One issue is: for new stuff, you cannot know yet if it's actually good. It's only once it has withstood the test of time that you can be reasonably sure.
> Vintage Yamaha solid state electrical devices
Yamaha are still producing modern amps that are very good quality wise compared to their price point: the "ToP-ART" (that's how they call it) basis they use in many amp is actually good stuff and has been tested and analyzed by many objective metrics. They may not be simple but they sure as heck do sound very good (and they've got a "loundess" control, which basically only Yamaha or $$$$$ Macintosh amps or preamps do have and nothing beats that for people who also need to listen at lower volumes later at night when everybody, including the neighbors, do sleep).
Overall I'd say Japanese companies still know how to build quality stuff: cars, amps, digital pianos, laser printers (even if even Brother and Epson can be criticized on some points, we're far from the turds companies like HP or Lexmark have become), tools (I love all the Makita tools and power tools), etc.
When it comes to music there are objective measurements and there are companies out there still building amazing stuff, punching way above their pricepoint.
One could lament about the cost cutting on the material (like plastic knobs) on entry level Yamaha amps, but the innards is actually good stuff. They also come with long warranties (two years but you can register your stuff online and get 2 to 3 additional years of warranty).
I have maybe 15 IBM Model keyboards but... I'm using since many years a HHKB Pro JP. And HHBK are, well, japanese keyboards (it took the japanese to create the amazing Topre switches).
That's the thing: sadly by only using older tech you're giving up on something. Amps from the 70s are not competing with modern stuff. Speakers from the 70s and 80s do age. Cars are going to be less secure and consume more fuel (I know: I've got two "youngtimers" cars from the late 80s).
Kitchen knifes? Japanese.
But I agree that quality overall has gone down a lot and that it takes time to find quality brands / models.
FWIW I paired DALI (a little Danish brand) loudspeakers with a modern Yamaha amp and I couldn't be happier.
P.S: although I do have family in Japan I'm not japanese ;)
Newer amps might be better but I can’t hear the difference in the sound quality myself, and the older ones look and feel a lot nicer.
Newer cars are definitely safer- but I don’t find them nicer to drive or more economical. You can get an 80 VW rabbit that gets 50mpg, or a Mercedes 190D that gets close to that. Both are really fun cars to drive. Modern cars are much heavier and lower emissions- which ultimately cancels out the improved engine efficiency.
unfortunately the build quality of some Japanese products is declining, due to temporary migrant underpaid factory workers who have no stake in the company (and increasingly terrible working conditions). Not blaming the individuals, I'm blaming those in power who made these choices.
> Vintage Yamaha solid state electrical devices
Yamaha are still producing modern amps that are very good quality wise compared to their price point: the "ToP-ART" (that's how they call it) basis they use in many amp is actually good stuff and has been tested and analyzed by many objective metrics. They may not be simple but they sure as heck do sound very good (and they've got a "loundess" control, which basically only Yamaha or $$$$$ Macintosh amps or preamps do have and nothing beats that for people who also need to listen at lower volumes later at night when everybody, including the neighbors, do sleep).
Overall I'd say Japanese companies still know how to build quality stuff: cars, amps, digital pianos, laser printers (even if even Brother and Epson can be criticized on some points, we're far from the turds companies like HP or Lexmark have become), tools (I love all the Makita tools and power tools), etc.
When it comes to music there are objective measurements and there are companies out there still building amazing stuff, punching way above their pricepoint.
One could lament about the cost cutting on the material (like plastic knobs) on entry level Yamaha amps, but the innards is actually good stuff. They also come with long warranties (two years but you can register your stuff online and get 2 to 3 additional years of warranty).
I have maybe 15 IBM Model keyboards but... I'm using since many years a HHKB Pro JP. And HHBK are, well, japanese keyboards (it took the japanese to create the amazing Topre switches).
That's the thing: sadly by only using older tech you're giving up on something. Amps from the 70s are not competing with modern stuff. Speakers from the 70s and 80s do age. Cars are going to be less secure and consume more fuel (I know: I've got two "youngtimers" cars from the late 80s).
Kitchen knifes? Japanese.
But I agree that quality overall has gone down a lot and that it takes time to find quality brands / models.
FWIW I paired DALI (a little Danish brand) loudspeakers with a modern Yamaha amp and I couldn't be happier.
P.S: although I do have family in Japan I'm not japanese ;)