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Thread: B&W DM70; rebuilding an Icon

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jan 2014

    Location: Winkel - The Netherlands

    Posts: 40
    I'm Norman.

    Default B&W DM70; rebuilding an Icon

    I have had many type's of speakers.

    From High-end (Dutch brand Hepta) to Bose, B&W, Leak, Rogers, Acoustic Research, IMF, KEF, Tannoy etc. ect.

    Many are still on my list but I will probably never own them.

    One I knew I would: The B&W DM70!

    There where 2 models.

    De Standard, model ‘60.


    De Continental, model ’70.



    I've looked at a few Continental sets in the past but as the were dark brown veneer I never bought them.
    The second reason was I did not know where to go if I needed repairs to the Electrostatics.

    There is but one “expert” I now of who repairs/rebuild these DM70, based in Germany: Shackman Electrostatic Loudspeakers Repair Service

    After an ad on a Dutch website I was contacted and offered a set Continental that needed some work and was missing parts.
    But the price was good and by now I know where to look for parts and/or help.

    So last Friday I wen on route an picked them up.

    Pictures!
    Fronts; I've now cleaned them as it is mostly dirt what you see. They do need new paint.


    Back:


    Inside:



    Power Unit, original and another bought by the seller.
    As my model is the latest model, DM70c, the other unit will never fit.


    Electrostatics:
    Original:

    Second set bought by seller. They look to be in 100% condition.


    So it's missing the woofers and stands but as this is de DM70c it has woofer adapters which means I can buy flat woofers instead of the more expensive curved ones.
    They are also missing the stuffing.
    As I bought a pair of the model Standard I thus have woofers and stuffing + filter/Power unit spairs.

    The plan:

    • New paint - This week I'm seeing several people for this job
    • Woofers - I bought a technical 100% set Standard which I will use for woofers and stuffing
    • Rebuilding Power Units and Filters - This will be done by a friend
    • Finding original stands - I'm getting drawings and detail pictures and a friend (metal constructor) has offered to built me new ones
    • Transfering the Brown Electrostatics into the White housing - I will go to Germany to do this


    First thing will be getting them a repaint while a friend rebuilds the Power Units and filters.
    The second pair of Power Units will be used for spare parts.

    When the stands are ready for use I will start rebuilding the DM70c with all the parts I have.
    If needed I will travel to Germany to get help. I will take my wife along to have some day's together while we wait for the technician to fix what needs fixing.

    I will update this topic as I go along.
    Linn Majik DSM/2, Cambridge CD CXC, IOM classic, Tannoy "Langley"

  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default

    A lot of work but sure it will be worth it. Interesting design
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

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  3. #3
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    Good project Norman. It'll be interesting to watch as you progress.

    Yes. I did spot what looks like an AR4xa sitting at the back!
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jan 2014

    Location: Winkel - The Netherlands

    Posts: 40
    I'm Norman.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    Good project Norman. It'll be interesting to watch as you progress.
    Thanks!

    Yes. I did spot what looks like an AR4xa sitting at the back!
    In this picture there are restored AR3a's in the back
    Linn Majik DSM/2, Cambridge CD CXC, IOM classic, Tannoy "Langley"

  5. #5
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by i2Paq View Post
    In this picture there are restored AR3a's in the back
    Ah. Very similar in appearance. It's hard to judge the size.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  6. #6
    Join Date: Jan 2014

    Location: Winkel - The Netherlands

    Posts: 40
    I'm Norman.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    Ah. Very similar in appearance. It's hard to judge the size.
    Yep, they are!

    They all sound amazing, it all depends on room-size.
    Linn Majik DSM/2, Cambridge CD CXC, IOM classic, Tannoy "Langley"

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2010

    Location: Worcestershire, UK

    Posts: 1,101
    I'm Rob.

    Default

    Great little project. I look forward to seeing the end results.
    Rob.
    Powered by crossed fingers and clenched buttocks

  8. #8
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Essex

    Posts: 31,848
    I'm openingabottleofwine.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ReggieB View Post
    Great little project. I look forward to seeing the end results.
    So do I!
    Barry

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jan 2014

    Location: Winkel - The Netherlands

    Posts: 40
    I'm Norman.

    Default

    Next week, 16 March, I will deliver the electronics at my friends house for a rebuild.
    This will take about 1 or 2 weeks as I'm looking for spare-parts (I found them but they are pricey).

    March 17 the speakers housing will be dropped of at the painter. This guy paints the speakers for Hepta, a Dutch speaker brand, so they will be in good hands.
    RAL9010 is the color according to the painter, I thinking about RAL9001 myself.
    They will be in satin, not gloss as I think they where in satin originally.
    Linn Majik DSM/2, Cambridge CD CXC, IOM classic, Tannoy "Langley"

  10. #10
    Join Date: Oct 2014

    Location: SW England

    Posts: 560
    I'm Richie.

    Default

    Hi Norman - how are you getting on with this?

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