Vintage HiFi. Sounds great, looks cool, costs peanuts
Repairs and maintenance of audio equipment
This Cyrus 8 integrated amplifier has developed a fault which renders it useless.
The sound is loud and distorted. Volume control is ineffective. It is bit modern for me, with all those Integrated circuits and suface mounted components. My comfort zone is the all analogue Cyrus Two. However, it belongs to my cousin Nick. He’s gutted! So, let’s see what we can do together to get it up and running. Continue reading “Cyrus 8 Amplifier volume control repair”
I was delighted when I got a Cyrus Two amplifier and a PSX power supply to go with it. One of the finest combinations available in the 1980’s.
Sadly, when I set it up I became aware of an occasional mechanical buzz from the PSX transformer. It is located close to my sitting position, so I can’t ignore it. Something must be done. Continue reading “Cyrus PSX. Toroidal Transformer buzz.”
This one was acquired by a relative for a very good price. Cosmetically and mechanically it looks to be in excellent condition.
These turntables have a reputation for fantastic performance. It is a 3 point spring suspended design. Those columns house the springs. The arm is made from exotic alloys and is very well engineered.
Unfortunately it does not turn. The motor control is via high voltage circuits and some of the wiring looks propper dodgy. One to take care and precautions with. Continue reading “Alphason Sonata Turntable won’t turn”
My Thorens TD160 turntable came fitted with an Audio Dynamics Corporation ALT-1 Tonearm and a cartridge from the same manufacturer. The latter was toast, so I installed an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge.
Under the close scrutiny which comes with installing a new cartridge it became clear that all was not well. Continue reading “ADC ALT-1 Tonearm on Thorens TD160”
This charity shop find has been restored to great working condition. Sadly, it ain’t pretty.
A hinge is broken, the lid is scratched, and the plinth has a couple of knocks. Continue reading “Thorens TD160 Turntable. Refurbishment”
This charity shop find is of unknown provenence. The TD160 mkII was current in the late 1970’s. This one looks like it’s been in storage for a while .
I’m assuming the worst and giving it a full service. There is a long list of things which need attention. Continue reading “Thorens TD160 Turntable. Service”
This was a charity shop find. Not cheap at £250. Could be a bargain? Or could be a money pit?
Let’s give it a good looking over. Continue reading “Thorens TD160 Turntable. Initial Impressions”
I’m not particularly attracted to this auto changer. However, it does use several components which were shared with other more desireable units.
For just £30 in a charity shop it was worth getting as a parts donor. So what did I save from it? Continue reading “Garrard Synchrolab 65B stripped for spares”
These cartridges recently came into my posession very cheaply. A couple of old school classics for sure, so well in keeping with my vintage gear.
They both came attached to 2nd hand turntables Were they worth it? Continue reading “Perils of 2nd hand Cartridges. Nagaoka mp-10. Shure M75ED.”
Hiding in a dark corner of a local antiques centre was this chunk of fine German Engineering.
The label declared that it was “running slow”. For just £35 it would be rude not to find out just how slow. Continue reading “On the case of a Dual 504 turntable”