Carver Audio Equipment in the 80's

See Bob Carver at the top of his career in this nostalgic video. Its actually quite funny to see what they thought represented a great production. Miss Hologram is a classic addition. Regardless its very informative as you couldnt find a more innovative audio developer in the 80's. Hope you enjoy vintage Carver equipment on Vintage Sound!

Part 1 & 2. Vintage Carver Equipment on Vintage Sound.

 

Vintage Moog Music - Lem - Machines

Here is a great 1977 recording from Lem that is quite rare in great condition. I love Funk albums that capture many Moog synth sounds and spin it in a Jazz sounding compilation. This lp doesnt disapoint. Titled "Machines". Alex Cima and Bryce Robbley composed the music. The record was a private release on Wavefront Records (the only release on this label). The machines were various electronic music making devices: synthesizers, vocoders, Syndrums, arpeggiators. Great stuff from this duo filled with talent! Great vintage sound!

The Fisher TX55 Amplifier

Here is a nice arrival. This Fisher amplifier packs, you guessed it, 55wpc and has a high mpx filter system on board. My initial demo with this Solid State unit sounded nice although I think it needed some run time to really open up. A very traditional yet sleek design.
 Fisher had the market in the US from the late 50's through the 60's in domestic built HiFi. Their high end, well known and still revered today as a classic tube receiver - the Fisher 500c series is as good as you can find from the New York based manufacturer.  
This series is difficult to find however can be a great value based on it's power and general performance. Stan Getz - Reflections (1962) is an incredible LP to spin into new gear!

Sony 3120a Amplifier

Just Arrived is this rare and collectable Sony amplifier. This is the "a" model which offers a response of 180Khz compared to the 3120 which has a 100Khz response. It also boasted improved THD specs.

The cosmetic difference? There is no "safety" LED on the front next the power light on the "a" model. I have, as regular readers know, the Sony TA2000 preamplifier which is considered as pure as they came in 1967 and still today holds its own against many Solid State units. This 3120a was one that was paired with the TA2000. At 50wpc and a THD of less than 0.03% it literally jumps my vinyl out of the speakers. I recommend this setup for anyone collecting rare solid state. It is a pleasure to listen to it's pure Sony Vintage Sound.

Akai 4000DB Reel to Reel

This Arrived some time ago and I hadn't had the chance to run it through its paces.
 I have some excellent Columbia recordings of Leonard Bernstein originals. If your testing these old reel to reels I find piano and Symphony ensembles are an excellent, discriminating source for any fluctuation or unwanted noise.

This 4000DB is an attractively designed compact tape deck offering multiple connections and controls and quality features among which are Akai's one micron gap heads for high density recording and the well known the incorporation of Dolby Noise Reduction System.
As you can see the Akai's one-micron gap head is responsible for an amazingly important difference in tape recording. It's the difference between ordinary performance and high density quality recording and playback. Ordinary head gaps are from 2 to 4 microns, but the gap of this outstanding head is only one micron. This high density recording system provides excellent frequency response and clear, high pitched sound is generated as a frequency tone and recorded smoothly without distortion.

With the Dolby Noise Reduction System, hissing noise heretofore thought impossible to eliminate, is reduced to a completely inaudible level. Basically, this circuit boosts the low level signals prior to recording and lowers them by precisely that same amount at playback time. During this revolutionary process, the extraneous noise is eliminated, thus also eliminating tape hiss.

Internally illuminated and quite cool are the  VU Meters

In keeping with Akai's top quality parts utilization policy, the 4000DB also features robust construction and sturdy mechanism. Further, a highly efficient induction type motor assures stable tape travel and ideal starting torque. The characteristics of this motor coupled with a boldly designed flywheel reduces wow and flutter significantly.

Head Transfer

Specs on this little baby

Track system: 4 track 2-channel stereo / monaural system
Reel capacity: up to 7" reel
Tape speed: 7-1/2 and 3-3/4ips (±2%)
Wow & flutter: less than 0.15% at 7-1/2ips, Less than 0.2% at 3-3/4ips
Frequency Response: 30Hz to 23,000Hz (±3dB)
7-1/2ips, 30Hz to 16,000Hz (±3dB) at 3-3/4ips
Distortion: less than 1.0%
Signal to noise ratio: better than 55dB (with Dolby process 60dB at 5kHz)

Jeff Conrad Project LP

Here is a great addition to your collection. Mirage is Jeff Conrad's solo project after leaving the LA band Big City Rock. This out of print and very rare is an audiophile eclectic pressing that presents Moog Synth fusion and Jazz for a great listening experience. Top shelf rare recording that's a pleasure to listen to. If you can find a clean copy add it!

Electrostatics facelift

 I am giving the grills some dimension. The originals are simplistic and I think they will have a nice look when I'm finished with them. The cabinets are also getting refaced with walnut. Stay tuned...

I advanced Masked LP - Andy Summers/Robert Fripp

Here is one to add to your vinyl collection. Released in 1982 by the Police and King Crimson guitarists this progressive all guitar intstrumental album is a spectacular blend of the two talents. Very impressive recording that is a pleasure to hear over and over. One of two collaborative LP's they did together. Andy Summers and Robert Fripp. Vintage Sound!

Vintage Sound's Audio Favorites

Lloyd's Seventies Stereo

Here are the top three sites I visit to view stunning vintage audio equipment.
Add them to your list of sites to enjoy!


SEVENTIES STEREO

THE VINTAGE KNOB

HIGH FIDELITY CLASSICS

All great collections with lots of knowledge shared.

Magnaeplanar Mini Maggies

 Really? 3 way Ribbon speaker for your computer? Perhaps a vintage mini system would be a better fit with some true vintage output power...
No question that the innovation of the Maggies in the 70's set them at the top of this new speaker technology.

the original beasts

Mini Maggies

I don't know what to say...compressed digitized sound released to an innovative desktop ribbon tweeter technology. Isn't that like putting a Mercedes emblem on your Mazda??
I guess I will never really know as this analog reviewer won't be shelling $1300 a pair!

through the grill Ribbon

 If any of the readers has an experience with these please post your comments. I love the company's vintage gear and by all accounts these house the technology that set them apart though the 70's and 80's gear.

Mini Maggie System
Description	3-Way, True Ribbon/Planar-Magnetic
Freq. Resp.	40 - 40 kHz
Rec Power	Read
Sensitivity	86dB / 500Hz / 2.83v
Impedance	4 Ohm
Dimensions	14 H x 9.5 W x 1.25 D
Available in cherry, natural or black solid oak trim with off-white, grey or black fabric.