Having fallen in love with music before the days of CDs and iTunes, a generation of music fanatics has taken to relishing the old way of listening.

As the digital revolution sweeps Ho Chi Minh City, many nostalgic music collectors have opted for old-fashioned reel-to-reel audio players, which they say provide richer sounds and a way to remember the past.

At the Nhat Tao electronics Market in district 10, 30- and 40-year-old reel-to-reel Akai players are all the rage.

Several years ago, shop owners regarded Akai products as trash.

But now, the musical relics have found their position at the front of the shop.

“I bought these old players for justVND50,000-70,000 (US$3-4) each,” said experienced Nhat Tao shop owner Xuan Hai as he pointed toward some Akais.

“But after spending some VND3 million (US$200) to revamp them, I’ve been able to sell some Akais for as much as VND80 million (US$5,000).”

Several different kinds of reel-to-reel audio recorders can be found at Nhat Tao.

Most models are over 30 years old and from Japan, Europe and even the US

But with connoisseurs, Akai remains the most popular brand, just as it was in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Akai products are often sold at US$400-500 each at the market.

But high quality accessories such as amplifiers and loudspeakers can often double that initial price.

With the resurgence of the Akai player’s popularity, old recordings have also been revived.

Collectors specializing in Akais and other reel-to-reel devices are often attracted by the grainier, but also fuller sound that the older players provide.

As the demand for the old players has risen, so has the demand for tape recordings of Van Cao, Trinh Cong Son and other local and foreign musicians of the 60s and 70s.

But the tapes are expensive, as originals are rare and easily damaged.

That means the Akai-philes have to buy blank tapes for around $50 and then pay a recording fee to have music recorded.

Most oldies hunters and Akai collectors are middle-aged men who have no reservations about spending a fortune on old music and original players so long as they sound good.

Akai enthusiasts and brothers Duc and Nghia have collected over 20 reel-to-reel audio players.

Like many music lovers and purists, the brothers have refused to go digital.

“If you ever have a chance to enjoy these classic products, I bet you’ll find that listening to modern CDs or digital players offers no feeling at all,” said Duc.

Duc and Nghia have dedicated most of their time and money to buying and maintain original Akai products, not for a profit, but just for the love of music and memories of the good old days.

The brothers own Nhac Xua (Oldies) Cafe (44 Tien Giang St., Ward 2, Tan Binh District, near Tan Son Nhat International Airport) where music enthusiasts and those nostalgic for the songs of Saturday gather to relive the memories and listen to the old fashioned sounds.

Many come to the cafe to discuss their hobby and trade old Akai products.

Source : SGGP