When is old too old ?

[AndyBrad]

I have a hifi/AV system, the core of which is around 10 yrs old now (Arcam Alpha 6 CD, Audiolab 8000A, Castle Severn II). I was very happy with it when I bought it, and it still sounds good today.

However, I was wondering how my system would compare to a similarly priced new system today. I recall the price of the CD player/amp/speakers was around £1600-£1700 back in c.1997. If I spent the same today, would I hear a significant improvement ? If not, how much would I have to spend ?

I would be grateful for any views.

Andy

 

[Andrew Everard]

I reckon you'd be hard pushed to get a better system for that kind of money today, even if you were starting from scratch.

The only major improvement I'd be looking at is a newer CD player, but it's worth taking your Alpha 6 along to a dealer - it's hardly heavy, if i recall - and comparing it with some newer rivals, just to see whether they offer any great improvements.

If they don't, then I'd probably leave well alone.

 

[Anton90125]

The answer never! I know people who swear by the Quad II valve amps designed in 1953. One of my friends has a Williamson amp he bought and repaired. A design first published in the spring off 1947 in "Wireless World". One of my personal favourite speakers: the KEF 104AB from late 1970s. How about the Garard 401 from 1964. A friend played Santana on one of these turntables- awesome. Finally the great LS3/5A from the early seventies. I am sure someone could put together a system with this and other classics that would match/beat all but the very best modern systems.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with Andrew about the CD player.

 

[Anonymous]

I also have to concur with Andrew on this one, I too still have my 8000A, still a classic, i also used to own a pair of Castle Conway II speakers, so as Andrew rightly says it may be the CD could be bettered, just try before you buy when matching a cd to your 8000A, I bought the Arcam CD 73 in Feb this year and whilst it isn't bad with a decent interconnect, its not as punchy as I would like, so that's the word over caution over 🙂, good luck in your quest.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah maybe look at a Cambridge Audio or Exposure CD player.

 

[Thaiman]

The Castle still can put up a good fight with many new pretenders, keep them!