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12/26/2011

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!

12/22/2011

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.



12/20/2011

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
Description3-Way, True Ribbon/Planar-Magnetic
Freq. Resp.40 - 40 kHz
Rec PowerRead
Sensitivity86dB / 500Hz / 2.83v
Impedance4 Ohm
Dimensions14 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.

12/17/2011

VINTAGE SIGHT - Vintage Camera Site


If you have an interest in Vintage Analogue Camera equipment as I do then check out my new site dedicated to the camera collectors and 35mm film format Photography. 
Come and visit VINTAGE SIGHT 


Steely Dan - Gaucho LP



My favorite pressing to spin is the original Japanese issue. Dead silent vinyl and great true to original mix. Truly an Audiophile Staple and excellent tracks for reviewing vintage audio gear!
Released in 1980.

12/15/2011

Janszen ER139 Speaker update




Here is some important additional information. Also there is a comment posted from David Janszen - Son & President of A A. Janszen. We appreciate his comments greatly! 
These Janszen units might possibly be the only 3-way prototype built prior to closing. Interesting and fascinating audio history and yes, true vintage sound!


Originally Posted by Brian View Post
The ERC139 was developed as a 20 way system when we evaluated them and suggested a Philips mid range be added; there was a mid range hole, the depth of the Grand Canyon on the pair we reviewed. The company did more development to fill in the mid range with the 2-way but announced they were developing the 3-way.

The company only started delivering the 2-way systems when it closed and before it announced the 3-way was in production so I wonder if the blogger has a set of engineering samples or pre-production units.

Regardless, he has a VERY unique system as it was Art's last design and the tweeter was far different than his previous models plus so few made. I hope he continues to love them and maintains them as a guardian of a piece of history.
...from AudioKarma posting

12/12/2011

Electrostatic Speakers - Janzsen ER139


Arrivals like this are truly what keeps me thrilled about Vintage Sound gear. I have been very interested in Electrostatic Speaker technology for as long as I can remember but had not had the opportunity to test them on my array of music. Acquired in a trade deal I came to own these Arthur A. Janszen designed ER139 Hybrid Speakers. Designed by this innovative ( i would dare to say revolutionary) sound engineer. In 1974 Electrostatic Research Corporation formed in Massachusetts and acquired Janszen for the sole purpose of developing an unprecedented omnidirectional Hybrid Electrostatic Speaker. As with most Estat speakers there is a somewhat small "sweet spot" for the listening plane due to the charge (notes+-) dropping of at the edges of the membranes of the speakers. The innovation here would be to offer the high end tweeter signals in a circular array thus eliminating the smaller listening plane then those of the traditional cone drivers. Well, these achieved that and more! The inverted cone you see mounted on the woofer magnet has an intricate array of ribbon wound tweeters. A true Janszen patent stroke of genius!
The cone extending from the woofer magnet was also designed to grab and project through a top port resonant mid-range signals although these were modified with the additional mid driver listener facing.
Here is a Popular Mechanics short review... The ERC139's
The Vintage Sound....
Come on! That's what I said when I heard them for the first run of Paul Desmond's "Take Ten" LP. (hugely recommended on vinyl - PL42045)











Said in the most excited way - not the disappointed verb age, These kicked my butt! Cymbals sooo pure I thought they moved into my listening room. Bass true and Musical. I mean these really hit an audiophile stratosphere I did not anticipate. Really up there with some recent Totem Storm's I demoed.
Really! That good. They are very thirsty and I would guess that they are 4 Ohm as it really took a lot of power to get them opened up and fully breathing!



With all electrostatics the membranes need a charge applied to them thus each speaker has an outlet plug to supply that charge. I noticed that it took a few minutes before they really opened up. Once they did it was a joy to hear. The reduced levels of (audible) distortion that electrostatics bring is really ear candy. Less distortion - less fatigue.

Here is the man himself with his electrostatic tweeter. One of 8 that would be fitted to the ER139's.
Although this design really was revolutionary A A. Janszen had to move on from ERC as they folded the company from under-capitalization. It is my understanding that only 50 sets were made and he had not even optimized a real production for them prior to closing. Timing is everything and had these been marketed as they should have they might well have taken on many large Estat companies of the day.
In the end the proof is always in the listener's hands (ears) and these are absolutely Dope!!!











12/09/2011

Yamaha CA600 Amplifier


This new arrival is my first Yamaha unit. The build quality is signature 1975 Japan(Nippon Gakki). I love how balanced this integrated amp is. From it's grilled wood cabinet to the ever omnipresent controls, you can see that design was an equally important factor. There is a beautiful warmth to this amp section and at 35watts it's level of performance is quite pleasing. MRSP was $330.00

I know that the Yamaha home theatre equipment of today is well regarded amongst reviewers and there was a real lull in the market for their products through the 80's and 90's but the gear they produced out of Japan in the 70's is true Vintage Sound gear worthy of restoring.







8/27/2011

Vintage Vinyl Saturday - Brenda Holloway

Here I showcase this rare original pressing of Brenda Holloway, Every Little Bit Hurts LP. Released by Tamla Records 257, the first of Berry Gordy Jr's record companies. The second being non other than Motown records, named of course after it's home of Detroit, the Motor City. Released in 1964 this highly collectible LP features Brenda's mature vocals beyond her years. It's surprising that this super talent didn't reach mega star status. 



Very cool Tamla label with the record and Globe.
Truly an incredibly well produced album with crisp detail and full vocals. An artist with great improvisational skills and a wonderful ability to weave through a song effortlessly.
If your starting a LP collection this is one not to miss!

8/18/2011

BeoGram TX 2 Bang & Olufsen

Just arrived is this simple Jacob Jensen designed TX2 for B&O. It's great when a table like this is still in mint condition. A pleasure to fire up and spin some tunes on, this linear tracker has a supremely quiet cuing mechanism. When cuing into single tracks you are aided by a guide light which projects for a few seconds and then shuts down. 
      








LED speed is displayed on the guide arm in red which is kind of cool. This particular one has the MMC (moving magnetic Coil cartridge) 4 which is a personal favorite on these tables. Spinning NeKo Case's Middle Cyclone in a clear vinyl pressing which I highly recommend. Just an old school, well written album.