The Royal Ballet LP's - Vinyl Collector's Treasure

I picked up not one but two Vintage box sets of these uber rare collections of Swan lake performances from the 60's. The sets have the most amazing books with them. The print quality is awesome and includes fly sheets with full song list and credits.
This is a magnificent (2 LP) album, that should be in every record collection. In effect, it is the "highlights" of all the most famous Romantic ballets in a leather bound spine with a canvass cover. Exceptional!!!
The sound is exceptional in every way, and particularly outstanding in outer detail and dynamic qualities. The sound is also BIG, and the instruments actually seem as large as they are in real life.
A rare, original pressing of this album sold on eBay last month for $1,000

I guess a phenomenal catch!!!

The Archive

    Here is a true vinyl collectors story. Just think of the endurance of this man's passion. 

Here's the math...

• Ok so he is 69 years old
• Let's guess he started collecting vinyl records at 16
• So 53 years...
• 1 million LP records(not even including his 1.5 million singles) Jazz records, Rock Records, all records
• 364 days (hoping he took Christmas off)

That is 19,292 days by 1 million LP's = 51.835 vinyl records a day!
 Ok some days he got boxes of 100's other days none so it's a good average!

Nearing his last days you can see he simply wants recognition and the vinyl to live forever! Bittersweet ending to a lifelong pursuit. Amazing record collection!

Kenwood KA3500 Integrated Amp

This Mint amp surprised me! It sounds so clean.
Drove the Ohms' with ease.
The tone was really solid from high to lows. Simplistic styling which I love. Produced in 1977 at 40 wpc its solid power.
With the mint KT5500 Tuner in stock this combo is rare 70's beauties!

The original brochure...
Check out the serious love handle option!

Hitachi D-410 Deck

Today's arrival is this 1975 Hitachi Cassette Deck. This deck is Mint.
It's as clean as the day it was sold. Originally retailed for $240.00

No bells or whistles, just solid vintage construction. 2 Head design with Dolby B noise reduction. Tested and she is perfect. No issues. As always I will clean the head unit and switches. Oh and the load door opens up and in. Cool!

Vinyl Collection Rescued

A longtime friend had mentioned to my brother-in law that they were getting rid of some vinyl LP's. He suggested contacting me first as I mainly spin vinyl. I was quite busy and did not get back to them until a few days later. When we did connect on the phone she mentioned that since no one had put in a word for them that they were being dumped as we spoke. NO!!!!! "Don't do it" I yelled! Well after a frantic call to her father who literally was unloading at the local dump she managed to direct him to my home where I eagerly awaited the treasure.

Amazingly the load consisted of over 2000 LP's! I can't even fathom the great loss society would have endured had these jewels been discarded. Already songs have touched friends who have visited! Yes, the emotional power of music. It's of course why I write this blog, showcasing the wonderful equipment that captivates our ears. I have only gone through a few hundred and have gems from Bing Crosby, Mountain, Chet Atkins, Cab Calloway & Ella Fitzgerald...etc. Going through them is as rewarding as listening! Thanks for listening!

Kenwood KT5500 Tuner

I am surprised at how inexpensive you can find this Kenwood Tuner. Produced in 1975. These had an optional wood case although it wasn't included with this one. Just came in and although not overly sensitive, it sound good. Clean analog tuning dial with VU sensitivity metering. The condition is mint+. I have had many tuners and can say this one stacks up very well. Background station jogging was silent.It brought in the local stations nicely. Contact me if your looking for a great valued tuner. Matching amp is here as well.

An Audio Friend

With regular arrivals of components like Braun, JBL, Thorens & Marantz to name just a few Lloyd Naftolin's blog Seventies Stereo is one that I continually follow. He has great passion for quality audio and showcases some real finds.
A visit not to miss if you love vintage equipment!

Junk or Treasure?

Many times I come across systems that need that question answered. There are definite treasures and then there are borderline restoration projects to take on. Other times the components are in great shape but is there a market for them. The checklist on these items become sound quality, rarity, quality of manufacturer, style or simply overall presentation. Much research and time determines value and market for these items. Most I know immediately but there are the odd ones like this Symphonic console that are Junk to some and a great find to others.

This console has a very warm sounding receiver portion. Interesting layout and style. Chrome pedestal base with open face which has a tinted hinged cover. I suspect there was at one time an overall deep cover as the wear marks indicate however that is not with the unit. The turntable is from Great Britain. Garrard type but unsure without dismantling the box. Tape loop inputs with speaker terminals on rear. Guessing a 30 wattage output. I picture this in an Eames chair add...has that 70's look!

Symphonic produced these out of Montreal and were big suppliers of TV's as well.
Junk or Treasure? It's definitely some one's treasure!

Denon DP37f Turntable - Stunning

I am very partial to manual TT's but how can you not love this fully automated Denon. It's mint ++ and sounds incredible. Still running a vintage Stanton 680ee cartridge with newer diamond stylus. Again incredible tone and clarity.

Opened up some Frank Sinatra on it. CLEAR!

Love the dampening controls and arm...very sleek!

Pioneer SX-5 Receiver

Newly arrived is a Pioneer SX-5 Receiver.
The SX Series was the last of the vintage series of quality from Pioneer.
These "champagne" faceplate really stood out on audio shelves. Square buttons are sleek and small. Tuning scanning is driven via the computer controlled LED's in rapid consession. Cool looking and functional. The SX-5 is rated at 30 watts per channel with less than 0.02% THD. Very modest for the output it produces. This look turned the corner for the modern marketplace of receivers. Check out the SX-9 specs at 120 watts per channel, a real beauty. Built in 81/82 this SX series changed drastically from the silver faced 3400 series of the late 70's.

Fully operational this is a great unit!

Sony 8F-56W Vintage AM/FM Radio

This Sony Gem arrived recently.

Rare and Exceptional this Sony is classic, clean and great sounding for a tabletop unit built in Japan in 1973. 

Great find as I'm quite partial to old Sony gear. 

Ultra sleek styling for it's era.

The teak was aged so I sanded and oiled it to it's original tinting. An overall cleanup and some pots spray and its back to new. I replaced the bulbs...briefly thought about going with the blue bulbs...briefly! Went with the original bulbs. Just not the right unit to customize. I'll save that for a Carver or a similar unit. This little package has great tone and I'm sure its early sixties. Nice to see an old unit that has been taken care of so well.