26 February 2022

Lo-D D-4500 (1973) - Made to Order

cassette deck

Lo-D (Hitachi brand name in Japan) was at the forefront of cassette deck development. As a consequence, they were among the first manufacturer (along with Nakamichi, Sony and Technics) to introduce a 3-head deck to the market. In contrast with the discrete head arrangement adopted by the other manufacturers, the Lo-D D-4500 was the first deck to employ the "combination/sandwich head" that was later adopted by other manufacturers and it became a de facto standard for 3-head cassette deck. The Lo-D D-4500 model was a Japanese market only model and it was only made to order. The Lo-D D-4500 had a 3-motor dual capstan configuration (1 capstan motor, 2 independent motors for fast winding), solenoid operated mechanism that achieved an extremely low 0.045% wow and flutter figure. The deck was equipped with Dolby noise reduction circuit as well as DCCS (Dolby Calibration Control System) based on a test one to help match tape sensitivity. One of its most striking visual elements was the VU meter bridge, inspired by studio recorders of the time. The RB-1000 wired remote control was available as an accessory. Technical data: Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz Chrome tape, 20-18,000 maxell UD tape, 20-15,000 Hz normal tape | Signal to noise: 63dB Dolby On | Dimensions: 441x222x312 mm | Weight: 12kg 

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck




19 February 2022

SONY HMK-9000 (1980) - The Commander

music center

For those who wanted hi-fi sound without the inconvenience of having three or four separate units to be connected toghether, there was the HMK-9000 from Sony. The HMK-9000 was the top-of-the-range model with features that really do qualify it as top-quality hi-fi. The receiver section of the unit features LW, AM and FM Stereo radio with preset station memory, while the amplifier section features a 2x40 W (sinus DIN 8ohm) amplifier with bass, treble, Loudness and volume preset controls that can be used with two pairs of loudspeakers. The turntable section is no less impressive. A Direct Drive unit that is powered by Sony's revolutionary new "BSL", brushless and slotless DC motor. It's not only extremely accurate but also exceptionally reliable. Coupled with the quartz lock system, this ensures that the record platter rotates at constant speed and distortions like wow and flutter are kept to a minimum. The turntable also features stroboscope for accurate speed adjustment (when quartz control is off), touch controls located on the top panel, and is equipped with a VL-34 G cartridge. The cassette recorder section can handle all 4 tape types, it's equipped with BSL-motor, S&F (Sendust and Ferrite) head, 2x12 segment LED level meter, Music search system with LED display, Dolby noise reduction, all in a slide-out tray mechanism. There is also a built-in Digital clock that can perform timer operation of the unit. The whole system can be remote controlled with a infra-red "commander" that clips neatly into place on the front of the machine when not in use and automatically recharges, ready for the next commands. The recommended speakers for HMK-9000 are the Sony SS E50 or SS E70. Dimensions: 688x160x500 mm. | Weight: 24 kg.

music center

music center

music center

music center

music center

loudspeaker



12 February 2022

vector research VCX-800 (1981) - Sophisticated Technology, Microcomputer Control

cassette deck

​Vector Research was a company based in California, USA which offered a selection of Hi-Fi components at very competitive prices. While some of their components were rebadged Japanese models (see VCX-650 made by NEC) the VCX-800 presented here is an original and unique model ... Made in Japan. The VCX-800 is built around a microprocessor controlled 3-head (Sendust) - two motor - dual capstan mechanism. A built-in 4-kilobyte microprocessor will perform a series of "Compucounter" functions such as, remaining time display in minutes and seconds and a series of search functions. The VCX-800 has a 400-15,000Hz sweep tone oscillator and a fixed frequency oscillator, with continuously variable record calibration and bias across the entire frequency spectrum, visually displayed. For accurate recording level adjustment there is a 24-segment LED level meter. The deck is also equipped with a wide range of Dolby systems, Dolby B and C noise reduction, Dolby FM for encoded radio transmissions and Dolby HX headroom extension. For dbx encoded tapes the deck could be used with the matching VRX-9500 receiver that also provided (via cable) timer operation of the cassette deck. Technical data: Frequency response 20Hz-21kHz metal, 25Hz-10kHz Chrome, 25Hz-17kHz Normal (Specifications determined using TDK MA, SA, AD tapes) | Dimensions: 440x142x371 mm | Weight: 9.8 kg. 

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck


05 February 2022

TRIO LS-1000 (1981) - Linear Response Speaker System

loudspeaker

The LS-1000 (LS-1800 on some markets) was the largest model in the Linear Response Speaker System lineup introduced by Trio-Kenwood in 1981. The LS-1000 has a high-rigidity enclosure with angled and reinforced back panel (no sound absorbing material inside), mirror imaged construction and separate enclosure for the midrange and tweeter. The 28cm woofer has a high-rigidity ribbed cone paper, die-cast frame and it uses a special mounting method. Instead of the usual screw mounting they are installed utilizing a bayonet mounting similar to the one used for photo camera lens. The 10cm acrylic resin flat diaphragm mid-range and the 3.6cm carbon fibre tweeter are mounted on a die-cast front panel while the cross-over frequencies are at 800Hz and 6kHz.

If you look closer at the speaker terminal of the LS-1000 you will notice an extra set of terminals labelled "Sigma Drive". This enables the loudspeakers to be used with Kenwood's "Sigma Drive" amplifiers. Kenwood's exclusive patented "Sigma Drive" ignores traditional amplifier-speaker relationships by extending the amplifier's negative feedback loop past the output terminals, all the way to the speaker terminals. "Sigma Drive" ties a speaker's behavior directly to the amplifier's performance, which produces an unprecedented damping in excess of 600 at the speaker terminals and literally forces a speaker to behave in perfect sync with the amplifier. Technical data: 3-way, 3-speaker, linear suspension system | Power: 180W Max, 120W Rated | Frequency response: 32Hz-25kHz | Impedance: 8ohm | Dimensions: WxHxD 360x680x326mm | Weight: 33.5 kg.

loudspeaker

loudspeaker

loudspeaker

loudspeaker

loudspeaker

loudspeaker

loudspeaker