1988/1989 HiFi Shop Retail Price List

[southall-1998]

Its a typo as I can see E listed twice. Not sure which it was maybe A's. These were American speakers imported into the UK, I think by Audio Innovations but maybe not. Its a long time ago.

Yes, you are correct. The Snell E's was just over £1k. The A is a beast!

S.

[Marco]

Nice find, Neil

One other thing it ably demonstrates is the 'Belt-drive, British is Best Brainwash', so prevalent in those days, as not ONE single direct-drive or idler is listed amongst the turntables! CD players and T/T ancillaries aside, the virtual complete absence of anything Japanese on that list is also telling.

Fast forward now to 2017, and see how things have changed in that respect. I'd like to think that AoS has played some part in raising the awareness of enthusiasts, and in turn some manufacturers, of how good D/Ds and idlers can be, when properly designed.

The most galling thing, however, is that around that time so much 'cost-no-object', truly amazing kit, was being produced in Japan (such my Sony DAS-R1 and its bigger brother), which we saw virtually zilch of on these shores (but somehow found its way to other parts of Europe and the States)!

Marco.

[Macca]

Nice find, Neil

One other thing it ably demonstrates is the 'Belt-drive, British is Best Brainwash', so prevalent in those days, as not ONE single direct-drive or idler is listed amongst the turntables! CD players and T/T ancillaries aside, the virtual complete absence of anything Japanese on that list is also telling.

Fast forward now to 2017, and see how things have changed in that respect. I'd like to think that AoS has played some part in raising the awareness of enthusiasts, and in turn some manufacturers, of how good D/Ds and idlers can be, when properly designed.

The most galling thing, however, is that around that time so much 'cost-no-object', truly amazing kit, was being produced in Japan (such my Sony DAS-R1 and its bigger brother), which we saw virtually zilch of on these shores (but somehow found its way to other parts of Europe and the States)!

Marco.

True, Surprisingly they do have the Akai AM93 integrated which is still rated now. IIRC there is a member here who has one.

You can't blame the dealer though, you stock what people think they want or go out of business. We always had that problem when I was in sales, the models everyone wanted we didn't stock, which meant convincing the punter to change their mind then selling them something we did stock. Obviously in the time that took you could have sold 5 of the desirable brand/model, and with a lot less effort.

[JohnJo]

That's very interesting Neil, thanks for posting.

Look at the price of the Pink Triangle PIP!

You could have an EAR 802 pre AND a pair of 509 monoblocks AND a Manticore Mantra M1 turntable AND a fiver change (which would probably buy 3 or 4 pints)!!

Bet they sold well

[Spectral Morn]

That's very interesting Neil, thanks for posting.

Look at the price of the Pink Triangle PIP!

You could have an EAR 802 pre AND a pair of 509 monoblocks AND a Manticore Mantra M1 turntable AND a fiver change (which would probably buy 3 or 4 pints)!!

Bet they sold well

Actually they didn't. The Pink turntables sold but the electronics.... not so much. I think maybe one, maybe two was sold and that was it, best as I can recall.

I worked as a Saturday boy in that shop.

[Spectral Morn]

Nice find, Neil

One other thing it ably demonstrates is the 'Belt-drive, British is Best Brainwash', so prevalent in those days, as not ONE single direct-drive or idler is listed amongst the turntables! CD players and T/T ancillaries aside, the virtual complete absence of anything Japanese on that list is also telling.

Fast forward now to 2017, and see how things have changed in that respect. I'd like to think that AoS has played some part in raising the awareness of enthusiasts, and in turn some manufacturers, of how good D/Ds and idlers can be, when properly designed.

The most galling thing, however, is that around that time so much 'cost-no-object', truly amazing kit, was being produced in Japan (such my Sony DAS-R1 and its bigger brother), which we saw virtually zilch of on these shores (but somehow found its way to other parts of Europe and the States)!

Marco.

Far as I know Marco back then there were no idlers in production and direct drives well maybe Technics but that was it. That shop didn't deal with Technics and as best I can recall the other brands didn't have them on their books, though they were available in Japan.

Regarding the turntables sold bar the Roksan and flakey Pink build quality they were all very good, with some fabulous decks Alphason, Oracle, Oxford, Michell, Voyd etc. Another business up the road did Linn and Rega.

During the whole time I worked there I never saw any type of idler, and I was the main turntable set up guy. And I don't recall ever seeing a Technics either.

[Scooby]

What a great thread. I've taken some screenshots for nostalgia. Man, if I could only go back in time and snap up a few things on that list!

[Spectral Morn]

What a great thread. I've taken some screenshots for nostalgia. Man, if I could only go back in time and snap up a few things on that list!

Yes, Oxford Crystal Reference would be nice.

No worries I posted it so folks have a point of reference for that kit at that time. De bull shits the unethical EBayers.

[JohnJo]

Actually they didn't. The Pink turntables sold but the electronics.... not so much. I think maybe one, maybe two was sold and that was it, best as I can recall.

I worked as a Saturday boy in that shop.

I was being sarcastic must work on that

May have been in there a few times myself as a young cub!

[Spectral Morn]

I was being sarcastic must work on that

May have been in there a few times myself as a young cub!

Didn't transfer as that, one of the problems with written only no tone, or face. Use emoticons more.