uk hi fi history website
 

Pleased to report that the ukhhsoc public website is now being produced.

The society currently has a collection of thousands of files relating to
various hifi products, makers, etc. So far as possible within limitations
of copyright the aim is to make these openly available via a web archive.

http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/AudioDocs.html

The above page is the address which people can use to access the items made
public so far. Note that this process has only just started. So as yet only
a small fraction of the items are available at present. Others will be
added. But I thought people might be interested in knowing what's going on
and check out the sort of items that will become available. :-)

FWIW I'm currently adding some items per manufacturer in an alphabetical
order to give the widest possible coverage first. I'll then go back and
expand the number of items for marques where we have a lot more items. The
current full collection is well over 3,000 items. But it will take a while
to get those put up in an organised and easily accessible arrangement.

There is also now a short info page on ukhhsoc at

http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/

Again, this will be epanded later on. But for now I'm trying to give adding
documents priority.

At some point 'feature' pages should also appear that deal with various
topics from the history of uk hi-fi.

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

In article , Jim Lesurf
wrote:

The society currently has a collection of thousands of files relating to
various hifi products, makers, etc. So far as possible within
limitations of copyright the aim is to make these openly available via a
web archive.

http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/AudioDocs.html

Just to say that I've got to 'QUAD' in the alphabet. However when doing
examples for that section I realised that some previous pages may have some
items unlinked due to a bug in the autobuilding routine. I've fixed the bug
and I'll now check back though the previous makes to ensure every item is
linked OK before adding new material.

I've also added some 'other' examples. i.e. ones not for a specific make.
The examples I've started with are 'show guides' for the
London/International shows in 1958 and 1959. These have info on all the
makes at the show. Big files, quite informative.

More will be added as time passes and my 'round tuits' arrive. :-)

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

I've now completed my 'first pass' though adding items to the collection at

http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/AudioDocs.html

The pages now offer over 1,700 items (about 1.1GB).

I will add more as and when I get a chance. I have a similar amount of
further material that is scanned and ready. Plus a lot of unscanned items.

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

I've been adding a fair bit of material to the ukhhsoc 'AudioDocs'
collection. Most recently I've been adding items on Radford and J. E.
Sugden.

People interested in power amplifier design may be particularly interested
in some items I added this morning. These are scans of a copy of the
notes/manuscript that Jim Sugden wrote and which appeared in 1970 as a
'Home Construction' design for a Class-A amplifier in Hi Fi News.

You can find these at

http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/ma...Amp/index.html

I was sent xeroxes by the JES company about a decade ago when I was writing
an article on Jim Sugden and Class-A. Jim Sugden has now given me
permission to make these scans available. The details differ from what
appeared in the magazine, so they make an interesting read. The only snag
is that the xeroxes aren't very clear. But the scans are readable.

I'll continue to add more items. At present the collection comes to well
over 1.5 GB worth, and I have lots more to add as 'round tuits' permit. :-)

If anyone has any printed documents - service / user manuals, circuit
diagrams, leaflets, etc, they'd be happy to loan/donate/scan, please let me
know. Note that I do still have many items which haven't yet appeared in
public. The main 'gaps' tend to be indicated by marques which are still
unlisted on http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/AudioDocs.html because that
usually indicates I have few or no documents they produced. But if unsure,
please ask! :-)

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

On Mon, 10 Oct 2016 13:37:04 +0100, Jim Lesurf wrote:

I've been adding a fair bit of material to the ukhhsoc 'AudioDocs'
collection. Most recently I've been adding items on Radford and J. E.
Sugden.



I don't know if this is of any interest, Jim:
http://kef.com/uploads/files/en/muse...ngineers_r.pdf

I owned a pair of Calinda speakers for a while. They were rather too
bulky for my little house though and I had to eventually (and rather
reluctantly) sell them. They also needed a few watts to wake them up -
something that they also did to the neighbours in my terraced house. :)

uk hi fi history website
 

In article om, mick
wrote:
On Mon, 10 Oct 2016 13:37:04 +0100, Jim Lesurf wrote:

I've been adding a fair bit of material to the ukhhsoc 'AudioDocs'
collection. Most recently I've been adding items on Radford and J. E.
Sugden.



I don't know if this is of any interest, Jim:
http://kef.com/uploads/files/en/muse...ngineers_r.pdf

Yes, it is. :-) Thanks!

The questions I have in mind now is if we could use the content as part of
the public ukhhsoc AudioDocs collection. We can certainly take a copy to
preserve, although wherever possible historians will want a printed
'original' copy if they are still available.

I've been contacting various companies, so guess KEF should also be
contacted. Just not got to them yet! Time to try...

I owned a pair of Calinda speakers for a while. They were rather too
bulky for my little house though and I had to eventually (and rather
reluctantly) sell them. They also needed a few watts to wake them up -
something that they also did to the neighbours in my terraced house. :)

Armstrong often used to use KEF speakers for demos and shows. They also
sometimes used our amps.

BTW I've been adding more Radford, JES, and Armstrong items to the ukhhsoc
AudioDocs. I've also finally got around to doing a sensible main page and
'upload / contact us' page, and linked things together. Plus set up a
ukhhsoc specific email address.

The main page is now at http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/

The content is now over 2,500 files (over 2GB) and growing at a pace set by
how much time and energy I have. :-) Still lots to add.

Cheers,

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

Just to let people know that material has continued to be added to the
ukhhsoc Audio Documents collection. In recent weeks this has mainly been to
the Radford and QUAD sections, but some items on other makers have also
been added.

As before, you can access the top-level index at
http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/AudioDocs.html

We are still collecting and adding material. :-)

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

Jim Lesurf wrote:


Just to let people know that material has continued to be added to the
ukhhsoc Audio Documents collection. In recent weeks this has mainly been to
the Radford and QUAD sections, but some items on other makers have also
been added.

As before, you can access the top-level index at
http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/AudioDocs.html




** Do you have a date for the "High Fidelity" review of the Quad ESL57 ?




..... Phil

uk hi fi history website
 

On 28/10/2016 04:55, Phil Allison wrote:
Jim Lesurf wrote:


Just to let people know that material has continued to be added to the
ukhhsoc Audio Documents collection. In recent weeks this has mainly been to
the Radford and QUAD sections, but some items on other makers have also
been added.

As before, you can access the top-level index at
http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/AudioDocs.html




** Do you have a date for the "High Fidelity" review of the Quad ESL57 ?

Try here if you like looking for a stylus in a haystack.
http://www.americanradiohistory.com/...y-Magazine.htm

July 1959 p93 has a review saying that the ESL had just started to be imported.

There's an index in each December edition, which might help.

--
Eiron.

uk hi fi history website
 

In article , Phil
Allison wrote:
Jim Lesurf wrote:


Just to let people know that material has continued to be added to the
ukhhsoc Audio Documents collection. In recent weeks this has mainly
been to the Radford and QUAD sections, but some items on other makers
have also been added.

As before, you can access the top-level index at
http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/AudioDocs.html




** Do you have a date for the "High Fidelity" review of the Quad ESL57 ?

Sorry. Afraid not, at present. So far I've only scanned the publicity
reprint as seen.

Currently, my main focus is on trying to scan and put up more of the many
documents I still have 'in the queue' so people can access them. But once
they are mostly done the intent is to add missing details like this. For
that, my current plan is to do as "Eiron" has suggested, unless someone can
direct me to a reference for the date.

Similarly, many of the leaflets, catalogues, etc, have no explicit date on
them. So some detective work will be needed at some point to work out their
relevant dates. But I'm hoping that the more items we make available, the
more chances there are for people to be able to look at this and join in
helping to put the pieces of the 'jigsaws' together! :-)

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

In article , Eiron
wrote:

** Do you have a date for the "High Fidelity" review of the Quad ESL57
?

Try here if you like looking for a stylus in a haystack.
http://www.americanradiohistory.com/...y-Magazine.htm

July 1959 p93 has a review saying that the ESL had just started to be
imported.

There's an index in each December edition, which might help.

FWIW This is a way people can join in and help us with the ukhhsoc project
if they are interested.

If Phil or someone else can find the relevant details of an undated item in
an index/reference like the above and point us to that index/reference we
can then confirm it, and I can then modify the file name of the scan on the
website to show the relevant date. And eventually add textual info to the
site giving info.

Similarly, if people can find references that tracably date catalogues,
leaflets, etc, we can note that in a similar way.

One reason I felt it was best to get scans public sooner rather than later
was precisely that it enables others to help with finding out such details
if they are willing.

But failing anyone else doing it, I intend to when I get the round tuits...

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

Eiron wrote:

Phil Allison wrote:


** Do you have a date for the "High Fidelity" review of the Quad ESL57 ?

Try here if you like looking for a stylus in a haystack.


** Oh - how very witty .........


http://www.americanradiohistory.com/...y-Magazine.htm



** Found it, in November 1960.

The review is by "Hirsch-Houck Laboratories" an audio test lab run by actual engineers. They clearly realised the Quad ESL was in a class of its own.

Must have ****ed off a lot of the US advertisers that kept that Hi-Fi rag going. Never mind, other came along and thoroughly ****ed on it later.

" Sounds thin and metallic " & " Looks like it was built in a Bronx garage " are words I recall from a famous US subscriber magazine.




..... Phil

uk hi fi history website
 

In article , Phil
Allison wrote:

http://www.americanradiohistory.com/...y-Magazine.htm



** Found it, in November 1960.

The review is by "Hirsch-Houck Laboratories" an audio test lab run by
actual engineers. They clearly realised the Quad ESL was in a class of
its own.

Thanks very much for that info. :-)

I've added 'Nov_1960' to the directory name and modified the index
page for the section to show this.

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

In article ,
Phil Allison wrote:
Eiron wrote:

Phil Allison wrote:


** Do you have a date for the "High Fidelity" review of the Quad
ESL57 ?

Try here if you like looking for a stylus in a haystack.


** Oh - how very witty .........


http://www.americanradiohistory.com/...y-Magazine.htm



** Found it, in November 1960.

The review is by "Hirsch-Houck Laboratories" an audio test lab run by
actual engineers. They clearly realised the Quad ESL was in a class of
its own.

Must have ****ed off a lot of the US advertisers that kept that Hi-Fi
rag going. Never mind, other came along and thoroughly ****ed on it
later.

" Sounds thin and metallic " & "

To be fair, that's true if your standard is Bose.


Looks like it was built in a Bronx garage " are words I recall from a
famous US subscriber magazine.

Odd comment, given the design of the average US car of the day.

--
*Acupuncture is a jab well done*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

uk hi fi history website
 

Just to let people know I've been continuing to add items to the ukhhsoc
"Audio Documents" collection at

http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/AudioDocs.html

Most recently, I've started new sections on Sonotone and Celestion, as well
as adding items to the Richard Allan, Leak, Radford, Goodmans, etc,
sections. I still have a 'queue' of items to scan and add, but as before,
if anyone has any audio documents they can let us have, please let me know.
We want to cover as many UK makes and models as we can.

Cheers,

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

I've just put up more material. In this case reaching back to 1936!

Prompted by an email from a BVWS member and someone who has one of the
old chassis I have added some scans of old blueprints, leaflets, etc. If
interested, they can be found via

http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/ma...ous/index.html
and
http://www.torrens.org.uk/ukhhsoc/ma...ams/index.html

I wonder if any current 'High End Audio' fans though that using
'Transmitter Triodes' as audio output valves was a new idea. If so, some of
these documents might come as a surprise. 8-]

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...

I wonder if any current 'High End Audio' fans though that using
'Transmitter Triodes' as audio output valves was a new idea. If so, some
of
these documents might come as a surprise. 8-]


There have been a number of interesting circuits
published in fairly recent times, using
"transmitter triodes": 834, 813 and the 833A.

A colleague of mine designed his own Class A
single ended amp, in zero global figuration usinbg
QB5. He built a dozen or so of these.

Transmitter tubes/valves were made to a very high
spec in large quantities, for broadcast and the military.
They are still available NOS at very reasonable cost.

Iain

uk hi fi history website
 

In article , Iain Churches
scribeth thus

"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...

I wonder if any current 'High End Audio' fans though that using
'Transmitter Triodes' as audio output valves was a new idea. If so, some
of
these documents might come as a surprise. 8-]


There have been a number of interesting circuits
published in fairly recent times, using
"transmitter triodes": 834, 813 and the 833A.

A colleague of mine designed his own Class A
single ended amp, in zero global figuration usinbg
QB5. He built a dozen or so of these.

Transmitter tubes/valves were made to a very high
spec in large quantities, for broadcast and the military.
They are still available NOS at very reasonable cost.

Iain



I remember a long time ago new when worked at Pye TVT they used to use
DA100's IIRC in high power PA distribution PA amps and also in Band 3 TV
Sound modulators;!
--
Tony Sayer

uk hi fi history website
 

"tony sayer" wrote in message
...
In article , Iain Churches
scribeth thus

"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...

I wonder if any current 'High End Audio' fans though that using
'Transmitter Triodes' as audio output valves was a new idea. If so, some
of
these documents might come as a surprise. 8-]


There have been a number of interesting circuits
published in fairly recent times, using
"transmitter triodes": 834, 813 and the 833A.

A colleague of mine designed his own Class A
single ended amp, in zero global figuration usinbg
QB5. He built a dozen or so of these.

Transmitter tubes/valves were made to a very high
spec in large quantities, for broadcast and the military.
They are still available NOS at very reasonable cost.

Iain



I remember a long time ago new when worked at Pye TVT they used to use
DA100's IIRC in high power PA distribution PA amps and also in Band 3 TV
Sound modulators;!
--
Tony Sayer


The venerable QB5 can dissipate 565W so as a single ended
Class "A" triode one can easily achieve 120W.

Who said SET is for wimps? :-)

Iain

uk hi fi history website
 

In article ,
Iain Churches wrote:
I remember a long time ago new when worked at Pye TVT they used to use
DA100's IIRC in high power PA distribution PA amps and also in Band 3 TV
Sound modulators;!
--
Tony Sayer


The venerable QB5 can dissipate 565W so as a single ended
Class "A" triode one can easily achieve 120W.

Who said SET is for wimps? :-)

I'm thinking you could probably make a hybrid car based around a steam
engine. The question being why would you bother?

--
*Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

uk hi fi history website
 

On 12/11/2016 14:38, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Iain Churches wrote:
I remember a long time ago new when worked at Pye TVT they used to use
DA100's IIRC in high power PA distribution PA amps and also in Band 3 TV
Sound modulators;!
--
Tony Sayer


The venerable QB5 can dissipate 565W so as a single ended
Class "A" triode one can easily achieve 120W.

Who said SET is for wimps? :-)

I'm thinking you could probably make a hybrid car based around a steam
engine. The question being why would you bother?


No, it wouldn't be practical. It would take ages to warm up and waste
loads of power.

Oh wait...

uk hi fi history website
 

In article ,
Vir Campestris wrote:
On 12/11/2016 14:38, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Iain Churches wrote:
I remember a long time ago new when worked at Pye TVT they used to use
DA100's IIRC in high power PA distribution PA amps and also in Band 3 TV
Sound modulators;!
--
Tony Sayer


The venerable QB5 can dissipate 565W so as a single ended
Class "A" triode one can easily achieve 120W.

Who said SET is for wimps? :-)

I'm thinking you could probably make a hybrid car based around a steam
engine. The question being why would you bother?


No, it wouldn't be practical. It would take ages to warm up and waste
loads of power.

Oh wait...


;-)

--
*It doesn't take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

uk hi fi history website
 

In article , Vir
Campestris wrote:

I'm thinking you could probably make a hybrid car based around a steam
engine. The question being why would you bother?


No, it wouldn't be practical. It would take ages to warm up and waste
loads of power.

Drifiting even further from my orginal topic: The above reminded me that
some years ago work was done on small flash-tube boilers which apparently
heated up within a few seconds and were very efficient. In general,
external combustion does have some advantages. However I can't recall who
did the work, now.

Maybe the heat from output valves could be used to generate steam to
generate electricity to help power the amplifier. Might improve the
efficiency and the lifespan of the amp. :-)

That said, the closest I've got to the this was water-cooling of 100 GHz
klystrons.

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

In article ,
Jim Lesurf wrote:
Maybe the heat from output valves could be used to generate steam to
generate electricity to help power the amplifier. Might improve the
efficiency and the lifespan of the amp. :-)

Is that a form of positive feedback? ;-)

--
*Time is fun when you're having flies... Kermit

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

uk hi fi history website
 

On 14/11/2016 09:32, Jim Lesurf wrote:
In article , Vir
Campestris wrote:

I'm thinking you could probably make a hybrid car based around a steam
engine. The question being why would you bother?


No, it wouldn't be practical. It would take ages to warm up and waste
loads of power.

Drifiting even further from my orginal topic: The above reminded me that
some years ago work was done on small flash-tube boilers which apparently
heated up within a few seconds and were very efficient. In general,
external combustion does have some advantages. However I can't recall who
did the work, now.

Maybe the heat from output valves could be used to generate steam to
generate electricity to help power the amplifier. Might improve the
efficiency and the lifespan of the amp. :-)

That said, the closest I've got to the this was water-cooling of 100 GHz
klystrons.


With or without goldfish?

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

uk hi fi history website
 

In article , Graeme Wall
wrote:
That said, the closest I've got to the this was water-cooling of 100
GHz klystrons.


With or without goldfish?

We always felt it was cruel to use goldfish to check that the water flow
was on. So we used to use a small sphere of plastic that revolved around a
circular racetrack attached to the pipes.

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

In article ,
Jim Lesurf wrote:
In article , Vir
Campestris wrote:

I'm thinking you could probably make a hybrid car based around a steam
engine. The question being why would you bother?


No, it wouldn't be practical. It would take ages to warm up and waste
loads of power.

Drifiting even further from my orginal topic: The above reminded me that
some years ago work was done on small flash-tube boilers which apparently
heated up within a few seconds and were very efficient. In general,
external combustion does have some advantages. However I can't recall who
did the work, now.

Maybe the heat from output valves could be used to generate steam to
generate electricity to help power the amplifier. Might improve the
efficiency and the lifespan of the amp. :-)

But how do you convert that steam into hot air to get back on topic?

Odd, isn't it. In this day and age, some are still so unhappy with the
performance of power amps they seek to use ancient technology. Not to
produce something smaller, cheaper, more efficient etc.

Which basically means they are searching for a goal they can't define and
will never reach.

--
*Welcome to **** Creek - sorry, we're out of paddles*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

uk hi fi history website
 

On 14/11/2016 12:01, Jim Lesurf wrote:
In article , Graeme Wall
wrote:
That said, the closest I've got to the this was water-cooling of 100
GHz klystrons.


With or without goldfish?

We always felt it was cruel to use goldfish to check that the water flow
was on. So we used to use a small sphere of plastic that revolved around a
circular racetrack attached to the pipes.


On my Evesham course (back in the dark ages) we were told that the water
cooling systems at TX sites had goldfish to prevent the build up of
algae. The Senior site engineer was supposed to get an allowance for
goldfish food. Never discovered whether the goldfish were issued with
BBC staff numbers.


--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

uk hi fi history website
 

On 14/11/2016 13:44, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Jim Lesurf wrote:
In article , Vir
Campestris wrote:

I'm thinking you could probably make a hybrid car based around a steam
engine. The question being why would you bother?


No, it wouldn't be practical. It would take ages to warm up and waste
loads of power.

Drifiting even further from my orginal topic: The above reminded me that
some years ago work was done on small flash-tube boilers which apparently
heated up within a few seconds and were very efficient. In general,
external combustion does have some advantages. However I can't recall who
did the work, now.

Maybe the heat from output valves could be used to generate steam to
generate electricity to help power the amplifier. Might improve the
efficiency and the lifespan of the amp. :-)

But how do you convert that steam into hot air to get back on topic?

Odd, isn't it. In this day and age, some are still so unhappy with the
performance of power amps they seek to use ancient technology. Not to
produce something smaller, cheaper, more efficient etc.


It's partly a retro thing - much like clothes, cars and all manner of
tat that people like.

On performance, some (including me) like the sound produced by decent
valve amplifiers.

Which basically means they are searching for a goal they can't define and
will never reach.


I think if you have an interest in 'hifi', that's not uncommon.
Certainly, for time to time, I think 'what if . . .' when listening to
my music system.


--
Cheers, Rob

uk hi fi history website
 

In article , RJH
wrote:
Odd, isn't it. In this day and age, some are still so unhappy with the
performance of power amps they seek to use ancient technology. Not to
produce something smaller, cheaper, more efficient etc.


It's partly a retro thing - much like clothes, cars and all manner of
tat that people like.

On performance, some (including me) like the sound produced by decent
valve amplifiers.

Which basically means they are searching for a goal they can't define
and will never reach.


I think if you have an interest in 'hifi', that's not uncommon.
Certainly, for time to time, I think 'what if . . .' when listening to
my music system.

There are cheaper ways than buying a valve amp to replace what you have,
though. :-)

e.g. A few weeks ago I put my QUAD 2805s onto a set of '28p' speaker
stands. I think this has improved the sound. The stands consist of a stack
of seven 1p coins under each front spike of the speakers. These angle up
the output and get the beam centers closer to ear level at my listening
seat.

I have also found that adding some resistors in series with the amp output
seems to do a good job of faking the relatively high output impedance of
low-feedback valve amps. This interacts with the impedance of the speakers
and alters the tonal balance.

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

In article ,
RJH wrote:
Odd, isn't it. In this day and age, some are still so unhappy with the
performance of power amps they seek to use ancient technology. Not to
produce something smaller, cheaper, more efficient etc.


It's partly a retro thing - much like clothes, cars and all manner of
tat that people like.

Nowt wrong with that either. A beautifully made valve amp glowing away on
the shelf is a nice ornament. I've got a Nagra on display for the same
reasons.

On performance, some (including me) like the sound produced by decent
valve amplifiers.

Wouldn't deny a valve amp can sound very nice indeed. Point being is it as
good or better than a decent solid state one.

Which basically means they are searching for a goal they can't define
and will never reach.


I think if you have an interest in 'hifi', that's not uncommon.
Certainly, for time to time, I think 'what if . . .' when listening to
my music system.

Trouble is it's all too easy to con yourself that the device you've either
spent ages building and or spent vast sums on is actually better. After
doing just that many rave about how perfect it is. Until they decide to
try something else, and the process repeats.

--
*If all is not lost, where the hell is it?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

uk hi fi history website
 

On 15/11/2016 09:37, Jim Lesurf wrote:


e.g. A few weeks ago I put my QUAD 2805s onto a set of '28p' speaker
stands. I think this has improved the sound. The stands consist of a stack
of seven 1p coins under each front spike of the speakers. These angle up
the output and get the beam centers closer to ear level at my listening
seat.

I have also found that adding some resistors in series with the amp output
seems to do a good job of faking the relatively high output impedance of
low-feedback valve amps. This interacts with the impedance of the speakers
and alters the tonal balance.


I hope you're using pre-1992 non-magnetic coins. My 63's came with two lengths of mahogany
which the previous owner presumably used for the same purpose.

As for the output resistor, why not be more adventurous and use a low-voltage light bulb
and a diode as well for the true asymmetrical SET sound?

--
Eiron.

uk hi fi history website
 

In article ,
Jim Lesurf wrote:
e.g. A few weeks ago I put my QUAD 2805s onto a set of '28p' speaker
stands. I think this has improved the sound. The stands consist of a
stack of seven 1p coins under each front spike of the speakers. These
angle up the output and get the beam centers closer to ear level at my
listening seat.

Rather surprising such expensive speakers don't have screw adjustable feet
- if they still 'beam' like the first Quads.

--
*Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

uk hi fi history website
 

In article , Eiron
wrote:
On 15/11/2016 09:37, Jim Lesurf wrote:


e.g. A few weeks ago I put my QUAD 2805s onto a set of '28p' speaker
stands. I think this has improved the sound. The stands consist of a
stack of seven 1p coins under each front spike of the speakers. These
angle up the output and get the beam centers closer to ear level at my
listening seat.

I have also found that adding some resistors in series with the amp
output seems to do a good job of faking the relatively high output
impedance of low-feedback valve amps. This interacts with the
impedance of the speakers and alters the tonal balance.


I hope you're using pre-1992 non-magnetic coins. My 63's came with two
lengths of mahogany which the previous owner presumably used for the
same purpose.

Afraid I didn't check the dates on the coins. :-)

As for the output resistor, why not be more adventurous and use a
low-voltage light bulb and a diode as well for the true asymmetrical SET
sound?

I did once spend time testing an amp via a pair of fuses. This did make me
suspect they changed the sound. I then realised that, of course, their
resistances would be varying as the current level changed.

However with the resistors I was only really interested in the effect of
the impedance interaction on the frequency response.

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

In article , Dave Plowman (News)
wrote:
In article , Jim Lesurf
wrote:
e.g. A few weeks ago I put my QUAD 2805s onto a set of '28p' speaker
stands. I think this has improved the sound. The stands consist of a
stack of seven 1p coins under each front spike of the speakers. These
angle up the output and get the beam centers closer to ear level at my
listening seat.

Rather surprising such expensive speakers don't have screw adjustable
feet - if they still 'beam' like the first Quads.

When I bought my ESL63s I did get stands which raised them and let me alter
the azimuth angle. However these only would fit the 63s. For 988s I use a
stack of ex-63 'feet' to angle them back. (The feet became redundant as the
stands for the 63s replaced them.)

The spikes/feet of the 2805s do allow some movement to adjust azimuth. But
nothing like enough for the small room I use.

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

uk hi fi history website
 

On 15/11/2016 09:37, Jim Lesurf wrote:
In article , RJH
wrote:
Odd, isn't it. In this day and age, some are still so unhappy with the
performance of power amps they seek to use ancient technology. Not to
produce something smaller, cheaper, more efficient etc.


It's partly a retro thing - much like clothes, cars and all manner of
tat that people like.

On performance, some (including me) like the sound produced by decent
valve amplifiers.

Which basically means they are searching for a goal they can't define
and will never reach.


I think if you have an interest in 'hifi', that's not uncommon.
Certainly, for time to time, I think 'what if . . .' when listening to
my music system.

There are cheaper ways than buying a valve amp to replace what you have,
though. :-)


Well yes, I don't often think about a valve amp! I've had a few, and
while I liked the idea and the sound produced was good, the hassle of
ownership put me off a bit. Still got one in the cupboard not used for
some years.

e.g. A few weeks ago I put my QUAD 2805s onto a set of '28p' speaker
stands. I think this has improved the sound. The stands consist of a stack
of seven 1p coins under each front spike of the speakers. These angle up
the output and get the beam centers closer to ear level at my listening
seat.

I have also found that adding some resistors in series with the amp output
seems to do a good job of faking the relatively high output impedance of
low-feedback valve amps. This interacts with the impedance of the speakers
and alters the tonal balance.


Interesting. But I'd have to be very fidgety to try something like that.


--
Cheers, Rob

uk hi fi history website
 

On 15/11/2016 11:01, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
RJH wrote:
Odd, isn't it. In this day and age, some are still so unhappy with the
performance of power amps they seek to use ancient technology. Not to
produce something smaller, cheaper, more efficient etc.


It's partly a retro thing - much like clothes, cars and all manner of
tat that people like.

Nowt wrong with that either. A beautifully made valve amp glowing away on
the shelf is a nice ornament. I've got a Nagra on display for the same
reasons.

On performance, some (including me) like the sound produced by decent
valve amplifiers.

Wouldn't deny a valve amp can sound very nice indeed. Point being is it as
good or better than a decent solid state one.


I don't think that is the point for people who buy valve gear.
'Different', together with a high disposable income, is often enough.

That said, I do like the sound - but not to the point of actually using one.

--
Cheers, Rob

uk hi fi history website
 

On 15/11/2016 09:37, Jim Lesurf wrote:
There are cheaper ways than buying a valve amp to replace what you have,
though. :-)

We bought a new CD player last year. We auditioned it on their
multi-thousand-pound amp and speakers, and were surprised to find that
the Arcam _did_ sound better than the one we bought. Not a lot.... then
my wife vetoed it because it was also a net player...

But the good news was when we got it home it sounded better still on our
30yo amp and £600 speakers.

Andy

uk hi fi history website
 

"Vir Campestris" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 15/11/2016 09:37, Jim Lesurf wrote:
There are cheaper ways than buying a valve amp to replace what you
have,
though. :-)

We bought a new CD player last year. We auditioned it on their
multi-thousand-pound amp and speakers, and were surprised to find
that the Arcam _did_ sound better than the one we bought. Not a
lot.... then my wife vetoed it because it was also a net player...

But the good news was when we got it home it sounded better still on
our 30yo amp and £600 speakers.


I had the opportunity to hear a CD on one of original Philips 14-bit
machines a while ago - a CD104 IMSMC.

Do you know I think it sounded better than the modern stuff - just as
clean and detailed but somehow just smoother.


--
Woody

harrogate3 at ntlworld dot com

uk hi fi history website
 

Woody wrote:



I had the opportunity to hear a CD on one of original Philips 14-bit
machines a while ago - a CD104 IMSMC.


** CD players all have 16bit conversion, early Philips models used four times oversampling and two 14 bit converts to do the job.
Not bits went unused.


Do you know I think it sounded better than the modern stuff - just as
clean and detailed but somehow just smoother.



** The idea that early CD players had inferior performance or sound is a huge myth.


..... Phil