Everything should have its shape. This is my own capture of the vinyl recording of the KT Tunstall track of the same name.
If only the same was true of the digital download version of the same track.
Everything has it’s shape
Pleasures and Perils of Vintage HiFi
Restoring equipment can be as simple as replacing missing wires, as was the case with my B&W 600i speakers (£2 at a car boot sale).
At the other extreme is the Garrard Zero 100SB turntable (£45 e bay) I’m currently restoring to health. This needs hours of work, including a motor re build.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
I recently opened up a couple of dusty cases of 45 rpm 7″ singles which I had acquired over several years of car boot sale digging.
Many were bought as collections, so you get what you are given. What I found covered a broad range of tastes, not necessarily mine. Continue reading “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”
Output Buffer Amplifier for Mission Cyrus
My Mission Cyrus One amplifier is a very simple affair, which is indeed one of it’s strengths. With the exception of the phono stage the pre amp is purely passive.
Normally this is a good thing. However In my system I want to connect several devices to the tape-output sockets simultaneously. This just won’t work well. Continue reading “Output Buffer Amplifier for Mission Cyrus”
Garrard Zero 100SB Turntable. An appreciation
The Garrard Zero 100 is innovative, gorgeous to look at and absolutely bonkers. My love of these old British made turntables started three years ago when I picked up an example of the original Zero 100 at a boot sale.
Recently I treated myself to a fine example of the later Zero 100SB model. After an eventful restoration, it’s time to appreciate it. Continue reading “Garrard Zero 100SB Turntable. An appreciation”
My first hands on HiFi. Hitachi SDT-7675
Back in the 70’s I was a teenager with no access to any sort of decent audio equipment. That was until my brother in law treated himself to one of these.
It’s state of the art for it’s day, and a lot better than the Ferguson music centre we had in the family home. Continue reading “My first hands on HiFi. Hitachi SDT-7675”
Garrard Zero 100SB Turntable. Transplant surgery.
My latest acquisition of a splendid vintage Garrard turntable has turned from a simple restoration to something of an epic job.
All was going well. I had got it working and was about to re unite it with it’s plinth. Then I dropped it. Now I have new damage to fix. Continue reading “Garrard Zero 100SB Turntable. Transplant surgery.”
Garrard Synchro lab motor repair for Zero 100 SB turntable
By combining induction techniques for torque and synchronous operation for speed precision, Garrard produced a motor which was revolutionary for its time.
An unfortunate moment of butter fingers led to the demise of this one when I dropped the turntable it was inside. Weighing in at 3/4 of a kilo it fell hard. Hopefully I can fix it. Continue reading “Garrard Synchro lab motor repair for Zero 100 SB turntable”
Anita as a baby on reel to reel. Converting to digital
My friend Anita found a 5 inch reel to reel tape from her childhood. I offered to transfer the contents into mp3 files so she could hear herself again.
Should be a straightforward job. Famous last words. Continue reading “Anita as a baby on reel to reel. Converting to digital”
Garrard Zero 100SB automatic turntable. The restoration
This recently purchased classic 1970’s British turntable was, for the most part, in excellent condition.
However it was described as “faulty”, which indeed it is. So let’s fix it. Continue reading “Garrard Zero 100SB automatic turntable. The restoration”