Vintage vs Modern stereo cost comparison - Is Vintage a value compared to Modern?

Is a vintage stereo system too costly? How does the cost of a collectible vintage system compare to the cost of a modern stereo system?

In this video, I put together an example vintage stereo system and compare the value of it to equivalent modern components.

Correction: The graphic depicting the Polk SDA 2 as being a 3 way is a typo, it should have been denoted as a 2 way with passive radiator.

I am a long time collector of vintage stereo gear like receivers, speakers, amps, turntables and cassette decks from brands like McIntosh, Sansui, Pioneer, Yamaha, Klipsch, JBL, Marantz and many others. Be sure to subscribe so as not to miss future videos.

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[Oldcrow]

Your numbers are spot on.
I picked up a Yamaha CR1020 on Craigs in N. California for 600.00
Had its lights replaced with blue led and recapped for 650.00
It’s driving my Legacy protege 98db 4 ohm beautifully.
I bought it part nostalgia as I had a CR 1000 back in the day driving Norman Labs. I grew up in Norman Ok in 70’s and always regretted selling it when I moved west.
I had been running my Jolida tube amp that was new old stock and when I hooked up the Yamy, I was doing my happy dance.
Punch, definition, air, soundstage and the thing that is it’s claim to fame. Natural un colored yet smooth sound.
I then acquired a Yamaha CDX 1030 vintage CD player that had been refurbished. Together they are making beautiful music.
I’ll be selling the Jolida now.

[bevo]

Well done. There's also another factor if you're old enough: nostalgia. For those of us who lived in the 70s (the Golden Age!) and lusted after that equipment as youngsters, it can bring back a very happy vibe. Thank you!

[chrygore]

One thing that your video does not address is that you can go into a modern stereo store and spend $8000 on an integrated amplifier turntable and speakers combination but what will you have in five or 10 years? I would argue that that system that you purchased today would only be worth 25 to 40% of the retail value that you originally purchased it for. If you spent $2000 on a vintage system with the gear that you showcased or many others, potentially your system is worth at least still $2000, but, I would argue, may appreciate in value. To me, I would never buy new gear because, on average, it’s typically going to go down in value. Amplifier technology hasn’t changed. Analogue turntable technology has not changed. For the most part speaker technology hasn’t changed. We’re not talking about CDs or streamers. Vintage audio is a far better investment than purchasing new not to mention the quality of the switches and the knobs and a quarter inch thick face plate. Modern companies can’t afford to do these things like they could in the 70s.

[arnoldschloss]

As the original owner of a vintage Sansui 5050 receiver, I totally agree these were/are fantastic pieces of equipment- however, we need to keep in mind that most of these products are electronic pieces approaching a half-century old, meaning anything can fail at any time, and then must be repaired/restored by a competent electronics tech, let alone finding one locally willing to do the repair. Second, even purchasing a "fully restored" unit on the open market- how would you know the quality of previous repair work and/or restoration that was performed on the unit? Simply said, there are a lot of risks in owning and acquiring units that are decades old. The best scenario is finding one in excellent cosmetic and working condition from an original owner, with the knowledge of the service history - if possible!

[dontcare]

Sound quality has improved on most equipment over the years. I grew up in the 60-70's and owned many vintage items. Prices however have skyrocketed even when inflation is calculated. Also, Extreme hifi equipment we have now such as $700K Speakers and electronics in the several hundreds of thousands of dollars didn't really exists back then! With that being said you can still buy new equipment that sounds better than vintage for not that much money if you really want. Vintage equipment will have the issues with age, and most will have to be worked on. Most older people like myself have bad memories and are nostalgic about the vintage sound and equipment but it didn't sound better! If you put your vintage gear side by side with modern well selected value gear of today that is equivalent in price with inflation the new system will sound better!

[TheAgeOfAnalog]

I picked up my CR-1020 last year from one of my record store customers for $550. It was professionally restored back in 2014 for the price of $425, so I got a hell of a deal. It sounds great and only has one very small nink in the faceplate. The speaker selector, tone contrails, pre loop, and stereo selector offer a lot of flexibility.

[danielcaswell]

I have both a vintage and a modern system. Both are solid but sound very different. I love my Vintage setup but it can't do what the new stuff can. The imaging, clarity, detail in new gear is amazing. Vintage has that romantic tonality. Both are great just different.

[crimsonghost]

This is a good subject. You put it all into perspective very well too. I have a mix of both new and vintage. I like it all but a remote is always good. I think I bought my vintage gear at great prices and much of it sounds better than the modern gear I have tried. I think one would have to spend a substantial amount to better some vintage gear.

[JoeJ-]

I actually have a pair of those exact same Polk Audio SDA-2 speakers myself. I was lucky enough to find them at one of my local thrift stores for $25/pair! (They were asking $50/pair for them, but I negotiated lower because one of them had a damaged grill.)

I have fully restored them along with rebuilding the crossovers with all modern polypropylene capacitors and better quality resistors and inductors too, along with better terminals, internal damping material, and other minor improvements, so now they most likely sound even better than when they were brand new, and they are absolutely beautiful sounding now!

I wish I had one of those Yamaha amps you have there too, but oh well, I find whatever I find at my local thrift stores and such, on a regular basis, so I do pretty good. My stereo system is probably worth about 10 times as much as I've actually paid for it all over the years, because I know a great deal when I see it, and I never buy anything brand new, especially not nowadays with everything being made in China to usually rather crappy quality standards! Vintage audio is definitely the way to go for the best value for money spent, especially if you have the knowledge and ability to fix or improve most things yourself!

[bradalgra]

Thanks Scott for the video. I've had Onkyo and Yamaha systems in the 80's-90's and I just bought my first vintage receiver locally, last week. A Yamaha CR 1020, that was recently re-capped and LEDed. Immaculate shape! $650. The seller was aware of others for double online. He was not interested in making a bunch of money . Lucky me! Also, found a set of Advent New Large speakers, in beautiful condition, that were re-foamed and sound wonderfull. $400. Your videos have educated me in so may areas, and I look forward to many years of enjoyment out of my "new" system. On the look out for a good turntable at the moment. Thanks again

[richardwhite]

What a great video!!! As far as I am concerned, I would always choose Vintage over brand new. The quality is better and I have read over and over in articles online that Vintage audio equipment sounds better, then new. I am not sure if that is true, but, it sounds like it would be true. I really enjoy your audio videos. Very Interesting

[waynehatton]

Many many moons ago I purchased new a Quad 405 with a 44, a Linn Sondek LP 12 turntable with an Ittok arm and Rogers JR 149 speakers. I've never looked back. They all still sound sweet! Prices now are insane.

[KstoneCreator]

Nicely done. Like many, I have a vintage/2000s setup - so even my new gear is ~ 20 yrs old. I agree completely with this evaluation, and with commenters below who see vintage performance on par with at least medium/high end of today.

[jb.]

Really enjoyed the comparison Scott. Thank you!

[jpaleas]

You had me at LOL
Great comparison in equipment and price !
Vintage (in good shape)sounds just as good as new and looks better in my opinion and of course more affordable.
Yamaha has kept the look as well as the sound very consistent past to present.
I’ve also noticed that a lot of newer equipment of several brands is starting to reproduce the vintage look with
Silver facing and wood casing! Leak, Nad etc.

[adaboyz]

If you can find vintage really cheap and it's fully functional, vintage for me. I've been lucky with speakers, receivers, and turntable.

[MichaelYates]

Nice comparison. There certainly is some bargains buying vintage units either high end like in this video or very low budget units

[hunkydorian]

Here's what you need to know: If the amplifier uses discrete transistors, it will probably sound pretty good. If it uses those hybrid blocks it probably won't. That's the most important thing if you're comparing solid-state consumer stuff like this.

[dantev.]

Good Video, I have always found price comparisons between vintage and new equipment interesting. It always puts into perspective what the vintage gear should be compared to today. For instance, I own a JVC R-X500b receiver from the early 1980's. (great by the way) It was JVC's top model at the time and its MSRP was $650 when new. If adjusted for inflation for 2023 that receiver would cost $1900 give or take. It never fails to amaze me how inexpensive you could buy (some) gear like this now, compared to new, and it also gives a great point of comparison for todays gear. Thanks for the videos as always.

[MrRonnmaui]

Excellent analysis! You are so right. Vintage stuff is very cool, but does have restoration cost. I bought a Luxman L100 used for $1, 200 but cost me another $1, 500+ to restore it. But sounds great!!