Aurex Micro 15 (1978)

 

The micro 15 components from Aurex(Toshiba) from 1978 feature a digital quartz synthesizer tuner, double-sided circuit boards, a novel through-hole soldering process, improved copper plating, and a novel capacitor winding. But the most revolutionary aspect is the super-chip technology. This simply means that all the electronic circuits necessary for a high-quality hi-fi system are packed onto the smallest possible circuit boards. This allows the individual components to be built so compactly that they can be installed anywhere. And so powerfully that they deliver their full potential in any location. After all, 100 watts is something that even untrained ears can quickly grasp. Power Amplifier SC-M 15: 2 x 50 W @ 4 Ohm, Distortion: 0,02%, Dimensions 257 x 106 x 211 mm. Preamplifier SY-C 15: Input sensitivity Phono 2.5 mV. Signal-to-noise ratio Phono 88 dB. Total harmonic distortion 0.01%. Dimensions: 257 x 54 x 208 mm. Tuner ST-F 15: Digital quartz synthesizer. Automatic scan. 10 station buttons. Input sensitivity: 0.9 µV. Dimensions: 257 x 54 x 196 mm. Cassette deck PC-D 15: 2 motors, wow and flutter 0.12%, frequency response 20-18,000 Hz (Cr2 tape). Dimensions 258 x 104 x 204 mm.

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PHILIPS FA-960 MK II (1989) | Excellent Audio

The Philips FA-960 MK II amplifier from 1989 is a top-of-the-line device for those who demand the highest standards. A nominal output of 180 watts, combined with its channel-separated design, provides ample power to powerfully unleash the unparalleled dynamics of CDs. The 4-band volume potentiometer amplifies the signal level in two stages, resulting in superb signal-to-noise ratios even at low volumes. Highly effective heat sinks and heat dissipation ensure excellent stability under all load conditions: a dynamic amplifier that delivers top performance in every detail! Power rating is: 2 x 180 watts nominal output at 4 ohms with strictly channel-separated design, power bandwidth (-3 dB) 10-30,000 Hz. There are two separate power supplies each for the preamplifier and power amplifier. Direct CD switch for direct routing of the CD signal to the volume control. Also there is a recording selector switch with independent source selector and power amplification with discrete transistors in cascade circuit. There is provision for for phono input switchable for MM or MC cartridges and Gold-plated connectors for CD and phono. Specifications: 2x118W @ 8ohm and 2x180W @ 4ohm | Power bandwidth 18-70.000Hz | THD 0,008% | Size (W/H/D) 420x146x334mm | Weight 14kg

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harman/kardon TD-4800 (1991) | Dolby-S HX-Pro

 

Sophisticated Hi-Fi sound from Compact Cassette. This is the TD-4800 from harman/kardon introduced in 1991. This was a top recorder featuring: Dolby B, C and S noise reduction, Dolby HX-Pro, Bias Fine Trim, Two 12-segment LED peak metere, Adjustable output level, Headphone jack, Automatic tape type detection, Switchable MPX filter, Electronic tape counter with linear time display, Bidirectional track search, Auto play, Weighted level display (switchable), Switchable display, Memory, Auto repeat, Manual calibration, Bias Tone-Generator, Dual capstan drive, 3 isotropic heads, System remote control connection, Infrared remote control. Specifications: Frequency response: 20Hz-22kHz +/- 3 dB all tape types | Wow & Flutter 0,04% WRMS | Dimensions (W/H/D) 443x122x328mm | Weight 7,1kg | Original sale price in Germany 3.299 DM | Available in champagne and black.

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ONKYO Integra DX-6750 (1990) | Accu-Pulse D/A

 

Top-of-the-line CD player with extremely high digital resolution and separate Accu-Pulse D/A converters, one of the first Onkyo CD player featuring 1-bit conversion. This sophisticated circuitry guarantees absolutely faithful sound reproduction full of warmth and naturalness. Convenient features include 20 directly programmable tracks via a numeric keypad, switchable display brightness, four playback modes (normal, shuffle play, preset, sequence), and a time-edit function for precise dubbing to a cassette deck and Peak Search function for identifying the maximum level of the CD record. The DX-6750 has three outputs: optical digital output, fixed analog, and adjustable. All the important functions of this high-end CD player are remotely controllable (RC-176 C), including the motorized volume control. Available in black or silver, complete with remote control (RI-compatible). Specifications: Frequency Response: 2-20 000 Hz | Dynamic Range: 100 dB | Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 110 dB | Dimensions (W x H x D): 435 x 131 x 365 mm | Weight: 8,0 kg | Special Features: Accu-Pulse D/A Converter | 20 Presets, IR Remote Control | Matching amplifier: A-8780 | Original sale price in Germany 1000 DM

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PIONEER PL-L1000 (1979)

 

The PL-L 1000 Linear Arm Direct-Drive Turntable was introduced by Pioneer in 1979. This is a full automatic electronically controlled turntable with all controls, including arm lift, operable from front panel with dust cover closed. Platter is driven directly by Pioneer's finest quartz-controlled Hall motor for unbeatable ±0.035% (DIN) wow and flutter. Unique Pioneer-designed tangential arm powered by a direct-drive linear motor allows stylus to be literally pulled along the record groove and across the record in a straight line. Result is lower tracking error, lower cross talk and distortion due to virtu-ally insignificant lateral pressure, less resonance due to shortness and rigidity of arm, and truly exceptional S/N ratio of 78 dB (DIN-B). Tone arm height is adjustable by ± 3 mm. Insulated cabinet has a 3 mm thick aluminum die-cast panel for mounting of tone arm and platter motor. This turntable was also available as Phase Linear Model 8000 Series Two during the time Pioneer owned Phase Linear. Specifications: Size (W/H/D) 494x154x456mm | Weight 12kg | Original sale price in Germany 1498 DM.

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Technics Digital Reference System (1992)

 

This is the so called Digital Reference Series from the 1992 Technics line-up. These are the:

ST-G90 Quartz Synthesizer AM/FM Stereo tuner

RS-B965 3-Head Quartz Direct Drive cassette deck

SV-DA10 DAT recorder with MASH converter

SL-PA10 CD transport with optical output

SU-MA10 Stereo amplifier with built-in D/A converter

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Sansui C-2101/B-2101 (1985) | X Balanced-Amp

 

In 1985 Sansui introduced a new generation of control-power amplifier combination of the highest sonic sophistication, seamlessly integrated in both technology and appearance.

The C-2101 Stereo Control Center: A matching control center for the B-2101 power amplifier, the C-2101 is state-of-the-art in every way. Extremely comprehensive switching facilities for up to 9 components mean super versatility. A special extra is the 2-band parametric equalizer: it lets you select any center frequency between 70Hz and 300Hz for the lows, and between 2kHz and 10kHz for the highs. With it, you can easily over-come narrow-range sonic aberrations (room resonance, etc.). 2-band parametric equalizer. Low-noise, high-gain DC phono equalizer for matching with MC, high-output MC and MM cartridges. Inputs for PHONO-1/2, CD, TUNER, LINE-1/2, TAPE/PCM-1/2/3. Bi-directional tape dubbing between three decks. LED indicators for equalizer, subsonic, loudness and muting switches. Headphone output. 2 preamp outputs. 

The B-2101 Stereo Power Amplifier: Its prodigious 200 watts RMS power output is just one of its many exceptional features. Another is its X-Balanced Amp System, our new circuitry design that eliminates ground-related problems such as IHM distortion, for cleaner, crisper sound. The B-2101 is also designed to handle difficult low impedances, thanks to the use of a rugged power supply. 16 oversized power transistors and a double parallel push-pull output configuration. A perfect match for the C-2101 Control Center. X-Balanced Amp Type I. Wide-range 24-segment fluorescent peak power level indicators with peak hold on/off. Twin-mono construction for left and right channels. Separate left and right "attenuator" input level controls. Outputs for 2 sets of speaker systems. Size of units: 430x119x326mm (C-2101) 430x160x412mm (B-2101) | Original sale price in Germany 1400 DM (C-2101) 2350 DM (B-2101)

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TEAC P-2/D-2 (1989) | Esoteric CD

 

This is the P-2/D-2 CD Drive & Multi-D/A Converter system from Teac (also available as one of a early Esoteric branded model). Housing the drive and the D/A converter stage in separate components, optimized for their respective functions, ensures the highest possible performance. The P-2 is a CD drive with V.R.D.S. While the CD is usually held only in the spindle area, this drive's advanced V.R.D.S. (Vibration-Free Rigid Disc-Clamping System) uses a suspended, CD-sized platter made of die-cast zinc alloy that stabilizes the CD across its entire surface. The surface is slightly concave so that the disc sits flat when pressed down onto the platter from below. This suppresses unwanted vibrations and knocking movements that could interfere with tracking precision. The device is designed so that the disc is automatically centered when clamped. This prevents overreactions from the tracking servo that could degrade sound quality. The P-2 drive is designed to minimize the need for servo corrections. While the V.R.D.S. system reduces the activity of the tracking servo to the unavoidable minimum, it must still intervene in the event of any CD defects and ensure correct playback. To prevent signal interference in this case as well, the P-2 drive uses the TEAC-exclusive CN servo, which filters out potentially destabilizing elements from the servo signal using a low-pass filter and also helps to protect the optical system from the transmission of interference vibrations. To ensure that external vibrations do not compromise the improvements provided by the highly stable V.R.D.S. drive, it rests on a solid die-cast base within a robust chassis made of 1.6 mm thick sheet steel with a maximum 18 mm thick aluminum front plate. This gives the P-2 solid durability and high density for clean suppression of footfall noise and ensures optimal tracking under all conditions. Disc Drawer - The 8 mm thick aluminum drawer glides smoothly and silently on six precision-machined ball bearings. The opening and closing speeds are separately adjustable via side controls. The drawer features a gold-plated trim strip at the front with an inlaid silver emblem and is coated with Nextel, a robust, high-viscosity material that protects records from scratches. The P-2 is also coated externally with Nextel, giving the drive a high-class appearance. The D-2's TEAC-exclusive ZD-II circuit improves the linearity of the D/A conversion process and helps to better protect the analog output signal from noise and distortion. The well-established original circuit, the "ZD," utilizes the "dithering" technique long used in digital studio recording. Before D/A conversion, "dither" (digital random noise) is added to the digital signal, which is later subtracted to improve bit homogeneity (linearity) across the entire 18-bit range (262,144 levels). The D/A conversion error is spread out instead of concentrating on specific signal levels, as it would without dithering. The D-2's new "ZD-II" goes a step further by shifting the dither signal into the ultrasonic range, outside the range of human hearing This allows for a significantly better reproduction of delicate small signals and through the "Distortion Shaping"- The effect is a drastic reduction in distortion. The D-2 converter uses a 45-bit digital filter with eightfold oversampling, which minimizes the "rounding errors" that occur during digital processing. A newly developed noise shaper adapts the 45 bits to the 18-bit format. Small signals below 18 bits are not rounded, so the resolution extends below the noise floor. Thanks to these improvements, the converter offers unprecedented sensitivity and clarity with low-level signals. Specifications: Size (W/H/D) 225x134x490mm (P-2) 225x134x485mm (D-2) | Weight 13kg (P-2) 11kg D-2) | Original sale price in Germany 6.000 + 6980 DM

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Alpage AL-80 (1981) | Optical Peak Meter

 

The Alpage (Alpine) cassette deck from 1981 features Dolby B & C noise reduction and a 3-Head system for excellent recording and playback performance. Using separate heads for recording and playback offers two distinct advantages: improved recording and playback performance, and the ease of monitoring the newly recorded signal. Combined record/playback heads on 2-Head systems must accept a compromise between the optimum air gaps for recording and playback, but with three heads, the record head can have a wide air gap (5µm) and the playback head a narrow air gap (1µm), each optimized for its own function. Dual Noise Reduction Dolby B & C The AL-80 features both systems: Dolby B and the brand new Dolby C. This allows compatibility with all Dolby B-encoded tapes, while also allowing you to take advantage of the improved Noise Reduction effects of Dolby C for your own recordings. A built-in generator outputs a 400Hz test signal that allows for precise calibration of recording levels. Especially when using Dolby C noise reduction, precise level adjustment allows for optimal recording results. There is also a 4-Digit Digital Counter with Multiple Memory, for Tape or Time. This very practical counter works as a standard tape counter, or as a real-time counter. The counting is done electronically rather than mechanically, and it has four digits that provide seven times the accuracy of three-digit counters. Other Features: Super-sensitive optical peak meters, Automatic Playback and Rewind, Fine Pre-Fuel Adjustment, Switchable MPX Filter, Output Level Control, Optional Wired or Wireless Remote Controls, Optional Rack Mount Kit, Mono Microphone Recording on Both Channels, Illuminated Cassette Slot. Specifications: 3-head system Ferrite head | Motor: 1 belt drive| Wow and Flutter 0,035% | Frequency response 20-21.000Hz Metal (TDK MA) | Dimensions (W/H/D) 435x120x300mm | 5,6kg | Original sale price in Germany 1200 DM

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