Carver Receiver - The MXR 2000

Here is the Carver MXR 2000 from 1988. An incredible 200watt powerhouse that really took the market by storm. It was my first Mid Fi unit purchased and have the greatest fondness for all it offers. 

Here is the specs...

Amplifier Section
8-ohm FTC rated power/ch	200W
4/8-ohm FTC rated THD	0.15%
Rated full power bandwidth	1Hz to 30kHz +-0.1dB
Slew Rate	>100
Dimensions (HxWxD inches)	5.5" H, 19" W, 17.9" D
Comments	Protection: Short Circuit DC Offset Low/High Frequency Trip
Tuner Section
IHF Sensitivity mono/stereo,dBf	1.8uV
Capture ratio,dB	1.5dB
Seperation at 1kHz,dB	45dB
THD at 1kHz,stereo	0.1%
Maximum S/N,stereo,dB	78dB
PreAmp Section
Frequency response	20Hz to 20kHz + 0.5dB
Total Harmonic Distortion	0.05%
Phono input capacitance pF	47K ohm
MM S/N A-weighted 0.5v ref.	85dB
MC S/N A-weighted 0.5v ref.	76dB

This Magnetic field amplifier boasts massive amounts of power in reserve... essentially available for your performances peaks. This is the magnetic field capabilities. The Carver Receiver 2000 uses a better way. A method of delivering the power speakers need without heat, bulk and distortion. The solution is elegant and effective. Imagine a lightning-fast valve on your incoming power outlet. When power is needed, the valve senses the demand and opens, actually using the power of the actual power generator to deliver the needed current and voltage. Note that this approach provides VAST POWER WHEN NEEDED during peak demands … without keeping excess around during lulls. The 'valve' we've described in the Magnetic Field Coil inside the Carver Receiver 2000. By delivering power only when needed, it can satisfy your speakers need for power while generating less heat and virtually no distortion. The finest receiver FM section ever offered. The Carver Receiver 2000 employs Asymmetrical Charge-Coupled Detector technology which makes FM sound as good as other stereo sound sources. Free of background hiss and annoying radio interference. All of these great circuits set this baby apart from anything produced in the era of

 "bigger is better" 

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Vintage Bookshelf Mission 760i / the Bassface Swing Trio LP

Newly arrived are one of the nicest 2 way bookshelf speakers I've heard in a while. From the English, always impressive Mission Corp, these are a beautiful audiophile pair of 6ohm - 89db sensitive speakers. At first glance they are seemingly plain and not that remarkable due to a weak plastic grill design that looks like it belongs on a child's toy. However, behind it they have a bold and distinctive blacked out design. Protruding driver face and front-ported they are truly elegant in appearance. Only available in black ash which was the thing into the nineties.

A 5inch (130mm) low frequency driver hails suprising results as in a small room they truly fill the space quite nicely from 300Hz and below. specs state they travel down to 70Hz and its a real natural sounding bass for their minimal size, only 11 inches high. They are crossed-over at 4500Hz to the high frequency unit It's a Polymide Ferrite cooled driver with natural clarity. These are very musical and suspect the crossovers are of high quality given their sonic abilities. The demo vinyl of choice was the Bassface Swing Trio'sBDirect to Disc cut of their Tribute to Cole Porter 180gram release. If your familiar with Stockfisch records releases you will anticipate the level of sound here. A beautifully musical airiness to them with some great punch value makes them a delight to listen to for hours on end.
I cant imagine any improvement in these other than simply creating it 3 ways. A (very) slight soft spot for my tastes in the midrange but apples to apples its a sonic vintage sound home run.

PROS

• Fidelity for such a small speaker footprint
• Sleek, slick look
• Good Bass response 

CONS

•  a touch light in the midrange
• small rec room at best for driving higher 

This vinyl is a must for serious sound aficionados. Not to mention the incredible performance captured here. Absolutely a top ten pressing for demos. The technique in the recording/pressing process has not been done and is a stroke of genius. I'll let you read up on it as its quite extensive when you acquire this vinyl gem.
Frank Sinatra's Swing Easy original duo-phonic US pressing poured out of them effortlessly.

Linn Sondek - LP12 The turntable

Hailed as the turntable by which all others are judged the LP-12 was and is a  vintage design staple. My first taste of it's sound came from my friend Yuri's setup. I was blown away at the balanced suspension design and then by it's transparent sonic representation. A table he utilized to this day which is testament to it's performance.
Throughout the years, there have been many changes to components such as rubber feet, baseboard, armboard, suspension springs and grommets and reinforced plinth. However, the Cirkuskit, with its newly designed bearing, is one of the most significant. This subjectively offers a large performance upgrade. Since 1991 (serial number 87600 onwards), the LP12 has been supplied as a mechanical assembly only, without power supply fitted.Early versions were a platform for mounting third party tonearms, had a basic power supply arrangements, and would only revolve at 33⅓ rpm. Those users requiring a 45 rpm option would have to purchase a special adaptor to increase the diameter of the motor pulley and platter speed accordingly.

Linn capitalised on the success of the Sondek LP12 by introducing the more affordable Basik and Axis turntables, complementary tonearms for the Sondek and cartridges at different price points.

The Sondek LP12 turntable, introduced in 1972, utilises a suspended sub-chassis design and a patented single-point bearing machined to extremely tight tolerances. The LP12 has evolved since its introduction, but its basic suspended sub-chassis design has remained. The thinking at the time was that the most important component of a high-end audio system is the loudspeakers. Linn presented an important challenge to that by claiming that the source (i.e. the turntable) was the most important part of the system.

Today, many options are available for tonearms and power supplies to partner the deck. The LP12 allows the purchaser to select from a number of Linn as well as third party options. It is commonly partnered with the Linn Ekos SE tonearm. External power options include Linn’s own top of the line “Radikal” power supply featuring a speed management system that auto-calibrates the motor every time the Sondek LP12 is powered on. If purity in design is what you seek than look no further than this "sonics first" design. VintageSound at it's finest!

Panasonic RS755S - Analog Dream Machines

If you still use the medium here is a versatile well built Reel to Reel for your collection. An early 1960's unit from the company that made their start manufacturing bicycles. Of course their big move in audio came when they launched into a higher fidelity line of Technics products. Most notably their Reel to Reel decks which were at the forefront of the medium for much of the early 80's. 



We gave this unit the full diagnostics and brought it back to original operating condition. At 65lbs I cant imagine the old boys lugging this to band practice but I'm sure thousands did!

JA Mitchell Turntable

Newly arrived is the Technodec British made Turntable from the 30 year company, J.A. Michell.
Bulit in the late 1980's Michell tables earned the respect of reviewers worldwide. The attention to details in the manufacturing of this table really attests to the sound you will be enjoying for years to come. For one the DC motor (silent) is mounted alone and isolated for the plinth as to not transfer any vibration to the tonearm and thus into your signal. The massive acrylic high pampening platter is impeadance matched to the records and the most innovative component has to be the inverted self oiling  (pumping) bearing build. All of which should put your price into the Hi end of the Hi Fi charts yet this falls into the mid-Fi price points. An overall exceptional buy! The sound is incredibly transparent and "real" through the RG250 tonearm. A Rega arm that has brilliant on-line reviews. I have paired it with an early Sumiko Blue Point Cartridge. An excellent match up.

Although there arent a great deal of vintage Michell tables on this side of the pond I recommend this TechnoDec over any mid priced point table built here. Sonically one of the purest analog non-fatiguing signals I've reviewed in a long time. Brilliant!!!! VintageSound at its best!

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!

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 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!

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.