Lol - Is this what Hi-Fi's were like before?

[Family_Dog]

The HK looks much better than the newer models! 


-F_D

[Shonver]

The HK looks much better than the newer models! 

True.

[Shonver]

Mods: can we make this one a sticky?

[Viagara]

Mods: can we make this one a sticky?

Done

[Steerpike]

Hey, don't y'all love my Philips Novosonic, from around 1956?
2x16W OTL! (that means output-transformerless, NOT over the limit)

[leonpjhb]

WOW! Thanks Ghostinthemachine for those lovely links!!

[ludo]

Hey, don't y'all love my Philips Novosonic, from around 1956?

I have this idea that there was a point in the 50s/60s when craftsmanship became mass production and the world reached an all-time low in terms of looks. Things looked more steady to me in the 70s. But it is still somehow better looking than the type of 80s hairdo that went with the release of the CD format, the rise of Robert Mugabe and bad MIDI drum sequencers. So, there must have been even lower points after the heyday of Philips...

2x16W OTL! (that means output-transformerless, NOT over the limit)

I think I do like it. Is it similar to the AG 9015 at http://fileshare.eshop.bg/downloadsm/2456/Philips_AG9015.html ? To a tube noob like me, a very interesting thing. If yours is still working, one may have to admit that is has a certain edge over even the venerable SA-508.

[LAV]

Thx for the sticky! LOVELY kit. Some of those Yamaha, Technics and and Pioneer components were the stuff of my dreams...but just not possible on pocket money 

[Steerpike]

I think I do like it. Is it similar to the AG 9015 at http://fileshare.eshop.bg/downloadsm/2456/Philips_AG9015.html ? To a tube noob like me, a very interesting thing. If yours is still working, one may have to admit that is has a certain edge over even the venerable SA-508.

The circuitry is almost exactly the same as that in the AG9014 - the predecessor of the 9015. The 9015 was 'improved' or degraded - depending on your tastes - in that it had output transformers.  A weird move, since the point of the "series balanced output" was to eliminate all the disadvantages of the transformer.

Inside mine are two monoblock power amp chassis and a separate pre-amp chassis - thats why the case is so huge.
Both this one and the 9015 use EL86 pentodes which was developed specifically to drive 800 ohm speakers directly. Fortunately I have a pair of those.

Yes, it works, and it sounds amazing!

[placebo]

Without trying to show my age.I originally owned a C85 preamp and a M2 power amp before they were "shopped " from me.The M2 power amp had a minimum output of 240Watts RMS p/c into 8 ohm speakers.It had LED lights displaying power output.The amp weighed 53 pounds and together with the C85 preamp had a far cleaner sound than a lot of the so called quality pore and power amps you buy today.The M85 replaced the M2 as the M2 power amp was "to expensive"to produce according to the Yamaha agents in S.A.It had one service in 10 years and all they did was to clean out accumulated dust.As a well known member will tell you I even spent money redoing the arm of my Micro Seiki turntable.The old equipment lasts forever and probably sounds at least 95% as good as any new equipment like stereo sound not surround sound.Most of my albums were purchased between 1974 and 1982 and all of my Cd's are late 50's to early 75 music.I think I gave my age away.

[Steerpike]

If you really want to laugh at Yamaha, this has got to be their saddest moment

[placebo]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.Sound is in the ears.Trust me and ask Beethoven?

[Moog]

One needs to put things in perspective. There were some offerings from the Uk that were more unsighlty, eg Crimson Electrik. Sonic beauty has always meen more important that visual  beauty.

[kay]

C'mon... not all of it sucked. Besides, those Yamahas probably look better in the flesh. Some of the earlier WW2-hangover styling I care less about.  But how's this:

That is beautiful!

[surfsup]

If you really want to laugh at Yamaha, this has got to be their saddest moment

Is this picture for real?