Old vs. New

Isn't the Rega Saturn supposed to sound warm and analogue-like? Heck, isn't the entire Rega line supposed to have that character? Yes, obviously the 'tables are analogue. But I'm talking about their CD players, amps and speakers. These are all 21st century products. Let's not forget all the OTL amps out there that have sprouted up. Not all the equpiment today is of the "clear" and "pristine" camp.

I feel the real gains in modern equipment is in the entry to midfi arena....plethora of very good components for less than 500 a component...but a well designed higher end amp from yester years is still that...a good amp...a generalization but overall many more quality speakers to choose from...

I love all my old stuff still great.

Great old stuff, with proper maintenance and/or upgrades, can often be amazingly great values!

I have been building Speakers since 1979. In the early 80's I was with SpeakerCraft/Marcof electronics. Speaker components have certainly improved, the real improvement is consistency. Drivers used to be plus or minus up to 20% in spec, today, they are more like 5%. With that, I maintain that overall speakers are better because of computer aided design programs. Its still takes the knowledge and experience to know how to use a certain driver to its potential, but Today, it is not hit and miss. We used programs then, but with the variance in drivers along with
having to figure alot of math by hand, we had a much more difficult time producing the best, but there is no doubt some old speakers still compete today, where the design was right and every driver was hand measured. Today, anyone knowledgable can produce a satifying speaker with an off the shelf components and a good program and todays best.... Todays designers have better parts, better consistency and very accurate modeling before ever putting a driver in a cabinet.
As far as electronics, way back when, from my experience tubed preamps were far better, today, I listen to Solid state. I believe this product has come along way. The edge is gone and even though I clearly understand why someone wants tubes, for me the smoothness, detail and impact of My Coda CL-2 is wonderful. Amplifiers in my opinion while many are still better today, I know of many amplifiers of the late 70's through the 80's and into the 90's that are all wonderful. I use a Highly Modified Sumo Nine, (not fair comparison with the stock Nine, this is very different, but none the less, its from 1983 and competes at a very high level with very expensive gear produced today...
There is my 2 cents, good listening to new or old, Tim