View Full Version : What is the rarest item in your system?
What is the rarest item in your system?
We have already been asked what is the oldest item in your audio system and what is the heaviest?
Well now, what is the rarest item in your system?
For me it is my Breuer Dynamic Type 5A pickup arm. Hand made by the late Herr Breuer in Lausanne, Switzerland it was imported in small quantities by Linn Products to replace the Grace 707 arm that partnered the Linn LP12 turntable.
http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/013-4_zpsdfcefe68.jpg
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?31118-The-Breuer-Dynamic-Type-5A-pickup-arm
The Breuer Type 5 arm was later replaced by the even rarer Type 8; does anyone have one of those?
The second and third reasonably rare items I have (but do not use) are the Quad AM1 and AM3 tuner.
http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/006_zps9eaba540.jpg
Only 2500 and 2000 units respectively of these were sold.
I have a Quad 520f professional amplifier fitted with Neutrik Speakon connectors of which only 3000 were sold, so is reasonably rare. Though not as rare as the single channel 510 similarly fitted with Neutriks, of which only 600 were sold.
One other item that is a little unusual, but probably not particularly rare, is an ‘American’ SME S2 perforated headshell with a raised logo. Usually the logo is “SME”, but since Shure and SME distributed one another’s products in their respective countries, SME arms made for export to the US had “Shure SME” as the logo. However rarer still would be the S2 headshell SME made available to Radford for use with the B&O SP6/7 that Radford imported and distributed at the time. The headshell had a silver finish, rather than black, and had “Radford” written on the raised nameplate.
So what rare and/or odd items do you have out there? Does anyone use the original Naim 200 poweramps? Or possess the rare Quad 240 poweramp, of which only 180 were made.
How about the Quad 50 monoblock amp (not the 50D or 50E) or even the Quad 40!
Come on now – ‘fess up. :)
I guess it is my Aikido clone pre. It is one of a kind to my knowledge, and darned good. Built by Tubehunter, who is top notch.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/674/hJ4wgJ.jpg
walpurgis
07-11-2014, 22:21
This:
http://i59.tinypic.com/2mcxnb.jpg
My Raphaelite 6V6 amp, MingDa MC-9 pre-amp and ADC 10E Mk.II cartridge are not exactly common either.
This:
http://i59.tinypic.com/2mcxnb.jpg
My Raphaelite 6V6 amp, MingDa MC-9 pre-amp and ADC 10E Mk.II cartridge are not exactly common either.
how rare is the Osawa Geoff.....love its looks...
walpurgis
07-11-2014, 22:51
how rare is the Osawa Geoff.....love its looks...
I bought one of two held by the guy who as far as I know, had the only stock in the UK. Mine may be the only one left. Who knows.
It's superb by the way, the best SUT I've come across. That's why I still have it after approx 35 years.
Hope you are leaving it to me in your will :eyebrows::lolsign:
only joking. ...I love it when someone gets something he will never sell...
walpurgis
07-11-2014, 23:04
Hope you are leaving it to me in your will :eyebrows::lolsign:...
You should be so lucky. It will go in the AOS Hi-Fi museum! ;)
337alant
07-11-2014, 23:54
Think the rarest item I have is my Rogers T100 tuner
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7526/15115864023_076c75eef9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/p2JKKe)IMG_1791 (https://flic.kr/p/p2JKKe) by 337alant (https://www.flickr.com/people/69508926@N05/), on Flickr
Alan
Ali Tait
08-11-2014, 00:01
You should be so lucky. It will go in the AOS Hi-Fi museum! ;)
Great!
I'm the curator BTW.. :D
Great!
I'm the curator BTW.. :D
...and I'm his pal :eyebrows:
337alant
08-11-2014, 00:35
Guess my Pioneer PLC-590 is also quite rare as well :)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/14889297275_686e98438c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oFHxkZ)nebp 4-6 (https://flic.kr/p/oFHxkZ) by 337alant (https://www.flickr.com/people/69508926@N05/), on Flickr
Alan
walpurgis
08-11-2014, 01:05
Like the Leak Stereo 20 on the floor.
Like the Leak Stereo 20 on the floor.
What's the beer in the glass?
Those speakers look interesting. Nice pair of tea too
Those speakers look interesting. Nice pair of tea too
?
PaulStewart
08-11-2014, 01:27
I have the original prototype for a Tannoy DAC, it's in an RS case and has a highly modified Sony board inside. There were only two made. I also have the pre prodution versions of the JVC ribbon tweeters from the then flagship Zero 5 speakers circa '79. Also, my Lockies have the 12" MGs and there were only 20 pairs of these made, rather than with 15"s 15 pairs went to the BBC, 2 pairs went to EMI and three pairs went to NHK. Mine were in BBC Bristol then went to Mushroom studio and then to me.
This:
http://i59.tinypic.com/2mcxnb.jpg
My Raphaelite 6V6 amp, MingDa MC-9 pre-amp and ADC 10E Mk.II cartridge are not exactly common either.
Osawa is, or was, a large Japanese trading company. They have sold various audio and photography equipment, but didn't manufactured much, if any, of it themselves. The Osawa cartridges were made for them by Nagaoka and rebadged, so it is quite possible that the SUT was also a badged item.
In the truest sense of the word the rarest component in my system is the BTE passive pre as it is a bespoke item.
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/808fbf49-a4f3-4ce7-8d77-06930eae5642.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/808fbf49-a4f3-4ce7-8d77-06930eae5642.jpg.html)
Magna Audio
08-11-2014, 09:33
i suppose it's the stuff I've made like the Tapped horns or mid bass / upper horns - they are one offs for my system, so rare in that sense.
Commercial stuff, it must be the Vitavox S2's compression drivers - From the 40's / 50's. They are back in production now, but still rare at todays prices.
http://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/354582-vitavox_s2_compression_drivers_with_throats_.jpg
337alant
08-11-2014, 10:12
Like the Leak Stereo 20 on the floor.
That picture was taken at the NEBO bake off in Hartlepool so the only thing in the picture that is mine is the Pioneer
The speakers are Ken Quinn's Celestion Ditton 66
The other turntable is Kens Techy hybrid and very nice too I must say (also very rare as it is a 1 off)
The beer is John Smiths
Cant remember who owned the Leak Valve amp but it was also very nice
Alan
dantheman91
08-11-2014, 10:30
Little Rogers Ravenbrook Amplifier
IAS Speakers
Audio Note ANJ/D Speakers
walpurgis
08-11-2014, 10:42
Osawa is, or was, a large Japanese trading company. They have sold various audio and photography equipment, but didn't manufactured much, if any, of it themselves. The Osawa cartridges were made for them by Nagaoka and rebadged, so it is quite possible that the SUT was also a badged item.
The story as I recall, was that Osawa were manufacturers of cartridges and made their own rather decent OS series MCs from which the Supex and early Linn MCs were derived. I had an Osawa OS-60L low output MC and a Supex 900-SD and they did sound rather similar. They also had links to Satin MCs.
Steve's post just reminded me that I have some rather rare speaker units. A set of Japanese Crysler compression horn mids with cellular horns, Coral Beryllium domed super tweeters, largish Isophon elliptical 'radiogram' speakers, big Isophon horn tweeters, and quite a selection of other obscure drivers.
My Tannoy Cheviot II are not exactly common either. They were only in production for about six months if the story is right.
A pair of 12" Tannoy blue silvers, with matching crossovers.
Blues were specially made for Pye and Decca, and are much rarer than the already scarce Monitor Silvers. I've never seen a pair offered on ebay, even blue singles come up very infrequently.
walpurgis
08-11-2014, 10:54
A pair of 12" Tannoy blue silvers, with matching crossovers.
Nice!
BTH K10A
08-11-2014, 11:49
Rarest must be my Westrex 2326A speakers. Very few were made as they cost a small fortune in 1961. I only know of one other pair.
Next would be my BTH dual concentrics, very scarce and there are only a few other pairs I know of and the same applies to my A1A amplifier and matching pre.
My Toft LBPA5 preamp is one of only 14
The 930 & 938 are fairly scarce in the UK
walpurgis
08-11-2014, 12:13
Yes, you have some nice and rare bits.
Lodgesound
08-11-2014, 15:54
Would have to be this.....
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/Lodgesound/IMG_0102_zps45799916.jpg (http://s582.photobucket.com/user/Lodgesound/media/IMG_0102_zps45799916.jpg.html)
It took me 30 years to aquire one.....a childhood dream really.
The Black Adder
08-11-2014, 15:55
Would have to be this.....
It took me 30 years to aquire one.....a childhood dream really.
Stop it... just stop it... lol - Well shwexy is that mi duck.
I guess my Croft Valve MC headamp is the rarest not least as it has a pair of Siemens NoS CCa valves. The AKG P8ES Supernova (with box and docs) is a likely close second
The Barbarian
08-11-2014, 16:56
That AKG 'P8' is a good cartridge
That AKG 'P8' is a good cartridge
Thanks - I have it in a SME 3009 II on a Thorens TD150. It;s especially nice as the SME blurb that came with the arm "specifies" either Shure VMS 20 or AKG P8 cartridge
Would have to be this.....
http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/Lodgesound/IMG_0102_zps45799916.jpg (http://s582.photobucket.com/user/Lodgesound/media/IMG_0102_zps45799916.jpg.html)
It took me 30 years to aquire one.....a childhood dream really.
Oh - That's just lovely Stewart!
Congratulations on persevering for 30 years! I did the same to acquire a pair of Mark Levinson ML-2 monoblock amplifiers; but I do not regard them as rare, since quite a few hundred were made. But it's always nice when one realises one's ambition. :)
Regarding Studer tape machines, I came very close to acquiring a C37 two-track machine (complete with recording level meters) a couple of years ago. But I didn't go through with it since: (1) I didn't think I would use it to it's full capability, and (2) was unsure about the situation regarding spares. Similar doubts were raised when I went after a Studer B62 a year or so before.
Well done.
That AKG 'P8' is a good cartridge
Agreed - I have an AKG P8ES. It took me a long time to track one down to replace my original sample; loaned to a friend, who subsequently claimed to have "lost" it! :steam:
The P8ES joins those few '70s MM cartridges I hold in high regard. The others being the ADC25/26, the ADC 10E Mk. II and IV, the B&O MMC20CL, and of course the Deccas. The Goldring ICG900 is another good cartridge, but I have not had direct experience of one in my system.
walpurgis
08-11-2014, 17:18
I should have mentioned these:
http://i57.tinypic.com/4l0w9w.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/15yyucg.jpg
I guess my Croft Valve MC headamp is the rarest not least as it has a pair of Siemens NoS CCa valves. The AKG P8ES Supernova (with box and docs) is a likely close second
Yes, those Siemens & Halske "CCa" valves are considered to be the best version available of the ECC88 design. I have a pair I picked up for £50.
They ought to sound great in your Croft headamp.
walpurgis
08-11-2014, 17:30
Bet nobody's got a pair of these:
http://i62.tinypic.com/29p66uq.jpg
Classic Tubes CT15 EL34 monoblocks. They sound lovely!
i remember you posting that pic b4 Geoff
walpurgis
08-11-2014, 18:05
Are they yours Geoff?
Yes.
BTH K10A
08-11-2014, 18:17
How about a NOS Telefunken EVN171 triode from 1918 still in it's fitted case. Used in WW1 U boat radio's apparently.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/104-0415_IMG.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/emttsd15/media/104-0415_IMG.jpg.html)
walpurgis
08-11-2014, 18:22
Not many of these about!
http://i58.tinypic.com/hwl6kj.jpg
Pioneer PL-61, circa 1969. (yes, it's mine)
Yes, those Siemens & Halske "CCa" valves are considered to be the best version available of the ECC88 design. I have a pair I picked up for £50.
They ought to sound great in your Croft headamp.
You got good deal there Barry :)
I paid a tad more at £150 but still reckoned a good deal - I've seen NoS NiB pairs going for significantly more.
As you say they do sound superb though.
How about a NOS Telefunken EVN171 triode from 1918 still in it's fitted case. Used in WW1 U boat radio's apparently.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/104-0415_IMG.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/emttsd15/media/104-0415_IMG.jpg.html)
Very nice - but do you actually use it in your audio system?
walpurgis
08-11-2014, 19:26
VTL Deluxe valve pre-amp. They are rare.
http://i62.tinypic.com/2lj1gd1.jpg
BTH K10A
08-11-2014, 20:15
Very nice - but do you actually use it in your audio system?
As often as you use as your Quad tuners :lol:
A friend into old radios did breadboard a circuit for it with some ferranti & Lissen transformers and it sounded quite good though an old voigt corner horn.
First thing that came to mind is this:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/Old_School_BMW/Audio/DSC_0003_zps7a469995.jpg
Micro Seiki DDX-1000. It's not that rare though.
Rarest is probably a Thorens MCH II phono cartridge, though it's only rare in Thorens clothing - it's basically a TSD-15. Sorry no photo.
I also have one of these:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/Old_School_BMW/Audio/leak2.jpg
Leak Stereo 50 with US-voltage mains transformer.
Beobloke
08-11-2014, 22:21
Well, I've don't know anyone else with a Pioneer PL-L1 turntable. Or an Aiwa LP-3000.
Or a Yamaha CX-10000 preamp come to that!
Martyn Miles
08-11-2014, 22:29
My oldest component is an Entre 1 MC cartridge. Bought in 1978 for £90. Mind you, the stylus has been replaced four times...
walpurgis
08-11-2014, 22:35
Toshiba SR-370
http://i58.tinypic.com/i2obao.jpg
Not the rarest thing around, but not common that's for sure.
(yes, I know you've all seen my photos before)
The Barbarian
09-11-2014, 10:59
Toshiba SR-370
http://i58.tinypic.com/i2obao.jpg
Hi Geoff:
No, not rare but it throws the idea that a low compliance cartridge is not suppose to work with a very low mass arm. Likewise i use a SME '3009,S2 Imp' Fixed Headshell with Pickering 'V15/625E' Sounds superb. Again not a good idea, however my lugholes tell me different. However i noticed the strip of lead fitted to the top of the cart. Fancy removing it see if you notice any difference. I cannot hear none adding additional mass to my headshell.
How come your cartridge fixing bolts go all the way through the '774' headblock, they were originally tapped from below?
The rarest commercially available (as opposed to bits I have made) thing in my system is my cartridge - a pre-production Linn Troika anodised black instead of the red they were actually sold in. I've done quite a bit of asking about and it would appear to be unique.
Other than that, my turntable is unique in that I built it so there is only one and there isn't another pair of Yamaha speakers the same as mine either.
The Barbarian
09-11-2014, 11:10
The best bit about making your own TT Mark is that people cannot ridicule is cos they have not got the faintest idea what it sounds like. All they can go by is the commercially available arm & cart it employs..
Mine would be the one and only Bitten IC1. An interconnect made for me by a friend some years ago from some qed rca's I had and a bit of Belden coax.
Fantastic bit of wire and it has seen off everything I've tried in the years I've had it.
There is some wonderful and interesting stuff in this thread :youtheman:
I've had a couple of off the beaten track bits over the years and still have a couple now. Of the commercially sold pieces, I think my Brinkmann Integrated is probably the rarest. I've had it since 2007 and never seen another or heard of anybody with one. It was introduced in the late '90s and is still available. Mine has the optional valve DAC module fitted. Beautifully made, sounds very good.
This is mine:
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/enbee23/Audio/Brink1_zps7c696b3f.jpg
This shows the "floating" design a bit better:
http://www.brinkmann-audio.de/inhalt/bilder/integrated.jpg
337alant
09-11-2014, 16:46
Nick
Yes that is really unusual and very nice :eyebrows:
Alan
The Barbarian
09-11-2014, 16:49
Is the art of Aluminium Enclosure forming dead these days?
walpurgis
09-11-2014, 16:59
Hi Geoff:
No, not rare but it throws the idea that a low compliance cartridge is not suppose to work with a very low mass arm. Likewise i use a SME '3009,S2 Imp' Fixed Headshell with Pickering 'V15/625E' Sounds superb. Again not a good idea, however my lugholes tell me different. However i noticed the strip of lead fitted to the top of the cart. Fancy removing it see if you notice any difference. I cannot hear none adding additional mass to my headshell.
How come your cartridge fixing bolts go all the way through the '774' headblock, they were originally tapped from below?
Well Andr'e, the 774/ZYX combination works 'cos I'm using some fluid damping which resists movement and allows the stiff cantilever suspension to articulate properly (as I'm sure you know ;)).
I added the weight to increase mass as the ZYXs are extremely light and the counterweight won't balance out without it. If I get my lathe set up I'll have a bash at making a lighter counterweight.
I drilled the headblock and changed the cartridge mounting bolts for through ones due to wear of the threads. It gives a nice solid fixing now. I may change them for stainless steel, the little lead weight may not be needed then.
You don't miss much do you. :)
The Barbarian
09-11-2014, 17:11
There's a guy on E-Bay that sells Medium mass replacement arm wands for the original '774..
You also need to modify internal wiring configuration in which case this kit the seller sells has done for you..
Yeh the 774 did have a Silicon Trough with different paddles.. Summert i could do with is a complete SME 'FD200' Kit with cam lever etc but they seem to go thru the roof these days..
Yeah, that Brinkmann integrated is a nice piece of design :).
walpurgis
09-11-2014, 17:45
I have thought about making a different arm wand, I toyed with using a wood arrow shaft, they come in the right size.
walpurgis
09-11-2014, 17:48
Yeah, that Brinkmann integrated is a nice piece of design :).
Yes. Always liked those. I quite fancy trying one or maybe a Lavardin.
Yes. Always liked those. I quite fancy trying one or maybe a Lavardin.
The Lavardin amp never seemed to have got the recognition it deserved.
walpurgis
09-11-2014, 18:43
Yeah, Lavardin stuff is a bit special. Only heard a couple and not got my hands on one personally.
I had a Lavardin pre/power just before I got the Brinkmann. Lets just say that I kept the Lavardins a month or two and the Brinkmann has been here for 7+ years.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/enbee23/Audio/Lavs_zpsdeaeb5ce.jpg
That little box atop the amps is the BAM from a pair of Merlin VSM-MM speakers which the Brinkmann subsequently gelled with brilliantly. The Lavs were very ethereal and airy but it was almost as if they were trying on purpose to be fey, no drive or guts at all. I even tried them briefly with my red Yamaha NS1000M... Ouch, terrible combination. In short, the Lavardins sounded wishy washy and boring and were tinnily built. Wouldn't go there again if you paid me!
walpurgis
09-11-2014, 19:03
Interesting. As I say, I've not had my hands on a Lavardin.
Interesting. As I say, I've not had my hands on a Lavardin.
In fairness, the consensus of opinion does seem to be very positive. Maybe I had duff ones, dunno. Can't remember the model names now but they were effectively a two-box IS Ref. Re the build, the front plate, knobs, design is nice but the boxes are very light and full of air, lid/sleeve rings like crazy and the unused holes in the back plate were "fitted" with cheap nasty loose grommets that could easily have been pushed in or out by inquisitive fingers. Cheap national stereotyping maybe but the Brinkmann is like a bank vault and the Lavardins were a 2CV...
I'm collecting an Inca Designs Oberon integrated on Tuesday. I'm not sure quite how rare it is but I decided on the purchase based on reviews of the Claymore, because I couldn't find owt on the Oberon.
Pete The Cat
09-11-2014, 20:47
White Noise Audio MkIII headphone amp, made by Dr David White. Possibly better known to those on Head-Fi.
Pete
I have heard they only made 100 Goldmund Reference turntables, but maybe not.
I have heard they only made 100 Goldmund Reference turntables,
It wouldn't surprise me.
hornucopia
11-11-2014, 23:21
Sparked by Srajan's article here...http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/ocellia/ocellia.html
I sold my Avantgarde Duos, thus losing all claims to my 'Horn' monicker!
These speakers are a delight. So effortless and natural.
13500
Cost about £16K now!
But then, I guess a lot of my stuff is rare when I think on it!
Leak 3090 speakers?
Wharfedale 'phones?
Hafler DH 101/112 + 200 amps.
Pass F3?
walpurgis
11-11-2014, 23:43
You sold your Duos! What the hell for?
My rarest item would be my Cartridge.
Its a Fidelity Research MC702. Part of the "7" series of cartridges from the 1980's. It is a one piece cartridge in that the headshell and cartridge are as one, and cant be separated. It is a detachable headshell, with an conventional SME type fit.
The "7" series have a cult thing going on, especially in the far east, and this is a rare version from within that series.
I dont have a picture to post, but here is a link that shows what it looks like.
http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/ca.html?ca=51279
Sounds really nice.
Martyn Miles
12-11-2014, 09:59
My rarest item would be my Cartridge.
Its a Fidelity Research MC702. Part of the "7" series of cartridges from the 1980's. It is a one piece cartridge in that the headshell and cartridge are as one, and cant be separated. It is a detachable headshell, with an conventional SME type fit.
The "7" series have a cult thing going on, especially in the far east, and this is a rare version from within that series.
I dont have a picture to post, but here is a link that shows what it looks like.
http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/ca.html?ca=51279
Sounds really nice.
It's good to have someone here whose rarest item is a cartridge.
It's good to have someone here whose rarest item is a cartridge.
Martyn, LOL.
The rest of my stuff is common as muck, so isnt shown here.
Actually, I have another rare'ish cartridge.
An Audio Note I.O. (japan). this is the original Kondo version from I believe the 1980's, also.
Needs some repair work doing to it though..... someday !!
It's got to be my IAS Beaulieu speakers.... there seems to be hardly any around. There were 3,500 pairs sold back in the 80's, a great deal of them in the south I should imagine, IAS being Southampton based. Yet, even though I'm in the Southampton area, it's extremely rare to hear of someone who's got a pair (or even heard of them !!) ..... make's me wonder how 3,500 pairs of speakers can just vanish ..... very strange :scratch:
Steve
maxrob200
13-11-2014, 04:38
Dennessen Geometric Soundtracktor cartridge alignment gauge
I only have the plastic version not the aluminium one unfortunately
wonderfully precise setup gauge
My rarest item is my Grace F9E Ruby.
Had it since new and it only comes out on special occasions.
walpurgis
13-11-2014, 23:43
My rarest item is my Grace F9E Ruby.
Nice!
hoopsontoast
14-11-2014, 08:36
My Rega R9s and Keesonic Kolts, never seen another pair of the latter for sale, other than my pair which I sold and bought back!
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5068/5763824329_3acc47d9d1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/9Mk7ax)
Keesonic Kolt Near-Field Monitors (https://flic.kr/p/9Mk7ax) by RSdesignUK (https://www.flickr.com/people/16900818@N06/), on Flickr
tommy6206
14-11-2014, 09:45
Mine would have to be my Technics RS9900 tape deck. And you dont see to many of the SE-9600 & SU-9600 Amp/pre for sale..
Gordon Steadman
14-11-2014, 10:04
My record player. There is only one in the entire known universe.
My record player. There is only one in the entire known universe.
And what is it?
Gordon Steadman
14-11-2014, 14:58
And what is it?
It's a Steadman Mark 111:)
Or it might be a SIR Mk 111, I never got a label printed.
My Royd Sorcerers are rare as they have the (hand-doped) Revelation drivers, but without the cabinet turned 'upside down' like the Sorcerer SE. I tried this & prefer the classic arrangement with the tweeter at the top.
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj516/Waka54321/Royd%20Sorcerer/Royd1.jpg
I also have a pair of Royd RR3s, which are pretty rare.
Also, try finding an LFD PA0 (SE) - PA0 and other LFD amps do pop up, but never seen the SE version for sale.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i405/neil_yeomans/pa01_zps14ca53b1.jpg
It's a Steadman Mark 111:)
Or it might be a SIR Mk 111, I never got a label printed.
That's cheating!
Gordon Steadman
14-11-2014, 15:06
That's cheating!
Well..... its rare and it's in my system. Seems to fit the thread title!!:)
Well..... its rare and it's in my system. Seems to fit the thread title!!:)
What I had in mind, were those items of commercial audio gear, of which only a few were ever made. So for example, manufacturer's prototypes would qualify, as would items for which only a very few were made: such as Paul Stewart's Tannoy/Lockwood monitors, some of the cartridges mentioned, F1's Goldmund TT and possibly Andy's (BTH K10A) BTH drive units.
There are some items of gear used by members that are unusual, but not neccessarily rare: EMT 930 turntables are relatively uncommon in the UK, but over 6,500 were built; so too with Studer or Nagra tape machines.
Clearly any modified or DIY items will be rare, but that opens up the thread to an enormous amount of submissions. Based on that criterion, nearly all of my amplifiers and phono stages would qualify as rare, if not unique.
Anyway we would love to see a photo of the Steadman Mk. III. :)
The Barbarian
14-11-2014, 15:26
Yes we would
:D
nekoni koban
14-11-2014, 15:38
Ummm... my Oleg Rullit interconnects, only because --- always eccentric and not a little reclusive --- he now seems to have vanished off the face of the earth and doesn't seem likely to make any more. Everything else I have can be replaced for mere money.
I haven’t heard of Oleg Rullit cables. They are not known here in the UK.
For the interest of other members, I have attached some links:
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/cables/messages/15/159030.html
http://classicaudio.ru/forum/tags/ccs/%25D0%25A0%25D1%2583%25D0%25BB%25D0%25BB%25D0%25B8 %25D1%2582/
(Apologies for those who cannot read Russian – my excuse is it is an interesting site anyway; the contributor has an interesting collection of speaker drivers!)
Could you tell us a little more about these cables please? Oh, and some photos would be nice if you can manage it! :)
Gordon Steadman
14-11-2014, 19:47
What I had in mind, were those items of commercial audio gear, of which only a few were ever made. So for example, manufacturer's prototypes would qualify, as would items for which only a very few were made: such as Paul Stewart's Tannoy/Lockwood monitors, some of the cartridges mentioned, F1's Goldmund TT and possibly Andy's (BTH K10A) BTH drive units.
There are some items of gear used by members that are unusual, but not neccessarily rare: EMT 930 turntables are relatively uncommon in the UK, but over 6,500 were built; so too with Studer or Nagra tape machines.
Clearly any modified or DIY items will be rare, but that opens up the thread to an enormous amount of submissions. Based on that criterion, nearly all of my amplifiers and phono stages would qualify as rare, if not unique.
Anyway we would love to see a photo of the Steadman Mk. III. :)
Already seen in the turntable thread but here you go again. One of the guys described it as a V8 in a Morris Minor which sums up the performance. Its been modded loads of times so its getting a bit tatty. I didn't think about dusting when i designed it!! Origin Live modded RB250/ Technics 205, Origin Live bearing and platter, AR motor and electrics.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2943/15174926189_99c09ef38b_o.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2943/15338671106_3c8e3938e5_o.jpg
Thanks Gordon. :)
Is the platter made from wood? If so, what wood is it?
Gordon Steadman
14-11-2014, 19:53
Thanks Gordon. :)
Is the platter made from wood? If so, what wood is it?
The platter is made of vinyl and used with no mat. The rest is MDF apart from the arm board which is cherry. 'Suspension' is spikes into coins resting on rubber gromits and sorbothane feet under the bottom section.
Interesting - do you use a record clamp or weight with it?
Speakers - unique.
Amps - only one pair I know of in the UK.
Some valves I have are pretty rare.
Gordon Steadman
14-11-2014, 20:08
Interesting - do you use a record clamp or weight with it?
Nope. I have tried them over the years but they always deaden the sound.
walpurgis
14-11-2014, 20:22
Already seen in the turntable thread but here you go again. One of the guys described it as a V8 in a Morris Minor which sums up the performance.
Bit like this then. But does it sound the same?
http://i59.tinypic.com/xnz2v5.jpg
Gordon Steadman
14-11-2014, 20:45
Bit like this then. But does it sound the same?
http://i59.tinypic.com/xnz2v5.jpg
When I put the right record on - exactly:lol:
Canetoad
14-11-2014, 23:22
Hmmm... Small block with a lung! Very nice! :)
My Kenwood Model 500 amp is a very rare beast with less than 1000 made according to Zeljko Nastasic writing on the Vintage Knob. Here's an extract from his somewhat lengthy article:
"The Supreme Series was sold as an exclusive, 'special order only' line in most of the world (some but not all Supremes were available as parts of regular lines in Japan, Belgium and Germany), and was only available from some exclusive dealers in Canada and Califiornia. I am sure many regulars on eBay will feel bad for either missing these or letting them go for a song, as they are the absolute pinnacle of Kenwood's amplifier building knowledge, which has remained largely unsurpassed to this day - these amplifiers are the progenitors of all sought after dual-mono Kenwoods.
The ony Supreme Series component that is relatively well known in the US is the Model 600T tuner - and it is a mystery to me how no-one seems to have connected the dots and figured out what the other components of the series were. The series had a total of 8 components, 3 integrated amps (the 500, 600 and the bronze faced version of the latter, the 650), 3 tuners (the 600T, it's extremely rare bronze faced version, the 650T, and the 700T), and the only separates Kenwood made before 1977 - the 700C preamp and the 700M power amp.
The total number of any model is most probably well 1000, making them truly exclusive items - I have corresponded with a number of owners, and so far, the highest serial number see is in the low 300s. The Supremes were a very long lived series, appearing in late 1973 in Japan, and still being sold on order until late 1979, at which point the series was phased out and replaced by the B series separates, while the 500/600/650 integrated amps evolved somewhat in power output and became the one rare Kenwood from the 80s era - the KA-907."
http://i1349.photobucket.com/albums/p753/neradi/For%20sale/2014-11-11002333_zpsc511b4cd.jpg
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.