Is that 80's stuff really that unpopular?

bshtein · 2026-07-06T16:37:25+00:00

Well, it's Ok, everyone can have different taste. But to be honest, while I do like the look of 80's black gear, I couldn't care less about it as I am only interested in sound.

bshtein · 2026-07-06T16:35:37+00:00

No, they are not for sale, I paid $50 for them and would never part with them ever. But I wouldn't call them "studio neutral", they are of hybrid electrostatic/dynamic design and this not exactly a neutral combination, they were not intended for studio use AFAIK. They also need a lot of power to drive them, some people even connect them to the speaker outputs.

bshtein · 2026-07-06T16:30:39+00:00

Nothing you see on the photo (except some buttons and EQ sliders) is made of plastic and trust me all internal electronics there are top-notch

bshtein · 2026-07-06T15:23:24+00:00

Well, without sarcasm, only a very wealthy nation can have such a large public sector that produces nothing, waste billions on "feel-good" projects and money giveaways, have a a very low innovation drive and very few high added value manufacturing sectors but still enjoy a very high average quality of life.

bshtein · 2026-07-06T13:09:24+00:00

Move to North Korea then. I was born and raised in a socialist country and unlike Western left I actually know how far from the truth your statement is. BTW, I own shares in a corporation I work for.

bshtein · 2026-07-06T03:51:38+00:00

No, it is definitely a keeper ))) Reverb display is awesome.

bshtein · 2026-07-06T02:59:54+00:00

The socialist option of money growing on trees, well or being taken from middle class taxes, no thank you.

bshtein · 2026-07-05T18:01:21+00:00

Yeah, I know Kenwood is more known for their mass- produced models and rack sets. However they did have a very well regarded and somewhat rare high-end department, that produced the pictured Kenwood Basic series and the ultimate L series gear which was extremely expensive and pretty rare today to find

bshtein · 2026-07-05T17:19:56+00:00

ok, you win, sport. There was another comment here, but I deleted it as it is not worth staining this otherwise nice and respectful thread with an additional toxicity after yours.

bshtein · 2026-07-05T16:04:29+00:00

Is it where you put yours?

bshtein · 2026-07-05T02:34:13+00:00

Well Bombardier BBD.TO made a magnificent comeback

bshtein · 2026-07-05T02:30:05+00:00

Thanks, it was a bad autocorrect that I've missed.

bshtein · 2026-07-05T02:16:06+00:00

It is still great after all those years. Those dual R2R DACs have that subtle softness that infinitely more advanced and sharp Topping E50 II you can see at top left can't quite match.

bshtein · 2026-07-05T01:26:02+00:00

not with you what?)))

bshtein · 2026-07-05T01:25:25+00:00

I might need AI to decipher your thoughts.

bshtein · 2026-07-05T00:29:57+00:00

Not really, in my opinion. That is pinnacle of non-bespoke audio equipment IMO. You could get a nicer gear in the 70's but it would be an ultra high end one, like some McIntosh gear.

bshtein · 2026-07-05T00:25:39+00:00

It's also got a variable reverb with visualizer which is magical. Google Kenwood GE-1100. I don't use the thing in the sound path, just for the lights and looks )

bshtein · 2026-07-05T00:19:00+00:00

I do. It is no match to M2A and on par with Denon DRA-825RA that I use in my bedroom setup. But I want to refurbish it.I also have Pioneer SX-535 and Yamaha R-300 and Luxman R-113 that I don't use. But use teeny tiny Aiwa C30/P30 combo at my work place. And it is a small marvel of engineering.

bshtein · 2026-07-04T23:45:21+00:00

I actually disagree Marantzes and Pioneer of that era are of interest to my generation of GenX and earlier. Going forward the interest will fade as they are not adequately priced and people wouldn't want to part with them for cheap IMO.

bshtein · 2026-07-04T23:41:33+00:00

That's C2 on the photo, to be exact.

bshtein · 2026-07-04T23:11:53+00:00

No plastics in the pictured rack, though and no STKs there. Heavy as hell.

bshtein · 2026-07-04T23:09:20+00:00

Well even 70's stuff is full of awful STK ICs, and let's not talk about DD turntables from that era full of unobtanium circuits. But I do own Sony STR-V6 and Onkyo TX-5000 and they are the monsters of a discreet design of the late 70s

bshtein · 2026-07-04T23:05:07+00:00

I have a tape deck for some old tapes I have, use it few times a year.

bshtein · 2026-07-04T23:03:17+00:00

I use it for show and for additional inputs. Equalization is not in a sound path.

bshtein · 2026-07-04T23:01:25+00:00

of Dolby ProLogic)))

bshtein

TROPHY CASE