How much interest in the vintage look?

Mike

Mike

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IMG_4157.jpegI absolutely love the look of the old Pioneer, Marantz, Sansui, etc receivers.

How much interest would you have in a company making classic looking receivers (integrated amps) today?
 
IMG_5559.webpThere sure is a lot of ugly HiFi stuff out there. And some stuff that is just weird.

I’ve restored an SX-1250 because I always wanted one. It is handsome in its own way. It was a fun project but at the end of the day it wasn’t for me and I sold it.

Would I buy something that looks like that today? No, not at all, I’m not particularly nostalgic.

I think the trick is to create pieces that are timeless, carrying forward some of the nostalgic 70’s look with more modern designs.

The MoFi preamp does this well, I think. A clean design with nostalgic analog meters.

I also like many of the Dieter Rams designs and some of the early B&O stuff
 
W9TR said:
View attachment 34828There sure is a lot of ugly HiFi stuff out there. And some stuff that is just weird.

I’ve restored an SX-1250 because I always wanted one. It is handsome in its own way. It was a fun project but at the end of the day it wasn’t for me and I sold it.

Would I buy something that looks like that today? No, not at all, I’m not particularly nostalgic.

I think the trick is to create pieces that are timeless, carrying forward some of the nostalgic 70’s look with more modern designs.

The MoFi preamp does this well, I think. A clean design with nostalgic analog meters.

I also like many of the Dieter Rams designs and some of the early B&O stuff
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Leak has some nice stuff. Luxman has a great classic looking line too.
 
Mike said:
Leak has some nice stuff. Luxman has a great classic looking line too.
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They do. Luxman has developed a design language that they have kept with for decades. It’s a clean timeless look. Leak’s newer stuff, 2020 onward, has a nice aesthetic.

And then, there is the love it or hate it McIntosh look. They have kept at it seemingly forever.
 
W9TR said:
View attachment 34828There sure is a lot of ugly HiFi stuff out there. And some stuff that is just weird.

I’ve restored an SX-1250 because I always wanted one. It is handsome in its own way. It was a fun project but at the end of the day it wasn’t for me and I sold it.

Would I buy something that looks like that today? No, not at all, I’m not particularly nostalgic.

I think the trick is to create pieces that are timeless, carrying forward some of the nostalgic 70’s look with more modern designs.

The MoFi preamp does this well, I think. A clean design with nostalgic analog meters.

I also like many of the Dieter Rams designs and some of the early B&O stuff
Click to expand...
I agree the MoFi is a good blending of classic and modern. I like the look. I would like it better if the meters were blue. Orange is my least favorite color for anything. In this case, the contrast is too strong.
 
I am getting a little tired of the overuse of VU meters in modern audio equipment. Is this suppose to harken the nostalgic emotions of the geriatric audiophiles? I can’t see shit from 10ft away from my audio rack.
 
nc42acc said:
I am getting a little tired of the overuse of VU meters in modern audio equipment. Is this suppose to harken the nostalgic emotions of the geriatric audiophiles? I can’t see shit from 10ft away from my audio rack.
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You need bigger meters. ;)
 
For my home theater, I have suggested replacing the Mac equipment (with those big blue meters) several times - she sez no way. So, I think there is a big market out there for appearance, especially the vintage stuff.
 
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