So, first, lets talk compatibility. If you have a source that can plug using an analog RCA (Cinch) stereo cable to a vintage amplifier, the signal will enter the same way it does from a vintage source, like a cassette deck or a tuner.
Then, is it a good idea to use vintage with today's musical sources? On our opinion: definitely.
Consider your source is a high quality press vinyl record. The source itself, the vinyl record, will sound by nature more "warm" than a mainstream digital source. So the warm note comes from the source, that you probably plug to a contemporary hi-fi amp and speakers; that sound possibly more "neutral" or "cold" than good vintage ones.
Now, if your source is digital, let's say you play from your computer to your contemporary installation. The source, the digital one, is by nature more "cold", more "neutral". So in this configuration, you do not bring any color note to the sound from start to finish.
Then, our point: you use a digital source, and you plug into a vintage system, using analog ports. The color comes then after your source, and you end up with a warmer, sweet sound signature.
Please note that there are two important considerations here:
- what is the quality of the digital source itself? Streamed, compressed source is far from satisfactory for the music lover.
- how the digital signal is converted to an analog one. It happens by using a DAC (Digital Audio Converter); and to get the best out of your sources, you will need an audiophile one.
And guess where you can find a selection of high quality, acclaimed DAC's to complete your vintage systems?
If you want to have your track collection as high quality files, detached from physical media (vynil, cd's), and available in a few clicks, we can help you with that; see our services page.