My Biggest Mistakes Buying Vintage Audio (Pt. 1)

[@jalander8817]

People who worry about someone’s hair are very strange. Better to never address people’s nonsense. Keep on crushing!🤠

[@skylabsaudio]

I knew I was poking a bear, but sometimes you just have to. My skin is pretty thick at this age in life. I can handle it :)

[@jalander8817]

@@skylabsaudio in regard to your quality over quantity point… maybe make some McIntosh content about what you have experience with.

[@turbomustang84]

I'm 62 and have all my hair unfortunately most everything else is falling apart LoL

[@Dixler683]

Never once thought about your cap , this is not a channel on caps.

[@michaelwright1602]

My biggest mistake with vintage audio gear? Not getting into it sooner! I could have saved tens of thousands of dollars!

[@kerryedavis]

Oh yeah, fortunately I got mine long ago!

[@alistairmcelwee7467]

The greatest thing about getting to 50 is that no one looks at you so you can look however the heck you'd like!

[@skylabsaudio]

Agreed

[@myturkishlife1777]

I agree ,audio is like food , everyone has different taste buds , go with what tastes good to you 👍 Best regards from Turkey 👍🇹🇷

[@heimatliebe116]

Love Turkish food!

[@gilson32]

Seriously? People are commenting on your hats and whether or not you're losing hair? People just have way too much free time these days. And to those people, get a life. Love your videos Kevin, please keep up the good work!

[@vbros7]

Your "junk drunk" description is me to a T! I think your "buy quality not quantity" is precious advice

[@ekbanjosworld4926]

Kevin, my baldness started right after I got out of the Marine corps, around 84-85'ish? I was in my early 20's. My condition never discouraged the ladies! I worked outdoors all my life and had to wear hats because of the sun and to keep warm in winter. Later I still ended up having to have surgery for skin cancers though! For what it's worth, glad I wore the hats. I hate the cliche, " It is what it is " Love your channel!

[@Silverface1987]

This video was me exactly. Yes, I got junk drunk, I did everything you said,and adjusted. The fact that you mentioned ask people if they have stuff that’s not shown is spot on. I’ve come across some real gems that the people didn’t even know they had and they either sold to be very very cheap cheap or gave it to me. I saw a house down the street from me, throwing out trash, two or three weeks in a row, I figured they were selling the house, I went to the door talked for a while they were very friendly, long story short I walked out with a real to real and a record player. That was the suitcase style, both were tubes, which are much easier to work on, for free. That has happened to me more times than you can imagine. Ring the bell and step back about 15 feet, and people usually are very welcoming, or I’m just lucky. You read my mind on this video, keep up the great work. I love my equipment and that’s all that matters. Even my 1970’s radio and record player combos. I have tubes to silver face, and reel to reel to mini-disc recorder. I LOVE MUSIC 👍🏼😎

[@semperfi-1918]

I have a habbit of mostly maggies following me home. Working the fix and sell angle. But cant help the free or cheap either. Lol

[@FeedScrn]

Good video and good tips. I always enjoy all of your videos Kevin. Another tip I would add is: Don't be afraid of enjoying equipment that is off-brand. Just because some particular brand's equipment is not currently being drooled on in the latest audio reviews... that doesn't mean that it's 'bad'. For example, I have some Fisher speakers that sound and look great. It doesn't matter if they are not the current 'hot' item to acquire.

[@skylabsaudio]

Great tip! You are 💯 correct

[@BillyDenton-nx3oy]

Kevin Kills It !! He's fun, experienced, and a no nonsense content creator. I watch his videos repeatedly. Not one time have his attire choices captured a sliver of my attention. If you want to be thrilled with the appearance of your KZbin video personality, I recommend the Sports Illustrated swimsuit videos ! 😎✌️💿

[@davidleon3588]

As a newbie to Your channel....I Thank You for Sharing and appreciate Your words...also waiting for the weather to warm up a bit ! 😊

[@WC0125]

Great information Kevin. Really the first thing to do with an eBay items is photograph the package as received, every side to include your labels. Photograph the inside and packing and everything! Next Test, Test, Test!

[@JonPaul]

As usual Kevin, you're speaking the truth. Regarding the VCR's (and other tape machines), they are freaking hard to get working again. My electronics degree from the late 80's was based around VCR's and tube TV's, and I'll tell ya what, I am not interested in fixing any tape machines at all. If I need to repair one for my own system but that's it. Actually, I haven't been working on stereo gear much since last year, I had a couple of carver units that just beat me up and kinda pissed me off, LOL. One is still on the bench and I just can't figure it out, so I got discouraged and just quit (it's my unit, so I can do this) and it's still sitting there. Thanks for your down-to-earth videos.

[@skylabsaudio]

Hard to find anyone that will open a Carver. You are brave

[@KillerKlipsch]

Carvers are definitely worth fixing, You'll be super happy when the hard work pays off in a distinguished Carver sound.

[@leo.girardi]

@@skylabsaudio I know a guy named Bob that might...

[@JonPaul]

@@skylabsaudio Or stupid. One of those is more likely than the other.

[@JonPaul]

@@KillerKlipsch Bah. Humbug. (I appreciate your optimism)

[@forestpagan4813]

I'm really happy that KZbin put your videos in my recommendations que. It warms my heart to see someone save good vintage equipment from the landfill. These pieces still have life in them (although I would recommend replacing the old electrolytic and ceramic capacitors), and apparently there are many whom would still appreciate and love them.

[@edwardpenny4859]

Great advice. I’ve always shied away from buying used. The only piece of equipment I bought used was a Luxman amp. It worked great for a few years, then started to age fast.

[@bender7565]

New subscriber and I haven't given a crap about what you were wearing. 2 weeks ago I didn't know there was 'vintage audio' except in my living room, in the 70's a few of my shipmates were caught up in the receiver wars. Making $500 a month this young sailor could only do a 35w Technics, still have it in the original box. I was happy to find out that all my Carver separates that I had in the lay-away for months in 1988 are worth more than I paid for them. My Amazing Platinum Speakers lost about 1/2 and one has a buzzy ribbon so I had to get out the back up ADS L810's. Good stuff, days before I saw your 1st vid I was wondering if anyone was still playing with the old stuff. It made me smile. Thanks.

[@skylabsaudio]

Welcome back!

[@papertrailcowboy4091]

my ADS are amazing, got for next to nothing because they are "too big"

[@tomhamilton6377]

When the description states works great etc. I like to ask more specific questions regarding details of everything that was tested and then I examine and evaluate the sellers reply. The sellers response is a huge 'tell'. This doesn't always work but having documented questions and responses prior to ebay purchase is always a good idea.

[@ChuckF-oy2rm]

Thanks Kevin for another excellent informative vintage HiFi video! The tip about what sounds good to you is right is so true. Trust your ears and only use on-line opinions as rough guides. I think lots of guys here wish they had a store like yours. Congratulations on following your dreams. Would love to visit your store, nothing like that in my city. Cheers!

[@tomiossi8092]

Your advice is soo spot on. People asking about under your hat???? This is why I don’t patronize social media. Kevin, keep on keeping on.😉

[@ptownmusicroom580]

You are so right about: Don't let others tell you what sounds good : I have a set of bose 601 series 1 as my rear speakers along with my Marantz 4430 quad and J BL L100 in the front . The bose sound great and I think they look beautiful as well . I am happy with them and let a few others go instead. All the other advice in your video is great too .

[@elhombre2711]

My first real speakers were a set of Bose 501's. They were great.

[@alsguitars5127]

Great Video. Don’t let others tell you what to like is great advice. I’ve now collected and worked on the 9”, 11” and 13” Technics Honeycomb Disc floor speakers with the Expanded Mica tweeters. I love these like I did in 1983. To me they sound great at reasonable volumes and look like the future with the grills off. Always will be in my 5 top speakers. Thanks for the video!

[@dboy6896]

Kevin... that shiny dome is just loaded with intelligence!! Thank you for your solid common sense. I totally dig it. Keep on keepin on, for the common man and woman. Cheers!

[@skylabsaudio]

I appreciate that!

[@spacemissing]

By the time I was able to acquire equipment at will, I knew more than enough to prevent buying junk --- at least unless I Wanted the junk for some reason. And I have been pretty fortunate: most of the stuff I've bought has been functional. Of course I have an advantage over some people since I can repair most problems myself.

[@alm5693]

I'm just north of you and bought a new four-pack of sleeping beanies this fall. I don't wear them at night because they fall off, but they're great during the day. Also good for bad hair-that's-left days.

[@tgxperience]

I have a pair of bookshelf GE Accoustaphonics. They are amazing to me, Great sound, efficient. Love them. Virtually nobody has heard of them. I think they came as part of some early component system in the 70's. Rare, obscure, worthless but I'll never get rid of them. Like you said in the right environment everything has its place.

[@PlaybackMansion]

Great vid as always. I've also been burned. Now, I always tell the seller I'm going to "test for functionality." If they make an excuse I move on. I don't say "audition" or "hear it" because I don't want to sound like a tire-kicker. If its an amp, I bring a small speaker, cables and a Discman to test with. If it's speakers, I make it clear beforehand that I want to hear that all the drivers work. Like you said, some drivers can't be sourced.

[@skylabsaudio]

Perfect

[@dangitdan9938]

I've bought my first rig from auctions. Sony str-6055 $40 Akai 157 (firstgen) speakers $30 for the pair and a Technics SL-220 $50 so I haven't broken any banks. Really good introductory rig and good stepping stone to desired gear. Upgraded the stylus and I'm honestly really happy, in my opinion, the most important part. My LPs sound killer and I'll upgrade when available. $120 all in and I'm stoked plus guests dig it too!

[@swhod2190]

You are 100% right about the Bose 901's! I have several brands of speakers in the house and I LOVE these and they are my favorites (and they look great on the tulip stands)! I see so many "audiophiles" put them down and I have to disagree. Great video.

[@NicoloEugelmi001]

Dude. Your practical approach is inspiring. Never change.

[@mikemurel1917]

Excellent video and advice. In the day, every time I bought a unit on Ebay, especially Marantz, they didn't work. Buying everything they have, recipe for disaster. My best stuff came from Goodwill and saint Vincent de paul. One thing I never found was McIntosh. I'm bidding on a huge auction tomorrow with a huge amount of audio. I'll probably miss out on most of it because people overbid. The preview though was absolutely amazing. This auction has over 3000 items in 5 buildings!!! Only 4 McIntosh pieces. I really enjoy your channel. Thanks.

[@kerryedavis]

Do you know where it all came from? That's pretty bizarre.

[@mikeporterfi]

Great video. The way I always checked tweets and mids back in the 70's was to take a half to full roll of toilet paper and put it on the speaker and my ear on the other. It works well. You just know if the woof works or not. Best Regards, Mike

[@karaDee2363]

As usual, you always give solid and honest advice.... I agree with everything you said 💯. And as far as your looks, wearing a hat, wondering if you're bald, etc... I never gave it a thought... Yes, I think you look great..😍

[@skylabsaudio]

Aww, shucks :) Thanks Karen!

[@jsmorton674]

Indeed! Sensible advice on every point.

[@michaelmorris7552]

I'm the same to Kev, beany on in the house, in the winter, hahaha... Great info, thanks man!!...

[@chrislj2890]

The testing advice made me think of my recent experience resurrecting my 30 year old stereo rig. When I went to use headphones with my B&K Sonata pre-amp it wouldn't work, which puzzled me but crap happens. It wasn't until later when I found the manual that the reason was because you need to turn off the pre-amp, plug in and listen to the source. Totally illogical to me and I probably went through the same experience when I first got it back then, lol.

[@ricknelsonm]

Yeah but, you and the cap are a match, lookin' good Skylabs

[@computerfreakch8912]

Been watching these videos for a while now, this one is now my favourite, great work, Kevin! Thank you for these great tips!

[@skylabsaudio]

Glad you like them!

[@kurtburkhardt5862]

This is good advice. Try and shoot for quality. More is just more to get rid of...Test if you can. I have a power supply in my truck and a old i-pod small amp and cheap speakers. If the owner doesn't have stuff to test with I have my own. At Goodwill or any thrift store I always find an outlet to at least turn the item on. I do this for fun and not as a business. Garage sales are so quickly picked over, asking if they have other gear is a great way to find better stuff.

[@Manhattanman52]

Yes, the "ask 'em" situation has really paid-off for me. Once I was walking by an apartment building where somebody was moving out and setting unwanted gear on the curb for trash pickup. I asked if he had anything else he didn't want. He brought out a Fisher 400 FM receiver and gave it to me - free of charge! Dude was a saint!

[@ripjones5294]

Blessing and a Curse...But you are enjoying yourself in cold, wet Des Moines. Enjoyed this installment..😄😄

[@skylabsaudio]

😁

[@stevenhowes530]

I've been waiting about 4 weeks for the local repair shop go get to my receiver. It's an xmas present for my son so I have fingers crossed that it's ready on time...

[@rolandlickert2904]

I had a Nakamichi Dragon for over 10 years and still got service in Singapore they changed some Heads and belts for free!

[@claudegriffith7485]

Speakers are definitely a topic that gets a lot of debate and bad advice. I enjoy speakers that sound good to me and they are not always boutique types. I do have Magnepan 1.5s but also Advent Laureates or Heritages along with BIC Formula 6's and 7's and Rectilinear 3 lowboys. To me it is the type of music you listen to and without regards to a Pioneer SA-9500ii or a Yamaha CR-1000 it is your preference where the speakers seem to matter most in terms of like/dislikes. At my age and past history of work my ears are no longer 20-20k, And you still can find deals, I picked up a Kenwood 7500/7100 tuner/amp combo for 200 that the original owner sold cheap because one speaker wasn't working. Some contact cleaner fixed that problem and the added bonus each one had factory rack handles. Good advice on all parts especially quality over quantity.

[@alm5693]

I used to go garage saling on lunch break in the posh neighborhood where I worked and I always asked if they had records. I didn't find any grails (there was a great used record store in the neighborhood for that), but one old guy opened up a box with a nice 6" Minnesota Twins 1965 American League Champions button in it. That was a more memorable buy than the records I found by asking at garage sales.

[@edwardbagu1252]

Kevin, I think there is someone in Spirit Lake IA who fixes Tape decks... Thanks for this video, I wish I watched this before I started my collecting. Would it have changed my view, probably not but maybe all it would have done was make me more selective. Why not is that we do have some impulse buys when you get a thrift store find needless to mention the standards of what we want keep going higher as the hobby takes hold of you... The thing with this hobby is that you never start out planning to be an "audio junkie", it is a buck spent here and there but as it grows on you, your desire for better things grows and before you know it you are addicted with room filled with "crap" and "gems". I think mistakes are part of the experience as one grows in the field. What I regret are the faulty units I threw away, that could have served as donor units. Tape decks that I thought I could not fix and all they needed was belts that I now can thread in.. Units that could have served as donors for lamps, knobs, feet, rectifiers, diodes, resistors, face plates ... Anyways, now I have a room filled with "Junk" and "Jewels", and it hurts to let my junk go, lol...

[@doofwop]

My system is comprised entirely of used gear except for the source which is a network DAC. Had to send the vintage amp/preamp out to be reconditioned. Bought all of it off eBay before prices went nuts on all decent vintage gear. Bought a lot of stuff that just sits in the closet and thought I had a problem for a while but my lust for vintage stereo equipment has waned thankfully. I recommend buying a network streamer like a Naim or a Cambridge and pairing it with a great vintage integrated amp or separates. The combination is superb. Even with the hassle and expense of having vintage gear refurbished it's many times cheaper than buying the equivalent sounding modern gear, and the gear itself is more interesting looking and has more of a story to it.

[@skylabsaudio]

Agree 💯

[@alm5693]

I found one shop in the Twin Cities that (as of a couple years ago) would still rehab a Sony 640B reel-to-reel deck. It was almost as expensive as the cost of the deck new, and they needed to have the deck for months. Good Guys Pro Audio in St. Paul.

[@ClaudeGriffith-n7d]

I would agree about speakers and buying what sounds good you. With speakers some people get so caught up in the specs such as SPL etc that they lose track of the fact if you are a man in your 40's or greater if you worked around loud equipment or go hunting etc you might be extremely lucky if you hearing is in the 50-15k range vs 20-20k. Stuff like spikes, monster wire, if there is a difference more than likely at my age I can't hear the difference. There are some really well made speakers with beautiful real wood or veneer cabinets that might have drivers that are not as good as modern day units so putting a better midrange in a BIC Formula 6 (1st gen) or replacing or re-foaming an Advent Heritage or Laureate is well worth the effort, have the crossover recapped can make a difference also. I have magnepan 1.5s (great speakers) along with BIC or Advents and pick the speaker that suits my taste in music, Rock flip to speaker A, classical, speaker B. I would say if you buy off Ebay timing also, if the economy is smoking, prices will be higher, if during a slow economy people will dump good stuff at lower prices.

[@rscott2247]

I don't know if I should share this here as it isn't vintage audio related. Back in 2004-5 I bought this JVC mini compact stereo component system made in Malaysia. It had a dual cassette deck, AM/FM radio, hold 3 cd's, bass reflex 3 way speakers and a remote. 30 watts per channel therein. Price wise, affordable. Controls were pretty user friendly. I can't remember if it came with a 3 month or one year warranty. Anyways after a year the cassette deck stop working. The tuner reception was lousy. I messed up the cd player because I put in a cd upside down from too much beer consumption and had to get it repaired. But the greatest thing about this compact unit was the sound of the bass reflex speakers. If you ever see box JVC speakers in a pond shop with blue covers, silver appearance and need a system for a work shop, check'em out !

[@kerryedavis]

Are those speakers at 12:15 those weird ESS ones I've heard about?

[@ML-rm3vk]

Note one can loose your core temperature if you are outside at 60 degrees this hats are needed indoor are out.

[@kevinomura5251]

Ask for Jenny! Good one!

[@skylabsaudio]

Eric- the producer added that. I got to laugh too.

[@snoeplau2126]

Jenny don’t change your number!

[@chrislj2890]

Great video, love the logical thinking.

[@TwoSyllableSam]

The whole finish up to the balding segment had me rolling 😂😂. Touché to them!!

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Sage advice there my good man. I live in a small town and know the woman who owns the estate sale company. I bake her chocolate chip cookies twice a year for the pre-sale calls. She loves it and I've purchased some great gear from her.

[@steveferguson593]

You and me both brother. You and Randy are my go to guys.

[@randaldavis8976]

I have a pair of Dahlquist DQ-10 and some Carver equipment. tuner and amp. I live in Iowa. Nice to see Iowans online.

[@EfficientRVer]

How did you take a photo of the wire shelving in my warehouse office around 2012? I had an L of shelving, 12 feet on the long side, 8 feet on the short side. Floor to ceiling, filled with components, some hooked up to power and speakers. Mostly thrift finds. Like the photo, including some Denon and Carver stuff.

[@jeffm1896]

I'm with you, Kevin. It's dead protein, who the hell cares! I'm bald and I wear hats pretty much all year because in the winter it's frigging cold, when it's raining it's like Chnese water torture and in the summer if I don't wear a hat I get a miserable sunburned head. And, thankfully, there are women who actually think bald heads are sexy. Another great video with good information, by the way.

[@2wrdr]

I went bald early too, no big deal. Actually, so many times I'm so glad I don't have to fool with washing, conditioning, brushing, combing and refixing all day long, actually everyday I grab a bar of soap then head to toe DONE! I driving my convertible no worrying with hair blowing around. I'm 64 and can't even imagine dealing with hair everyday.

[@btinsen]

Great advice buddy! And I think you have a very chill watchable demeanor. That makes all the difference when enduring endless KZbin videos. And Iowa rocks. 👍😎

[@skylabsaudio]

I appreciate that!

[@mpw621]

I do have some interesting vintage equipment that needs fixing. Maybe it is best to get rid of the equipment that is not working. Good stuff !

[@davewallace8219]

kevin...your just fine the way you are!...great channel! thanks!

[@skylabsaudio]

Thank you, Dave!

[@james6039]

The Hat - that's funny. Yeah it's COLD up there.

[@georgeb1364]

I've made some good purchases over the years with the best being a JBL Hartsfield in mint condition for $75. Another time I found a pair of JBL D130 & 075 that was installed in end tables with a door on it. The thrift store was selling it as a piece of furniture. I also find and restore organs, mainly old Hammond B3 and A100's tube-type. Most other brands of organs are not worth trying to fix but there is a big demand for the older Hammond's. Most thrift stores will not take an old organ so people sometimes have a hard time getting rid of them. What I look for is free or low cost organs even if they do not work because sometimes an old organ may have a really good speaker system attached. I once got a 70's Rodgers 3 manual organ that did not work for free if I would haul it away but it had 2 Klipsch LaScala speakers attached. I junked the organ and kept the speakers. Many organs have JBL or EV speakers in house brand enclosures so it is worth looking into. Always fun to find one.

[@jimc9823]

What is your thoughts on flippers? Good or bad for the first-time buyer market? Local to me, there are a small number of individuals who seem to suck the area dry of any gear (garage, estate sales and the thrift stores) and then put it up on FB marketplace and Craigs list (at a significant mark up). I feel as though if you are a new person to the audio hobby there is little chance of building a cool system from local finds as they have all been snagged to feed somebody’s retirement fund.

[@skylabsaudio]

I believe in the free market. Business = flipping. Unless someone comes up with something better, it is what it is.

[@EfficientRVer]

A flipper can't be in 50 places at once. If you put in even a small fraction of the time that they do on their picking expeditions, you'll find plenty of good stuff.

[@bmboldt]

I wear a hoodie all winter long in Omaha to keep my bald head warm. I have a lot of stuff given to me that isn't worth fixing but it is hard to find decent stuff any more locally. I did fix a CT-F700 recently for someone. I pretty much replaced the belts and restored the idler rubber. I didn't do any calibration. I just bought a Yamaha C-60 preamp for $10. It might have been a mistake to buy but it was only $10. It was dropped and the volume knob is gone, the balance knob and pot is broke. The power button cover is missing. Parts are next to impossible to find.

[@knobbshots]

Love you’re down to earth attitude, and good tips for sure, very insightful because obviously you’ve been there. Thanks again.

[@skylabsaudio]

I appreciate that!

[@watdanuqta-mf5ms]

I would suggest a Phineas Cole plaid jacket with some deconstructed slacks with some comfy Paul Stuart, St. Croix Suede Espadrilles and maybe a Prada linen shirt and eyeglass frames to boot. Great for, to work, to a concert , or to your favorite Michelin star rated restaurant. What do ya think?

[@SuperMcgenius]

I am 10 years older than you, great advice for all ages. Also I used to sell audio in the late 70’s from mid fi to hi end. 👍👏 recap😂

[@jpaleas]

You had me shaking my head , laughing, cringing because I’ve made similar mistakes and wanting to move to Des Moines IA so I can be near your shop and visit every week ! Some great advice! Maybe you can explain why you wear glasses on (pt. 2) 🙄🤣

[@skylabsaudio]

Lol!

[@russellcardwell6502]

Hahaha

[@Silverface1987]

Drank my coffee and really enjoyed your video 👍🏼😎… oh, I have a dozen hats 🎩😉

[@ronm132]

It took me over fifteen years to stop buying lesser stuff.I had about fifty black receivers albeit good ones thinking one day the black gear will come into its own.Well Im still waiting and while I have sold about fifteen-twenty I still have a ton of them.Most of my silver vintage is gone because thats what is in demand.Yes I was a hoarder but never intended to be that way.I love audio gear but after a while it becomes overwhelming. The old saying is true."too much of a good thing is not a good thing"

[@sashicaran878]

It's great to get to know about your channel. You are extremely honest. A lot of good information and advice. Thanks, Kevin.

[@gregoryeiding5395]

I love this channel. Just chill talk about hifi.

[@shmoogie11]

I love this channel! I think I put a Sansui 2000 X on the street because I didn’t know 😮

[@chrisguevara3828]

Dude keep up the great work love the videos

[@chrisguevara3828]

Seriously I have learned so much about vintage amplifiers that saved me from buying junk because you can easily get mislead by bad advice or info I really appreciate this channel so glad I found it

[@robmurray3914]

Your the man keep up the great videos !

[@wooddrdavis]

Great information, enjoy your videos.

[@lamarw9901]

Good tip on eBay and I'll watch the other video. I like watching the build quality stuff you put out. Any tips on what goes bad or more importantly doesn't go out very often is always great. I honestly just want one solid 2 speaker stereo system, and one 5.1 theater system. I have enough hobbies eating my limited cash. Perhaps I should keep this strictly audio but... good point on the hat. I wore a hat when I had a thick head of hair in High School and College. Friends and exGFs who were jealous of the thickness said you'll loose it if you keep wearing a hat. Well...Guess they were right. I still wear hats, never did like syling my hair, and how can I be ashamed if I wore a hat before? In the summer I still wear a hat, a sun burned scalp is the worst. I am bit glad trucker hats made a bit of a comeback. Anyways you do you, listen to what you like, wear a hat or don't, everyone else is taken anyway.

[@Reflectiveness]

Plane Talk is most welcome. You're doing more to promote interest than all the so-called experts out there. ... And we've all heard them.

[@quantumfall9930]

The very first early mistake that I made when getting into the hobby was buying lots of records with scratches (thinking they “weren’t that bad”), and overpaying on them too. Another mistake that I had made was buying a cool looking cassette deck I had wanted for my main setup that wasn’t in working condition and then taking it to a repair tech to fix, thinking it would be cheaper than buying one already working. Ended up spending more than double the marketplace amount to the tech and it wasn’t even fully fixed afterwards, will never get the money out of it that was put in if I decide to sell it. Live and learn though, have been very fortunate to have found high quality equipment at local thrift stores and Facebook, my Technics SU-8055 in my main setup was a low-price value village score and has worked for me perfectly for over a year already. Have accumulated a stack of tuners though which I don’t need ha, might eventually start culling a few. And wanted to say, as someone who also lost their hair at 20 I’m glad that it doesn’t bother you. People can be so cruel when it comes to things out of other peoples control. Love your vids anyway, the chill vibe contrasts nicely to other channels whose excitement seems over the top.

[@michaelbyrne8860]

Busted! Yeah that's why I watch this channel! to see what ball cap you're wearing! It doesn't have anything to do with vintage stereo equipment!

[@Uraim]

15:39 happens with me when young ppl like me tries to say the jbl is sounding good, while i am rocking with my 45year old Pioneer SA7800 and B&W-DM601S1. Once happened with me that there was a kid with a jbl bluetooth speaker and he started flexing with it, i told him, lets turn it on and lets hear it, and from it that i hear from my own equipment, i didnt heard from his speaker, and i asked him about it, (warmness of the sound, i like it) and he literally started hating on me and his dad laughed at him, due his dad also a Vintage hifi lover.

[@jim010109]

Great video, keep up the good work.

[@mengoweh]

Quality over quantity is tough when you’re new to the hobby. First off, I don’t disagree with the statement. All I’m saying is that when you’re just starting your vintage stereo journey (like I did 10 years ago, I’m 33yrs old now), there’s many factors to consider. For me at least 1) I was a college student working a part time job so I didn’t have the means to buy the quality pieces and 2) you can read everything on forums on what good quality gear is but personally, I had to go through my own journey buying/testing/hearing everything I could get my hands on from amps, receivers, turntables, tape decks, etc. It was a learning experience I wouldn’t take back. I learned what was good, and what wasn’t so good. Also, I learned what I personally liked and didn’t like. From there, the journey has gotten me to where I am today with my multiple systems. It also helps graduating college/grad school and now having the means to buy that quality gear! So I’m basically just tying in what you stated at the end of the video. Just my 2 cents! Also, great video!

[@skylabsaudio]

Agree! Thank you

[@bwithrow011]

Case in point. I have a Superrscope by Marantz CRS4000 boom box from the 80s which has a line input and 6 1/2" 2 way speakers. I love the sound if this box. Beauty is in the ears of this beholder!

[@curtismuma1931]

Great points! I agree 👍 I am a little short on hair as well. Lol

[@arthurrose6473]

Sorry you felt compelled to bust the hat nonsense. I never thought about it at all, for the record you don't look near fifty, and I think you look better without the hat, and NO I'm not gay, married 45 years with two sons. I appreciate the inside info on vintage stuff I've been into since Lafayette Radio in the late sixties, early seventies. STILL a bit heartbroken when they went belly-up around 1980. They were around over 50 years, and alot of their stuff was better than credited. Loved their inexpensive walnut veneered speaker cabinets with monster alnico magnets! woofers!

[@deekay2]

I agree about immediately testing and contacting the seller if you receive an item that you believe is not working properly.... But I disagree with immediately putting in a request with eBay to return the item. I believe you should communicate with the seller and let them know about any problems. Sometimes problems can be because of user error and sellers can help. Then, if the issue still persists, let the seller know you will be requesting a return.

[@andrewhenderson9474]

Great stuff. Keep up the great work . 🙏

[@runtheclip8]

Well done, good lighting, graphics, audio ... surprising how many otherwise good KZbin videos have poor audio, yours is great.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thanks!

[@raygarafano3633]

The Pioneer sx-780 used Darlington style transistors, no longer available. There are dubious knock- offs. Better idea to run leads from pre- amps output to a separate amp that works very well.

[@raygarafano3633]

Quality over quantity, that means NOT buying MCS...right?

[@gime3steps]

That my friend is solid information!

[@skylabsaudio]

Glad to hear it!

[@ModelA]

I had a buddy with a pair of Bose 901 corner speakers. I thought they sounded amazing. He ended up trading them off for some garbage speakers because he listened to "experts" who said they were junk. I would have loved to have those!

[@blaneobanion5617]

I remember Jenny. She must have really gotten around. Great tips. Thank you.

[@jonntischnabel]

I used to do "man with van' in the winter to earn a few quid. You wouldn't believe the stuff that people asked me to take to the dump. A sansui amp, a sansui cd player, eltax floor standing speakers, wharfdale bookshelf speakers, a rotel amp, a Ferguson turntable, and loads of other non audio stuff. 😊

[@skylabsaudio]

Crazy isn't it? Glad you rescued

[@thedistortedguy]

For speaker testing use a 20hz to 20khz tone . Every driver will play individually

[@realangustube]

Awesome video,good info, I should stop by and say hi to you. I live in west des moines. 😊👍