Vintage Pro Audio Equipment
With technology changing rapidly, it can be hard to know what the best choice is when it comes to finding audio equipment with all the state-of-the-art features. But the truth is, you can find high-quality vintage pro audio equipment at a fraction of the price without compromising on sound quality or aesthetics. Realistic pro audio equipment from the 1960s until the early 1990s comes with a lot of character built in, and may provide you with a lot more value than a modern active speaker system that something more advanced will soon surpass.
What Should I Look For When Purchasing Vintage Audio Equipment?
If you're building yourself a home audio setup with vintage equipment, the first pieces you need to look for are an amplifier and a pair of speakers. You can use your computer, TV, smartphone or MP3 player as the source audio, but may need to purchase a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). If you want to expand further, you can also look for a vintage turntable or old tuners, as well as pro audio piezoes or crystal microphone systems.
Should I Focus On the Aesthetics or Electronic Condition of Vintage Pro Audio Equipment?
Some vintage pro audio equipment you find is going to require work to refurbish the aesthetics to their original condition. So if you're not wanting to spend too much, search for equipment that is in top condition physically over electronic perfection.
Should I Buy Solid-State Amplifiers or Valve Amplifiers?
Many prefer valve amplifiers for their warm sound and higher dynamic range, as well as a roundness to the sound that solid-state amplifiers don't achieve. Valve amplifiers tend to be fussier about the speaker to which you match them, so you need to take this into account when purchasing your vintage pro audio equipment. While solid-state amplifiers may have a more brittle sound, they run cooler and require less maintenance than valve amplifiers and offer superior sound quality to cheap PC speakers. They are also easier to transport than valve amplifiers.