Vintage Audio Gear Buyers Guide

Have you ever wondered what was good to buy as far as vintage audio equipment was concerned? It can be confusing. After all, there is a ton of it out there, mostly used, and it can be hard to find equipment that you can rely on and trust. However, there are a few things to look for, and remembering a few basic things can really help you select the proper gear and avoid getting ripped off on gear that isn’t very good, or in very good condition.

Remember that there are three major things to look for as far as audio equipment, and those are range, power, and distortion. Vintage audio gear is famous for its dynamic range, quality power, and lack of distortion. In fact, many people believe that the worst distortion occurs in digital form on a CD. This is because vinyl and mediums like it hide the flaws in a round about way covering them with richness and fullness of tone instead of raw digital edgy chaos.

Vintage speakers are great.  Especially if your looking for high efficiency speakers, full range speakers, or Alnico speakers.   Make sure you confirm that the speakers in working condition, because they are usually very difficult to repair.  If your buying vintage I would not worry about cabinet blemishes as they shouldn't impact sound.

Many say that turntables provide the best representation of music. Good turntables and records will truly give back more than you spend on them if you appreciate great sound. You should snatch these up if you find them in good condition.

If you can get your hands on them, reel to reel players and tape are amazing. Brands to look for are Teac, Pioneer and Sony. They might be cumbersome, large, and hard to move, but they will make up for it when you listen to the high quality tape they utilize.

Also, remember to check on what kind of damage the vintage unit has before casting your bid. Remember that the unit in question is probably 30+ years old, so forget about the manufacturer having what you need to fix it up! You can acquire some things like lights and knobs from online dealers, but you can expect to pay a pretty penny sometimes over $10 for a single knob! Also remember that things like a beat up case are hard to fix you can, however, replace hardwood cases pretty easily, as if you care to spend the money you can have one custom built.

And always remember to check prices. Don’t get taken advantage of by paying more than the item is worth! Vintage gear is not rare enough to break the bank on, unless you just come across something super rare. So, exercise good judgment, and don’t dump money into something that is not worth it.