Turns out the Age of Rock neither burned out nor faded away. Proof: Plenty of companies still crank out old-school stereo components that let you cruise the highway to hell, one side at a time.
1. Human Speakers Model 81
WIRED Accurate and hearty sound: sweet highs and bass deep enough to make your subwoofer stand up a little straighter, just to get some attention. Everything—woofers, tweeters, cabinets, crossovers—is handmade by a poet in New Hampshire. (That’s right: a poet—who knows how to rock.)
TIRED Online order form straight out of GeoCities. Old-school looks did not pass the lady test. To the man cave, Robin!
$450, humanspeakers.com
2. Raysonic SP-200
WIRED With warm, bright sound that puts a sonic shine on vinyl and lossless audio, this 100-watt integrated amp even smooths the harsh notes of low-bitrate MP3s. Completely groovy stereo imaging, man.
TIRED It’s all about the midrange—very little low thump or ultrahigh splash. Be careful around those eight KT-88 tubes: They run hot enough to shatter if you get greasy fingerprints on them, and replacement will set you back about three bills each.
$2,990 (as tested), raysonicaudio.com
3. Technics SL-1200MK2
WIRED This club-favorite turntable has more street cred than 2Pac—all of our most trusted vinylphile friends spin it. Supersturdy aluminum chassis and platter. Simple to operate without spilling your Coors. Just like 1979: High-torque direct-drive motor is dead steady and easily transitions from Supertrampin’ to scratchin’ and beat matchin’.
TIRED Pitch control and adjustable tonearm overkill for the home user. Stylus sold separately.
$550, technics.com
4. Solid Tech Rack of Silence ROS4 EVO
WIRED With only four points of contact per shelf, air swirls gaily around your gear, keeping it cool. Spring-loaded corners do a great job of soaking up your vibrations: In our totally scientific tests, one-man-dance-party-induced record skipping was reduced by 39 percent.
TIRED ‘Spensive. Spikes harshed our mellow: Unless you have carpet, you’ll have to shell out another $400 for hardwood-friendly feet.
$1,795, solid-tech.net
5. Tributaries T100
WIRED Ceramic-encased resistors in this power conditioner keep dangerous voltage spikes out of your pricey gear. (Hooking a high-buck system to a standard surge protector is like serving steak on a Kleenex.) Handy front-side USB charging port. Puts all components under the command of a single power button.
TIRED That button is frustratingly finicky. Voltmeter display refuses to turn off; constantly blinks 120 … 119 … 120. OK, we get it!
$350, tributariescable.com
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