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Post by MartinT on Aug 10, 2023 6:28:00 GMT
So what has proven itself to be so trusty and well performing that you're still using it (not stored in a cupboard)?
In my case, the oldest component still in service are my speakers. I bought the Usher Dancer Be-20s in May 2008 from Audio Affair, making them 15 years old now. Crazy! I bought them as my 'end game' speakers and they show no signs of being usurped. Definitely the hi-fi purchase of my life.
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Post by palace on Aug 10, 2023 6:58:55 GMT
So what has proven itself to be so trusty and well performing that you're still using it (not stored in a cupboard)? In my case, the oldest component still in service are my speakers. I bought the Usher Dancer Be-20s in May 2008 from Audio Affair, making them 15 years old now. Crazy! I bought them as my 'end game' speakers and they show no signs of being usurped. Definitely the hi-fi purchase of my life. In my case, the oldest component still in service are my speakers. I bought the One Thing Audio Quad 57,s in 2013 of the Bay, they were originally made by Quad in 1968 still fitted with the original Bulgin sockets (new leads, 3 amp fuse's in plug) making them 55 years old now. Now that is Crazy! I bought them as my 'end game' speakers and they show no signs of being usurped. Definitely the hi-fi purchase of my life. Please forgive the plagiarism it is much better phrasing than I could muster. I should/could also include my Transcriptor built in 1971/2, DC modified Michell badged Hydraulic Reference turntable received as a present in 1973 Definitely the hi-fi gift of my life. |
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Post by ChrisB on Aug 10, 2023 7:24:01 GMT
So what has proven itself to be so trusty and well performing that you're still using it (not stored in a cupboard)? Oldest piece of kit you use? ....or Piece of kit you've owned and used for the longest time? Not necessarily the same thing. If it's the former, it's my Radford STA15, dating from circa 1962. Acquired by me in about 1995 For the latter, it would be one of my Zeta tonearms from circa 1982, but acquired by me in 1989 Different again, would be the oldest item I bought new and still use - my Gyrodec, bought in 1991. |
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Post by MartinT on Aug 10, 2023 8:11:04 GMT
Oldest piece of kit you use? . . For the latter, it would be one of my Zeta tonearms from circa 1982, but acquired by me in 1989. Probably this, but I didn't think the question through  So that means the Zeta has been in your system for 34 years. Impressive! |
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Post by palace on Aug 10, 2023 8:57:39 GMT
Oldest piece of kit you use? . . For the latter, it would be one of my Zeta tonearms from circa 1982, but acquired by me in 1989. Probably this, but I didn't think the question through So that means the Zeta has been in your system for 34 years. Impressive! I forgot to point out in my earlier entry my Hydraulic reference has been in my system since 1973 so that's 50 years ok different arm board of 9mm thick Duralumin fitted 1973, oak cone feet again 1973, carbon impregnated PTFE pad's in the gold mounts as well as Maxon DC motor & controller. 3 different arms SME, Syrinx 2, currently Hadcock 242 silver plus the plus being one of Len Gregory's pure silver phono leads. Not quite "triggers broom" as the basic turntable & fitments have remained as original. I know the extra large paving stone that I cut to size for the Hydraulic Reference to sit on was laid in the 1920's I saw it standing against a couple of pile's of pavers as I drove past a demolition site, I bunged the demolition foreman a £5 note in 1973 for it. carried it 75 yards & put it in the rear of my Scimitar GTE. I forgot my Leak Troughline Stereo made first in 1966ish which I bought from Len Gregory in 1998 in about 2000 Len contacted Tim de Paravicini to fit one of his/Wireless World Stereo Decoders though he had not sold them for a while done as a favour, it returned a very different beast. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 10, 2023 9:20:03 GMT
If I can include my Mana 4 shelf rack...
Mid 80s
If not my TAD E1 speakers. 2016. Yesterday then
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 10, 2023 10:20:29 GMT
I have a pair of Chario speakers that I use for TV duties, these are from the 90's.
My Sonus Fabers (2018) are the oldest in the main system - all of my vintage gear went when I moved to digital. I have kept my MRM Source turntable (1980's) but it has been in its box for a long time now.
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Post by Slinger on Aug 10, 2023 12:48:14 GMT
After careful consideration, and much personal interrogation, I can state with a fair amount of certainty, that it's my ears. Yes. Definitely. It's my ears.  |
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Post by daytona600 on Aug 10, 2023 14:41:16 GMT
1979 Oracle Delphi Mk1 & 1973 SP10
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Post by nicholas on Aug 10, 2023 16:38:33 GMT
My custom Salk HT2-TL speakers have remained in place since March of 2013... so just over 10 years. LCY pure ribbon tweeters combine with Seas Excel W18 7' woofers and rigid transmission line cabinet to produce a excellent full range of sound reproduction. Here's a pic of the three in the front of the room just after setup. Two more reside in the back. 10 years... Whew, time flies!  |
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Post by ant on Aug 10, 2023 18:13:49 GMT
1979 jbe series 3 is in use, 1986 roksan xerxes is still in use, 1980 jvc ql-y5f is still in use. 1970s technics sl150 is in use along with an early mission 774 ive just rebuilt. A very early gl75 is also in use.
I bought the jbe in 2010 though so thats the thing ive had for the longest
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Post by MartinT on Aug 10, 2023 18:16:30 GMT
I lusted after a JBE at one time. Never did get one but should have instead of the sagging Roksan Xerxes I ended up with.
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Post by speedysteve on Aug 10, 2023 20:05:00 GMT
Oldest kit I use..
My Vitavox S2 1.5" throat compression drivers are from the late 50s. So around 65 years old.
Serial numbers confirm it.
They have been refurbed by Vitavox in Bristol, but the main attributes remain the same, Alinco magnets recharged.
They sound bang up to date though.
No pipe and slippers!
Added: these drivers are still produced today and are used in the Vox Olympian mega system.
After that the JBL 2482 large format 2'" throat, 4" voice coil compression drivers are from the late 70s / early 80s. Also alnico mags.
These have a phenolic diaphragm.
SP-10 mk2 is pretty old. 1970 to 1987 manufacture span.
Still rock solid. Built like a tank.
Fidelity Research FR64s tonearm was made between 1978 to 1985.
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Post by petea on Aug 10, 2023 20:47:54 GMT
My Rega Ela speakers were bought new in 1989 along with the Exposure cables and are still in my system and going strong. I bought a spare pair a few years back just in case, but have never needed them.
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Post by brettj on Aug 11, 2023 10:57:20 GMT
My amp I bought in 2011.
A 2004 Perreaux R200i.
In my work system I alternate between my 1986 Plinius pre/power amp (bought new), and my A&R Cambridge A60 amp.
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Post by Mr Whippy on Aug 11, 2023 21:16:18 GMT
A pair of Sennheiser HD 424 headphones, sort of. Got them in '78. Used them for years untill one driver failed. Put them away for sometime. Enquired the cost of a replacement and it was £14, but didn't bother. Years later, enquired again and it was now £40, so didn't bother again. Next time I tried, they weren't available anymore.Decades later, trying to find headphones to use with my Technics SL-P1200 directly, I tried a few. A German eBay seller was selling reconditioned 424s at a fair price, so I got a pair. Worked great with the cd player. Some time later, someone on eBay was selling a faulty pair with only one driver working.I got them and put the working driver in my pair. And now I have two pairs. So, strictly speaking, they haven't been in continuous use.
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Post by Slinger on Aug 11, 2023 22:16:02 GMT
I suppose I'd better make an "honest" answer. A pair of Celestion DL4 Series 2 speakers that I've got hooked to to my SMSL Q5 Pro (along with a 6" sub) for PC sound duties. I've had them from new. |
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Post by orange55 on Aug 12, 2023 6:26:21 GMT
Well in 2018 I sold nearly all of my system which was based around Tag McLaren kit and Linn speakers. The Tag stuff was around 16 years old at that point. I thought the Linn speakers, which were only a few years old, were the last speakers I would buy. That’s wasn’t to be the case.
My philosophy is that anything I listen to or watch I want in the highest possible quality, whether it is hires streams from Qobuz or watching Sky News, and my system reflects that. I have explained this while I get to the two items that did make it over and remain in my system with a current duration of 12 years.
It’s my Russ Andrew’s upgraded Sky HD box and the Chord Signature Tuned Array coax cable that feeds the sound from it into my processor. Now is that stretching the limits on the term ‘HiFi Kit’?
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bencat
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Post by bencat on Aug 12, 2023 8:25:28 GMT
My pair of Quad ESL57 were made in 1959 and have been refurbished by AQuadthing Audio in 2018 . Still playing and not moving anytime soon as they sound superb right now best I have ever heard .
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Post by Tim on Aug 13, 2023 14:59:26 GMT
In use, all be it infrequently, the oldest is a Technics 1210 MK2 from Dec 1998, which I purchased in 2018. My Rega amp and DAC are from 2011 and in daily use - I did recently do an extended home trial of a Cambridge Audio Evo 150, which for functionality and usability was absolutely brilliant, but I really didn't care for how it sounded. Bested on all fronts for my tastes by the Rega duo.
Oldest not in use but plan to use again at some point, a Quad 405-2 and Quad 34 from the early 80s. Both in superb nick and boxed up in storage.
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