23 May 2020

SHARP SG-500H (1978) | 3-in-1 Music System

music center

The SHARP SG-500H stereo "compact" music center was introduced in 1979 and it was the biggest model of the range. It's an all electronic controlled system that can be remote controlled too. The system features a 45 W/ch (sinus DIN 4 ohm) amplifier, FM-AM-MW-SW radio section with 7 presets, a logic controlled cassette section with manual recording level adjustment and a direct drive turntable section. The remote control can be used for system on-off, radio preset selction, volume, turntable start-stop, cassette deck play, stop and music search (APSS). Overall dimensions are 770x183x456 mm, 25 kg. The matching loudspeaker was the 3 way closed system CP-500H.  

music center

music center

music center

music center

music center

music center

16 May 2020

OPTONICA RT-6905 (1980) - Can I push that Button ?

cassette deck

The OPTONICA RT-6905 from 1980 is basically a one box combination of the Optonica RT-9100H cassette deck and AD-200TH programmable quartz timer unit. The cassette deck section features a 2-motor, dual-capstan, closed loop drive system that provides constant back tension on the tape for optimum tape-to-head contact, quartz -locked PLL servo capstan motor that ensures super-accurate tape speed, and Optonica's new microcomputer -controlled tape tension adjustment system that automatically optimizes tape tension before all playback operations. The Optonica RT-6905 uses a 4-head system with Dual Sendust recording, playback and monitoring (APMS sensing) heads. Test tones are provided for adjusting record sensitivity and bias, used in conjunction with the level display and the tape/source monitor switch. Then, to maximize user control, this unit provides Sharp's unique APMS (Auto Programmable Music Selector) to allow complete freedom in programming tape selection playback order, plus APSS (Auto Program Search System) for one-touch skipping and repetition of songs.

In the lower section can be found a programmable quartz timer unit with programming capacity of up to 42 automatic operations per week (absentee recording and musical alarm set-ups). There is a special synchronization of the cassette running time counter with the tape transport mechanism. The time counter can be used to keep track of either the running-time or the remaining-time of a cassette and includes a pause function that stops the counter during breaks. An infrared remote control is also provided for seat-side control of all tape transport functions, including recording and APSS, while additional rack handles were sold separately. Manufacturer's specifications. Frequency response 30 Hz to 20 kHz with Metal tape, Flutter 0.038 percent W rms, Dimensions 430 (W) x 211 (H with adjustable legs) x 371 (D) mm, Weight 15.8 kg. Original sale price 1,600 USD.

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

09 May 2020

Fine Arts Esoteric Line CD tube pre-amplifier (1987) - ... by Grundig

pre-amplifier

Grundig's first product manager, Dr. Burkhardt Schwäbe was the driving force behind the Fine Arts Series. It was meant to demonstrate Grundig's expertise in the premium Hi-Fi segment. The Fine Arts Esoteric Line CD tube pre-amplifier was created in 1987. It's main design features are a complex power supply with toroidal transformer, electronically controlled DC voltage heating, double volume control (from ALPS) and four E83CC tubes from Siemens. Originally it was planned to use Telefunken ECC83s but those were unavailable at that moment. There are inputs for CD, Tuner, DAT/Tape and Aux (no Phono input) and can be used with a wide range of transistor or tube amplifier. The gold version has 24 carat gold-plated surfaces and there were built a total of 127 units. Dimensions: 310 x 124 (+11) x 220 mm.

Towards the end of the 1990s Dr. Burkhardt Schwäbe moved to Sennheiser and in 2004 he launched his own brand, Eternal Arts and more recently Eternal Masters (pre-recorded tapes and audiophile LP).

pre-amplifier

pre-amplifier

pre-amplifier

pre-amplifier

pre-amplifier

pre-amplifier

03 May 2020

Cybernet mini HiFi (1980) - Even the cat is Amazed

mini hifi

Cybernet was a lesser known Japanese company that exited the audio market rather quickly but not without leaving their mark in this field. After a modest presence during the 70s in 1982 they have presented one of the first CD players that was also rebadged as AKAI CD-D1, MICRO SEIKI CD-M1, Phase Linear 9500, ROTEL RCD 870, TENSAI TAD 2000 or in France as betalaser ADD 200 (see here). They have always made their products available to other manufacturers as well and in the late 70s they have set up offices in Germany and the USA. This is when the Cybernet mini series 50,100, 200, 300 were introduced. These components were rebadged in Germany as KRAUS or Lenco Italia while in the USA/Europe they were sold by Radioshack/Tandy. What's interesting is that while the top remote controlled model was sold as Cybernet mini 200 in Europe, in the USA it was sold as the Cybernet 300RC System. On top of this the Lenco Italia model was a "custom" combination of components ... sans remote. In the 1001 Hi-Fi collection we have a KRAUS Minipack 50A power amplifier (see here) and a Lenco-Italia MC 70 cassette deck (see here), all well built and good sounding.

These are the components of the "mini 200" / "300 RC" system.
What is more confusing is that the model numbers from the text do not match with the model numbers printed on the pictured model ... but real life models have the model numbers from the text.

Cybernet RCA-200 (pictured MM-70R) - 70 W/ch (IHF) power amplifier with fluorescent power meter
Cybernet RCP-200 (pictured MC-70R) - (system) remote controlled amplifier with electronic volume control
Cybernet RCC-200 (pictured MC-70R) - 2 motor logic controlled deck with sendust head and fluorescent level meters
Cybernet RCT-200 (pictured MT-70R) - Digital Synthesizer tuner with 6 presets for FM and AM

mini hifi

mini hifi

mini hifi

mini hifi

mini hifi

mini hifi

mini hifi