Justin & Jerry's Hifi Blog

[User211]

And yes, Justin, that is another fabulous looking Rotel receiver. Damn, I want one!

Actually I am not sure I don't want one too!

The 50 Watts it puts out is a pretty generous 50 Watts by all accounts. Even so, not really enough for me

[jandl100]

Oh, that double stack is not to use, just to look at.

I do fancy a black Rotel receiver or two.

[Marco]

Here ye go - a vintage Rotel / Marantz double-double wammy



I just love that era of gear.

Looks great, Jerry! However, does it all work now as fully-functioning hi-fi, or is some of it still simply for 'ornamental purposes'?

Marco.

[nthall]

No - it isn't!!! (shouting and jumping up and down).

Will someone please restore sanity to the forum?

I use it at work sometimes. I keep a pair of iPhone earbuds in my desk. You can't hear the flaws. It still sucks, but being able to hear the compression and DRM is like fingers on a chalkboard to me.

I built the headphone amp/DAC I leave at work to run off battery power. I forget to charge them sometimes.

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

[jandl100]

Looks great, Jerry! However, does it all work now as fully-functioning hi-fi, or is some of it still simply for 'ornamental purposes'?

Marco.

Yes, it all works.
The 3 items of long standing have all been serviced.
At last year's Scalford show the Marantz duo were on active duty, and the Rotel 1412 the year before.

But yes, it is "still simply for ornamental purposes" as far as I am concerned. And it is well worth looking at - I never cease to enjoy its presence.
The only item that is good enough to strut its stuff in my system in terms of sound quality is the power amp section of the Rotel 1412 integrated amp. That really is rather good! The rest is on the warm and rosy side, which is lovely in its own way, but fails to satisfy in the longer term.

Not that I am against vintage electronics - the Philips Black Tulip 270 & 390 pre and power amps from the late 70s are still the best amplification I have heard in my system, for my purposes.
-- hopefully there will be another item or two in that vein arriving chez Jerry today!

[brian2957]

They look fantastic Jerry , must be a delight to look at in real life . Even better to know that they are all working and can be used when required

[jandl100]

Thanks Brian.

I just wish I had more space for more vintage hifi ornaments.

Actually, a vague plan is forming of getting rid of my LP playback system and its associated shelves full of software, err, I mean LPs.
I haven't played any for many months - that could all be used as vintage electronics space which I would enjoy every day!

[brian2957]

Yup , I see where you're going but .. won't you miss your vinyl

I'm going in the opposite direction with vinyl and upgraging my cartridge , I do love my Spotify though

[jandl100]

but .. won't you miss your vinyl

I haven't played any for many months. So, no, I don't see that I'll miss it.
In fact it's a vague irritant seeing it there!

So -- a very nice collection of carefully selected minty classical LPs (and a few others) may soon be heading to the Hereford Oxfam music and books specialist shop. The best place for it, they do seem to have a good trade in the stuff there and charge non-trivial prices for it.

Any offers on my analogue hifi rig, listed in my siggie?
-- only kidding I'll list it properly as and when.

[brian2957]

Hah ! I don't know what any of it means never mind consider an offer

Having been away from vinyl for 25 years or so my knowledge is very limited