I have a copy of a design for people who want to build their own radio in the attic that looks like it is from the 1920's, and in hobby magazines from the 1950's, I've seen DIY designs for HiFi amplifiers, televisions and a tape recorder. No PCBs anywhere, but clear instructions where to drill holes into the chassis and how to hook up the wires.
The tape recorder design (Herx magnetofoon) was amazing: the designer also made the mechanical part himself, using a bicycle dynamo as motor (you had to give it a little twist at start-up to make it rotate in the right direction). Even the capstan was DIY. The heads were also DIY, made from mu metal from a microphone transformer model that was used in military radio in WW2 and that could be bought in dump stores. Measured results were remarkably good for a 1950's tape recorder.
The tape recorder design (Herx magnetofoon) was amazing: the designer also made the mechanical part himself, using a bicycle dynamo as motor (you had to give it a little twist at start-up to make it rotate in the right direction). Even the capstan was DIY. The heads were also DIY, made from mu metal from a microphone transformer model that was used in military radio in WW2 and that could be bought in dump stores. Measured results were remarkably good for a 1950's tape recorder.
DIY in just about any category has my vote. There are times that whatever project simply couldn't happen without a DIY attitude. Especially noteworthy is when there someone to help you along the way if needed. Like a lot of us here, I have a builder spirit within me, wanting to DIB/DIY (Do It Better). This amplifier is a testament to that attitude and is worthy of exposure for to see up close.
I remember those days. Old Colony magazines and boards. I still have bare boards for original Zen, and preamp whatever it was called. Bride of Zen? Also had board for
Balanced version, Son of bride of zen or something like that.
Dynaco kits, Audio By VanAlstein kits, Heathkits and so on. No internet, just classified adds in the back of Audio magazines. You could actually talk to these folks, Stan Warren, Frank VanAlstein on the phone!
The Old colony publications, Audio Amateur have them around here somewhere, later Glass Audio, Sound Practices etc were my info sources.
The internet transformed many things and that wasn't lost on DIYAudio! What a difference all this info made!
Nice piece of PassDIY there!
Russellc
Balanced version, Son of bride of zen or something like that.
Dynaco kits, Audio By VanAlstein kits, Heathkits and so on. No internet, just classified adds in the back of Audio magazines. You could actually talk to these folks, Stan Warren, Frank VanAlstein on the phone!
The Old colony publications, Audio Amateur have them around here somewhere, later Glass Audio, Sound Practices etc were my info sources.
The internet transformed many things and that wasn't lost on DIYAudio! What a difference all this info made!
Nice piece of PassDIY there!
Russellc
