Lounge Audio phonostage as well. Designer hung out in the banned thread "John Curl's Blowtorch Preamplifier II"
He discussed a few unusual aspects of his design here. For example, the unit uses an AC-to-AC wall wart outside the chassis and a half wave rectifier + filter capacitors inside. But he found that the half wave rectifier diodes kept failing, so he replaced them with huge power MOSFETs configured to use the body diode (enormous drain-to-bulk_and_source PN junction diode). No more blown rectifiers he said.
He discussed a few unusual aspects of his design here. For example, the unit uses an AC-to-AC wall wart outside the chassis and a half wave rectifier + filter capacitors inside. But he found that the half wave rectifier diodes kept failing, so he replaced them with huge power MOSFETs configured to use the body diode (enormous drain-to-bulk_and_source PN junction diode). No more blown rectifiers he said.
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Me too. But how about a nice enclosure for free, courtesy of the electronic recycle dumpster?
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I've noticed that ages ago.
Catering to the (elitist) crowd who breathes superficiality, appearance, fau-status enhancements.
And some of that 'high end looking' junk is made cheap too, to draw in the potential poor bottom-feeders.
RCA Victor licensee was Victor Company of Japan, later Japan Victor Company, short form JVC. IIRC.
Rolls Royce never gave an engine spec, like bore x stroke x no. of cylinders...they were quite coy about it.
They sell about 6000 odd cars annually IIRC, , and while the interior shop, with leather workers, has been visited by TV program makers, the engine shop is not seen.
Rolls Royce never gave an engine spec, like bore x stroke x no. of cylinders...they were quite coy about it.
They sell about 6000 odd cars annually IIRC, , and while the interior shop, with leather workers, has been visited by TV program makers, the engine shop is not seen.
6.75L V8 until the BMW takeover. Since then they use BMW-derived and made V12s.
It is impossible for them NOT to mention those because in many countries in Europe vehicle tax is calculated from engine displacement.
It is impossible for them NOT to mention those because in many countries in Europe vehicle tax is calculated from engine displacement.
Who actually cast the engine blocks and did the rest of the build?
There was another instance when the engine builder's name was on the ID plate, I think it was Aston Martin, the fastest lorry in Europe.
That is, the man (usually), who actually assembled the engine, and made it run for the first time ...his name was on a small plate.
There was another instance when the engine builder's name was on the ID plate, I think it was Aston Martin, the fastest lorry in Europe.
That is, the man (usually), who actually assembled the engine, and made it run for the first time ...his name was on a small plate.
The enclosure that hold the XO kindly gifted me by Adason is a very solid statement in this direction, it is brilliant.
dave
I wholeheartedly agree . They can shovel their big luxury houses , yachts and trophy wives too . We don't need any of that **** here as long as we can fetch some chassis parts from the dumpster ...
Victory...yes: they lost the War but revenge was their plan, to invade the world with high-tech
If you re-use an old portable radio, not only do you get a mains transformer, switches etc included, but also a battery compartment.
Which pieces will survive and will be considered a timeless classics like todays vintage prized units? I don't see anything with active displays surviving more than 30 years and average product life nowadays is like 3 years because it won't sell anymore.
I'm stuck with several Arcam pieces of junk (my own fault of being cheap and too greedy on passing on sa called "occasions" ) Nice sounding when working but filled with cheap crap components and having 100% failure rate. Hard to blame Arcam since folks are ready to throw away thousands of $$$ ever couple of years on a new HT system because they will be "left behind" otherwise.
Breadboard is the best DIY enclosure.
I'm stuck with several Arcam pieces of junk (my own fault of being cheap and too greedy on passing on sa called "occasions" ) Nice sounding when working but filled with cheap crap components and having 100% failure rate. Hard to blame Arcam since folks are ready to throw away thousands of $$$ ever couple of years on a new HT system because they will be "left behind" otherwise.
Breadboard is the best DIY enclosure.
I think the same about modern cars; the old ones can be fixed at home, but keeping a modern car going in 10 years time could be difficult, with all those chips and sensors to go wrong.
Another failure mode that will be very common in the future is related to software (firmware). Many digital devices are dependent from external services, and/or digital certificates that have a expiration date. I have several perfectly working electronic waste.
yup , Got greedy on vintage Cambridge NOS streamer in the box and was congratulating myself all the way to home to the moment the display said it can't update to current firmware. Called Cambridge service and they said it's too old (8 years) and too far behind with updates. They may try to update from the stick if I send the unit in for a service fee but no guaranties and in the case they cant update it they keep the service fee nonetheless . I can buy updated nice unit for the cost of shipping plus service on the bay. One of my many of my "brilliant" audio moves...
Agreed!
I picked up a few years back a cometically perfect Harman Kardon 330A, with the optional wood enclosure.
I had one like it back in the 1970's till the 80's.
Not a high-powered monster by any means, yet it performs like an expensive receiver... smooth, rich, clear sound.
Easily driving a pair of Full Size speakers.
The recent aquisition 330A got a fresh set of caps, some checking, alignment, and it sounds wonderful.
Some modern hi fi is controlled from a mobile phone, rather than a remote, but what happens when phones change? I just one a button on the front for "play".