View Full Version : Amstrad/Sugar
Currently reading his autobiography. Starts out as you'd expect, selling firelighters door to door as a nipper, blah blah.
Once it gets onto the hi-fi industry it becomes a bit more interesting. I never realised that he and some French bloke came up with the idea of the 'tower' system: Looks like a stack of separates but is in fact an all in one unit with one power lead and one main PSU (with a smaller one for the tape deck motor).
He admits that his first amp was crap with a highly limited frequency response.
He also claims to have come up with the idea of injection moulding turntable lids.
This bit is also interesting:
'The next statement is gong to make the real hi-fi nutters cringe. The...overall volume of a hi fi speaker is something that should be calculated scientifically on the basis of producing the best baffle effect for the sound, but my criteria were different...we worked out how to get the most speaker shells out of the 8 by 5 sheets of wood. We decided the speakers dimensions should be the most economic size to ship, rather than being designed for perfect sound quality
Under these criteria we were able to stuff 50% more speakers into a container.'
What he was really doing was providing for a market that wanted 'hi-fi' but either didn't have, or didn't want to spend, a chunk of money for the real thing. Old hat now of course but back then it was amazing that no-one else had thought of doing it until he kicked it off.
A lot of it will be old hat to those who were already into hi-fi back then I suppose, but I found it quite a fascinating education in that period of audio history.
This bit is also interesting:
'The next statement is gong to make the real hi-fi nutters cringe. The...overall volume of a hi fi speaker is something that should be calculated scientifically on the basis of producing the best baffle effect for the sound, but my criteria were different...we worked out how to get the most speaker shells out of the 8 by 5 sheets of wood. We decided the speakers dimensions should be the most economic size to ship, rather than being designed for perfect sound quality
Under these criteria we were able to stuff 50% more speakers into a container.'
Hilarious!! :lol:
Oh, and I used to sell that Amstrad shite in Arnotts.....
Marco.
hifinutt
27-12-2015, 22:13
""under these criteria we were able to stuff 50% more speakers into a container.'
ah that's where ikea got the idea from
my dad loved his Amstrad tower till I blew it up one day
actually saw a amstrad tower in a house recently unused for years
These will soon be seen as classics. Even though they were probably rubbish...they gave people the chance to have a 'hi-fi' in their rooms for a low cost. I remember nearly ever house having something like this. It was a progression from the old radio gram etc. So start collecting them now and cash in in 20 years time:)
PS. remember chopper push bikes.........................I say no more.
My old man used to work for Curry's service department - replacement Amstrad speakers were free of charge. Consequently I had their top of the line (:)) connected to my stack system (non-Amstrad) as my first proper speakers - they sat on my bedside table pointing at my ears like big headphones. I loved them at the time :)
My old man used to work for Curry's service department - replacement Amstrad speakers were free of charge. Consequently I had their top of the line (:)) connected to my stack system (non-Amstrad) as my first proper speakers - they sat on my bedside table pointing at my ears like big headphones. I loved them at the time :)
Haha I did the same with my Bush Arena music centre.... thought it was great
Martyn Miles
28-12-2015, 09:31
A friend, who was an repairs engineer in Hi-Fi shop, told me the worst start to a week was the following:
A wet Monday morning in November, and an Amstrad 'Tower System' to repair.
He once showed me a pair of Amstrad speakers, with what looked like an angled 'lens' over the tweeter.
It turned out to be a cheap casting over a hole in the cabinet.
Whether the hole was the reflex port, I don't know.
I can't imagine Alan Sugar knowing about such complexities...
As for his 'Apprentice' programme, I cannot abide it.
The man is a nightmare.
How ever he became a Lord I don't know.
It degrades the whole Honours system.
I remember being told in the 1970s that Japanese speakers in Europe were no good because they made them less weight in order to be able ship them cost effectively.
No idea as to the truth of this but shipping (by sea) was a lot more expensive then it is now I believe.
He is rather crass, and despite all his money, remains as rather vulgar, but I do admire his business acumen!
What gets me with these guys, though, is that no matter how many millions, or billions of pounds they've got, they seemingly never want to retire and enjoy it all...
Me? After making my first, say, £20m, that'd be it. I'd be off travelling the world, by first-class means, staying in all the best hotels, driving all manner of beautiful cars, and living a life of pure indulgent luxury.
I certainly wouldn't want to continue working for one second longer than was necessary!! :nono:
Marco.
They first degraded the honours system when they made Archer a lord, after that it was the deluge.
In fairness to Sugar he did build a big company out of nothing, employed lot of people in the UK, paid a lot of tax. Reading his book he comes across as one of those people who grew up really poor and had/has only one interest which was to make some money. He could have retired in 1980 when he floated Amstrad, after that he was just making money for the sake of it, because he enjoys doing it. Each to their own, as they say.
He got into the hi-fi market not because he was into hi-fi or music but because he saw a gap in the market and exploited it. The 'look' of the product was everything, sound quality wasn't really a consideration at any point it would seem.
In fairness to Sugar he did build a big company out of nothing, employed lot of people in the UK, paid a lot of tax. Reading his book he comes across as one of those people who grew up really poor and had/has only one interest which was to make some money. He could have retired in 1980 when he floated Amstrad, after that he was just making money for the sake of it, because he enjoys doing it. Each to their own, as they say.
Indeed. However, that most certainly wouldn't be me!
For me, money is only a means to an end; that end being ensuring that you're financially secure for the rest of your life (and you can also say the same for your children, if you have any, and/or other members of your family), thus allowing you the most precious gift of all in life, after that of good health: TIME to do what you want, when you want, with those you love.
I wonder how much time Alan Sugar managed to spend with his kids, as they were growing up, while he was out there making his millions, and whether or not they resent him for that? I know of many in that situation who do, as expensive gifts and a comfortable lifestyle never make up for parental love and attention, or a lack of it..... 'Greed for gold' can, and often does, cause a multitude of damage.
Marco.
Interestingly he does say that he hardly ever saw his kids when they were growing up, except when they went away on holiday. He made the eldest spend a couple of years working as a salesman in Dixons before he would let him join the family firm. My father was always at work too, often abroad, likewise my cousins' father was a tanker captain and was also never there - and died quite young too, when most of them were still kids. We all turned out okay - self-reliant and not emotionally 'needy'. I think getting paid too much attention as a child is far worse for you than not getting enough attention.
Yes, but it depends on the type of attention, of course. I'm not talking about mollycoddling.... With respect though, maybe that's why you're a rather cold and emotionless type (which you've openly admitted yourself)? ;)
I know where you're coming from, however, but there are plenty of 'successful businessmen' out there who take their eye off of the most important things in life, whilst chasing extreme wealth.
I grew up in a very close-knit, loving family, and spent lots of time in the company of my parents, building many wonderful, happy memories in the process, which will stay with me forever. I'm still very close to my dad now (sadly my mum passed away a year and a half ago), and see him at least 3 times a week. We do stuff together all the time.
For that's what it's all about, as when you're older, particularly if you're living alone, those memories can provide priceless comfort. Make nice memories with those you love, while you can, is my advice, as the time will soon come when you won't be able to, and then the regret will eat away at you like cancer....
Marco.
They first degraded the honours system when they made Archer a lord, after that it was the deluge.
It had been degraded long before that, either when Lloyd George sold peerages back in the '20s, or when Charles II enobled the illegitimate sons of his mistresses.
It had been degraded long before that, either when Lloyd George sold peerages back in the '20s, or when Charles II enobled the illegitimate sons of his mistresses.
Even given that I would still argue that enobling Archer was a new low ;)
Yes, but it depends of the type of attention, of course. I'm not talking about mollycoddling.... With respect though, maybe that's why you're a rather cold and emotionless type (which you've openly admitted yourself)? ;)
.
I admit I don't wear my heart on my sleeve. Not quite the same thing!
I'm not sure where I stand on the 'working away from home' or 'working too much and not having time with the family' issues.
To be honest there's a very thin line to be drawn between both the above and spending time with your family etc.
I would think, and having been in this situation....that kids can be very cruel to each other. What I mean is that I was on of those kids at school that never actually managed to get the right clothes (Crombie Jacket, or Harrinton, or Doc Marten etc) or a cool bicycle (Chopper or 10 speed racer etc). I would have loved to have someone working hard away from home to allow my mum the money to buy those things for me, rather have other kids laugh at me at school.
Now, being older and wiser I know that those things are not important....but they bloody were when I was young.
So, I end up working and working away from home to earn decent money to give my children the stuff I couldn't get. I might be wrong doing that but it's what I felt was the right thing to do at the time.
I tend the view that most character traits are innate rather than a result of upbringing (though of course the latter can influence the former).
My father was a fairly 'distant' person, partly because most of his working life he was on shifts, and he worked Saturdays too, and partly because that's what fathers were like, for the most part. But there was no doubt that, adolescent spats apart, he loved us and we loved him. It was only after he died that I found out that he'd been married to someone else before he married my mother. His first wife died during WWII when he was away at sea doing convoy duty in the North Atlantic. He also lost two children at around the same time. But back then, the approach was to keep a stiff upper lip and not dwell on the past, so he never talked about it.
PaulStewart
28-12-2015, 12:03
I remember being told in the 1970s that Japanese speakers in Europe were no good because they made them less weight in order to be able ship them cost effectively.
No idea as to the truth of this but shipping (by sea) was a lot more expensive then it is now I believe.
Sorry Michael, but that is complete codswallop :) Anything shipped from Japan by any of the major Japanese companies was the very best, otherwise there was no point in shipping it. What we ar JVC did was make some of the really low end, music centre type speakers in Europe or the USA just for those markets. We looked for the cheapest maker we could find for the vinyl wrap/folded chipboad stuff and found a coffin factory in Southend. :lol: But anything we shipped across the world, including speakers, was top notch.
Starterman
28-12-2015, 12:14
I used to know a couple of people who had to deal with Alan Sugar in the electronics industry quite few years back. Nobody had a good word to say for him, and some of the words were very disrespectful indeed!
I admit I don't wear my heart on my sleeve. Not quite the same thing!
Lol - no worries... You're certainly not as hot-blooded or 'emotionally driven' as me, but that's probably an Italian thing :)
Marco.
Spectral Morn
28-12-2015, 12:54
I tend the view that most character traits are innate rather than a result of upbringing (though of course the latter can influence the former).
My father was a fairly 'distant' person, partly because most of his working life he was on shifts, and he worked Saturdays too, and partly because that's what fathers were like, for the most part. But there was no doubt that, adolescent spats apart, he loved us and we loved him. It was only after he died that I found out that he'd been married to someone else before he married my mother. His first wife died during WWII when he was away at sea doing convoy duty in the North Atlantic. He also lost two children at around the same time. But back then, the approach was to keep a stiff upper lip and not dwell on the past, so he never talked about it.
Respect, a very hard and sadly till recently not well recognised or respected type of service.
+1
My old mates dad was on the convoys to Russia and lost a lot of pals. He used to recount some hair raising stories after a few drams. They were tough in those days...They had to be!
I used to know a couple of people who had to deal with Alan Sugar in the electronics industry quite few years back. Nobody had a good word to say for him, and some of the words were very disrespectful indeed!
That doesn't surprise me. From reading his book I doubt it would surprise him either.
On the other hand his family always had food on the table. It's a double edged sword.
You can do that, though, without being nasty, so there's no need for any double-edged sword... I've never understood why millionaires are often amongst the nastiest folk you'll meet. It simply doesn't have to be that way.
Marco.
What I mean is anyone in that position in business i.e the boss - is going to have people who don't like them - whether because they resent being told what to do, or they envy the wealth and status. Or if you are a supplier and they drive a hard bargain. Even if you are the sweetest person in the world haters are gonna hate.
Often with money comes power and with power comes the lording it and the your nothing to me attitude, especially with rags to riches folk.
As you say it doesnt have to be that way, and its to most just why they wanted to be rich in first place.
When Maggie says to Will Mossop in Hobsons Choice.." Leave that ring where it is(a copper one). If we ever get too full of ourselves we can sit down and look at it and know the truth about ourselves"
A lesson many could do well to remember
Often with money comes power and with power comes the lording it and the your nothing to me attitude, especially with rags to riches folk.
As you say it doesnt have to be that way, and its to most just why they wanted to be rich in first place.
Does happen but it is a bit unfair to tar them all with the same brush. I've noticed that even if self-made men are not like that some people will still make out that they are.
Does happen but it is a bit unfair to tar them all with the same brush. I've noticed that even if self-made men are not like that some people will still make out that they are.
'A self-made man who worships his creator'. I can't recall who said that, or of whom, but it applies to several people I know. Another concealed insult, said of an arrogant, but very successful bloke: 'Not a man much troubled by self-doubt'.
Business is business though and sometimes you do just have to bash on through with sheer bloody-minded ness otherwise nothing ever gets accomplished.
As for self- doubt I have a theory about successful novelists being drunks. (I know they aren't all drunks but a lot of them were especially in the old days). I reckon if they wern't pissed the whole time they would look at what they wrote and think 'Christ I'm wasting my time here no-one will read this shite'. But because they were pickled they thought what they were doing was the bollocks so they persevered and it turned out people did like it.
Business is business though and sometimes you do just have to bash on through with sheer bloody-minded ness otherwise nothing ever gets accomplished.
I'm not knocking the 'achievers'. If everyone was like me we'd be back in caves within a year or two.
As for self- doubt I have a theory about successful novelists being drunks. (I know they aren't all drunks but a lot of them were especially in the old days). I reckon if they wern't pissed the whole time they would look at what they wrote and think 'Christ I'm wasting my time here no-one will read this shite'. But because they were pickled they thought what they were doing was the bollocks so they persevered and it turned out people did like it.
That possibly applies to the 'tortured genius' type of writer. Others, such as PG Wodehouse and Anthony Trollope, just regarded it as a job and slogged away at it; they set themselves to write x thousand words per day and carried on until they were written. Wodehouse commented that his own favourite books were the ones that were easiest to write; although other books of his were more successful, they were such a problem to write that he hated them.
I'm not knocking the 'achievers'. If everyone was like me we'd be back in caves within a year or two.
That possibly applies to the 'tortured genius' type of writer. .
Not solely. I wouldn't describe say, Ian Fleming, as a tortured genius but he did like a drink. Hemingway would be another. Anyway as I say just a pet theory :)
Respect, a very hard and sadly till recently not well recognised or respected type of service.
Thanks, Neil. My father had three ships sunk underneath him by U-boats, and was finally invalided out of the Navy in 1944, having joined in 1938. (My uncle was also in the Navy, but in a comparatively 'safe' posting in the Med. somewhere).
The thing about my father's generation was that they essentially had nothing to prove. As Harold Wilson said when someone was concerned that Denis Healey might get barracked at the Labour party conference: 'Denis stood on the beach at Anzio with German shells exploding all around him. I don't think he'll be bothered by a few noisy left-wingers'.
'A self-made man who worships his creator'. I can't recall who said that, or of whom, but it applies to several people I know. Another concealed insult, said of an arrogant, but very successful bloke: 'Not a man much troubled by self-doubt'.
Soundsike Oscar Wilde
Soundsike Oscar Wilde
It appears to pre-date Wilde. It seems to have first been said of a US politician called Horace Greeley in the 1860s, before crossing the Atlantic, and being said of Disraeli a decade or so later.
http://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/06/10/self-made/
Starterman
28-12-2015, 16:03
What I mean is anyone in that position in business i.e the boss - is going to have people who don't like them - whether because they resent being told what to do, or they envy the wealth and status. Or if you are a supplier and they drive a hard bargain. Even if you are the sweetest person in the world haters are gonna hate.
There are a lot of leaders out there that are tough but people respect them for it. There are also bullies, and they tend not to get respect.
In the early days of the Apprentice, AS was occasionally quite amusing. This seems not to be the case any more.
Then there's that Claud guy, seems like a decent bloke trying very hard to be a complete arse on TV.
walpurgis
28-12-2015, 16:31
I know several very successful and wealthy self made people. Men and women and none of them has big ideas about themselves.
I know several very successful and wealthy self made people.
Name them!
walpurgis
28-12-2015, 16:58
Name them!
That's a rather odd question.
PaulStewart
28-12-2015, 17:39
My father came from the same background as Alan Sugar, Philip Green, Gerald Ronson etc. All of them were from the East End Jewish community in London. My dad had the added "benefit"of growing up in Norwood the Jewish orphanage with two of my uncles , despite having parents who were alive as they were too poor to support them. This kind of poverty, coupled with a guilt at having survived the Holocaust, gives you an unbelievable work ethic. My dad built up the largest mail order group in the world in the 70s. W hen the post office workers strike killed it, he went in to publishing and fine art dealing. At the age of 86 he had a stroke and this brought on dementia and it was only at this point, he closed his offices in London and New York. My theory. looking at all these multi millionaires from this background is they are driven by a fear of being poor again.
As Marilyn Monroe said "I've been rich and I've been poor, on the whole, poor was more interesting, but I'll take rich every time".
PaulStewart
28-12-2015, 17:55
On the other hand, I know people who have worked for Sugar and I've met him a few times. In my opinion he's one of the most arrogant, belligerent tossers I've ever come across.
What I mean is anyone in that position in business i.e the boss - is going to have people who don't like them - whether because they resent being told what to do, or they envy the wealth and status. Or if you are a supplier and they drive a hard bargain. Even if you are the sweetest person in the world haters are gonna hate.
Yeah, I know what you mean, as at a somewhat lower level than Sugar, I've experienced a similar thing.
I abhor (with a passion) haters like that. They're just sad, pathetic losers, who will never amount to anything in life. We should learn to celebrate success and admire and respect achievers - as long as they're basically good guys, who haven't just shafted folk royally, to get where they are.
Marco.
On the other hand, I know people who have worked for Sugar and I've met him a few times. In my opinion he's one of the most arrogant, belligerent tossers I've ever come across.
Your fired!
My father came from the same background as Alan Sugar, Philip Green, Gerald Ronson etc. All of them were from the East End Jewish community in London. My dad had the added "benefit"of growing up in Norwood the Jewish orphanage with two of my uncles , despite having parents who were alive as they were too poor to support them. This kind of poverty, coupled with a guilt at having survived the Holocaust, gives you an unbelievable work ethic. My dad built up the largest mail order group in the world in the 70s. W hen the post office workers strike killed it, he went in to publishing and fine art dealing. At the age of 86 he had a stroke and this brought on dementia and it was only at this point, he closed his offices in London and New York. My theory. looking at all these multi millionaires from this background is they are driven by a fear of being poor again.
As Marilyn Monroe said "I've been rich and I've been poor, on the whole, poor was more interesting, but I'll take rich every time".
Thanks for that, Paul, as it gives me some insight into the 'work till you drop, even if you're already loaded' mentality.
I do totally get and respect that, but I'm afraid I'll never be like that. After having worked my butt off solid, for around 20 years, and being lucky with a few breaks in my art business/property investments, I was able to go semi-retired at the age of 42 and, if I was reasonably careful, be financially secure for the rest of my life.
Yes, I could've kept doing the same thing for longer, and earned even more money, but you can only work 12-15 hour days/nights for so long, and I very much believe in and value a healthy work/life balance, and thus the ability to ENJOY what I've got, with Del.
For me, as long as you're comfortably well off and debt-free, having TIME to do what you want, when you want, is worth MUCH more than ANY amount of money, earned by having to work ridiculously long hours, until you're too old to properly enjoy it :)
Marco.
To revert for a moment to the "hi-fi": there was a sort of hierarchy of crap in the late '60s/early 70s. Bottom of the pile (once you'd graduated from the Dansettes) was Eagle amplifiers, then Amstrad, Metrosound. Catering to a slightly different market were Pye, Phillips, Grundig and the other traditional radiogram manufacturers. Then the stylish, headed up by B & O. And then what we all aspired to: Leak, KEF, Quad etc. My first amp was an Eagle; when that blew up I had a rather lovely Trio, then a Rotel, then a Marantz. These days it's hard to remember what the differences were between all the low to mid end products. But those of us who'd spent a bit more research and money used to look down big-time on Amstrad owners!
As for Sugar - he's an arse, though quite a rich one. Bet he's got a tin ear though.
PaulStewart
28-12-2015, 22:55
As for Sugar - he's an arse, though quite a rich one. Bet he's got a tin ear though.
Well he did claim to be a trainee burglar in the Jewish Lads Brigade as for Pillips kit, the Black Tulip stuff and MFB speakers were excellent :)
That's a rather odd question.
Well, it was not so much a question as a request or suggestion, but it wasn't meant seriously.
Well he did claim to be a trainee burglar in the Jewish Lads Brigade...
Really - SWAG bag and all? :D ;)
Marco.
walpurgis
28-12-2015, 23:43
Well, it was not so much a question as a request or suggestion, but it wasn't meant seriously.
It wasn't going to get a specific answer Joe.
PaulStewart
28-12-2015, 23:48
Really - SWAG bag and all? :D ;)
Marco.
Bugler fookin' auto correct
Maybe a burglar is more apt? ;)
Marco.
The haters jump on his silly email phone, but any company with the first Sky dish & receiver as well as the first all in one fax machine is innovative and great sales / pitching by any means. Respect. I bet he is much less miserable when you're his friend... Unfortunately the true trailblazers are often thought of as arrogant etc., their own doing, but a side effect of ruthless drive. It's not for me, but at least the man supports UK industry. Nice guys finish last.
Starterman
30-12-2015, 10:50
Nice guys finish last.
Wrong!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-labier/career-success-study_b_1000470.html
legb4rsk
31-12-2015, 04:10
Bugler fookin' auto correct
and he's been blowing his own trumpet ever since.
Martyn Miles
31-12-2015, 23:45
To revert for a moment to the "hi-fi": there was a sort of hierarchy of crap in the late '60s/early 70s. Bottom of the pile (once you'd graduated from the Dansettes) was Eagle amplifiers, then Amstrad, Metrosound. Catering to a slightly different market were Pye, Phillips, Grundig and the other traditional radiogram manufacturers. Then the stylish, headed up by B & O. And then what we all aspired to: Leak, KEF, Quad etc. My first amp was an Eagle; when that blew up I had a rather lovely Trio, then a Rotel, then a Marantz. These days it's hard to remember what the differences were between all the low to mid end products. But those of us who'd spent a bit more research and money used to look down big-time on Amstrad owners!
As for Sugar - he's an arse, though quite a rich one. Bet he's got a tin ear though.
I wouldn't put Metrosound in the same sentence as Amstrad.
My Metrosound ST20 was quite a reasonable amplifier,
if a little underpowered.
Admittedly the Sony TA 1010 which came next was in a different
league, but that was to be expected...
SteveTheShadow
31-12-2015, 23:46
Metrosound makes it real!
walpurgis
31-12-2015, 23:51
I wouldn't put Metrosound in the same sentence as Amstrad.
Yes. Metrosound made some decent stuff. The ST60 amp was pretty good. A mate had one driving a pair of KEF Cadenzas way back in the seventies and it was good for its time.
Metrosound also made some interesting hybrid electrostatic speakers, which unfortunately, I never got to hear. None about these days it seems, so maybe they were not too durable.
Ali Tait
01-01-2016, 01:21
My father came from the same background as Alan Sugar, Philip Green, Gerald Ronson etc. All of them were from the East End Jewish community in London. My dad had the added "benefit"of growing up in Norwood the Jewish orphanage with two of my uncles , despite having parents who were alive as they were too poor to support them. This kind of poverty, coupled with a guilt at having survived the Holocaust, gives you an unbelievable work ethic. My dad built up the largest mail order group in the world in the 70s. W hen the post office workers strike killed it, he went in to publishing and fine art dealing. At the age of 86 he had a stroke and this brought on dementia and it was only at this point, he closed his offices in London and New York. My theory. looking at all these multi millionaires from this background is they are driven by a fear of being poor again.
As Marilyn Monroe said "I've been rich and I've been poor, on the whole, poor was more interesting, but I'll take rich every time".
It's interesting how much one's background as a child can affect attitude as an adult. My other half's father was Japanese, most of whose close family was wiped out when the British forces bombed hospital ships leaving Kobe harbour during WW2 ( funny how we didn't learn about this at school...)
Anyhoo, he ended up in Britain penniless, worked his arse off, and ended up owning a string of 47 travel agency shops across the south of England. Sadly he did the classic get divorced, marry the young thing, have a heart attack, and she got all the shops and the money. Kids got almost nowt..
Shows what can be done with enough incentive though..
Firebottle
01-01-2016, 08:02
Metrosound also made some interesting hybrid electrostatic speakers, ....
Post number 57, is that spooky or just coincidence :rolleyes:
Techno Commander
01-01-2016, 22:11
Me? After making my first, say, £20m, that'd be it. I'd be off travelling the world, by first-class means, staying in all the best hotels, driving all manner of beautiful cars, and living a life of pure indulgent luxury.
Marco.
Yep.
This
http://talkinglongrangeyachts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Yachts-Axantha-I-photosExt-02.jpg
Crewed by these
http://www.kospictures.com/ImageThumbs/518-9784/3/518-9784_Glamorous_female_lifestyle_model_onboard_a_sa iling_yacht_in_the_Mediterranean.jpg
Would do nicely.
I will send a post card from somewhere warm and sunny. :)
Techno Commander
02-01-2016, 05:08
One of my five a day. :D
Yep.
http://www.kospictures.com/ImageThumbs/518-9784/3/518-9784_Glamorous_female_lifestyle_model_onboard_a_sa iling_yacht_in_the_Mediterranean.jpg
I don't fancy yours much.
Actually that's a lie.
icehockeyboy
03-01-2016, 15:06
I worked in a discount 'hifi?' Shop in the mid 70's, it was an outreach of a Greater London company called L&M Supplies (anyone remember them?)
Anyway, on a busy Saturday, we'd flog about 30 Amstrad amps, Monday morning, and around 25 of them came back faulty.
I don't fancy yours much.
Actually that's a lie.
Way too skinny.... Real women should have curves, and [a bit] of 'meat on the bone'! ;)
Marco.
StanleyB
03-01-2016, 16:48
Nice melonsThey appear to be silicone, judging by the flow patterns.
Martyn Miles
06-01-2016, 16:57
They appear to be silicone, judging by the flow patterns.
Can we get back to Amstrad and Alan Sugar, please...
dantheman91
27-04-2025, 17:53
I'll resurrect this thread these Amstrad Acousta 1500's came up for free this week and fitted with Goodmans Drivers in working order
Shockingly bad or just bad?
dantheman91
27-04-2025, 18:25
Shockingly bad or just bad?
Yep just OK had them on for couple of days
Only ever sent two sets of speakers to the dump. One was Amstrad. Left here by a friend - I mean he was basically fly-tipping them on my land.
I did use them for a couple of months as rear surrounds.
Lawrence001
27-04-2025, 20:10
That actually looks like wood veneer on them. They're probably around the same time he made that space age turntable and his stuff wasn't quite as bad as the shocking 80s pseudo-rack and midi systems you could get at Rumbelows if you couldn't afford the Hinari one.
That actually looks like wood veneer on them. They're probably around the same time he made that space age turntable and his stuff wasn't quite as bad as the shocking 80s pseudo-rack and midi systems you could get at Rumbelows if you couldn't afford the Hinari one.
I remember in Dixons about 1985 that Amstrad was actually a rung up on the price ladder from Saisho.
Lawrence001
28-04-2025, 11:12
True I was being a bit flippant. People were actually willing to pay a premium for the Amstrad name. Obviously not the cognoscenti [emoji23]
True I was being a bit flippant. People were actually willing to pay a premium for the Amstrad name. Obviously not the cognoscenti [emoji23]
Not my parents either as they bought the Saisho.
It worked, and it was better than nothing which had been the previous option.
My parents had a Philips radiogram. The radio side of it was good (obviously AM only) but the record player was "of its time". 3 speeds with a dual cantilever crystal cartridge: one for 'course groove' 78s, the other for microgroove records. You would have to twist the cartridge body axially to change from one stylus size to the other.
Happy days.
Pigmy Pony
28-04-2025, 15:37
My parents had a Philips radiogram. The radio side of it was good (obviously AM only) but the record player was "of its time". 3 speeds with a dual cantilever crystal cartridge: one for 'course groove' 78s, the other for microgroove records. You would have to twist the cartridge body axially to change from one stylus size to the other.
Happy days.
Something like this. My old Fidelity record player had one of these, I think my BSR MP60 t/t had one too.
https://mrstylus.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/168.jpg
No, there were two completely separate cantilevers: one for each stylus size. I'll try to find an image.
The cartridge is known as a 'rocking' cartridge.
If you are interested there is some discussion on the UK Vintage Radio site, which has images of the cartridge and of the record deck. The arm did not have a counterweight, so the VTF was that of the whole effective mass of the arm+cartridge!
https://www.gettheneedle.co.uk/images/cache/Cartridges/Philips_Type/87850805-0AE9-4887-BE76-87A9A9CC61A8.600.jpg
https://www.gettheneedle.co.uk/images/cache/Cartridges/Philips_Type/598FCAD4-DBC1-4772-B3AE-8C0508465C1F.600.jpg
"N" was for 78rpm records and "M" was for 'microgroove' records (33 1/3 and 45 rpm)
It's a Philips GP316, still available for £65.
dantheman91
29-04-2025, 06:16
They might just make the collection :lol:
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.