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This is disappointing. This device would have allowed millions of old stereo systems to enter into the modern age. Now? They will be thrown out, can't compete w

by jbob2000 8y ago

This is disappointing. This device would have allowed millions of old stereo systems to enter into the modern age. Now? They will be thrown out, can't compete with the Google Home!

hammock 8y ago
How of those old stereo systems still exist?
- flavor8 8y ago
  Couple it with this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071HZ5LE/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071HZ5LE/ and you've got a great low profile audio system that anybody can connect to with their phone for around $50. We've got that pair in our gym in the basement.
- Insanity 8y ago
  High end audio equipment lasts a long time
  - Thriptic 8y ago
    Yup, my parents had many in wall / ceiling speakers wired up to a receiver that they sort of forgot about because the system only received input from a 30 pin ipod dock and no one ever bothered to figure out how the receiver was configured. I pulled that interface out and replaced it with a chromecast audio and it blew their minds. It was probably the biggest ROI I've ever gotten out of any tech project I've ever done for them. I'm very sad they are discontinuing this product. I was actually about to buy one for my new apartment. It looks like they are sold out everywhere already :(
    - pjc50 8y ago
      > 30 pin ipod dock This was one of Apple's great inventions, it became widespread in hotels, every base station used it - so having achieved massive adoption they obsoleted it.
      - jessaustin 8y ago
        The things that big firms do over and over, they don't do by mistake...
- PeanutNore 8y ago
  My stereo is from 1979. For the last 30 years mainstream audio equipment has been in a race to the bottom on BOM cost and build quality. A well made stereo receiver from 1975-1985 will, when paired with the right speakers, greatly outperform the majority of modern listening devices.
  - ghaff 8y ago
    A friend of mine is still using a ~1976 Pioneer receiver I "loaned" her ages ago when I got a receiver I could use in a home theater setup. My supposedly high-end Sony receiver died and then died again 30 days post-repair. And I'm on my second receiver after that. (She's also using speakers of mine of the same vintage that I didn't need after I upgraded.)
- BeniBoy 8y ago
  People forgot about the quality of those stereo systems. Each time I go back to my family house, the first thing I do is to sit for a couple of hours in front of the system my dad bought in 88. Still works perfectly. No modern setup comes close! I ended up buying a vintage Technics set for my flat, for the cost of a couple of bluetooth amplified speaker. Not great but miles away from any system I could buy new!
  - JorgeGT 8y ago
    Not only the quality of the system itself, people forgot the documentation! I still use my father's TEAC AX-55 MkII amplifier: the service manual includes full PCB printouts, block diagrams, schematics, and component list with all the part numbers and description: http://www.vintageshifi.com/repertoire-pdf/pdf/telecharge.php?pdf=Teac-AX-55-Service-Manual.pdf http://www.vintageshifi.com/repertoire-pdf/pdf/telecharge.ph... In the rare case something fails, you can literally keep rebuilding the damn thing just like Theseus' ship. This level of documentation is just completely alien for today's consumer electronics.
    - atomi 8y ago
      You're right. What an incredible shame...
- cranberrycrush 8y ago
  I'm using a Chromecast audio on a 1960s record cabinet. Sounds and looks great. I'm sure many people have built similar things.
- PascLeRasc 8y ago
  A ton. I have a 1980s Pioneer receiver with a CC Audio hooked up to it and it's incredible [1]. I love the silverface/wood look and the knobs/switches feel great, so much better than modern receivers. I'm thinking of getting another CCA for my mom's 70's Sansui system. [1] https://i.redd.it/eahkkdt33xf11.jpg https://i.redd.it/eahkkdt33xf11.jpg
ucaetano 8y ago
I'd imagine not enough owners of those old stereos cared enough to buy the product and keep it viable over the past 3 and a half years.
achamayou 8y ago
There are a bazillion of Bluetooth receivers out there, Google neither invented those nor was particularly good at making them.
- foobarandgrill 8y ago
  Not really the same. With chromecast audio I could cast google play music, spotify, etc. to it from my device and the chromecast itself would be streaming the music. With bluetooth you have to stream music to it from your device so it uses up the device's battery life and also the audio quality would be degraded.
- vinw 8y ago
  It's not a bluetooth receiver

This is disappointing. This device would have allowed millions of old stereo systems to enter into the modern age. Now? They will be thrown out, can't compete with the Google Home!

hammock 8y ago

How of those old stereo systems still exist?

flavor8 8y ago
Couple it with this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071HZ5LE/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071HZ5LE/ and you've got a great low profile audio system that anybody can connect to with their phone for around $50. We've got that pair in our gym in the basement.
Insanity 8y ago
High end audio equipment lasts a long time
- Thriptic 8y ago
  Yup, my parents had many in wall / ceiling speakers wired up to a receiver that they sort of forgot about because the system only received input from a 30 pin ipod dock and no one ever bothered to figure out how the receiver was configured. I pulled that interface out and replaced it with a chromecast audio and it blew their minds. It was probably the biggest ROI I've ever gotten out of any tech project I've ever done for them. I'm very sad they are discontinuing this product. I was actually about to buy one for my new apartment. It looks like they are sold out everywhere already :(
  - pjc50 8y ago
    > 30 pin ipod dock This was one of Apple's great inventions, it became widespread in hotels, every base station used it - so having achieved massive adoption they obsoleted it.
    - jessaustin 8y ago
      The things that big firms do over and over, they don't do by mistake...
PeanutNore 8y ago
My stereo is from 1979. For the last 30 years mainstream audio equipment has been in a race to the bottom on BOM cost and build quality. A well made stereo receiver from 1975-1985 will, when paired with the right speakers, greatly outperform the majority of modern listening devices.
- ghaff 8y ago
  A friend of mine is still using a ~1976 Pioneer receiver I "loaned" her ages ago when I got a receiver I could use in a home theater setup. My supposedly high-end Sony receiver died and then died again 30 days post-repair. And I'm on my second receiver after that. (She's also using speakers of mine of the same vintage that I didn't need after I upgraded.)
BeniBoy 8y ago
People forgot about the quality of those stereo systems. Each time I go back to my family house, the first thing I do is to sit for a couple of hours in front of the system my dad bought in 88. Still works perfectly. No modern setup comes close! I ended up buying a vintage Technics set for my flat, for the cost of a couple of bluetooth amplified speaker. Not great but miles away from any system I could buy new!
- JorgeGT 8y ago
  Not only the quality of the system itself, people forgot the documentation! I still use my father's TEAC AX-55 MkII amplifier: the service manual includes full PCB printouts, block diagrams, schematics, and component list with all the part numbers and description: http://www.vintageshifi.com/repertoire-pdf/pdf/telecharge.php?pdf=Teac-AX-55-Service-Manual.pdf http://www.vintageshifi.com/repertoire-pdf/pdf/telecharge.ph... In the rare case something fails, you can literally keep rebuilding the damn thing just like Theseus' ship. This level of documentation is just completely alien for today's consumer electronics.
  - atomi 8y ago
    You're right. What an incredible shame...
cranberrycrush 8y ago
I'm using a Chromecast audio on a 1960s record cabinet. Sounds and looks great. I'm sure many people have built similar things.
PascLeRasc 8y ago
A ton. I have a 1980s Pioneer receiver with a CC Audio hooked up to it and it's incredible [1]. I love the silverface/wood look and the knobs/switches feel great, so much better than modern receivers. I'm thinking of getting another CCA for my mom's 70's Sansui system. [1] https://i.redd.it/eahkkdt33xf11.jpg https://i.redd.it/eahkkdt33xf11.jpg

ucaetano 8y ago

I'd imagine not enough owners of those old stereos cared enough to buy the product and keep it viable over the past 3 and a half years.

achamayou 8y ago

There are a bazillion of Bluetooth receivers out there, Google neither invented those nor was particularly good at making them.

foobarandgrill 8y ago
Not really the same. With chromecast audio I could cast google play music, spotify, etc. to it from my device and the chromecast itself would be streaming the music. With bluetooth you have to stream music to it from your device so it uses up the device's battery life and also the audio quality would be degraded.
vinw 8y ago
It's not a bluetooth receiver