Probably my most ridiculous vice is vintage hifi. I can tick all the boxes. Vintage, high end manufacturer, and I have all the right tubes. But you nailed why I see myself differently than I see those hipsters in Olympia. I don't think a $1200, fifty year old preamp adds anything to the world. I could go into any low end audio shop and get something that sounds really good for less. I could get an entire setup that sounds really good for less. It's fun for me, but that's it. If anyone is interested, I'm using a McIntosh MX110 tuner/preamp into a pair of McIntosh MC30s. When I say the "right" tubes I mean RCA black plate 6L6GCs and smooth plate Telefunken 12AX7s. I actually think I have a bit of a mix, and there are probably some generic GE tubes in there, too. I don't care quite enough to bother sorting out what I have and what is where. My turntable and speakers aren't vintage and really nothing special. Good but not much more than that.a $12k pourover machine with someone who genuinely thinks it's adding to the world.
It's not that bad of a vice though. If it's old, good, and rare, it has value. By taking owning and taking care of such equipment, you're contributing to the preservation of not only your hobby but a small slice of history.Probably my most ridiculous vice is vintage hifi. I can tick all the boxes. Vintage, high end manufacturer, and I have all the right tubes.
That's a valid point, and in the fifteen years I've been doing this prices have more than doubled. Like classic cars, they aren't making any more of these.