Calling all Hi-Fi enthusiasts!

shopbot

I have a hi-fi seperates system that is about 10 years old. I'm still really happy with it and it does'nt give me any problems. In true MSE style I would'nt want to replace it unless I really had to. My question is: in terms of performance and sound quality how long do quality seperates last? I think we are all aware how quickly computers date.....what about Hi-Fi? Is there anything I can do maintenance wise to improve the sound quality and keep it at its best?

Thanks

Joe_Bloggs

I have a 27 year old Pioneer amp. It worked fine the last time I used it. The light bulbs that illuminated the power meters have gone. The circuitry inside was covered in dust. I got rid of it with a compressed air spray. Wear a dust mask and eye protection and try this outdoors. The design of this amp is spread out compared to modern integrated circuitry. It has never needed repair despite blowing fuses due to shorting the speaker cables together.

The things you might miss out on are SPDIF inputs, both coax and optical. It is not uncommon for digital sources such as TV settop box, DVD,Games console to have such outputs. The DVD films,DVD albums, games are often 5.1 channels plus. The only thing to handle these signals is an A/V amp and all those speakers. You get another remote control for all the functions of an A/V amp.

The biggest change in 10 years is likely to be in your ability to hear sounds. Especially if you have damaged your hearing due to persistant loud noise or an untreated ear infection. My mother lost her hearing in one ear and aquired tinnitus. Another thing that will have changed is the quality of any recorded source. These unfortunately deteriorate with use/handling. In the UK we have no legal right to make copies or any right to exchange old for new.

J_B.

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My 20 year old Technics amp is still working fine. I get the impression that things don't last quite so well these days. Cassette decks tend t require the most maintanence with head and capstan cleaning. The motors also can get less reliable. Certainly my cassette deck, which was bought at the same time, is not too good these days. I guess that things with moving parts last for a shorter time without maintanance.

blinky

14 Year old Nakamichi Tape Deck, Cyrus (Mission) Speakers, and Rotel CD Player are all going strong, although the Nakamichi is expensive to service. The Cyrus Amps (Cyrus Two + PSX) are still going strong too but I'm not sure of the age as I got them 2nd hand.

In addition downstairs we have a 25 year old Rega Planar 3, 27/28 year old Keesonic speakers, JVC amp and Pioneer tuner which don't see much action but all still work. The Pioneer tape deck lasted for about 19 years before the drive belts and motors gave in.

As other have pointed out mechnical things tend to be the ones that go, tape decks (mainly motors and belts), record decks (belts, styli) and on CD players the laser diode.

If you're happy with what you are hearing there's no point in spending any money.

T4i

Old amps are desirable for hi-fi enthusiasts as are old speakers. Old amps are known to go forever because they were built to last a long time. I'd love to own a valve amp as there now worth a damn lot of ££.

pealy

Some subscribe to the view that leaving your equipment switched on helps to extend its life because it doens't have to go through the warm-up cool-down cycle every time you use it.

Others consider this to be absolute nonsense..

Others think it's irresponsible to leave things switched on beacuse of the cost to the environment (and your pocket)

I'm not telling you which camp I'm in.

Joe_Bloggs

My old Amp is class 'A' in electronic terms. It consumes aroumd half maximum power when doing nothing. Electrical devices have become smarter. Many consumer orientated micro-processors/controllers can tick over consuming tens of millionths of an amp whilst still monitoring for the go signal from the consumer. It is upto the designers/manufacturers of the equipment to minimise energy wastage in standby and minimise any unreliability issues due to switching on and off/standby.
J_B.

T4i

pealy wrote:

Some subscribe to the view that leaving your equipment switched on helps to extend its life because it doens't have to go through the warm-up cool-down cycle every time you use it.

Others consider this to be absolute nonsense..

The same can be said about many other things. Motor Engines last longer if they are slowly warmed up. CPU's are said to last longer when computers are left on 24/7. I leave my amp on for a good hour before actualy using it.

blinky

Yep, dealers have told me to either leave it on all the time or to run the amps for an hour before using.

shopbot

Thanks everyone for your replies - very interesting.

My own tip is not a money saving one but I was really surprised by the difference it made to the sound quality. I changed the standard interconnects to high quality (and high price) ones but it really made a difference.

Another good move was mounting my speakers on proper stands filled with sand. I can barely lift them because of the volume of sand in them but the sound is great! :cool:

blinky

Decent interconnects and speaker cables to make a difference. The interconnects which are bundled are usually appauling.

I've never tried filling my speaker stands as I've had to dismantle them too often for moving.