Our 7-part podcast series on vintage audio begins with a look at amplifiers, receivers and preamplifiers. This episode is hosted by our vintage hi-fi experts Eric Pye and Jeremy Sikora; moderated by Mitch Anderson of Black Circle Radio.
Does the concept of investing in a vintage tube or solid state amplifier or receiver sound like a solid path forward? Before you take that blind leap down the rabbit hole, the eCoustics Vintage Audio team explains everything you need to know about brands, features, power ratings, repairs, sound quality, and the long-term viability of your purchase. Don’t make mistakes and find yourself in repair limbo — get the most bang for your buck and don’t end up with a banged up amp.
Sponsored by: Howard Products – Keep your audio equipment looking as good as it sounds!
Where to listen:
- Apple Podcasts
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- iHeart Radio
- Spreaker
- Stitcher
- Deezer
- Castbox
- Podcast Addict
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- TuneIn
About Eric Pye
Eric’s journey into vintage audio began in 2015 when his mum gave him the old family Technics SA-500 Receiver that had been sitting under the living room sofa for over 20 years. Soon after, his brother gave him an old Sansui AU-555 Integrated Amplifier. Two services and full recaps later, he was sold on both the nostalgia and quality of vintage equipment, and down the rabbit hole he plunged.
His Instagram journey began a few years earlier as @headfiyyc (YYC the code for Calgary Airport), with a focus on headphones and portable audio. As he dove deeper into vintage, his account focus shifted to amps, speakers and eventually turntables, with a heavy dose of jazz, resulting in a name change to @audioloveyyc to more accurately capture his account vibe. He currently has over 45K jazz and gear-head followers, many of whom have also become friends.
- Follow Eric on Instagram @audioloveyyc
About Jeremy Sikora
Jeremy has always been a music lover, but his path into the vintage realm started with a gifted Technics SL-1700 Turntable which sat with a broken stylus until it was paired with Marantz 2245 and Jensen Model 4 Speakers in 2018. From there the curiosity of “what else can I play music on” within a budget took over. Jeremy remains a fan of all things vintage, anything with an Ohm emblem, vacuum tubes, and especially a love for the fringe equipment of the hobby… and Depeche Mode.
As he learned so much from others on IG he created his own page @budget_audiophiler and shares his hits and misses of his audio journey with his 100K followers. The vintage audio game on IG is strong, welcoming, and generous!
- Follow Jeremy on Instagram @budget_audiophiler
About Mitch Anderson
All-vinyl broadcaster since 2009 via Black Circle Radio. Avid musician since the age of 8. Active recording artist. Mitch performs, records, mixes, masters, and cuts records with a pretty darn eclectic hybrid of vintage and modern equipment. If it’s the right sound, then it’s the right equipment.
- Follow Mitch on Instagram @black_circle_radio
Credits:
- Original intro music by The Arc of All.
- Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited.
- Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios.
