View Full Version : Cool Old Kit You Never Heard Of
Sometimes see someone mention a bit of kit I had no idea about so I look it up to see what it looks like. Thought we could have a thread to post up such items.
Here's the first - Mitsubishi DA-R20 receiver. 60 WPC. Came out in 1980.
https://i.ibb.co/W4jPBqRk/OIP.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
Full look at one plus a teardown here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9xziBEV_R8
Lots of details here:
https://classicreceivers.com/mitsubishi-da-r20
No idea if this was ever available in UK, we did get some Mitsubishi here in the 1980s.
$560 new so that would be $2100 today. Not cheap but not crazy money given the build quality.
That is certainly very cool, and I too have never heard of it - I was aware Mitsubishi made Hi-Fi, but no idea on its provenance. I can just imagine the tuning knob would have a lovely feel. (Phnarr, phnarr.)
JVC M-7050 Power Amplifier - another one you never see at least in this country:
https://i.ibb.co/VWsBJnGR/JVC-M-7050-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/xSN5X9bW)
From 1979. 150 WPC into 8 ohm and super-fast slew rate because that was important back in the day.
Combine with the SEA-70 EQ unit for that 'American Psycho' look with (arguably) better equipment:
https://i.ibb.co/1tq990xp/jvc-victor-p-3030-m-7050-sea-70-vintage-hi-end-audiophile-133379907.jpg (https://ibb.co/gLTDDrCX)
Obviously don't stack other stuff on top of your power amp in 'real life.'
Not forgetting the Yamaha 7000 series of kit. Regardless of how it sounds (excellent in fact), I just like the clean uncluttered looks.
And talking of looks, any gear that uses italic script for the control legends is an aesthetic no-no for me. (However I'll make an exception for 'Accuphase', but only because it's the name of the brand.)
Came across this about a month ago.
Just a plethora of uber cool vintage kit lovingly loved, but at a price.
Some pretty rare long gone stateside brands in there.
Check it out and the website for prices.
https://youtube.com/@skyfiaudio?si=MDE3v8yoE52-IoUn
Shame this shop isn't just down the road.
Well at least they showed the Mark Levinson preamp that I use. :eyebrows:
The only other piece of kit that would interest me was the Marantz 7 preamp, and the one they showed was in impeccable condition! :)
Pigmy Pony
25-04-2025, 18:35
Not forgetting the Yamaha 7000 series of kit. Regardless of how it sounds (excellent in fact), I just like the clean uncluttered looks.
And talking of looks, any gear that uses italic script for the control legends is an aesthetic no-no for me. (However I'll make an exception for 'Accuphase', but only because it's the name of the brand.)
I'm not keen on the use of extra bold fonts either. Vintage Marantz is guilty of both.
https://hifivintage.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Marantz-4270-front.jpg
Well at least they showed the Mark Levinson preamp that I use. :eyebrows:
The only other piece of kit that would interest me was the Marantz 7 preamp, and the one they showed was in impeccable condition! :)Keep looking, Barry. That shop is insane.
Well, maybe not. But show me a UK equivalent that gets close.
There isn't one.
Try one of the shop tour videos at any given date.
I have to confess I did skip some of the preamps that were of no interest to me, but agree we have nothing like that shop in the UK. The only shop that can perhaps come close was a shop in Tokyo I visited many years ago.
I did note there were other shop tour videos. Is there one for vintage speakers?
I don't know but their current inventory is here: https://skyfiaudio.com/en-gb/collections/our-pre-owned-speaker-collection
Including a pair of Apogee Full Range.
Pete The Cat
28-04-2025, 11:25
I'm not keen on the use of extra bold fonts either. Vintage Marantz is guilty of both.
Vive la difference - I love that Marantz font. It's a real '70s statement, like looking back at Concorde, Jaguar XJS or Charlie George's hairstyle. It says flashy, bold, characterful. I wish MS Word had it.
The use of fonts for the manufacturer's name is IMO different to that used for the legends of the controls (knobs, push buttons and switches).
The font of the manufacturer’s name can't be changed (though I still dislike italic script), whereas the control legends IMO ought to be in san-serif font, such as Ariel.
With the exception of my Myajima SUT, where the manufacturer’s name is written in a more elaborate style, the rest of my gear uses san-serif font.
Sansui AU-X1111 MOS Vintage:
https://i.ibb.co/Rp0WJHzQ/a.jpg (https://ibb.co/svwrX3ys)
https://i.ibb.co/hF3z4j23/h.jpg (https://ibb.co/LdV7cW9V)
Supposedly the king of the Sansui integrated amplifiers using a MOSFET designed specifically for it.
120WPC - introduced in 1988.
Pigmy Pony
09-05-2025, 13:20
Vive la difference - I love that Marantz font. It's a real '70s statement, like looking back at Concorde, Jaguar XJS or Charlie George's hairstyle. It says flashy, bold, characterful. I wish MS Word had it.
The font Marantz used was Metropolis, and was fine for their company logo. But when it comes to typeface choice for functions I'm with Barry - Ariel or Helvetica would be my preferred choice.
I'm a bit old fashioned that way - if a design is difficult to read, that design has failed. The Marantz graphics are ok in that regard, but I've seen Script faces like 'Fashion Script' and also 'Old English Text' used in caps-only, and that is just wrong.
Wrong wrong wrong.
https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/N6D5Yfy9O8TdcazfMzI5/demonstrator-england-tattoo-550nw-461844f.jpg
Pigmy Pony
09-05-2025, 13:24
Sansui AU-X1111 MOS Vintage:
https://i.ibb.co/Rp0WJHzQ/a.jpg (https://ibb.co/svwrX3ys)
https://i.ibb.co/hF3z4j23/h.jpg (https://ibb.co/LdV7cW9V)
Supposedly the king of the Sansui integrated amplifiers using a MOSFET designed specifically for it.
120WPC - introduced in 1988.
Sansui called it 'Vintage' before it even left the factory? Getting ahead of themselves a bit.
Sansui called it 'Vintage' before it even left the factory? Getting ahead of themselves a bit.
I know. Still pretty tasty though. Spotted someone selling one so had to look it up.
I guess one man's 'cool' is another man's 'ugly'. I'm in the latter camp, sorry! ;)
It kind of reminds me of a CB radio - if anyone remembers those!
I like it, but then I like CB radios!
It kind of reminds me of a CB radio
Now you've said that...
Pigmy Pony
09-05-2025, 21:01
It kind of reminds me of a CB radio - if anyone remembers those!
I like it, but then I like CB radios!
That's a big ten four Alex :) I reckon your Landy needs a big whippy aerial.
That's a big ten four Alex :) I reckon your Landy needs a big whippy aerial.
Landy has a CB, aerial maybe needs to be more whippy!
Luxman D-500XS CD Player:
https://i.ibb.co/wFhwCZWR/Luxman-D-500-XS-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/rR2cMK6m)
Maybe some of you know this one but it's passed me by. Made between '89 and '95, sort of a more elegant, less pro-looking Technics SLP1200.
I'm not keen on top-loading CD players, but that Luxman looks the business - very stylish.
Luxman D-500XS CD Player:
https://i.ibb.co/wFhwCZWR/Luxman-D-500-XS-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/rR2cMK6m)
Maybe some of you know this one but it's passed me by. Made between '89 and '95, sort of a more elegant, less pro-looking Technics SLP1200.It's very nice. They had one totally mint in the Luxman room at Munich this year.
It's very nice. They had one totally mint in the Luxman room at Munich this year.
That's where I saw it. Zoomed in on the photo 'Bladerunner style' to see what it was.
Wakefield Turntables
25-05-2025, 19:01
Luxman D-500XS CD Player:
https://i.ibb.co/wFhwCZWR/Luxman-D-500-XS-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/rR2cMK6m)
.
Sorry, thats fugly.
Fisher 'Professional Digital Reference Series' - from about 1992
https://i.ibb.co/qzfMb9f/fisher.jpg (https://ibb.co/GXLvgkL)
From about 1975 Fisher was the 'Lexus Brand' of Sanyo, although some bargain basement plastic tat was produced with the Fisher badge mostly it was decent build quality.
Fisher's Professional Digital Reference Series consisted of seven audio and video products. The receiver incorporates Class A-2 amplifier circuitry. Power output 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms.
Artist's impression of the full system from the 1992 catalogue:
https://i.ibb.co/bM53NBGM/fish2.jpg (https://ibb.co/ks2yq8Ps)
The matching 'STE-555' speakers are brutal:
https://i.ibb.co/hJFffC0z/Ste-555.jpg (https://ibb.co/Xrx88VHR)
No the bass drivers aren't on the wrong way round. I've no idea what the deal is with that, though.
The Fisher valve gear of the late '60s was well regarded. However the stuff you show doesn't inspire confidence. The appelation "Professional" is meaningless, as is slapping some wood on the sides.
The Fisher valve gear of the late '60s was well regarded. However the stuff you show doesn't inspire confidence. The appelation "Professional" is meaningless, as is slapping some wood on the sides.
True the 'Professional' tag is just their top of the range 'name'. However the receiver component is tested here and gets a clean bill of health:
https://www.gammaelectronics.xyz/audio_08-1990_fisher.html#:~:text=The%20Fisher%20RS-Z1%2C%20introduced%20recently%20as%20part%20of,sam pling%20frequencies%20that%20are%20currently%20in% 20use%20worldwide.
I suspect the CD player is also fine. Can't find anything about the tape deck or turntable though. Sanyo were a big player in electronics, still are I think, they could make decent kit when they wanted to.
Firebottle
04-08-2025, 06:54
The matching 'STE-555' speakers are brutal:
https://i.ibb.co/hJFffC0z/Ste-555.jpg (https://ibb.co/Xrx88VHR)
No the bass drivers aren't on the wrong way round. I've no idea what the deal is with that, though.
Perhaps they are an isobaric design with a second bass driver inside?
Or they wanted maximum internal volume for the woofer, not that it would have made much difference IMO.
I believe Goldmund make (made?) a set of speakers where all the drive units are 'reversed'.
I believe Goldmund make (made?) a set of speakers where all the drive units are 'reversed'.
If they did I'm not familiar with them.
There are these:
https://i.ibb.co/Df0FqYKk/f097cc68f69c1635b21f40d6e678df34.jpg (https://ibb.co/JjDThqk2)
If the wife complains about the looks you can tell her there is a pair on display in the MOMA in New York.
In 1984 Luxman were bought by Alpine, an unhappy marriage that nevertheless would last ten years.
They did still come out with a few choice pieces including the LV-117 integrated amplifier:
https://i.ibb.co/qMmxkFbW/lv-117.jpg (https://ibb.co/vxLDZv2Q)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpZ8CRxtESE]
Sort of doubles down on the 1980s Japanese penchant for 'tech labels' on the fascia by having a short essay written on the front.
Sort of doubles down on the 1980s Japanese penchant for 'tech labels' on the fascia by having a short essay written on the front.
:lol: Which would annoy me intensely! :( But at least it is black.
I'm sort of casually looking for a power amp with orange level meters to match my CD transport and pre-amp and came across this Sansui B-2301
https://i.ibb.co/C3KSt7n1/b-2301.jpg (https://ibb.co/9kHdvTq8)
From 1982 (or 1983 depending on which source you believe).
The transformer alone allegedly weighs 12 kilos
https://i.ibb.co/gMJ4n36z/b-2301-2.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
There's a couple on eBay but 100V versions only which I won't touch. Probably be easier to find Shergar than a 240V version of it. Might be some 220V versions knocking about in Germany where in those days they'd never even heard of Linn or Naim.
Pigmy Pony
22-01-2026, 13:19
Looks like a right brute, and a worthy alternative to your Krell. Can you not buy some kind of step down transformer to take it to 110V? Or do those things not work very well?
Pigmy Pony
22-01-2026, 13:28
You could always stick a picture of Trump to the front of your Krell, or would that be too much orange?
Looks like a right brute, and a worthy alternative to your Krell. Can you not buy some kind of step down transformer to take it to 110V? Or do those things not work very well?
There's some issue with using step down or step up transformers which I read about years ago now and can't recall what it was now.
I was only window shopping anyway - I can't really justify spend two grand on a 40 year old power amp just because it has orange meters.
You could always stick a picture of Trump to the front of your Krell, or would that be too much orange?
https://i.ibb.co/GQtvjdjz/Screenshot-2026-01-22-141524.png (https://imgbb.com/)
Stay away from the prank binoculars Donny…
We're all familiar with the Yamaha NS1000 and NS1000M, but what if you took the same basic idea and translated it into a floorstander with 120 litre ported cab and a larger bass driver?
You get the Yamaha FX3:
https://i.ibb.co/7Jm3Bf5c/maxresdefault.jpg (https://ibb.co/SXCkHj8T)
https://i.ibb.co/DPwRpLvd/fx-3-8.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBrzEJ3RMDA
And now for something completely different, what about the Technics AFP1000 flat panel speakers?
https://i.ibb.co/WNHVF28H/OIP.webp (https://imgbb.com/)
''The speaker included eight 30-cm x 80-cm flat units for the low frequencies and four 13-cm x 32-cm flat units for the lower midrange frequencies. In particular, the diaphragm area for the low frequencies was equivalent to a cone woofer with a diameter of 152 cm, and at 124 dB the speaker attained amplitude of 1.27 mm (at 50 Hz). This enabled bass reproduction with low distortion.''
https://www.1001hifi.info/2021/04/technics-sb-afp1000-1988-superlative.html
Used by the Vienna Opera House to substitute for the singer during orchestral rehearsals:
https://i.ibb.co/Ghzfsb6/Technics-SB-AFP1000-1988-05a.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeC6R6Hpxtg
There's some issue with using step down or step up transformers which I read about years ago now and can't recall what it was now.
I was only window shopping anyway - I can't really justify spend two grand on a 40 year old power amp just because it has orange meters.This would do the job without much compromise at all I reckon if you change your mind. I bet that amp when working to spec is killer. The trouble with these old amps is they will fail. Like my M-60s. But they are MUCH better than most people think they will be.
https://airlinktransformers.com/product/use-japanese-appliances-in-the-uk-uk-ja3000
Probably some will know this one. Not keen on the styling of a lot of old and modern Marantz but I reckon they got it right with this one:
Model 2325:
https://i.ibb.co/BVPdg7r1/IMG-7531-WM.jpg (https://ibb.co/Z6JthwYZ)
Power output: 125 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.1%
Damping factor: 70
Input sensitivity: 1.8mV (MM), 180mV (line)
Dimensions: 19-15/16 x 5-3/4 x 15-3/16 inches
Weight: 49.5lbs
Year: 1974 to 1977
I don't know but their current inventory is here: https://skyfiaudio.com/en-gb/collections/our-pre-owned-speaker-collection
Including a pair of Apogee Full Range.
Crikey! Do you think anyone would pay nearly £120,000 for a pair of speakers? :eek:
Probably some will know this one. Not keen on the styling of a lot of old and modern Marantz but I reckon they got it right with this one:
Model 2325:
https://i.ibb.co/BVPdg7r1/IMG-7531-WM.jpg (https://ibb.co/Z6JthwYZ)
Power output: 125 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.1%
Damping factor: 70
Input sensitivity: 1.8mV (MM), 180mV (line)
Dimensions: 19-15/16 x 5-3/4 x 15-3/16 inches
Weight: 49.5lbs
Year: 1974 to 1977
I like the 'thumbwheel' tuning mechanism, but dislike the mixture of fonts used for labelling.
This would do the job without much compromise at all I reckon if you change your mind. I bet that amp when working to spec is killer. The trouble with these old amps is they will fail. Like my M-60s. But they are MUCH better than most people think they will be.
https://airlinktransformers.com/product/use-japanese-appliances-in-the-uk-uk-ja3000
Japan is the only country in the world where one half uses a 110V 60Hz mains supply, and the other half uses a 230V 50Hz supply! :doh:
Pigmy Pony
09-05-2026, 21:57
I like the 'thumbwheel' tuning mechanism, but dislike the mixture of fonts used for labelling.
When studying graphic design in the 70s, we were told mixing fonts was a no-no. As was using caps only for fonts like Old English text and Cursive Script type fonts - anything that makes text harder to read is a failure. At least Marantz correctly mixed caps with lower case :)
I love the look of it, kind of reminds me of CB radios around the same period. Pretty hefty power, too.
Pigmy Pony
22-05-2026, 06:05
A thing of beauty. I want one, though I don't know what I'd do with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B7QDm80IYI
Never even used a Reel-to-Reel, but I agree, there is something almost magical about them!
Pigmy Pony
22-05-2026, 08:22
I've never owned one either, though I do remember my brother getting a used Philips mono reel to reel Christmas 1971.
We would place it on a dining chair next to the telly when TOTP was on, with its microphone hanging over the the chair back. It picked up everything, from T. Rex doing Telegram Sam, to the budgie's incessant chirping and the kitchen door with its creaky hinges opening and closing. These peripheral sounds became part of the recorded songs, such that when hearing the actual singles eventually, it sounded like there was something missing!
Happy days :)
We would place it on a dining chair next to the telly when TOTP was on, with its microphone hanging over the the chair back. It picked up everything, from T. Rex doing Telegram Sam, to the budgie's incessant chirping
I suppose the budgie's chirping would be appropriate if Budgie were on.
A thing of beauty. I want one, though I don't know what I'd do with it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B7QDm80IYI
It's a Sony TC 510-2 portable tape recorder. One was sold in an auction, late 2019, for £280.
https://www.radiomuseum.org/images/radio/sony_tokyo/portable_stereo_tape_recorder_tc_468513.jpg
Pigmy Pony
22-05-2026, 09:50
I suppose the budgie's chirping would be appropriate if Budgie were on.
Budgie was being aired at that time. I watched all of them. They should put it back on. For me Charlie Endell (Iain Cuthbertson) was the star of the show.
It must have had some effect on me, when I started work the first thing I bought was a Mickey Mouse watch :)
Budgie was being aired at that time. I watched all of them. They should put it back on. For me Charlie Endell (Iain Cuthbertson) was the star of the show.
It must have had some effect on me, when I started work the first thing I bought was a Mickey Mouse watch :)
They were showing it on some channel last year (or maybe the year before that, it's hard to keep track) - think it might have been on Talking Pictures.
Anyway I meant the band not the TV show!
The tape recorder you were lusting after is a Sony TC 5210-2:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/images/radio/sony_tokyo/portable_stereo_tape_recorder_tc_468513.jpg
No doubt it was Sony's attempt to enter the professional portable tape recorder market for broadcasting outfits such as NHK, and the Japanese film industry. I have no idea if they were successful in that field, but any attempts to penetrate the American and European markets would have been unsuccessful.
The BBC, for example, used Uher 4000 Report recorders for interviews, and Nagra Series 4 portable recorders for wildlife programmes. Likewise the Nagra IV recorder was the de facto location recorder used by the film industry.
Som more information on the Nagra IV can be found here: https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?15431-The-Nagra-IV-S-two-track-tape-machine .
Let's face it they just look cool. I don't think any medium looks as cool as a full sized reel to reel spinning those huge spools of tape. End of.
Well I think my Nagra IV looks cool, and my Ferrograph 632 looks, urm "industrial" and "built like a battleship". :rolleyes:
It's true. I suspect we've all considered getting one at some point even if it's just going to be decoration.
Nothing says you're taking this hobby seriously like a reel to reel machine on the shelf.
I didn't realise that Krell did a KSA 200, as Macca has never mentioned it. ;)
I have seen one for sale at €3.5k
Link - https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/photo_audio_video/3078035973
How about a 300S that's even bigger
https://i.ibb.co/gLDKxKJ1/4966741-f7e39614-krell-ksa-300s-fully-serviced-one-owner.jpg (https://ibb.co/sdFYZYqS)
How about a 300S that's even bigger
https://i.ibb.co/gLDKxKJ1/4966741-f7e39614-krell-ksa-300s-fully-serviced-one-owner.jpg (https://ibb.co/sdFYZYqS)
:eek:
I would say that looks 'brutish' rather than 'cool'. However it's much better looking than my Levinson ML-2 monoblock amplifiers, which are probably the ugliest things going.
I would say that looks 'brutish' rather than 'cool'. However it's much better looking than my Levinson ML-2 monoblock amplifiers, which are probably the ugliest things going.
Yes doesn't belong on this thread, not cool and everyone's heard of Krell. Just that Kevin brought up big Krells. There's probably bigger ones than that.
I think they look cool, and I had never heard of anything bigger than a KSA100, so it meets the criteria in the thread title.
I think they look cool, and I had never heard of anything bigger than a KSA100, so it meets the criteria in the thread title.
I'm using the Top Gear 'Cool Wall' criteria, meaning if I have one then it can't be cool. :)
OK, so how about:
Breuer
Brinkmann
Stellavox
Bordereau
Pierre Clément
Have you heard of any of the above?
OK, so how about:
Breuer
Brinkmann
Stellavox
Bordereau
Pierre Clément
Have you heard of any of the above?
Heard of the first three, why?
Heard of Brinkman, Bordereau and Pierre Clement.
Pierre Clement seems to be a French actor. No mention of him starting a hi-fi company.
No, that was Pierre Clementi. Pierre Clement seems to be an artist.
https://www.archeophone.org/html/languages/en/main_en/pierre_clement.html
He built turntables.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/photo_audio_video/3119671567
And here is a Bordereau
https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/photo_audio_video/3137236274
Heard of the first three, why?
Someone said that Krell didn't count as it was a well known manufacturer. I suggested a few names which might be new to Members.
There is a lot of European made kit which is little known here.
Elac Quadrosound 1000T Receiver:
https://i.ibb.co/sdd6yFwT/tumblr-e00b4c17f862465de55f42af85dfa62c-d85a4b93-1280.jpg (https://ibb.co/W44Pgcyr)
https://i.ibb.co/h1rfky9W/image.webp (https://ibb.co/3YVzw7dN)
Something a bit 'Space:1999' about it. It's from that era.
That's fabulous - I would love that just as an ornament!
Pigmy Pony
19-06-2026, 09:36
You might have music playing in most of your rooms, but what about the bathroom? Yours for just £1300. Bog roll not included.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4341634522/vintage-philips-portable-record-player?click_key=caa81081-b672-4ec9-bbd2-6f248240fca1%3ALTff55ea7f1004bfe94d0c0101630556c16 7406f09&click_sum=b2561134&ls=s&ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=old+audio+equipment&ref=search_grid-26473-1-6&sr_prefetch=1&pf_from=market&pro=1&frs=1&content_source=caa81081-b672-4ec9-bbd2-6f248240fca1%253ALTff55ea7f1004bfe94d0c0101630556c 167406f09
You might have music playing in most of your rooms, but what about the bathroom? Yours for just £1300. Bog roll not included.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4341634522/vintage-philips-portable-record-player?click_key=caa81081-b672-4ec9-bbd2-6f248240fca1%3ALTff55ea7f1004bfe94d0c0101630556c16 7406f09&click_sum=b2561134&ls=s&ga_order=price_desc&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=old+audio+equipment&ref=search_grid-26473-1-6&sr_prefetch=1&pf_from=market&pro=1&frs=1&content_source=caa81081-b672-4ec9-bbd2-6f248240fca1%253ALTff55ea7f1004bfe94d0c0101630556c 167406f09
You can also get this from them to toast your paninis or similar.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1736414704/penny-45-rpm-portable-record-player-high?ls=r&ref=related-3&pro=1&frs=1&content_source=9c2e8933f68bfd49c410d9bc59562f06%25 3ALTd7ec83b916338586f649055039688dd95ccf7977&logging_key=9c2e8933f68bfd49c410d9bc59562f06%3ALTd 7ec83b916338586f649055039688dd95ccf7977
I will have to move these posts to the 'Overpriced Tat On Etsy' thread.
I refuse to allow Etsy use cookies, so I don't really know what these products are, or look like.
Pigmy Pony
19-06-2026, 11:10
Alex's "panini maker". 585 quid? :eek: Says in the description "perfect gift" - well I don't know anyone worth that much.
https://i.etsystatic.com/35416186/r/il/31e2fc/6074070302/il_1140xN.6074070302_fy37.jpg
Philips porta-potty:
https://i.etsystatic.com/35416186/r/il/97630a/7054142958/il_794xN.7054142958_io0n.jpg
Philips porta-potty:
https://i.etsystatic.com/35416186/r/il/97630a/7054142958/il_794xN.7054142958_io0n.jpg
Low in stock, only 1 left
Price:£1,330.07
Original Price:£1,773.42
25% off
Free delivery
An absolute bargain :eek:
Who fancies a Setton AS-1100?
https://i.ibb.co/CKbP5Pgc/s-l1600-1.webp (https://ibb.co/zVX6h6pM)
Made by Pioneer for a German (or possibly France) based company.
Power output: 40 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.1%
Damping factor: 30
Year - 1977 (or thereabouts)
In action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixRMMBOJnBQ
Does look nice - are they expensive? (Guessing so in view of the rarity).
Does look nice - are they expensive? (Guessing so in view of the rarity).
One on ebay now for £771.70
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/187955141975?
Going from the spec I'd guess they are just bog standard 1970s Pioneer amps under the hood.
Pigmy Pony
19-06-2026, 14:21
Yeah but no one's going to buy it for its superior sound quality, just so long as it works. It's going to be all about the looks. And it does look great. Would I buy it to replace my existing amp which cost me £250 less? Not a chance.
Who fancies a Setton AS-1100?
https://i.ibb.co/CKbP5Pgc/s-l1600-1.webp (https://ibb.co/zVX6h6pM)
That's a gorgeous bit of kit visually :)
Thought it might be worthwhile to bring up this thread I started in 2009 (!) : https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?17750-Eye-Fi
Not surprisingly many of the images have disappeared, but I'll try to restore them.
Curiously, I neglected to consider headphones (sorry Tim :D), but that probably says more about me.
Pete The Cat
20-06-2026, 11:30
Bryan 9000 integrated amplifier.
I had one of these as my first amp, handed down from my folks who had used it to play background music in their shop. I was young and ignorant and assumed that its looks meant that it was way off the pace, so I quickly saved up to replace it with a shiny Rotel RA314 which had VU meters. More fool me, in recent years I've read items on the 'net from folks who say that the 9000 was a real gem and comparing it to the Nait 1.
I kept mine stored away afterwards but sadly over the years the caps have leaked inside and so it's probably beyond economic repair.
I have no affiliation to this advert, I'm just using the link to show a picture of the model. There's not much information on them other than the company was based in Cheshire. Another bit of British hi-fi history.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256940690346?_skw=bryan+9000&itmmeta=01KVJC3RXKFK5J8T6G3HVZ7AKN&hash=item3bd2dbcbaa:g:YsoAAeSwUQhoLbDq&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xC0uEkHO iNAkcgzpjIrO3lgcknIOZItPnTurbCykmumVVBXoXF8Em8qfoj iTB8fFEAGz5goB%2BeHq09Goj9a6%2Bxzh90O%2BL77ulKMmDD nzay7orZi53i0WgVIKqkXdQI7qpUkgfS%2FdrEmqyxsQBZbYKj j%2Bc9gJJAZyXBUydBUk5JmwWSV33RJwiKumWy9vAAW%2BzISM bkeASNaJ7iRlgg5zfC8mCYQPQ1QetCSxAY5HcAjpX3I6%2BRYV HKUH1IYVn1L4bM%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_qOj8zcZw
Certainly never heard of Bryan, interesting!
I am sure everyone will have heard of Rogers, but looking at that ad it also showed me one for a Ravensbourne amp and FM Tuner - I threw the exact same pair into the tip when I cleared out a load of stuff in 2000! :eek: Thankfully I kept the Garrard 401 than came with it all - the Rogers LS3/5a speakers I was also offered for free I didn't take, as I thought they wouldn't be as good as the Wharfedale 2XP speakers I had at the time! (and also ended up at the tip... which was frankly the best place for them.)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256774732726?_trkparms=itmf%3D1%26aid%3D1110006%26 rkt%3D12%26mech%3D1%26algv%3DSimVIDwebV4WithCtxRan kerV1UnifiedFeaturesWithAuctionUnificationKatReco% 26pmt%3D1%26amclksrc%3DITM%26sd%3D256940690346%26s id%3DAQALAAAAENmEiW9OUzf8AVKqTmLuPIM%3D%26itm%3D25 6774732726%26noa%3D0%26plcampt%3D0%3A164302717014% 26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26brand%3DRogers%26asc%3D3 08565,308855,309371%26ao%3D1%26rk%3D3%26pid%3D1018 75%26b%3D1%26mehot%3Dnone%26lsid%3D3%26meid%3Da063 8fd26c29446cabd842dd1b0c44d7%26pg%3D2332490&_trksid=p2332490.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A256774732726a0638fd26c29446cabd842d d1b0c44d7%7Cenc%3AAQALAAABMMA0Og2ij4FjSazQGxuOVMqk QbuD154JAxn1UOi5bMOS8wVwhJcrlHDJpmO54TbaJhEQ8giNg7 TrlKMnojPQLVz46fh0hLq3kmS8BAuFzSTBG%252BGtUvJ%252F LfXUpIZRE7yCWHWwiWGY7vk2bTaVJxDVPA1qYTegOdVsS8rrVv lbZf2iwyZnXQS4sVXxZZwEaroo79NjyEMDNI42133xFNJ3XPFe a3k9EvbFhm7i0%252FYFgLaPI3mWSQmDlk%252FFl%252BkKC8 fritDOEk4W0zj%252FsJlO2EDNLwlLks5jgeaclAAEfo3MdQ21 IcrAdzU%252F5ahJdqpTAC%252BRMD%252B0y0j5HMFKYizc06 VPB6GTMXRc5qYoUWW3GdEsmztaYbFZH0RKLA07pOqYDIALcSh8 PCIHpD4wIjzXuuOH9yI%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A 2332490&itmmeta=01KVJCX8NZ1EE6VT34TGWKTM68
Bryan 9000 integrated amplifier.
I had one of these as my first amp, handed down from my folks who had used it to play background music in their shop. I was young and ignorant and assumed that its looks meant that it was way off the pace, so I quickly saved up to replace it with a shiny Rotel RA314 which had VU meters. More fool me, in recent years I've read items on the 'net from folks who say that the 9000 was a real gem and comparing it to the Nait 1.
I kept mine stored away afterwards but sadly over the years the caps have leaked inside and so it's probably beyond economic repair.
I have no affiliation to this advert, I'm just using the link to show a picture of the model. There's not much information on them other than the company was based in Cheshire. Another bit of British hi-fi history.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256940690346?_skw=bryan+9000&itmmeta=01KVJC3RXKFK5J8T6G3HVZ7AKN&hash=item3bd2dbcbaa:g:YsoAAeSwUQhoLbDq&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xC0uEkHO iNAkcgzpjIrO3lgcknIOZItPnTurbCykmumVVBXoXF8Em8qfoj iTB8fFEAGz5goB%2BeHq09Goj9a6%2Bxzh90O%2BL77ulKMmDD nzay7orZi53i0WgVIKqkXdQI7qpUkgfS%2FdrEmqyxsQBZbYKj j%2Bc9gJJAZyXBUydBUk5JmwWSV33RJwiKumWy9vAAW%2BzISM bkeASNaJ7iRlgg5zfC8mCYQPQ1QetCSxAY5HcAjpX3I6%2BRYV HKUH1IYVn1L4bM%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_qOj8zcZw
Never heard of Bryan either but they are way before my time but I've had a few amps from that era like Eagle and Prinzsound. Low power and quite high distortion.
I think you had a better amp in the Rotel than it or the Nait really. More than twice the power for starters. I know the original Nait has attained mythical status now but they really aren't special beyond the idiosyncratic appearance.
Pete The Cat
20-06-2026, 12:20
Never heard of Bryan either but they are way before my time but I've had a few amps from that era like Eagle and Prinzsound.
Eagle! My first turntable was their D7500. It was the cheapest option around in 1977.
I have heard of Bryan amplifiers: the 9000 has an entry in the 1971 HiFi Yearbook. Then it was selling for £50.
I certainly wouldn't pay the price the eBay seller is asking!
Certainly never heard of Bryan, interesting!
I am sure everyone will have heard of Rogers, but looking at that ad it also showed me one for a Ravensbourne amp and FM Tuner - I threw the exact same pair into the tip when I cleared out a load of stuff in 2000! :eek: Thankfully I kept the Garrard 401 than came with it all - the Rogers LS3/5a speakers I was also offered for free I didn't take, as I thought they wouldn't be as good as the Wharfedale 2XP speakers I had at the time! (and also ended up at the tip... which frankly was the best place for them.)
Er - you made a big mistake there. LS3/5a speakers have achieved mythical status and they now change hands for enormous and unjustifiable sums of money. You could have used them in the interim, and sold them later.
At least you recognised the 401 as worth having. :)
Pigmy Pony
20-06-2026, 19:21
Oh dear. Should have gone to Skipshirkers. But if it's any consolation Alex, there's a pair of Denton 2XP on Ebay going for £136. So not totally worthless.
Sansui TA-500DC Receiver:
https://i.ibb.co/39twGPVw/3112797-cdb0ff48-sansui-ta-500-integrated-tuner-amplifier.jpg (https://ibb.co/KpCYR8BY)
Power output: 50 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Speaker load impedance: 8Ω (minimum)
Year - 1979
The grab handles were optional but I think you have to have them - it's not so special looking without.
Sansui TA-500DC Receiver:
https://i.ibb.co/39twGPVw/3112797-cdb0ff48-sansui-ta-500-integrated-tuner-amplifier.jpg (https://ibb.co/KpCYR8BY)
Power output: 50 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Speaker load impedance: 8Ω (minimum)
Year - 1979
The grab handles were optional but I think you have to have them - it's not so special looking without.
I'm guessing the rack mount end pieces come with the handle kit? Agreed, it wouldn't look as good without.
By the way, I keep meaning to ask in case anyone knows - I'm on a few Facebook pages for audio gear, and it seems that Americans are a bit obsessed with vintage receivers like this + Marantz, Pioneer etc. from back in the day - it seems to be receivers specifically, hardly any real interest in standalone integrated amps. Was that always a thing in the US?
I'm guessing the rack mount end pieces come with the handle kit? Agreed, it wouldn't look as good without.
By the way, I keep meaning to ask in case anyone knows - I'm on a few Facebook pages for audio gear, and it seems that Americans are a bit obsessed with vintage receivers like this + Marantz, Pioneer etc. from back in the day - it seems to be receivers specifically, hardly any real interest in standalone integrated amps. Was that always a thing in the US?
Yes - they liked their receivers (and their pre-powers) but not so much integrated amps. Maybe since they had so many AM and FM stations back in the day? Loads more than we did. And out there you could be living 250 miles from the nearest record shop so you needed a tuner for a bit of variety if nothing else.
Also which you probably know, they had The Receiver Wars which was a bit like The Clone Wars only with receivers. More here https://thevintagehifishack.com/the-receiver-wars-1974-1979/
That makes sense - also, I guess backlit tuning scales, signal/alignment meters, plus VU meters and an awful lot of switches and knobs = hifi porn!
That makes sense - also, I guess backlit tuning scales, signal/alignment meters, plus VU meters and an awful lot of switches and knobs = hifi porn!
As a youngster I was always torn between the 'porno' Japanese hi-fi and the minimalist British kit. Liked the look of the former, but the mags all said that minimalist had better sound. Not that I could afford anything much of either I was reduced to whatever was on offer in the local paper's classifieds.
Don't know which I would have gone for if I'd had the money back then. I mean, something like this is hard to resist:
https://i.ibb.co/FbWGgskt/5416556-fb3c1f06-kenwood-kr-9600-absolute-mega-receiver.jpg (https://ibb.co/LzP4nQDf)
Yes, that’s a cracker, would have to be full on “Razzle” for me!
Nah - I always preferred the 'minimalist' look of the Quad Series 3 gear, or the sexy low-profile look of the Cambridge P series amplifiers and matching T55 tuner.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/NzEAAeSwjFppRJLr/s-l1600.webp
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/4R8AAeSw10tqOUcL/s-l1600.webp
Firebottle
08-07-2026, 07:41
Canbridge P series appealed to me also.
Cambridge stuff above looks to 'industrial' for my taste.
Was never into receivers myself, always preferred separate tuners and amps.
Sony 'Precise' series, 1980:
https://i.ibb.co/twfKCZ1j/R-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/LDwRpQsj)
Retrospective review of the turntable here - https://www.hifinews.com/content/sony-ps-p7x-turntable
TL/DR - it's good.
I would find the lid of the turntable very annoying. Otherwise the rest of the kit is not bad looking, but I have no idea of the sound quality.
I would find the lid of the turntable very annoying. Otherwise the rest of the kit is not bad looking, but I have no idea of the sound quality.
The whole lid lifts up not just that perspex bit.
Pigmy Pony
09-07-2026, 17:42
The whole lid lifts up not just that perspex bit.
And your records would be grateful for that :) I think it looks great - but it would have to be the whole thing, just add some age-appropriate speakers and you're done.
The whole lid lifts up not just that perspex bit.
I realise that, otherwise you wouldn't be able to place a record on the turntable. It's the partial plastic part of the lid that annoys me: why doesn't it extend to cover the whole of the lid? Just showing where on the record the pickup is not that helpful.
Anyway, I believe when playing records it is best to leave the lid up, or removed.
I realise that, otherwise you wouldn't be able to place a record on the turntable. It's the partial plastic part of the lid that annoys me: why doesn't it extend to cover the whole of the lid? Just showing where on the record the pickup is not that helpful.
Anyway, I believe when playing records it is best to leave the lid up, or removed.
Yes I never left the lid on any deck I had. Only re-attach it if the deck's going into storage. But on that Sony it's part of the styling.
Nikko Alpha III and Beta 30 pre-amp
https://i.ibb.co/HLfcYx9Z/2175616-be1789cf-nikko-alpha-iii-amplifier-and-nikko-beta-30-preamplifier.jpg (https://ibb.co/Psv249Vk)
Power output: 80 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.008%
Damping factor: 80
Year - 1977 to 1980
Nikko - now that is a name from the past. And from a period where most Japanese audio gear was silver in finish.
I like the look of the kit, but again I'm sure I would find those LED power level indicators 'dancing up and down' even more of a distraction than meters. :sofa:
Pigmy Pony
10-07-2026, 09:03
Where are you getting your pics Martin? Ebay? And how come my Ebay pics don't show on your laptop? One of life's great mysteries, like UFO sightings, and Taylor Swift's popularity.
Where are you getting your pics Martin? Ebay?
Mostly from Bing images.
Pigmy Pony
10-07-2026, 09:31
Ah, right. Never tried that.
I'm sort of casually looking for a power amp with orange level meters to match my CD transport and pre-amp and came across this Sansui B-2301
https://i.ibb.co/C3KSt7n1/b-2301.jpg (https://ibb.co/9kHdvTq8)
From 1982 (or 1983 depending on which source you believe).
The transformer alone allegedly weighs 12 kilos
https://i.ibb.co/gMJ4n36z/b-2301-2.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)
There's a couple on eBay but 100V versions only which I won't touch. Probably be easier to find Shergar than a 240V version of it. Might be some 220V versions knocking about in Germany where in those days they'd never even heard of Linn or Naim.
Found a review of this amp and its pre-amp in the 1987 'Hi-Fi Choice' buying guide:
https://i.ibb.co/cKsMnBYg/Screenshot-2026-08-23-222426.png (https://ibb.co/xKrPTkFC)
Older readers will recall that, in those days, despite their superior build quality and measured performance compared to the British kit it was illegal for a UK hi-fi magazine to give a Japanese amp a clean bill of health - as we see from the listening notes:
https://i.ibb.co/zHJYSVcj/Screenshot-2026-08-23-222543.png (https://imgbb.com/)
Pigmy Pony
24-08-2026, 07:48
That looks like a proper beast, and those orange meters look proper 80s, good luck with your search. One question though: why not the 100V versions? I know I would be ignoring them, but I'm not sure why. Maybe I just wouldn't fancy add-on boxes to make the thing work.
That looks like a proper beast, and those orange meters look proper 80s, good luck with your search. One question though: why not the 100V versions? I know I would be ignoring them, but I'm not sure why. Maybe I just wouldn't fancy add-on boxes to make the thing work.
Too much messing about just to get orange VUs.
walpurgis
24-08-2026, 09:49
Got a feeling I saw that Sansui component series at a Hi-Fi show back then. I may even have the original manufacture brochure tucked away.
Pigmy Pony
24-08-2026, 13:18
Got a feeling I saw that Sansui component series at a Hi-Fi show back then. I may even have the original manufacture brochure tucked away.
That would be nice - if it included a picture Martin could sellotape it to the front of his Krell. Upgrades don't come any cheaper than that. I'm sure Peter Belt will have tried that at some point.
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