Daves gone technics mad ...

[The Vinyl Adventure]

... What a cool looking hifi!
http://www.time-step.net/showthread.php?367-Technics-Heaven
I remember oggleing this kit (or similar with the mahusive vu meters) when I was a tiddler ... Wonder if it's any good?

http://www.soundhifi.com/FOURUMIMAGES/Technics-Heaven-8.jpg
Sure he won't mind me nicking the picture ... :/

[Marco]

"Technics Heaven", apart from the Marantz CDP? ;)

Seriously, though, that sort of kit is right up my street! SP10 aside, as we all know how good those are, the amps (which I've heard elsewhere) would surprise a few people, as indeed I'm sure the speakers would. The reel-to-reel is in the first rank, in terms of its sheer quality.

And whether Dave would admit it or not, that system, in some respects, will show the modern kit he sells a trick or two!!

Marco.

[DSJR]

Technics Top End did get very favourable comments in the early 80's, but the Linn/Naim thang, together with the "US Invasion" at even higher prices, all but killed the decent Japanese stuff off over here sadly.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

I was pretty impressed by the marantz kit and the Focals he had, so would be interesting what this lot brings to the table as replacement for it ... And if it's close to being as good...

[WOStantonCS100]

Sure he won't mind me nicking the picture ... :/

Wouldn't it be ironic if the "nick-meister general" got upset at you for nicking something as small as one of his photos. :rolleyes:

[bogle111]

Technics Top End did get very favourable comments in the early 80's, but the Linn/Naim thang, together with the "US Invasion" at even higher prices, all but killed the decent Japanese stuff off over here sadly.

In part I agree with you.

As my memory serves me, it was a Marketing thang that helped kill a lot of the good Jap gear. They had (Technics for example) reps that were generally graduates but not music & equipment lovers - they were selling hi-fi like it was the TCFM product. Number crunching Mars bars. Linn Naim did look after the dealers in terms of profit and exclusivity and of course, courted the press, as well as producing some good gear. Technics on the other hand had hi-fi mixed with washing machine/vacuum cleaner dealers that were prepared to sell at almost any margin. A specialist dealer could not/would not compete with this. The good Jap gear didn't even make it to the shelves.

Plus he would have been laughed at by other "Audio Specialists" for recommending such products. I have seen some damn good people suffer agency wise because of expressing their ideas in the trade or telling certain manufacturerers "how it was".

No matter how good the Product, Retailer (Principal) or the Manufacturer aims, it all boils down to the Salesman, his interpretation, his aims and opinions, how he is courted by a manufacturer (usually UK based) and his own personal agenda (by getting a job with a manufacturer?). We had a great many staff nicked by manufacturers to become reps, but the majority nicked were so focused on their own agendas and opinions that it almost made it impossible to offer great products to the consumer in a fair manner. Then of course there were the Magazines and the Reviewers agendas...that is how and why IMHO, the consumers lost out in UK. It became a very incestuous industry in the '80's.

Mention even today that you run a Yamaha amp and a pair of NS1000's with an SL1000, let alone in the '80's and all would look at you as though you were not really serious or knowledgeable, and certainly not in the industry. Heaven forbid you should say that you wanted a pair of JBL 4344. My LP12 was bought mainly because we were Linn dealers, - it didn't sound bad with an Ittok, (but the Ekos was a total no-brainer) finish wise & set-up wise though, it didn't compete. Hi-fi snobbery had reared it's head!

The Japs had more money in R & D that would make most of the UK and many US companies just dream of. Mission's, Linn's and Naim's whole turnover was less than that put into Technics R & D. Sony's advertising budget on one TV model promotion for two months would have stomped Linn's total turnover for a whole year.

When a UK speaker manufacturer built their speakers dimensions and weight according to the right packaging sizes for shipping or to fill a container fully, you know there is something being compromised.

Then of course there was the ego of some of the major UK manufacturers owners...but I'll leave it there.

[alfie2902]

I wonder if the speakers are SB-E100? They look like it, I went to buy a pair of these a few months ago. They sounded very good indeed even though one speaker had some driver issues. I wish I'd of bought them as parts seem to be available on ebay.de from time to time, at a price though!

[jostber]

I wonder if the speakers are SB-E100? They look like it, I went to buy a pair of these a few months ago. They sounded very good indeed even though one speaker had some driver issues. I wish I'd of bought them as parts seem to be available on ebay.de from time to time, at a price though!

It quite looks like the SB-E100:

http://itishifi.blogspot.com/2011/01/technics-sb-e100-sb-e500-sb-e1000.html

[MCRU]

Hamish will also be going technics mad soon :)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

shh ... its a secret ;)