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My input on a place to start would be to look at current manufacturers that were around 20 years ago, survived and are well-regarded today. If they survived and succeeded over the last 20 yrs., seems good odds they'll be around another 20. Opinions might vary, but I think McIntosh, Audio Research Corp. & Pass Labs should be on the list. There are no doubt others. |
If you liked it, I would think that your child would value it for that reason alone. There are many brands that make durable components, but even they will need maintenance after 20 years. |
e.g., any Tannoy with DC15 drivers, Wavelength Audio SET monoblock and Art Audio Jota HC amps. |
Tannoy Prestige range speakers. Even says that on their brochure - will become family heirlooms one day :) I tend to agree + they sure sound gorgeous.
Amps - Mcintosh. |
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Sunfire 2ch amps;
Krell KAV 400i;
AKG K702 headphones |
forgot to mention Technics 1200 mk2 that is out of production since 3 years ago. |
Consider a pair of vintage McIntosh or Marantz tube amps, if you can find a nice pair. You really can't go wrong with either. In any case it must be TUBES. Surely no SS amp 20 years or more hence will make the grade. There is just something about exposed tube gear that will always keep people intrigued thus maintaining and elevating their value. No speaker will have the physical allure or universal appeal a beautiful tube amp has. SS, forget it. Today's best will be superceded by tomorrows offerings and there is no visual attraction unless you consider the case which may have a "dated" appeal to some but still, heirloom quality? What could ever compete with the glow of a vacuum tube? It's always going to be cool and vogue and thus will maintain and increase in value.
Hey, want to buy an old Perreaux amp, about 25 years old. An old friend, who I haven't seen in years, dropped it off to me last Sunday knowing I'm into audio. He bought it many years back from his late audiophile brother-in-law who at the time upgraded to ARC gear. He can't get it fixed and thought I might want it. Thanks for thinking of me Alan, just what I need, a broken 25 year old SS amp. I guarantee it will make a great door stop. You think someone would ever use a McIntosh MC30 as a door stop? |
Whatever is considered "heirloom" quality today should be a good indicator of what it would be tomorrow (+20 years). |
IMHO.
Vienna Acoustics speakers.
JL Audio subwoofers.
EAR 834P.
McIntosh MC275.
Rega turntables. |
Great and commendable plan. Keep it simple! You don't know the extent to
which your child will want to play around with the technical or tweaky part of
the hobby. You don't want to overwhelm him/her; you want to promote an
appreciation for music and good sound. Personally, I would do great
sounding (and great looking) small speakers like Sonus Faber
"Guarnieris". You mentioned "nostalgia": make sure
nostalgia does not equal obsolescence; so, stick with companies that will
be around in twenty years. An Audio Research or Conrad Johnson tube
integrated amp (phono stage of course). Include a supply of
replacement tubes. And of course, a turntable. I am tempted to say LP12,
but simple is the goal. VPI Classic is a winner.
Whatever cartridge you choose, make sure you include at least one spare.
As far as digital goes, who knows what will be relevant in twenty years?
Leave that one to him/her. Good luck. Lucky kid! Good Dad! |
None are. Unless your children may want to display under glass, the relics of a bygone age.
Instill a love and appreciation of good music. That will last a lifetime. It will enrich their lives beyond measure.
NO equipment will withstand the march of technology and social change.
One member on audiogon, who is a lawyer, did a lot of estate stuff, once posted: you will be amazed how often one man's treasure is another man's junk.
My parents never had high end gear, but they left me with a love of music. Music was always in the house. Piano, records, and singing. I still thank them for that.
Cheers |
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"My parents never had high end gear, but they left me with a love of music. Music was always in the house. Piano, records, and singing. I still thank them for that."
Amen to that Rok2id, me too. |
NO equipment will withstand the march of technology and social change My 1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb still sounds darn great (many of you must know that that model IS substantially better than today's) and so is my 1977 Strat. The choices of musicians are still in that era. I'm sure sure that there something ALWAYS will be |
IMO a well preserved LP (ex. Blue Note, Columbia 6-eye, Mercury, etc.) of a great recording is a work of art- the cover design, the notes on the back, etc.
it's so satisfying to look at and read the cover information while getting into tbe
tracks. And don't forget the fold-out albums either, and ones that came with booklets, catalogs, "zippers"... |
What is considered an "heirloom" is a very personal thing. Not sure how to answer this usefully. Each family will have its own considerations regarding heirlooms. |
You want an Heirloom buy a Ferrari GTO or 1913 nickel. Audio equipment Isn't an heirloom. |
"Audio equipment Isn't an heirloom."
Maybe, for a family of audiophiles.
Is there such a thing? :^) |
I would like to speculate that someday when I go to the great listening room in the sky, my audio gear will become "family heirlooms" in that everyone in my family knows how fond I am of it and maybe that will encourage them to keep and use as heirlooms and not sell.
Plus it sounds pretty d--- good! Why would anyone not want to keep it (for free)? |
Mapman - I'd further speculate that it will be all LIVE music there with most in attendance actively participating. |
Ghost,
I hope so in that I do not anticipate taking my audio toys with me...
Will there be any Clever Clocks there, I wonder??? :^) |
Maybe "what will audiophile heaven be like" could be an interesting thread.
Also its companion thread about the other place.... |
"Everyone is trying to get to the bar
The name of the bar, the bar is called heaven
The band in heaven, they play my favourite song
Play it one more time, play it all night long
Heaven, heaven is a place, a place where nothing, nothing ever happens
Heaven, heaven is a place, a place where nothing, nothing ever happens
There is a party, everyone is there
Everyone will leave at exactly the same time
When this party's over, it will start again
It will not be any different, it will be exactly the same
Heaven, heaven is a place, a place where nothing, nothing ever happens
When this kiss is over it will start again
It will not be any different, it will be exactly the same
It's hard to imagine that nothing at all could be so exciting, could be this much fun
Heaven, heaven is a place, a place where nothing, nothing ever happens
Heaven, heaven is a place, a place where nothing, nothing ever happens" |
A place where nothing ever happens does not exist because exsisting is also happening. |
Simply Red, I believe. Suspect the actual place will be a lot better than his lyrics describe. |
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MAGICO MINI 2 and ROWLAND 8T amp. |
Is there a more maligned instrument than the accordion, Frogman? Do like the way David Hidalgo plays it, however. But we stray far from the OPs nobel quest.... |
Talking Head's version is the original. Byrne and Harrison the writers.
Many covers it seems, including Simply Red's.
VAC Phi Beta is heirloom quality eye candy. Jolida fx10 if one can't afford the VAC :-). |
Hands down any ProAc Tablette mini monitor and I still regret selling mine back in 2005 http://arcamadeus.simplesite.com/305336804
when I got fed up with constntly having to fiddle with the volume on my wayward Velodyne subwoofer and wanted a full range Meadowlark Shearwater transmission line speaker instead. |
Only 1 item. Stainless steel speaker spikes. Good for thousands of years ;) |
