In the 1960's and 70's Hi Fi stereo equipment was a big status symbol and it was important to have a superior system. Once again, usung the inflation calculator it's shocking to find out how expensive some of these items were. Below, a selection of magazine ads from High Fidelity magazine 1974-1975. For more info on seveties stereo please visit:
seventiesstereo.blogspot.com
KLH speakers were developed by the legendary Henry Kloss. He also designed for AR (Acoustic Research) and Advent. He laso designed the currently popular Tivoli radio. All of his classic speakers are still highly collectable and have held their value to some extent. I have a pair of the KLH 17's and by today's standards would cost $356.00 today.
seventiesstereo.blogspot.com
This Kenwood system @ $2150.00 in 1974 would cost a staggering $9,553.00 today!
The most expensive of the Duals @ $400.00 would be $1800.00.
And even this Radio Shack receiver (still fine quality) would be over $1000.00....
The other side of the coin is that the stuff was bulletproof. I bought a pair of Stanton electrostatic headphones for $500 from Ring Audio in 1973 and I used them until about five years ago. My Sherwood amp from the same period lasted until about three years ago. I am still using my Tannoy speakers, although I had to have them rebuilt once.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, the modern so-called Sherwood I bought three years ago, you can't adjust the volume any more, it is the only moving part on the thing and it is shot.
I agree with you re: reliability. The build quality far surpasses what is available today (except for very hi end equipment) In addition the vintage stuff is available for a fraction of it's original cost and looks much better.
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