best and idiots at worst. For some reason, cats love to urinate in warm places. If the gear isn’t full of hair, chances are high that a kitty peed in the amplifier at least once, especially if it has vacuum tubes. Speaking from personal experience, never buy anything from a cat owner. That way you have a much better idea of the care given to a piece of gear over the years. Some companies (ARC, CJ, and McIntosh in particular) are fully committed to refurbishing and even rebuilding their older products, realizing the value in snagging brand loyalty via the secondary market. It’s tough to find knobs, faceplates, and such for 20-40 year-old amplifiers. Almost anything that’s electronic can be rebuilt, but cosmetics are always expensive, if available at all. And here’s another tip from the car guys: Always buy the best example you can find cosmetically. So how does one go about searching for deals? While there are some incredibly cool amplifiers from McIntosh and Marantz that are both highly coveted and worth the quest, they are becoming as rare as a nice, unmolested Porsche 356-and their prices continue to rise. Most of the technology hasn’t changed much in the last 30 years, so a nice pair of Mark Levinson ML-2s or an Audio Research SP-3 are still darn good investments.įinally, in keeping with this issue’s budget theme, nothing on this list costs more than $1,500. Many of those $6,000 amplifiers from the mid 80s that are only $1,200 today represent some of the best bargains going. Yes, like vintage sports cars, vintage hi-fi gear will need repairs: It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. One of the most enjoyable parts of building a system around vintage gear is that used pieces are often accompanied by a great story, either from the seller or the company that ends up doing the repairs. And a product must be a bonafide audio component. Also, we favor products that work well with other equipment and are somewhat universal in nature. That said, there are a few exceptions on the list. with the following guidelines.įirst, we prefer products made by a major manufacturer, meaning that you can still get repairs or, at least, parts. To make the hit to everyone’s ego easier to bear, we’ll define the parameters that make one amplifier more worthy than another, etc. There’s no better way to start an argument between audiophiles than to make a “best of” list.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |