Stellavox SP7

I'm new to Stellavox reel to reel players but they look like quality equipment. Since it is made in Switzerland that is easy to understand..

Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs

My girlfriend bought me The B-52's first and second albums released by Mobile Fidelity Sound labs yesterday for my birthday. While we were too busy too listen to them yesterday today the hood is going to get an earful. Cranking the tunes right now.

Retro Hi-Fi Girl Friday

Oswalds Mill Monarch

The first time I saw the Monarch I thought oh man the Monarch is gonna be pissed. If you watch the venture brothers its pretty funny otherwise maybe not lol.... Oh well. I'd like to think they named it after The Monarch instead of the butterfly.

The Monarch is a nice looking speaker and I do like two way speakers for simplicity sake. Looks like a Bill Woods horn on top which isn't a big surprise. http://www.acoustichorn.com/

From OMA.
The OMA Monarch is the new standard for a two way speaker. Two 15" woofers mounted in a unique enclosure deliver bass that no high end design using small woofers can even hope to match. 104db efficiency (1w/1m) means any low powered tube amplifier can drive the Monarch. Large solid wood baffles help load the woofers and make room placement far less demanding. OMA's proprietary cast aluminum alloy horn and compression driver cover the midrange and high frequencies, with superb integration due to a simple crossover network.

The Monarch is available in a range of wood types and finishes. Shown in Pennsylvania Black Walnut.

http://www.oswaldsmillaudio.com/Products/monarch.html

The Smurfhorn

This is a really interesting Klipschorn remodel. At first I didn't like it but it is really growing on me. They did really good work. I wish I had a before and after pic. Perhaps I'll do a Smurfhorn instead of Tineo.

Good work.

I can't help but wonder if it was inspired by the infamous Smurfscala.

As my girlfriend and Martin reminded me it is more of a T.A.R.D.I.S blue. But what would the Title have been Tardhorn? Hmm that wouldn't be right.... Although a time traveling khorn would be rad. Or how about a horn that is bigger on the inside than on the outside ;)


This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

Rabco Linear Tracking

I've always wanted to have a linear tracking tonearm. In fact I almost did it this time but instead went with a simple 12 inch tonearm. There is still time.

This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PWK!

GET OUT AND LISTEN TO SOME LOW DISTORTION HIGH EFFICIENCY HORNS!

Thanks for all the great horns.



This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

Retro Hi-Fi Girl Friday

BOS Beacon Of Sound - THE KRAKEN

BOS Beacon Of Sound

Brilliant name for a speaker. I like it. It looks really different. Does it sound good? One way to find out.

Kraken specs
Hight 170 cm
Width 95 cm
Depth 160 cm
25Hz-20KHz /-3dB

Loudspeakers for BoS are produced by "VortexCNC" small 3 man woodshop, founded 1996 in Belgrade, Serbia. In 1998 we got our first loudspeaker order, and in the next several years we made and tested allmost every posible loudspeaker koncept, mostly for a third party. Soon I became aware of the advantages of rounded speakers, and we made Suspiro, my first bell conical loudspeaker. Then folowed Pensilis and Vigor. It seemed to me that Vigor was the perfect speaker, and there is nothing more or else that could be done for better sound. But then I discovered horns...




This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

Western Electric Triad

I like their style. This is superb. My kind of room.

This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

McIntosh New 50 Watt Amplifier Circuit 1949

The first major change in years in amplifier coupling circuit principles is discussed, together with details of the components employed.

Frank H. Mcintosh
and
Gorgon J. Gow

Description and analysis of a New 50 Watt Amplifier Circuit

This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

Western Electric 15A

This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

Gogol Bordello

Its March and the weather is rock'n today. I'm hanging out in the backyard treating the hood to gypsy punk songs by Gogol Bordello. I like listening out side when the horns are inside... It helps blow out the cobwebs




love them gypsy punks


This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

Retro Hi-Fi Girl Friday

Yes your cute your naked but GET YOUR FINGERS OFF THE VINYL!

RCA Advert Tube

This is the coolest piece of audio product bling I have ever seen. It was described as neon but I don't think so. I'd love to have a few of these for an RCA nightlight project.

This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

Hi-Fi Shop Santa Rosa, CA 1958

They don't make Hi-Fi shops like this anymore. Ahh the glory days of Hi-Fi. Thanks for the photos Fini. These are incredible.

This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

The Archive PBS Real Stories.

What an amazing story. One man and his insanely huge archive estimated value at $50 million... He almost sold it for $3m in 2008. I don't doubt the figure. I hope someone saves the archive and keeps it together. Paul Mawhinney is my hero.

This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

Afro Funk Body Music via Secret Stash Records

Thank you Secret Stash for another great reissue. I really dig the special editions for the first 200 orders. I posted on another record from SSR not long ago check it out. This release meets the same high standards.

Excerpt from http://secretstashrecords.com/
Body Music, Afro Funk's 1975 LP, was recorded and released in London, England. The band was comprised mostly of West-African expatriates residing there. At the time, the city was host to a vibrant African music scene. The massive success of Osibisa created a swarm of young bands trying to use London as a launching pad for international stardom. Unfortunately, Afro Funk did not find the success they were looking for and Body Music became their only album. The deep funk grooves and driving afrobeat rhythms featured on this rare LP have made it a desired addition to record collections around the world.

After its small private press release in London on "Kabana Records," Body Music was also released in extremely limited quantites by Kojo Asare's Chairman Records in Ghana. Despite the well crafted mix of various West-African styles and American funk, without the support of a label and no major touring it quickly faded into obscurity. Today copies rarely surface. Secret Stash is proud to present the first ever reissue of this collectable piece of African music history. As always, this vinyl only release includes a digital download card giving the user high quality MP3s of the entire album.

The limited edition version is blue and white as is the vinyl.

Gotta love details like wax seals. I slit the side with a scalpel so I could leave it intact.

Hand numbered.

The vinyl looks superb. I must admit to being a sucker for colored vinyl art vinyl or picture disc. This LP looks superb!!

They also provide free digital downloads for LP orders.

Check out this great preview from Secret Stash Records.

Thank you Secret Stash Records for another amazing reissue. It seems the special edition already sold out but don't let that stop you check out the track previews and if you dig it place an order. http://secretstashrecords.com/store/afrofunk/

There are a handful of record labels resurrecting very important music that would be otherwise very expensive or difficult if not impossible to find. This is very important work they are doing and SSR does a great job of getting the music back to the people. Thanks again SSR.



This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com

The Boomerang Klipschorns

So I sold some Klipschorns a year or two ago. They are fairly ugly B style with some fugly unmatched Oak lacquer finish. The guy I sold them to found a pretty pair of walnut khorns so he offered them back to me when I just happened to have enough cash in my pocket. The timing was good so now they are home again.

This leads me to my latest project. I need to find a reasonable priced great looking veneer. I'm leaning toward teak or Tineo Indian Applewood or zebrawood but I'm still looking around. Anyone have suggestions? I'd like whatever veneer I pick to go well with cane grill. This leads me to my next question which is does anyone have a good source for cane grill?

Here is some khorn porn.

This post originated at retro vintage modern hi-fi http://itishifi.blogspot.com