So how old is your "oldest" component?

I've got a vintage system (all components I believe are from the late 50's to early 60's) that consists of a McIntosh MR67 tubed tuner, a custom built EL84 amp that was inspired by the Pilot Corp and uses the output transformers from an old Pilot amp, driving a pair of Old British Wharfedale W60's that I use in my den. Sounds "vintage" in a good way when listening to violin/cello sonatas, small jazz combos, and singer songwriter type music via the local public radio stations. Completely different from my reference system but still very enjoyable to listen to.

Here is a photo of the custom amp…I'll have to look for some of the speakers and tuner.


0581299-R1-006-1A_001.jpgP8011409.JPG
 
If you want to talk old, let's talk old. I have a 1928 RCA Radiola model 60 console tube radio.
 
I actually think of myself as my oldest component.

But, as with many, my record player, The VPI model 19 Mark 4 (updated from my Mark 3) along with my SMe 309 tonearm is probably my oldest. But there may be a tie. Both are from the late 1980s.
vpi_19iii.jpgsme 309 3 full length.jpgTuner.jpg

I have the Day Sequerra FM Reference Tuner from the same era. It was updated in 1999 and I understand there is a new update available. Sadly I don’t listen to it much; my favorite radio stations are gone. No Jazz, no Classical. My radio listening is now through Sonos where I can go out of the area.
 
image.jpg

My Infinity RS IIa speakers. All original from ~1983. In my future two channel room...:blush: Soon to be replaced with much newer speakers...vintage 1989 Betas!:peace:
 
Well i know that i am vintage ( 1945 ) but are my 1984 Acoustat model 1+1 old enough to be called vintage.

PS: They have been modified in 2012 - 2013 :audiophile:

Acoustat 1+1 01.jpg
 
DSCI0392.JPGDSCI0394.JPG
attachment.php
University S6 Master Series From Atomic Warehouse.jpg

The 2nd oldest (shown in the first 3 pics) are a used pair of late 50s/early 60's 12" Coaxial Pioneer drivers (that look very much like some Bauer Klangfilm WIGO-like drivers I've seen on ebay and in internet searches), soon to be experimented with in Open Baffle 'enclosures' (like a 'Basic Betsy' - I'll expand/interpolate the measurements for using a 12" driver instead of an 8")... Have tried on various audio sites to get someone/anyone who knows something/anything about these, but so far no info other than what was provided by the guy who I got them from ( and they are not PAX 30-A - at least not from pics I've found online...) ANYBODY THAT CAN PROVIDE SOME INFO? IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED!

BUT MY OLDEST COMPONENT is my pair of University Master Series S6 (3-way) lowboy-style speakers; bought used from a great vintage store - The Atomic Warehouse in Harrisburg Pa. - about 4 years ago. (YES - I drove there with a van and picked them up). I believe these were origionally available as a kit; (the story I was told is): they were made by a man in the Harrisburg area who owned an Audio Store - he used these in his home. One was made in the Mid-50s (for mono use), the 2nd sometime later when stereo entered the scene (although they are obviously a matched pair; - speakers are not mirror imaged). Wood Cabinets (I think they are Mahogany)...I origionally powered them with a tube preamp and low power (like 20 watts) Heathkit amp, then a Stromberg Carlson ASP 422 tube amp direct, then with a Macintosh MA 2105 direct, now with either an Onkyo A7 Integrated or a Wolze Line Level Tube Preamp and a Nikko DC Alpha 230... Beautiful Cabinets that rely Beautiful Sound.

ENJOY YOUR MUSIC.
 

Attachments

  • DSCI0397.JPG
    DSCI0397.JPG
    2.8 MB · Views: 133
Oldest audio component: my Cary preamp, which is 8 years old and still going strong.

Oldest video component: my Integra pre/pro, which is 9 years old and still flawless.
 
I was very interested in vintage gear ,gathered, bought , collected , restore and sold almost all my vintage ones.
I had a huge Western Electric collection , almost all Mc´s , Jbls and tube Marantz , several Tannoy and my prefered well beloved Nakamichi TX-1000 with SME limited gold edition tonearm . Will be adding some pics.

[IMG=http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x100q90/248/sdc10091.jpg][/IMG]



JBL 4350´s


JBL Olympus S8R components.
 
If speakers count...

In my bedroom system, a pair of Polk Monitor 5 "bookshelf" (yeah suuuuure they are big) speakers, quality control dates on the midwoofers 9/7/79...Is that old enough ? :)
 
Still in use, my Goldmund Reference turntable (bought used) is almost 30 years old, still in my main system.
My Yamaha NS1000M speakers (bought new) are probably a bit older, I can't remember exactly when I bought them, they are in my bedroom now.
My Proac EBS speakers (ebay) are in my study and probably about 32 now.
 
Probably my REL Precedent tube tuner. Or maybe my 1954 Western Electric 300b tubes. Though my Garrard 301tt is the same period.
 
Back
Top