[SteveFord]

James Romeyn brought up such a great point that it really deserves a separate thread.
There's a classic car biz, a classic motorcycle biz and the criteria is basically expensive when new, famous designer, race winner, innovative technology and good looks.  Early Corvette, Ferraris, Ducati 750SS round case desmo - you've got the idea.

From today's audio gear, what products that are available today can you see being tomorrow's classic gear?
What products will at least hold their value if not appreciate in twenty or thirty years?

I would like to put in a vote for Manley gear (especially pre price increase), Bob Carver's new tube amps, WooAudio headphone amps, Stax headphones as a long shot (primarily their mid priced offerings), Shugaung Black Treasure tubes, AVA Dynaco 70s and the Well Tempered Amadeus.

What do you see as holding it's own in tomorrow's marketplace?  What will tomorrow's audiophiles choose from today's offerings?

[thunderbrick]

Does reissue vinyl count?   

[SteveFord]

I would think so - good point.

[Ericus Rex]

Stereophile did a little blurb on just this topic a few years ago:

http://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/tomorrows_classics_are_todays_bargains/


There are lots of new brands on the scene since this article but I find it really hard to predict what will become a classic.  A 'Classic' seems to have a very delicate balance of cult status + relatively low production numbers.  The amps that come to mind that are super hot these days will flood the used market in just a few years.  Will these be classics?  Tough call.

[*Scotty*]

I think it will depend on their perceived value and how badly they compare performance wise to newer amplifiers with potentially audibly better sounding technology. I think there is good chance the Dartzel amplifiers will be viewed as classics as well products from Lamm.
That's my WAG for the day.
Scotty

[jarcher]

I'd say the Manley consumer stuff is a good call : the price doubling I think basically killed new sales.  But I'd be biased : I have a 1st gen Stingray I don't think I ever want to get rid of.

Don't know if Sonic Frontiers could be considered "today's gear" as Chris Johnson / PartsExpress is still doing refurbed / upgraded units.
But some day it should be on some list: SF gear not only sounds good, but has a build quality bordering on the maniacal. 

[SteveFord]

I still use an SFL-2 preamp on the upstairs system and it's a nice piece.
Chris' upgrades should bring it up to the next level, I would think.
The SF gear hasn't met it's initial MSRP value, though.
Who knows, perhaps that will change.