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Have You Still Got A Stereo?

by lanfear63
15 replies
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For many years I would have never have considered being without an Amp, Tuner, Record Deck, Cassette deck (later a CD Player) and a good set of speakers. Listening to music, it was essential I had a good system to hear it through, not the most expensive outfit, but good quality.

Now, I am quite happy to listen to music through my Amazon Smart speakers and have even refrained to adding a soundbar to my tv. I have only indulged in some Bose single driver speakers for my computer a few years back. Less than 100 bucks.

So what about you, do you still have and use HIFI equipment, taking up space in a cabinet, coupled with huge speakers, or do you just listen to music via your phone, thru your PC speakers, smart speakers or a TV Soundbar?
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  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Mark, hadn't had a stereo in years. I listen to a Mix on YT with my i-phone and headphones That takes care of it
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  • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
    We talk of technological progress, but most people today seem content to put up with a standard of music quality that's significantly inferior to that which was commonplace in the last century.

    We trade convenience and ubiquity for quality of experience. In return, I suppose we get the music we deserve.

    I'll always prefer to listen to music through the air rather than via headphones - or, even worse, earbuds.

    And I still have my vinyl record set-up - although I also play CDs. I'll use YouTube to discover or research music, and sometimes as a background while on my desktop PC. But I never use streaming services, and consider Spotify to be the work of the devil.
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    • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
      Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

      We talk of technological progress, but most people today seem content to put up with a standard of music quality that's significantly inferior to that which was commonplace in the last century.

      We trade convenience and ubiquity for quality of experience. In return, I suppose we get the music we deserve.

      I'll always prefer to listen to music through the air rather than via headphones - or, even worse, earbuds.

      And I still have my vinyl record set-up - although I also play CDs. I'll use YouTube to discover or research music, and sometimes as a background while on my desktop PC. But I never use streaming services, and consider Spotify to be the work of the devil.
      I thought perhaps you'd be the one that still embraces it.

      I don't buy much or listen to music like I used too, simply because the modern stuff is so bad and has little or no appeal. So, I find my smart speakers ok to listen to anything new that is notable.

      I see that good stereo gear and badass speakers are still being sold and you can pay a pretty penny for it all.

      I will slightly defend this newer stuff though. I could buy a bigger smart speaker, perhaps a few and use them in tandem. Thanks to companies like Bose a few years back, they found a way to improve bass a lot and get it into smaller units like it's wave radio/cd players. Very popular and compact A good smart speaker can fire in all directions and fill the room with sound.

      Then we have the improvement in clarity of sound, initially due to CD's and now you can stream in CD or above quality with a good net connection.

      But, I miss the physicality of a stereo and having a slab of the physical media on shelves. I sold all my stuff when moving to the states. We did have a setup surrounding our tv for years, the ex took that with her. Too big for my rental unit. This was a tuner amp, long speaker in front of the tv, sub woofer and 2 sat speakers, plus a 5 cd changer. It produced a good sound but for some reason, we rarely used it when watching tv.?

      People will always appreciate the better sound of course but few are willing these days to fill up their room with the equipment. By the same criteria they have no objections to filling their space up with gaming computers, PS5's and big ass tv flat screens. Amazing how priorities change.

      PS. I listen to a lot of stuff via You Tube. So much out there to freely listen too.
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  • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
    I got rid of the stereo in the mid-2000s. There's an old pair of giant speakers in the attic that need to be trashed. I got rid of most of the CDs over time. Several back in April

    I listed 48 albums about 3 weeks ago. Sent an email to a local record buying place to see if they are interested, still waiting..... If no response. They either go on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or straight into a dumpster in the next few weeks.

    I listen to music on YouTube via my desktop computer. I won't pay for satellite radio in the car.
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  • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
    Still have my Sony Walkman from the 80's, with Equalizer, so there!

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    • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
      Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

      Still have my Sony Walkman from the 80's, with Equalizer, so there!
      Well you need something to compliment your Sony Trinitron Tube tv.
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      • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
        Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

        Well you need something to compliment your Sony Trinitron Tube tv.
        And my Video Recorder!

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  • Profile picture of the author Blavksquid
    I really miss the days of stereos and Saturday mornings each house blasting jams from their stereos. But we all know that stereos are not Portable, its not like you can carry your stereo and be jamming on the subway. so while looking for quality go for portability. besides apple airrpods are so quality same goes for Jbl headphones.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    Yep, still have a stereo. I currently run a Marantz receiver, a tube amp, a turntable, a Bluesound Node, and Magnepan speakers.

    I still buy physical media and rip it to a Plex server. I buy vinyl, too, but I also buy digital HD audio when a solid recording comes out. Sometimes I want the warmth and nostalgia of vinyl, and sometimes I want the detail and clarity of HD audio.
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  • Profile picture of the author accu789
    I listen to a Mix on YT with my i-phone and headphones That takes care of it
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  • Profile picture of the author Jamell
    I have a smart speaker that I haven't used yet but I mostly listen to music on my phone .
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Originally Posted by Jamell View Post

      ... but I mostly listen to music on my phone .
      It's funny how we've come full circle. I remember back in the '60s there used to be a service called "Dial-a-Disc" operated by the GPO (the national telephone service) which played a current hit single on a loop.

      On the way back from school we'd cram into a telephone box and drop our coins into the slot, sharing the phone's earpiece between us as the tune played out in all its tinny glory.

      We'd stay there until either the pennies ran out or the racket from impatient adults rapping their umbrella handles against the glass became too much to bear.

      Plus ça change...
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      • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
        Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

        It's funny how we've come full circle. I remember back in the '60s there used to be a service called "Dial-a-Disc" operated by the GPO (the national telephone service) which played a current hit single on a loop.

        On the way back from school we'd cram into a telephone box and drop our coins into the slot, sharing the phone's earpiece between us as the tune played out in all its tinny glory.

        We'd stay there until either the pennies ran out or the racket from impatient adults rapping their umbrella handles against the glass became too much to bear.

        Plus ça change...
        I don't remember that service but I recall that for a while you had ads in music magazines, compelling you to call numbers to listen to new singles, probably much later and likely a profit based concept charging higher phone rates. I also remember the early 60's where you could go into a booth in the record department and listen to the latest singles, try before you buy. Yeah, I'm that old. Boot's had one.

        Frank, I'm sure you remember Juke Box Jury. Three celebs would listen to new singles and pronounce them a hit or miss. One thing I can't quite recall. A similar show that members of the the public gave marks out of ten and a regular was a toothy girl called Janice who got quoted on her accent and regular numeric appraisal where she said: "I'll Give It Feive" Lol. Was that called "Thank Your Lucky Stars?"

        My father was the catalyst for stereo gear, he built a valve based stand alone unit in the 60's and later, a huge pair of speakers that were amazing except they had underpowered bass. His excuse was that he was more a classical buff, just wanted the highs. But he also played Beatles, Abba and other stuff that really required it.
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        • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
          Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

          Frank, I'm sure you remember Juke Box Jury. Three celebs would listen to new singles and pronounce them a hit or miss. One thing I can't quite recall. A similar show that members of the the public gave marks out of ten and a regular was a toothy girl called Janice who got quoted on her accent and regular numeric appraisal where she said: "I'll Give It Feive" Lol. Was that called "Thank Your Lucky Stars?"
          Yes, I have fond (if a little cloudy) memories of both shows. The girl you're thinking of was Janice Nicholls - mention her name to anyone of a certain age and they're bound to respond with that catchphrase. She appeared in a section of Thank Your Lucky Stars where members of the public gave marks out of five to new-release singles.

          It's just a pity they didn't employ her for later talent shows - I'm not sure America will ever forgive us for Simon Cowell.
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  • Profile picture of the author spartan14
    I am not a music guy as i listen to sublimals ,healing music ,frequencies etc .So my phone headsets or laptop music do the work for me
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