29 May 2021

TRIO KENWOOD 700 Line (1973) - Distinguished Performers

stereo amplifier

Formed in 1946, the Trio Corporation has gained an enviable reputation for its development and manufacture of high class equipment. For those sophisticated audiophiles who can appreciate the 0.0024% tuning accuracy of the 700T Frequency Synthesizing Tuner ... the exceptional control flexibility of the 700C Preamplifier-Control ... the masterful power of the 700M Main Amplifier with its incredible 170 watts per channel Min. RMS (at 8 ohms, 20 to 20,000 Hz with no more than 0.1% total harmonic distortion) ... Trio-Kenwood proudly presents the 700 Series. Each boasts technical specifications well beyond any previous efforts. Each incorporates the most advanced electronics, the most imaginative design concepts. Together they go beyond state-of-the-art performance and come closer to realizing total fidelity by producing a range of realistically priced high grade equipment that is among the best on the world market. During it's 6 years of manufacturing the 700 Series was sold under TRIO, TRIO Supreme and KENWOOD badges. Priced approximately 2150 USD (1975)

stereo amplifier

stereo amplifier

stereo amplifier

stereo amplifier

stereo amplifier


22 May 2021

YAMAHA NS-1000/1000M (1974) - Pure Beryllium Masterpiece

Loudspeaker

The NS-1000M was the world’s first speaker system to have diaphragms made of beryllium of 99.99% purity — previously considered unobtainable — in its midrange and tweeter. The speaker offered the accuracy and clarity of audio reproduction made possible only by beryllium diaphragms that have an excellent transient response, and earned critical acclaim both at home and overseas immediately after it hit the market in 1974. It was adopted as a studio monitor speaker by the Swedish national broadcasting corporation in 1976, and by the Finland national broadcaster with 200 units ordered in 1978. Even after its successors, the NS-1000X and NS-2000, were introduced, the NS-1000M remained popular and had sold more than 200,000 units over a period of 23 years — before the production of beryllium diaphragms ended and the marketing of the legendary speaker was discontinued in 1997.

Yamaha developed the world's first hard-dome drivers with beryllium diaphragms — the JA-0801 8.8 cm midrange and the JA-0513 3.3 cm tweeter. Beryllium, considered as the ideal diaphragm material for its hardness, lightweight (low density), and stiffness, was extremely difficult to be molded into a diaphragm. Yamaha overcame the challenge of processing beryllium with its proprietary electron-beam vacuum vapor deposition method. The overwhelming sense of spaciousness and clarity made possible by the beryllium diaphragms that took advantage of the metal's sound velocity (higher than that of any other practical metal) shattered the perception people had of speakers — so much so that the NS-1000M, the first speaker system to feature beryllium diaphragms, earned wide acclaim from audiophiles and critics worldwide. Later, the NSX-10000 released in 1986 came equipped with GC beryllium diaphragms made of giant beryllium crystals, and the GF-1 introduced in 1991 featured forged beryllium diaphragms. Until the production of all beryllium diaphragms was discontinued in 1997, a hard-dome driver for Yamaha was synonymous with a beryllium-dome driver.

Positioned as a high-end unit for home use and priced at 145,000 yen at the time of its release, the NS-1000 featured an ebony luxury urethane paint finish exterior, while the NS-1000M, priced at 108,000 yen and aimed at use from the home to the studio, sported a birch semi-gloss black paint finish. With a somewhat large thick-walled cabinet and removable saran net, the NS-1000 weighed in at 39kg, 8kg heavier than the 31kg NS-1000M. As is evident from the difference in price, the cabinet finish of the NS-1000 was lavish enough to rival that of a luxury wood grain piano, but the fearless black design and overwhelming cost-performance of the NS-1000M made it the focus of popular attention. The upgraded NS-2000 released in 1982 and the NS-1000X released in 1986 reinforced the reputation of the original machine, and in the 23 years until the end of all beryllium diaphragm unit production in 1997 it was a long-lasting hit with more than 200,000 units sold.

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker

Loudspeaker



08 May 2021

PIONEER EXCLUSIVE model 2401 (1983) - Studio Monitor Speaker System

 

loudspeaker

The Pioneer Exclusive model 2401 was introduced in 1983. This state-of-the-art loudspeaker was available for the mass market branded as Pioneer while for the professional audio sector it was available as TAD TSM-1. Since day one (1975), TAD Labs has been building only the highest quality, technologically leading loudspeaker chassis. Used in countless recording studios worldwide, the name TAD Labs has become an integral part of the professional scene. TAD's philosophy has remained the same to this day: Technological superiority paired with uncompromising authenticity. Introduced in 1983, the state-of-the-art TAD Labs TSM-1 studio monitor quickly gained an excellent reputation. The clear, precise sound, which reflects the energy and passion of live music like hardly any other loudspeaker, gives these TAD Labs models a near monopoly in the eighties. Even by today's standards these legendary transducers are a coveted collector's item. 

The TSM-1 (Exclusive model 2401) is a scientifically-designed monitor speaker system combining five TAD speaker components - two TL-1601a low-frequency loudspeakers, one TD-4001 high-frequency driver, one TH-4001 stabilized dispersion horn, and the TN-1 dividing network. It was designed for use in large studio control rooms. It provides both high power at all frequencies and superior transient response - a rare combination. Thanks to the use of two parallel-driven low-frequency loudspeakers, the maximum sound pressure level is a particularly high 126dB/W at 1m. Its dispersion pattern is critically controlled, based on tests of actual studio acoustics: response is smooth over a wide listening area, and consistently clear directivity can be enjoyed. Specifications: Impedance 4 ohm (when built-in network is employed) | Frequency range 29-20.000Hz | Input level 300 watts (rated) 600 watts (maximum) | Sound pressure level 98dB/W (1m) | Maximum sound pressure level 126db/W (1m) | Crossover frequency 650Hz | Dimensions 1100x900x712 mm | Weight 145 kg.

loudspeaker

loudspeaker

loudspeaker

loudspeaker

loudspeaker

loudspeaker

loudspeaker



02 May 2021

FUJI FR-IIx Pro (1991)


FUJI FR-IIx Pro (1991)
A new way of seeing things
More vintage audio: https://www.1001hifi.com/
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