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.
NEC CD-803 (1982):
https://i.ibb.co/m59yK78f/nec-cd803-100.png (https://ibb.co/s9K14rH8)
https://www.thevintageknob.org/nec-CD-803.html
Upright CD players are long overdue a comeback. Someone needs to tell the Chinese.
Pigmy Pony
16-09-2026, 15:57
That does look pretty cool.
My brother's ex-partner had one of these set ups. I never got to hear it though.
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!qe75!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F11372b1 0-71f0-4a78-b9ad-ba2ac743f021_600x651.jpeg
OK for those that only have 5 CDs. :lol: The speakers look elegant though.
There was a time when B&O gear was wrongly dismissed as 'Habitat Hi-Fi'. Clearly those that used the appelation had never heard their products. Now I wonder if the B&O design team have let style to become too 'singular' in visual taste. :hmm:
Not my thing at all... I like equipment that looks as if it should be in a science lab, and big wide speakers made of wood:)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
16-09-2026, 19:44
I suspect her late husband just wanted to throw money at having TOTL stuff from a name he'd heard of installed by the shop. There were speakers dotted all around the house, all connected. You might just be able to spot some of the speakers in some of the room pics in the link below.
Me and my mate re-roofed that place - that was a job and a half!
https://assets.savills.com/properties/GBWSRSWIS210063/WIS210063_WIS21002642.PDF
I suspect her late husband just wanted to throw money at having TOTL stuff from a name he'd heard of installed by the shop. There were speakers dotted all around the house, all connected. You might just be able to spot some of the speakers in some of the room pics in the link below.
Me and my mate re-roofed that place - that was a job and a half!
https://assets.savills.com/properties/GBWSRSWIS210063/WIS210063_WIS21002642.PDF
Living room - and a bedroom - that are 25' x 35'! Madre mia!
NEC CD-803 (1982):
https://i.ibb.co/m59yK78f/nec-cd803-100.png (https://ibb.co/s9K14rH8)
https://www.thevintageknob.org/nec-CD-803.html
Upright CD players are long overdue a comeback. Someone needs to tell the Chinese.Now that is just fucking cool. Especially like the keypad - as much as the upright aspect.
Awesome - never saw it at the time or knew it even existed. Massive Yamaha receiver.
Absolutely stupidly complex but I just love the way this young dude is so totally into it.
Receivers were massive in the 70s. And this one massively exceeds the Technics I owned as a teenager. Or rather, my father did, but didn't really use. I think he basically bought it for me but never wanted to admit it.
I did use it a lot, though, hooked up to a pair of Wharfedale Lintons.
https://youtu.be/lw2QqUjdQww?is=2FK4ZnWLXPkM3tYN
I suspect her late husband just wanted to throw money at having TOTL stuff from a name he'd heard of installed by the shop. There were speakers dotted all around the house, all connected. You might just be able to spot some of the speakers in some of the room pics in the link below.
Me and my mate re-roofed that place - that was a job and a half!
https://assets.savills.com/properties/GBWSRSWIS210063/WIS210063_WIS21002642.PDF
Any idea of the sale price?
NEC CD-803 (1982):
https://i.ibb.co/m59yK78f/nec-cd803-100.png (https://ibb.co/s9K14rH8)
https://www.thevintageknob.org/nec-CD-803.html
Upright CD players are long overdue a comeback. Someone needs to tell the Chinese.
As daft an idea as a vertical record deck!
As daft an idea as a vertical record deck!Nah. It doesn't need the obvious constant of gravity to read it accurately like a record player does.
And even then, if you can work out how to apply a constant stylus force to a vertically spinning LP, it's not really an issue.
Explain your thoughts, Barry.
Pigmy Pony
16-09-2026, 22:17
Any idea of the sale price?
I assume you mean the house... The owner (my brother's partner) sold it for about £3m* iirc, the man who bought it had decided to retire in his 40s, and sold his 50% share in an engineering firm that made parts for oil/gas rigs I was told. Came away with almost £100m. So the house was pocket change.
He's since sold the house (I'm guessing this is the listing), I don't know how much for. Now lives just outside Keswick with great views of the lake and fells I'm told. How the other half lives eh? My mate's up there, building a giant patio area for him. I said I'd nip up and visit, not got round to it. Should do, the bloke is as likeable and down to earth as they come.
*Near Skelmersdale. If it was London I expect it would be 5 times that.
That CD payer mimics a cassette player in mechanical concept, and thus is prone to similar failures. If it was so good, why at the time did nearly everybody else made CD players that were either top loaders or used drawer loading?
However it would seem that technology has moved on and wall-mounting vertical CD players are now available, though they only get moderate reviews when it comes to audio playback quality.
Apropos the vertical record player, I give you the Mitsubishi LT-15V:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/hTAAAeSwXWhpkdz1/s-l1600.webp https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UBMAAeSwz2Zpkdz2/s-l960.webp
A colleague at work had one, though it might not have been a Mitsubishi. I never saw it.
There was also the Technics LT-SV, obviously based on the Mitsubishi:
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66428b017813ba35b9c025ad/6659a93a56bcea7eb88056c1_technics_sl-v5.jpeg
and the Mitsubishi LT-SV:
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66428b017813ba35b9c025ad/6659a93b56bcea7eb88056d4_Mitsubishi-LT5V.jpeg
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2026, 06:40
That CD payer mimics a cassette player in mechanical concept, and thus is prone to similar failures. If it was so good, why at the time did nearly everybody else made CD players that were either top loaders or used drawer loading?
However it would seem that technology has moved on and wall-mounting vertical CD players are now available, though they only get moderate reviews when it comes to audio playback quality.
Apropos the vertical record player, I give you the Mitsubishi LT-15V:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/hTAAAeSwXWhpkdz1/s-l1600.webp https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UBMAAeSwz2Zpkdz2/s-l960.webp
A colleague at work had one, though it might not have been a Mitsubishi. I never saw it.
There was also the Technics LT-SV, obviously based on the Mitsubishi:
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66428b017813ba35b9c025ad/6659a93a56bcea7eb88056c1_technics_sl-v5.jpeg
and the Mitsubishi LT-SV:
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66428b017813ba35b9c025ad/6659a93b56bcea7eb88056d4_Mitsubishi-LT5V.jpeg
I don't think I could live with either of those. I mean, gravity is both free and reliably consistent, so why would you do away with it?
Meanwhile, there's this. Ticks most of Macca's boxes (lots of buttons, orange display). Shame it's not black.
https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cd601mkII-front-2.jpeg
Meanwhile, there's this. Ticks most of Macca's boxes (lots of buttons, orange display). Shame it's not black.
https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/cd601mkII-front-2.jpeg
Agreed, those half width units do look good. And yes, it needs to be black, and I don't like the green illuminated power switch. Apart from that it's perfect.
I rather like it in 'broadcast' grey (since these units are designed for use in studios):)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2026, 14:34
So how about this one then?
https://images.hifido.co.jp/24/097/09710/a.jpg
What Marco is after is something professional-looking and/or something that wouldn't look out of place in a laboratory; so how about the
Studer/Revox C221 CD player
https://www.studerundrevox.de/wp-content/uploads/studer-c221.jpg
https://www.hifiengine.com/images/model/revox_c221_compact_disc_player.jpg
Available with either the Studer or the Revox logo, the two machines are identical. They can also be fitted with brackets for 19" mounting racks.
https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.PGa2ZtNz5Lqd1SkjTox6lgHaE6?r=0&pid=Api&h=220&P=0
I have one (labeled Revox) with the 19" mounting brackets.
https://i.postimg.cc/L5hPhFBn/003.jpg
Being a professional studio machine they take a bit of fiddling with the settings to use as a domestic player.
Don't recall you mentioning that you have that Revox player before Barry although I'm sure you must have. Very tasty.
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2026, 20:34
I didn't know either. Looks proper.
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2026, 20:42
What Marco is after is something professional-looking and/or something that wouldn't look out of place in a laboratory;
She wouldn't look out of place in a laboratory. No idea what she'd sound like.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/zDEAAOSwTY9lTlzw/s-l1600.webp
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2026, 20:47
How would you say the Revox sounds and operates compared to modern players Barry? Are they reliable? Are the parts readily available? I would imagine back when it was made there wasn't much variation in the way they worked. Either Sony- or Philips-based, though I stand to be corrected.
What Marco is after is something professional-looking and/or something that wouldn't look out of place in a laboratory; so how about the
Studer/Revox C221 CD player
https://www.studerundrevox.de/wp-content/uploads/studer-c221.jpg
https://www.hifiengine.com/images/model/revox_c221_compact_disc_player.jpg
Right up my alley, Barry, as is your own Revox:cool:
Marco.
She wouldn't look out of place in a laboratory. No idea what she'd sound like.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/zDEAAOSwTY9lTlzw/s-l1600.webp
Looks remarkably like Tabatha, whom I keep in my dungeon.
Marco.
Don't recall you mentioning that you have that Revox player before Barry although I'm sure you must have. Very tasty.
I posted about the change from a Revox C221 to a Mark Levinson 390 CD player in 2020. There is no reason why you should remember all the items of kit Members have.
How would you say the Revox sounds and operates compared to modern players Barry? Are they reliable? Are the parts readily available? I would imagine back when it was made there wasn't much variation in the way they worked. Either Sony- or Philips-based, though I stand to be corrected.
The C221 uses a Philips CDM-4/19 swing-arm laser disc mechanism. Not surprising that a Swiss/German company would use a disc reader made by another European manufacturer.
The performance of the C221 was very good, but it did have a number of quirks when it came to use in a domestic setting:
(a) as intended for broadcast use, it will only play the track selected and no other.
(b) to override this setting, some of the unwanted features need to be switched off.
(c) to maintain the removed features setting configuration, the player has to be kept switched on, and to do this a CD disc has to be left in the drawer.
Finally the player is fussy about the discs it plays: it can get upset with CD-R discs.
One of the reasons I chose it, despite its quirks, was it was a professional studio player and hence expected to be reliable, and it had XLR balanced outputs.
I changed it to a Mark Levinson ML390 as it was an ambition of mine to have a complete Levinson system (apart from the speakers), and I was starling to tire of the above listed quirks with the C221.
Not old, and I have heard of it, my ultimate 'science lab' amp:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq70/924/eR9VYk.jpg
Marco.
Wouldn't knock this back either...
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq70/923/w7Wntc.jpg
Marco.
Not old, and I have heard of it, my ultimate 'science lab' amp:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq70/924/eR9VYk.jpg
Marco.
The knobs look cheap and plastic in my view. Certainly not professional looking. I like the provision of three phono inputs, but don't know how their input impedance are set.
Still given the name of the unit and the three phono inputs, it would go well with my three Thorens 124/II decks! :lol:
Wouldn't knock this back either...
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq70/923/w7Wntc.jpg
Marco.
Much better - the 19" rack fittings make it look professional, but unless the inputs and outputs are balanced XLR type (except of course the PHONO inputs), it is not really a piece of professional kit that would be used in a broadcast studio.
The knobs look cheap and plastic in my view. Certainly not professional looking. I like the provision of three phono inputs, but don't know how their input impedance are set.
Still given the name of the unit and the three phono inputs, it would go well with my three Thorens 124/II decks! :lol:
Yeah, I agree about the knobs, but I just love the overall stying of it. Perhaps not professional looking, but I think quite 'lab like'.
Marco.
walpurgis
27-09-2026, 13:30
Not old, and I have heard of it, my ultimate 'science lab' amp:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq70/924/eR9VYk.jpg
Marco.
I like that. Seen it before somewhere and seem to recall it was supposed to be a bit special.
Much better - the 19" rack fittings make it look professional, but unless the inputs and outputs are balanced XLR type (except of course the PHONO inputs), it is not really a piece of professional kit that would be used in a broadcast studio.
I think the inputs and outputs were XLR. I also think it was all valve, which appeals to me, and it's reputedly good sounding.
Marco.
I like that. Seen it before somewhere and seem to recall it was supposed to be a bit special.
Indeed...
Marco.
Re the Thöress preamp:
All Thöress audio products are made in Germany, and all use valve technology and 'point to point' circuitry (that is no PCBs). To quote from the manufacturer:
Hand made in limited quantity by Reinhard Thöress in Germany. All NOS tube: Preamplifier and Phono amplifier, hard-wired triode amps with hand-wound transformers.
The construction looks impeccable, as can be seen from the following photos:
https://www.tnt-audio.com/jpg/thoress_internal_view.jpg
https://www.tnt-audio.com/jpg/thoeress-preamplifier-rear.jpg
And they get a good review from TNT Audio: https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A2RSKqzlK7lqwQIA0Dp3Bwx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNldS13ZXN 0LTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1791729893/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.tnt-audio.com%2fampli%2fthoress_preamp_e.html/RK=2/RS=lYTzbgcaocvaGLbSTjpMkGy_lHI-
Although I like the look of the style of the rotary controls, they do look cheap, and certainly out of place on a piece of kit costing €8,200.
I think the inputs and outputs were XLR. I also think it was all valve, which appeals to me, and it's reputedly good sounding.
Marco.
Sadly not, the SP-11 used RCA connectors.
They were hybrid amplifiers, using a mixture of valve and solid state electronics, but were by all accounts good sounding. :)
Re the Thöress preamp:
All Thöress audio products are made in Germany, and all use valve technology and 'point to point' circuitry (that is no PCBs). To quote from the manufacturer:
Hand made in limited quantity by Reinhard Thöress in Germany. All NOS tube: Preamplifier and Phono amplifier, hard-wired triode amps with hand-wound transformers.
The construction looks impeccable, as can be seen from the following photos:
https://www.tnt-audio.com/jpg/thoress_internal_view.jpg
https://www.tnt-audio.com/jpg/thoeress-preamplifier-rear.jpg
And they get a good review from TNT Audio: https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A2RSKqzlK7lqwQIA0Dp3Bwx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNldS13ZXN 0LTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1791729893/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.tnt-audio.com%2fampli%2fthoress_preamp_e.html/RK=2/RS=lYTzbgcaocvaGLbSTjpMkGy_lHI-
Although I like the look of the style of the rotary controls, they do look cheap, and certainly out of place on a piece of kit costing €8,200.
:drool::drool:
Could be very different 'in the flesh', certainly in terms of how they operate and are constructed.
An option then should I ever sell the Croft, as It's built on similar principles.
Marco.
Sadly not, the SP-11 used RCA connectors.
Noted... I don't need XLRs anyway.
Marco.
Firebottle
28-09-2026, 15:13
Re the Thöress preamp:
All Thöress audio products are made in Germany, and all use valve technology and 'point to point' circuitry (that is no PCBs). To quote from the manufacturer:
Hand made in limited quantity by Reinhard Thöress in Germany. All NOS tube: Preamplifier and Phono amplifier, hard-wired triode amps with hand-wound transformers.
The construction looks impeccable, as can be seen from the following photos:
https://www.tnt-audio.com/jpg/thoress_internal_view.jpg
https://www.tnt-audio.com/jpg/thoeress-preamplifier-rear.jpg
And they get a good review from TNT Audio: https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A2RSKqzlK7lqwQIA0Dp3Bwx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNldS13ZXN 0LTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1791729893/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.tnt-audio.com%2fampli%2fthoress_preamp_e.html/RK=2/RS=lYTzbgcaocvaGLbSTjpMkGy_lHI-
Although I like the look of the style of the rotary controls, they do look cheap, and certainly out of place on a piece of kit costing €8,200.
I have repaired one of those, very nice to work on.
My only criticism is that, for the price, I'd have liked to have seen an external PSU with bigger transformers (as per my Croft), but with hand-wound transformers being used goodness knows what that would add to the price!:eek:
Marco.
Beobloke
01-10-2026, 11:54
Not old, and I have heard of it, my ultimate 'science lab' amp:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq70/924/eR9VYk.jpg
Marco.
It's always fun to play with a Rechter Kanal...
:eyebrows::eyebrows:
Marco.
My only criticism is that, for the price, I'd have liked to have seen an external PSU with bigger transformers (as per my Croft), but with hand-wound transformers being used goodness knows what that would add to the price!:eek:
Marco.
Bigger is not necessarily better, when it comes to power transformers. Being hand-wound, there are many aspects of the design that have to be considered: bi-limboid or superimposed windings?; E-I interleaved laminations, or two sets of E-shaped cores, butted together? etc. Then there is the consideration of the windings: are both the primary and secondary windings wound together at the same time or sequentially?
Transformers are most efficient when the core flux is close to saturation, but if the core does saturate say with a current surge, the transformer ceases to create current in the secondary winding. Thus the overall size of the transformer is important.
So you cannot just buy and use any old transformer.
For sure, but for the price asked, the designer could've fitted larger transformers of the right type [experience tells me that over-speccing things usually brings an audible improvement), and externalised them in a separate box, thus removing a magnetic field away from 'delicate' components, both of which I've done with my Croft with considerable success:)
Marco.
The mains transformer does not appear to be shielded or shrouded with a mu-metal shield, so depends on the transformer core laminations not having any flux leakage. The transformer is however located distant from the electronics, so the effect of any flux leakage is minimised; although an additional magnetic shield between the transformer and the nearby valves wouldn't do any harm.
Rectification is provided by a pair of solid state diodes, rather than a double-diode valve, so putting the power supply in a separate enclosure would not offer any real benefit; it would just cost more.
The mains transformer does not appear to be shielded or shrouded with a mu-metal shield, so depends on the transformer core laminations not having any flux leakage. The transformer is however located distant from the electronics, so the effect of any flux leakage is minimised; although an additional magnetic shield between the transformer and the nearby valves wouldn't do any harm.
Rectification is provided by a pair of solid state diodes, rather than a double-diode valve, so putting the power supply in a separate enclosure would not offer any real benefit; it would just cost more.What's your electronics background, Barry? Just curious.
Rectification is provided by a pair of solid state diodes, rather than a double-diode valve, so putting the power supply in a separate enclosure would not offer any real benefit; it would just cost more.
In your opinion. Experience tells me differently, as does that of Glenn Croft. My Croft preamp now has solid-state rectification, as opposed to originally a 6080 valve, and upgrading the PSU and putting it into a separate enclosure made a noticeable sonic improvement.
Carrying out this sort of modification can really make a difference *if* it's done properly by a qualified EE.
Marco.
What's your electronics background, Barry? Just curious.
Only what I was taught for my undergraduate degree in Physics. Did postgraduate work in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and later worked in the research centre for what was then the largest electronics company in the UK. My work there was the design of microwave components for radar and communications - somewhat removed from audio engineering.
My only experience with audio electronics has been in building valve and later solid-state power amplifiers, for my own use, and through that, learning about good practice when it comes to shielding etc.
Only what I was taught for my undergraduate degree in Physics. Did postgraduate work in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and later worked in the research centre for what was then the largest electronics company in the UK. My work there was the design of microwave components for radar and communications - somewhat removed from audio engineering.
My only experience with audio electronics has been in building valve and later solid-state power amplifiers, for my own use, and through that, learning about good practice when it comes to shielding etc.Respect level increased by a high order of magnitude;)
Fancy a $16,000 Pioneer SX-1980?
https://ebay.io/m/oEK1qh
Apparently poor reliability so maybe not.
Looks cool, though.
https://youtu.be/MyepBbuICwo?is=d5SUTakf1f-jUJIU
Fancy a $16,000 Pioneer SX-1980?
https://ebay.io/m/oEK1qh
Apparently poor reliability so maybe not.
Looks cool, though.
https://youtu.be/MyepBbuICwo?is=d5SUTakf1f-jUJIU
The holy grail of 1970s receivers. Pal of mine got lent one when his amp was down back in the days when they weren't really valuable, I don't remember it being all that great but maybe it wasn't up to spec, I don't know. That would be around 1999 so it would have been 20 years old or so then.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2026, 12:08
Looks pretty cool, but probably won't hold a candle to a Luxman L-509Z, which comes in at £5k less brand new.
https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/207e23213cf636ccdef205098cf3c8a3/l/u/luxman-l-509z-integrated-amplifier.jpg
All this audio jewellery is very nice, but common sense should prevail.
No tuner in that Lux, though.
Also, I rate my 1975 Accuphase M-60s (when they work) as sonically better than a Luxman M-800A, which is a much later design i.e. 2007. I think mine was made late in the run i.e. 2012.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2026, 14:26
Ofc, Accuphase... well, £16k would get you a new E-5000 (at Hifi Lounge), as well as this:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/5oYAAeSwzxVpLVTO/s-l1600.webp
Enough buttons/meters/butchness going on there, and enough change to buy a foreign holiday pretty much anywhere.
Lawrence001
12-10-2026, 20:47
Tuner meters don't count they have to move in time to the music. Having said that I've never seen a Dolby level meter before, I would find that interesting to watch how the level of noise reduction varied with the signal.
Tuner meters don't count they have to move in time to the music. Having said that I've never seen a Dolby level meter before, I would find that interesting to watch how the level of noise reduction varied with the signal.
I find all meters, whether they are mechanical or bar-graph style distracting. The only time they are useful is when recording, either on a reel-to-reel machine or s cassette recorder.
If you are listening to music then just do that - it is what your system is for! :doh:
Pigmy Pony
13-10-2026, 08:57
I find all meters, whether they are mechanical or bar-graph style distracting. The only time they are useful is when recording, either on a reel-to-reel machine or s cassette recorder.
If you are listening to music then just do that - it is what your system is for! :doh:
While I would agree with that statement, it is true that looks do matter. Given the choice, you might prefer black components to say silver, even though it makes not a jot of difference to the sound.
Personally, I like the look of meters, even though from my seating position I couldn't see them anyway! What can I say, we like what we like, and logic doesn't always come into it.
Metres (done well) are cool:)
Marco.
Beobloke
13-10-2026, 10:41
Metres (done well) are cool:)
Marco.
Absolutely correct.
They also improve sound quality by up to 8% on any item that uses them, depending on needle orientation and length, and illumination colour.
That’s a fact, that is.
Nah, my Accuphase meters add 8.2347882% to SQ.
But 100 inch ones rock too;)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20261013/8f60ee8427f18334a106fab64822c5a9.jpg
Metres (done well) are cool:)
Marco.
Metres or meters? Are you saying size matters?
Pigmy Pony
13-10-2026, 12:14
Absolutely correct.
They also improve sound quality by up to 8% on any item that uses them, depending on needle orientation and length, and illumination colour.
That’s a fact, that is.
You could get a marketing job at Bose :)
Pigmy Pony
13-10-2026, 12:18
Metres or meters? Are you saying size matters?
Usain Bolt did a hundred of them in 9.58 seconds. That's pretty cool :)
Metres or meters? Are you saying size matters?
Meters. my bad:)
Size? No, not really, just backlit and analogue. You want a nice glow in the room at night.
Marco.
P.S how's the holiday going? Have you sent me a card?;)
I like this - nice and simple and not too blingy: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/189005270365?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&ff=11&gbraid=0AAAAADA7Q_L-s32arfzyxUDKj6a4PoC4C&loc_physical_ms=9193811&adtype=pla&customid=CjwKCAjwrbfWBhAeEiwAc2e6Pm1gabQBTlPLZtbrd DGI1M7-o54sHCW677bnF1B30rGFmd7C5SlpqhoCYPYQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAjwrbfWBhAeEiwAc2e6Pm1gabQBTlPLZtbrdDGI 1M7-o54sHCW677bnF1B30rGFmd7C5SlpqhoCYPYQAvD_BwE
Marco.
I love this - nice and simple and not too blingy: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/189005270365?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&ff=11&gbraid=0AAAAADA7Q_L-s32arfzyxUDKj6a4PoC4C&loc_physical_ms=9193811&adtype=pla&customid=CjwKCAjwrbfWBhAeEiwAc2e6Pm1gabQBTlPLZtbrd DGI1M7-o54sHCW677bnF1B30rGFmd7C5SlpqhoCYPYQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAjwrbfWBhAeEiwAc2e6Pm1gabQBTlPLZtbrdDGI 1M7-o54sHCW677bnF1B30rGFmd7C5SlpqhoCYPYQAvD_BwE
Marco.
This one is tastier:
https://i.ibb.co/HpdCM4K2/s-l1600-2.webp (https://ibb.co/5xFkz419)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226258225132?
Yes!:)
Would be nice to see it lit...
I used to sell them, with the matching preamp, back in the day. The preamp wasn't as good, and held back the power amp, but partner the power amp with a decent pre, and the results were great:cool:
Marco.
Didn't know you sold audio gear Marco. Was that before you started your picture framing business?
You could get a marketing job at Bose :)
Oh the irony! Bose now own McIntosh - a brand who has done more than the rest to foist their vulgar-looking large blue meters onto the hi-fi buying public. They have even stuck one on their turntable; but because it doesn't have a calibrated scale is pretty useless when it comes to adjusting rpm. They should have used a stroboscope like everyone else. :doh:
Didn't know you sold audio gear Marco. Was that before you started your picture framing business?
Yes, mate. I used to work for Bill Hutchison Hi-Fi, in Glasgow in the early 90s, who was a big Technics and Denon dealer:)
Marco.
Oh the irony! Bose now own McIntosh - a brand who has done more than the rest to foist their vulgar-looking large blue meters onto the hi-fi buying public. They have even stuck one on their turntable; but because it doesn't have a calibrated scale is pretty useless when it comes to adjusting rpm. They should have used a stroboscope like everyone else. :doh:Apart from MC275 and similar exposed valve amps of theirs, I don't like the looks of their gear either.
Pigmy Pony
13-10-2026, 19:16
I'm not a fan of their looks either. I think much of it has to do with their gothic-looking choice of fonts. If Gomez Addams was shopping for hifi they would probably be his choice. And if their amps could be engineered so that when you go to turn the volume up with the remote, the top of the amp flips up and a hand emerges to turn the volume knob manually, that would seal the deal :)
I wonder if McIntosh's sales spike during the Halloween period.
The older Mcintosh doesn't look so bad:
https://i.ibb.co/4BYjKW4/64ef7b8275796a2c0c25b48ddf632860.jpg (https://ibb.co/bp2rQ1N)
I can live with the small amount of Gothic font, not like they go over the top with it like Manley or Alchemist. Although it's use should be avoided outside of the credits for Dracula films, really.
Pigmy Pony
13-10-2026, 22:34
Yeah, they look a lot better. Apart from the knobs. I'm sure they will be nice and solid, but my air fryer's are similar looking.
I'm not a fan of their looks either. I think much of it has to do with their gothic-looking choice of fonts. If Gomez Addams was shopping for hifi they would probably be his choice. And if their amps could be engineered so that when you go to turn the volume up with the remote, the top of the amp flips up and a hand emerges to turn the volume knob manually, that would seal the deal :)
I wonder if McIntosh's sales spike during the Halloween period.
:lol:
I think we have discussed the choice of fonts for the labeling on audio gear before. Coming from an electronic engineering background I'm used to, and prefer, all labeling and legends to be in a clear font sans serif. But Hi-Fi is different as it it is used in a domestic environment, and as such will sometimes use italic script lettering or a mixture of several different styles.
In that respect I find Marantz gear particularly annoying with their use of three different style fonts. Obviously if the name of the manufacturer is displayed in, say, a cursive or gothic font, then that is how it will appear on the equipment.
Fortunately all my gear uses plain lettering for the legends; with the sole exception of the Miyajima SUT where the manufacturer's name is in a green cursive font. And talking of colours, I really dislike the use of a mixture of coloured LEDs: just keep them to the one colour - either red, blue or green.
rmcin626
14-10-2026, 08:34
Yes, mate. I used to work for Bill Hutchison Hi-Fi, in Glasgow in the early 90s, who was a big Technics and Denon dealer:)
Marco.
I had forgotten about Bill Hutchinson’s.
:lol:
Fortunately all my gear uses plain lettering for the legends; with the sole exception of the Miyajima SUT where the manufacturer's name is in a green cursive font. And talking of colours, I really dislike the use of a mixture of coloured LEDs: just keep them to the one colour - either red, blue or green.
On professional equipment the idea is to clearly indicate at a glance which functions are in operation and which are not, also the use of different colours for different controls is pretty common. That all makes sense to me and I don't see why domestic use is any different.
Having all the LEDS and controls the same size and colour may look harmonious but it's function following form, which I don't like. These are tools to do a job, decoration should be a secondary consideration if it's to be a consideration at all.
Pigmy Pony
14-10-2026, 09:16
I'm stuck with a variety of LED colours - Amp's are all blue, as is the phono amp, CD player's is red, t/t is green, as well as its power supply (goes to amber when 45 rpm).
Pretty much out of my sight line, so no big deal really.
I had forgotten about Bill Hutchinson’s.
Did you used to go there?
Marco.
Yeah, they look a lot better. Apart from the knobs.
Ha - I like the knobs!
Marco.
rmcin626
14-10-2026, 09:59
Did you used to go there?
Marco.
From memory, I think only the once, in the late 80’s I bought some equipment from John Neilson’s shop, Elite Rock and some valve amps, which led me to Concordant Amplication around that time, which I bought direct from Doug Dunlop.
Too be honest the Glasgow stores at that time were a bit full of their own importance and not really listening to the customer.
On professional equipment the idea is to clearly indicate at a glance which functions are in operation and which are not, also the use of different colours for different controls is pretty common. That all makes sense to me and I don't see why domestic use is any different.
Having all the LEDS and controls the same size and colour may look harmonious but it's function following form, which I don't like. These are tools to do a job, decoration should be a secondary consideration if it's to be a consideration at all.
The aesthetics of domestic audio gear is different from professional audio gear precisely because it is in a different setting with different requirements of use. Professional gear will often have provision for 19" rack mounting, or will have grab handles at the front. When professional electronic gear is used the controls are deliberately set before use; the only 'glancing' that is done is with the displays: meters or waveform traces. None of this is done with a domestic audio system (unless of course if you like to watch the power meters dancing to and fro).
On all of the domestic audio gear I have used, none of it has had control knobs of the same size: the most used control, the volume control has always been larger than the rest (the only exception is with the Levinson ML10 preamp).
But in the end the styling of domestic audio should harmonise with its surroundings; most women don't want to see the corner of the living room look like a corner of a laboratory, and not everyone is fortunate to have a separate listening room.
The aesthetics of domestic audio gear is different from professional audio gear precisely because it is in a different setting with different requirements of use. Professional gear will often have provision for 19" rack mounting, or will have grab handles at the front. When professional electronic gear is used the controls are deliberately set before use; the only 'glancing' that is done is with the displays: meters or waveform traces. None of this is done with a domestic audio system (unless of course if you like to watch the power meters dancing to and fro).
On all of the domestic audio gear I have used, none of it has had control knobs of the same size: the most used control, the volume control has always been larger than the rest (the only exception is with the Levinson ML10 preamp).
But in the end the styling of domestic audio should harmonise with its surroundings; most women don't want to see the corner of the living room look like a corner of a laboratory, and not everyone is fortunate to have a separate listening room.
It's not just that though. For example I had an Audiolab CD transport where eject was next to play, same size button. I was always ejecting when I wanted to play. Piss-poor ergonomics just so the front of the unit looks 'tidy'. I mean, for who? Women IME are either not bothered by hifi in the living room or don't want it there at all, whatever it looks like.
It's replacement has the eject button set away from the other controls and I've never hit the wrong one once. Basic stuff.
From memory, I think only the once, in the late 80’s I bought some equipment from John Neilson’s shop, Elite Rock and some valve amps, which led me to Concordant Amplication around that time, which I bought direct from Doug Dunlop.
Too be honest the Glasgow stores at that time were a bit full of their own importance and not really listening to the customer.
Yeah, you're not wrong... We were simply told to sell the gear with the biggest mark up, and you got a 'slap' if you didn't!
Commission rates were good, though;)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
14-10-2026, 10:32
Ha - I like the knobs!
Marco.
Then you'll love my air fryer :)
https://digitalcontent.api.tesco.com/v2/media/marketplace/779aa9ba-0b5b-4274-b3b6-eaefffa9e793/71d9e7903fac496d84b7daa507087f33_1318082828.jpeg?h =960&w=960
But that's only got one knob...
Marco.
It's not just that though. For example I had an Audiolab CD transport where eject was next to play, same size button. I was always ejecting when I wanted to play. Piss-poor ergonomics just so the front of the unit looks 'tidy'. I mean, for who? Women IME are either not bothered by hifi in the living room or don't want it there at all, whatever it looks like.
It's replacement has the eject button set away from the other controls and I've never hit the wrong one once. Basic stuff.
Yes that is poor ergonomic design. That said, the buttons on my Levinson CD player are all of the same size and the 'stop/eject' button is to the left of the 'play' button, but the latter is spaced further away to the right, and I have never made a mistake. My only complaint is that the engraved symbols on the buttons are hard to see easily if they are not at near eye level, and the size of the legends is too small.
the 'stop/eject' button is to the left of the 'play' button, but the latter is spaced further away to the right, and I have never made a mistake. .
That's the key to it. Even if you can't read the legends and the buttons are identical, if eject is set off to a degree from the others, that's all that's really needed. Not even doing that shows the thing was designed by someone who had no idea of its practical use. Sadly you see that everywhere now especially in computer software GUIs.
Pigmy Pony
14-10-2026, 12:15
But that's only got one knob...
Marco.
True, but on the plus side it'll cook your chicken :)
Pigmy Pony
14-10-2026, 12:18
My CD player gets confused by its own buttons. Sometimes when I press 'play', it ejects :doh: And that's not me, the buttons are at opposite ends of the player.
Pigmy Pony
28-10-2026, 19:00
Big jaspers.
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwj41sXysd2XAxW1nFAGHf9cKSkYACICCAEQBxoCZG c&ae=2&aspm=1&co=1&ase=2&gclid=CjwKCAjwuobXBhBXEiwAYUaIlQDS94B7vJntAtMhZnG0 idYgZdqWzzzFs4Iw86XPTjp2rG9krsNjbxoChZcQAvD_BwE&cid=CAAS0wHkaIKI5yG18m5iEbzC7KmKaIoSHvyTHWO2vV4za5 REQ6wznVaJWDhjbOMN0YD_WJV2qz3jixfCcOrVapn68YVphPy_ iL2A3oXALxOYx9TfSqBX7B7Pldg_rUxKZ3Uovyb_2k4ZZ-hePLQa-Ok7qXd4n8Rta-PcxQWN1Fp2ByBv5ZQgyfB1oL0lpHsOOi2gOosvwlTPpO7gU857 SrEr5TR-7qTJSgzp9CADqMnJhVo8yHwVmUXNg6soE40l11Ype08iHjih1p 3hU233uX798Ze4XRh7&cce=2&category=acrcp_v1_35&sig=AOD64_3b1UYaUO3lVM21XN65LRHbJs1n-Q&ctype=5&q=&nis=4&ved=2ahUKEwjZ1MDysd2XAxW9WUEAHd6zABUQ9aACKAB6BAgIE Fs&adurl=
Big jaspers.
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwj41sXysd2XAxW1nFAGHf9cKSkYACICCAEQBxoCZG c&ae=2&aspm=1&co=1&ase=2&gclid=CjwKCAjwuobXBhBXEiwAYUaIlQDS94B7vJntAtMhZnG0 idYgZdqWzzzFs4Iw86XPTjp2rG9krsNjbxoChZcQAvD_BwE&cid=CAAS0wHkaIKI5yG18m5iEbzC7KmKaIoSHvyTHWO2vV4za5 REQ6wznVaJWDhjbOMN0YD_WJV2qz3jixfCcOrVapn68YVphPy_ iL2A3oXALxOYx9TfSqBX7B7Pldg_rUxKZ3Uovyb_2k4ZZ-hePLQa-Ok7qXd4n8Rta-PcxQWN1Fp2ByBv5ZQgyfB1oL0lpHsOOi2gOosvwlTPpO7gU857 SrEr5TR-7qTJSgzp9CADqMnJhVo8yHwVmUXNg6soE40l11Ype08iHjih1p 3hU233uX798Ze4XRh7&cce=2&category=acrcp_v1_35&sig=AOD64_3b1UYaUO3lVM21XN65LRHbJs1n-Q&ctype=5&q=&nis=4&ved=2ahUKEwjZ1MDysd2XAxW9WUEAHd6zABUQ9aACKAB6BAgIE Fs&adurl=
Some bird gives the full SP on those here. Only problem is that it's all in foreign (Cantonese?) and there's no subtitles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ech3-Xabgc&t=1s
Edit: Vietnamese.
Tolerating more than 10 seconds of that narrative is a serious challenge.
Speakers are cool, though:)
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