The Grand Wazoo
03-09-2013, 20:25
For quite a while, I've had a mild inquisitive interest in the Supreme series that Kenwood made at the back end of a long time ago. The units they produced incorporated quite a few interesting ideas and concepts and this one, I thought, must have been rather unusual for the time.
http://imageshack.us/a/img833/8356/btk4.jpg
As far as I can tell, the cantilever had a pair of screens mounted in a 'V' formation on it and upon these were a pair of photo-electric cells. Also within the headshell were a pair of lamps which shone through a slit and the screens and then onto the cells. As the stylus tracked the groove, the cantilever moved the screen and caused variations in the pattern of light falling onto the cells. Part of the system was a power supply for the bulbs and the unit also had the ability to amplify the cartridge output to line level. There was a balance control round the back & a bypass switch on the front which allowed another conventional cartridge to be connected. The cartridge was mounted into an integral headshell unit and was quite heavy, often needing a beefy counterweight.
I understand that it was made for Trio by Ikeda and that it cost a rather lively £78 (inc. tax) in 1969, which relates to something like £1088 nowadays.
I wonder if anyone has ever seen or heard one of these rare beasts, and if so, what did you think of it?
http://imageshack.us/a/img833/8356/btk4.jpg
As far as I can tell, the cantilever had a pair of screens mounted in a 'V' formation on it and upon these were a pair of photo-electric cells. Also within the headshell were a pair of lamps which shone through a slit and the screens and then onto the cells. As the stylus tracked the groove, the cantilever moved the screen and caused variations in the pattern of light falling onto the cells. Part of the system was a power supply for the bulbs and the unit also had the ability to amplify the cartridge output to line level. There was a balance control round the back & a bypass switch on the front which allowed another conventional cartridge to be connected. The cartridge was mounted into an integral headshell unit and was quite heavy, often needing a beefy counterweight.
I understand that it was made for Trio by Ikeda and that it cost a rather lively £78 (inc. tax) in 1969, which relates to something like £1088 nowadays.
I wonder if anyone has ever seen or heard one of these rare beasts, and if so, what did you think of it?