Sydney Audio Club Meeting - June 2023
Sunday 18th June 2023: Sydney Audio Club's Classic and Vintage meeting.
Meeting Report: Classic & Vintage Meeting, June 2023
Once more our Classic & Vintage Meeting provided us all with a day of music from such a variety of equipment of varying vintages, styles and formats that it is very difficult to summarise the day, but here is a flavour.…
Such a great effort needs first of all to pay tribute to all those whose contribution was to delve into their attics, garages, cellars and all manner of other places, to bring in kit from the HiFi landscape pre 1995. Thanks to you all, without you there would be silence!
Hard to call the oldest, bit of kit, but a candidate had to be the Audiomaster integrated stereo valve amplifier. Possibly amongst the first commercially available stereo amplifiers in the UK. Sadly not demonstrated, but looking to be in excellent condition, considering its from the very early days of stereo. Late 50s it was featured in a BBC doco, in 1959. (The doco is a lighthearted, tongue In Cheek look ad the rise of the audiophile. The Audiomaster is featured towards the end, after the chap has dumped his mono kit and invited his friends round to listen to his stereo, driven by a nice new Audiomaster. If you want to have a look it's on YouTube, follow the link.)
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=BBC+1959+Monitor+the
Probably the most impressive part of our V&C meeting is the fact that such a lot of equipment is in working order. Not only that but it often surprises members with its performance. Maybe side by side comparisons with modern kit would show up all the faults, but there are plenty of “good ears” amongst club members and judging by the comments, there is a lot of enjoyment left in much of this vintage and classic kit.
The demo systems on the day, broadly consisted of….
Various additional items were substituted in and out across the day and music was delivered by Cassette, Reel to reel tape, vinyl and CD. (Streaming and USBs sadly are not yet mature enough for this esteemed company.) One impressive mention must go to the master tape provided by Philip Miles and Played on Joseph’s Studer reel to reel, through the EARs and Klipsch speakers. Sounded very impressive indeed.. The Quad set up was also a bit of a surprise to some. Played through the New Zealand made Lamberts the Thorens deck and Meridian CD put up a strong well balanced sound that filled the room well. A mention must be made of the Auratone Studio monitors. Apparently extensively used in the USA by studios looking to produce material that people would primarily listen to on transistor radios. From that angle, I thought they did exactly that, go figure!. Nothing if not interesting out V&C meeting.
A great deal of credit must go to the members who provided the kit and to those who were involved in the organisation of the day; John McEvoy, Stephen Chen, Joseph Dillon, Ian Reid, Arthur Katakalos, Philip Miles, John Way, Anton Marinov, and of course the Club management Committee, in particular Paul Bryant, for all his hard work before and on the day. Hopefully I have not missed anything or anyone. If I have apologies, give me a dig when we next meet and I will make sure you are in on the next V&C meeting report!
Below is a list of all the equipment assembled on the day.
Regards,
George Davidson
Vice President Sydney Audio Club
Equipment list For Vintage & Classic Meeting June 2023
Sony Cassette Player & Headphones
B&O Beogram 4000 Turntable
Rogers HG 88 Integrated Amplifier
Denon Integrated Stereo Amplifiers PMA 700, PMA 500, PMA 300.
Technics Stereo Cassette Deck
Akai M - 9 Open Reel Tape Recorder
Sony ECM 969 & C-48 Microphones
AKAI ADM 5 microphones
Goldring Tape Recorder Head Cleaner
High Fidelity DR-11 Stereo Headphones
Fostex 6301B Personal Monitor
F3 Power JFET Home made Power Amplifier
Lecson AP3 Power Amplifier and AP1 Control Amplifier
Audiomaster Integrated Stereo Amplifier
Technics SP10 Turntable, Once Analogue Plinth
B&W DM1 Speakers
Auratone Studio Monitor Speakers
Densen DM20 Preamplifier
Audio Research LS2 Preamplifier
Meridian 556 Power Amplifier
Audiolab 8000 T Tuner
Nakamichi 1000 Cassette Player
Studer B67 Reel To Reel Tape Recorder
Technics SP10 Turntable
Audio Tube Technology Pre Amplifier MM1
EAR 834 P Phono Amp
EAR 549 Monoblock Amplifiers
Thorens TD147 Turntable
Quad 34 Control Unit
Quad 405 Current Dumping Power Amplifier
Meridian Compact Disc Player 206
Kenwood Compact Disc Player DP-1008
Klipsch Speakers
Lambert Minstrel Speakers
Sansui QC 04 CD4 Demodulator
Teac AN 300 Noise Reduction
JBL 12” woofer
Marantz CP 30 Cassette Deck
Revox B77 Mk 11 Reel to Reel
Rogers Cadet 11 Tube Amp
Reel to reel Master Tape
Revox A77 Reel to reel
Once more our Classic & Vintage Meeting provided us all with a day of music from such a variety of equipment of varying vintages, styles and formats that it is very difficult to summarise the day, but here is a flavour.…
Such a great effort needs first of all to pay tribute to all those whose contribution was to delve into their attics, garages, cellars and all manner of other places, to bring in kit from the HiFi landscape pre 1995. Thanks to you all, without you there would be silence!
Hard to call the oldest, bit of kit, but a candidate had to be the Audiomaster integrated stereo valve amplifier. Possibly amongst the first commercially available stereo amplifiers in the UK. Sadly not demonstrated, but looking to be in excellent condition, considering its from the very early days of stereo. Late 50s it was featured in a BBC doco, in 1959. (The doco is a lighthearted, tongue In Cheek look ad the rise of the audiophile. The Audiomaster is featured towards the end, after the chap has dumped his mono kit and invited his friends round to listen to his stereo, driven by a nice new Audiomaster. If you want to have a look it's on YouTube, follow the link.)
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=BBC+1959+Monitor+the
Probably the most impressive part of our V&C meeting is the fact that such a lot of equipment is in working order. Not only that but it often surprises members with its performance. Maybe side by side comparisons with modern kit would show up all the faults, but there are plenty of “good ears” amongst club members and judging by the comments, there is a lot of enjoyment left in much of this vintage and classic kit.
The demo systems on the day, broadly consisted of….
- EAR 549 amp EAR Phono stage, Technics SP10, Studer B67 Reel to reel, and Klipsch Speakers.
- Quad 34, Quad 405, Thorens TD147, Meridian 206 CD and Kenwood DP 1008 CD player and Lambert Minstrel, speakers.
- Denon PMA 500, Technics SP10 Fostex 6310 speakers B&W DM1 speakers
Various additional items were substituted in and out across the day and music was delivered by Cassette, Reel to reel tape, vinyl and CD. (Streaming and USBs sadly are not yet mature enough for this esteemed company.) One impressive mention must go to the master tape provided by Philip Miles and Played on Joseph’s Studer reel to reel, through the EARs and Klipsch speakers. Sounded very impressive indeed.. The Quad set up was also a bit of a surprise to some. Played through the New Zealand made Lamberts the Thorens deck and Meridian CD put up a strong well balanced sound that filled the room well. A mention must be made of the Auratone Studio monitors. Apparently extensively used in the USA by studios looking to produce material that people would primarily listen to on transistor radios. From that angle, I thought they did exactly that, go figure!. Nothing if not interesting out V&C meeting.
A great deal of credit must go to the members who provided the kit and to those who were involved in the organisation of the day; John McEvoy, Stephen Chen, Joseph Dillon, Ian Reid, Arthur Katakalos, Philip Miles, John Way, Anton Marinov, and of course the Club management Committee, in particular Paul Bryant, for all his hard work before and on the day. Hopefully I have not missed anything or anyone. If I have apologies, give me a dig when we next meet and I will make sure you are in on the next V&C meeting report!
Below is a list of all the equipment assembled on the day.
Regards,
George Davidson
Vice President Sydney Audio Club
Equipment list For Vintage & Classic Meeting June 2023
Sony Cassette Player & Headphones
B&O Beogram 4000 Turntable
Rogers HG 88 Integrated Amplifier
Denon Integrated Stereo Amplifiers PMA 700, PMA 500, PMA 300.
Technics Stereo Cassette Deck
Akai M - 9 Open Reel Tape Recorder
Sony ECM 969 & C-48 Microphones
AKAI ADM 5 microphones
Goldring Tape Recorder Head Cleaner
High Fidelity DR-11 Stereo Headphones
Fostex 6301B Personal Monitor
F3 Power JFET Home made Power Amplifier
Lecson AP3 Power Amplifier and AP1 Control Amplifier
Audiomaster Integrated Stereo Amplifier
Technics SP10 Turntable, Once Analogue Plinth
B&W DM1 Speakers
Auratone Studio Monitor Speakers
Densen DM20 Preamplifier
Audio Research LS2 Preamplifier
Meridian 556 Power Amplifier
Audiolab 8000 T Tuner
Nakamichi 1000 Cassette Player
Studer B67 Reel To Reel Tape Recorder
Technics SP10 Turntable
Audio Tube Technology Pre Amplifier MM1
EAR 834 P Phono Amp
EAR 549 Monoblock Amplifiers
Thorens TD147 Turntable
Quad 34 Control Unit
Quad 405 Current Dumping Power Amplifier
Meridian Compact Disc Player 206
Kenwood Compact Disc Player DP-1008
Klipsch Speakers
Lambert Minstrel Speakers
Sansui QC 04 CD4 Demodulator
Teac AN 300 Noise Reduction
JBL 12” woofer
Marantz CP 30 Cassette Deck
Revox B77 Mk 11 Reel to Reel
Rogers Cadet 11 Tube Amp
Reel to reel Master Tape
Revox A77 Reel to reel
------------------------------
Dear Members and Friends of Sydney Audio Club,
This will be one of our famous, “Classic & Vintage” meetings. All the equipment provided for this meeting comes from club members and there is always an interesting selection of kit from years gone by. Some of it will be used to demonstrate just what elderly equipment can do. You might be surprised how it sounds. It won’t be the first-time members have been motivated to take a good long look at vintage HIFI kit. Is it really that good? Or is it just the romantic soft sound of glowing valves and warm transistors and portly speakers? Well, good or bad, this is your chance to experience the sound of some old equipment for yourselves and make up your own mind. So, fan or critic, come along and have a listen.
We get so much kit offered for this meeting we are never able to demonstrate it all, (and of course some of it doesn’t work anymore!) so we also have space for the overflow, (or “Eye Candy” as some term it.) which we place as static exhibits around the room. If by chance you missed out returning the “I can bring….” Form. Fear not, we cannot take equipment to play at this stage, but you can bring in a kit to show in the static exhibition, just bring it along and we will try to find you a space on one of the tables. All we ask is that you provide a little note saying what it is and perhaps its history so that others can share. (If you are bringing something to exhibit, try to come a couple of hours earlier as we are recording the equipment and a snippet of its history)
System Description:
Amps: EAR 549 mono blocks, EAR 834 Phono stage. Quad 405 & Quad 34. Denon 300V, 500V, 700V. Audio Research LS2. Meridian 556.
Speakers: Klipsch Forte. Lambert Minstrel M18. B&W DM1. Foster 6301B
Turntable: Technics SP10 with Audio Origami PU7 arm. Thorens TD 147
Reel to reel: Studer B67. Revox B77 Mk11. Akai M9.
Cassette: Marantz CP430. Sony TC125. Technics 616
Tuner: Audiolab 8000T. Audio Reflex ART1 (Inkel).
Headphones: Sony TC125. Sony DR11.
Meeting Details:
The Covid-Safe Rules as set down by the Epping Creative Centre:
No longer need proof of vaccination status before entry. It is still a requirement that you sign in the Visitor’s Book and notify me if you contract COVID within the week following the meeting. Wearing a mask is not mandated but it is recommended.
For individuals, they should not attend at the Centre if they are unwell and have the symptoms of COVID.
If they have symptoms, they should undertake a RAT to confirm that they do not have COVID before attending at the Centre.
There will be no tech talk for this month.
Please arrive around 1.45 pm for this interesting presentation of the equipment. If you happen to be late just quietly slide into a seat and join the presentation. Our club is based on mutual respect, especially in these open presentations, let us remain respectful towards one another’s views and opinions.
There will be a break from 3.15 pm – 3.30 pm to grab a bite to eat and a drink (tea, coffee, juice and biscuits provided) before our members' favorite bring your music section.
Bring you Music: For this section we will be able to play music on cassette tapes, vinyl and CD. With the cassette tapes and Vinyl, please make sure they are clean and playable.
Please note music cannot be brought on USB, this meeting will not have the ability to play digital music.
Guests are welcome – we are a very friendly club, so you don't need to know anyone to join us for an afternoon of fine music and sound.
Venue: Epping Creative Centre, Dence Park.
Address: 26 Stanley Road, Epping.
When: Sunday 18th June 2023
Doors open: from 1.30 pm to meet and chat with members before the presentation.
Break: from 3.15 pm – 3.30 pm to grab a bite to eat and a drink.
Please sign-in in the visitors’ book. You are not required to wear a mask, but you may, should you wish to do so.
Once again please bring along friends, family and acquaintances to the meeting and enjoy an afternoon of great music and great sound.
Hope to see you there on Sunday.
Best Regards,
Bertrand Braganca
President
Sydney Audio Club Inc.
W: http://www.sydneyaudioclub.org/
FB: <https://www.facebook.com/sydneyaudioclub>
Dear Members and Friends of Sydney Audio Club,
This will be one of our famous, “Classic & Vintage” meetings. All the equipment provided for this meeting comes from club members and there is always an interesting selection of kit from years gone by. Some of it will be used to demonstrate just what elderly equipment can do. You might be surprised how it sounds. It won’t be the first-time members have been motivated to take a good long look at vintage HIFI kit. Is it really that good? Or is it just the romantic soft sound of glowing valves and warm transistors and portly speakers? Well, good or bad, this is your chance to experience the sound of some old equipment for yourselves and make up your own mind. So, fan or critic, come along and have a listen.
We get so much kit offered for this meeting we are never able to demonstrate it all, (and of course some of it doesn’t work anymore!) so we also have space for the overflow, (or “Eye Candy” as some term it.) which we place as static exhibits around the room. If by chance you missed out returning the “I can bring….” Form. Fear not, we cannot take equipment to play at this stage, but you can bring in a kit to show in the static exhibition, just bring it along and we will try to find you a space on one of the tables. All we ask is that you provide a little note saying what it is and perhaps its history so that others can share. (If you are bringing something to exhibit, try to come a couple of hours earlier as we are recording the equipment and a snippet of its history)
System Description:
Amps: EAR 549 mono blocks, EAR 834 Phono stage. Quad 405 & Quad 34. Denon 300V, 500V, 700V. Audio Research LS2. Meridian 556.
Speakers: Klipsch Forte. Lambert Minstrel M18. B&W DM1. Foster 6301B
Turntable: Technics SP10 with Audio Origami PU7 arm. Thorens TD 147
Reel to reel: Studer B67. Revox B77 Mk11. Akai M9.
Cassette: Marantz CP430. Sony TC125. Technics 616
Tuner: Audiolab 8000T. Audio Reflex ART1 (Inkel).
Headphones: Sony TC125. Sony DR11.
Meeting Details:
The Covid-Safe Rules as set down by the Epping Creative Centre:
No longer need proof of vaccination status before entry. It is still a requirement that you sign in the Visitor’s Book and notify me if you contract COVID within the week following the meeting. Wearing a mask is not mandated but it is recommended.
For individuals, they should not attend at the Centre if they are unwell and have the symptoms of COVID.
If they have symptoms, they should undertake a RAT to confirm that they do not have COVID before attending at the Centre.
There will be no tech talk for this month.
Please arrive around 1.45 pm for this interesting presentation of the equipment. If you happen to be late just quietly slide into a seat and join the presentation. Our club is based on mutual respect, especially in these open presentations, let us remain respectful towards one another’s views and opinions.
There will be a break from 3.15 pm – 3.30 pm to grab a bite to eat and a drink (tea, coffee, juice and biscuits provided) before our members' favorite bring your music section.
Bring you Music: For this section we will be able to play music on cassette tapes, vinyl and CD. With the cassette tapes and Vinyl, please make sure they are clean and playable.
Please note music cannot be brought on USB, this meeting will not have the ability to play digital music.
Guests are welcome – we are a very friendly club, so you don't need to know anyone to join us for an afternoon of fine music and sound.
Venue: Epping Creative Centre, Dence Park.
Address: 26 Stanley Road, Epping.
When: Sunday 18th June 2023
Doors open: from 1.30 pm to meet and chat with members before the presentation.
Break: from 3.15 pm – 3.30 pm to grab a bite to eat and a drink.
Please sign-in in the visitors’ book. You are not required to wear a mask, but you may, should you wish to do so.
Once again please bring along friends, family and acquaintances to the meeting and enjoy an afternoon of great music and great sound.
Hope to see you there on Sunday.
Best Regards,
Bertrand Braganca
President
Sydney Audio Club Inc.
W: http://www.sydneyaudioclub.org/
FB: <https://www.facebook.com/sydneyaudioclub>