Rip off British Hi-Fi Industry

[Macca]

Fair point about the NOS valves, I hadn't considered that. Amplifier circuits are basically all from the fifties and sixties, even class D is not new but from the early seventies.

Even my Ortofon tonearm is based on a 1960s design. And of course the Techy itself was first introduced in 1972, and has changed little since then, albeit mine is now highly modified with the use of modern components, which is where the genuine advances in audio have occurred (ditto the crossovers on my Tannoys).

.

There aren't any new materials in the Techy mods, there is nothing they could not have done in 1973 given the budget.

[Marco]

Not true in the case of the Paul Hynes PSU regulator modules, which are all his design, using the best of today’s components. Those couldn’t have been made in 1973, simply because the parts necessary for them to work weren’t around to produce them. They’re also fundamentally responsible for how my T/T sounds.

I don’t believe anyone was making ETP platters either in the 1970s.

In terms of amplifiers, my copper amp, for example, is based on the Williamson circuit (from the 1950s), with modifications by Anthony Matthews. It’s also chock-full of vintage 1940s and 1950s valves, and (some) vintage internal components, such as 1950s Mullard ‘mustard’ caps, and resistors, all of which are hard-wired (point-to-point) throughout the circuit, with zero use of PCBs.

In that respect, I simply don’t see how it can be considered as a modern amplifier, although it certainly sounds like one. The Croft is the same, built along the same principles by a different designer.

Marco.

[struth]

I think i only have 3 new bought things in all my gear. the beresford async. the firebottle and my q's speakers. That was because i couldnt either get them second hand or the difference made is not worthwhile. There is quite a hit financially buying most things new. bought my car 2nd hand too. ex disability. 3 years old with 20k on clock. saved 12k on price and had it 6 years without trouble

[lurcher]

In that respect, I simply don’t see how it can be viewed as a modern amplifier, although it sounds like one.

Probably not in the context of the thread, but I would argue the Williamson defined what is a "modern" valve amplifier. Ultra linear, push pull pentode output stage, valve phase splitter, negative feedback. It inherits from previous designs like the Wireless World quality amplifier, but that was triode output, zero feedback. The Williamson can defiantly be seen as a point that the standard design changed. there is a clear before and after. Solid state A and A/B push pull amps have just carried on doing the same thing, but with different devices.

[Marco]

Hi Nick,

I agree, especially in terms of what was defined by the Williamson circuit.

In terms of defining ‘modern’, well I guess it depends on which era you’re depicting. Del has an old cookery book, from the 1960s, the title of which is ‘Cooking in the modern age’ (that incidentally contains some superb recipes for ‘proper’ food), but ‘modern’ in today’s sense, it isn’t!

Marco.

[Marco]

Btw, Nick, when were FETs invented?

Marco.

[Oldpinkman]

Btw, Nick, when were FETs invented?

Marco.

The first patent was filed in 1926 - before practical transistors were even developed in the late 40's.

[julesd68]

mine is now highly modified with the use of modern components, which is where the genuine advances in audio have occurred (ditto the crossovers on my Tannoys)

Hi Marco, I'd be very interested to hear what you did with your Tannoy crossovers and what changes that made to the sound. I have been wondering if it's a worthwhile exercise for a while...

[lurcher]

Yep, worth considering that the original point contact transistor was patented in 1947, same year the Williamson circuit was published.

Another interesting fact, one of the original patents on the FET was by Oskar Heil, who also invented the air-motion transformer which ESS still sell.

[Marco]

Hi Marco, I'd be very interested to hear what you did with your Tannoy crossovers and what changes that made to the sound. I have been wondering if it's a worthwhile exercise for a while...

Hi Jules,

Hope you are well. Most definitely worth it!

There are all sorts of threads on the subject here, so maybe try a search and see what comes up. Otherwise, PM me and I’ll give you my number, and we can have a proper chat about it

Marco.