Pioneer S-A4SPT-VP Pure Malt speakers

I used to have pair of nice Pioneer speakers from 2007 but for some reason, I have sold it, a decision that I have regretted. 

Last week, I have helped my friend KY to hunt for a pair of Falcon LS3/5a and this has triggered me to restart my hifi journey. 

Last night, I have decided to search for a pair of nice book shelf speakers in Hk. My key choices are Dali Minuet II, Le3/5a, Tannoy Autograph OW, and the Pioneer VP Pure Malt.

In the end, I have chosen the Pioneer vP Pure Malt as the speakers are made with vintage whiskey barrels wood. While most "wood" speakers are in fact constructed from medium-density fiberboard, essentially sawdust mixed with wax and resin, topped off with either real or ersatz wood veneers, the Pioneer S-A4SPT-PM speakers are constructed from solidoak--wood that just happened to spend the last half-century as a whiskey barrel. This Pioneer with cross over with Santori whiskey was a real success when it was launched. This is a good concept as it promotes recycling and green environment.

The speakers are suitable for HK owing to its small size. Moreover it has an interesting cross over mentioned above plus good sound. I am slowly rebuilding my hifi gears...

For a write up, please see below

JVC EX A1 Wood cone speakers

This is a pair of Solid cherry-wood speaker cabinets with sake-soaked birch-wood speaker cones; elegant stereo receiver/DVD-Audio and video player. Yes, what sets the EX-A1 apart from every other mass-produced audio system on the planet: JVC replaced the usual plastic, metal, or paper drivers with birch-wood speaker cones that are soaked in sake to increase their flexibility. 

This is my second set of JVC AXE1. The first set bought in 2004 was sold away several years ago after I shifted apartment in HKG. Since my reposting back to HKG, I have listed to Radio mostly and one day decided to bring back the familiar sound of the JVC wood cone speakers

For my listening, I prefer to use it with my mini tube amplifiers with blue tooth signal connecting to my Iphone .This compact stereo is really small, fitting on a bookshelf. The style of the unit is great - rich heavy wood speakers and brushed metal main unit, minimal display, cool volume knob. The sound is deep and full; sufficient for a room or possibly small apartment. 

 

 

Servicing of the Telefunken Opus 7

After using the Telefunken Opus 7 for several weeks, I have decided to send it to Sifu for servicing. After all, ths unit was produced in 1967/7 and since everything is original, there will be a need to replace some of the caps.

Initially, I have contacted a sifu from the Review33 but he has wanted $700 for checking and minimum $3000 for complete service which is very expensive. Fortunately, I have managed to find a good sifu that is highly recommended by collectors, Mr Leung.

After sending the radio to him on the 3rd July, the Radio is at its final inspection stage. It should be ready in a few days time. Sp glad that I am able to get it completely serviced at a reasonable price.

淺談古董真空管收音機 (一）Wi Wi

淺談古董真空管收音機 (一）

今次換一吓話題談談古董收音機，我們最近從報章上得知很多數碼廣播電台接二連三地把牌照交囬給政府不再經營。對於部分人是壞消息，但是對於我和一些古董收音機的收藏家來說卻是一個好消息；因為之前當數碼電台正式開始廣播的時候，政府曾經說過要續步取消中波和超短波廣播，那麼我們的真空管收音機和調諧器（Tuner) 便不能使用而要面臨淘汰；但是今次數碼廣播電台反被淘汰了，真是令人感到意外。

關於古董收音機自40年代開始，而50至60年代可說是黃金時期，因為當第二次世界大戰結束後，一般市民大眾沒有像今天多姿多采的娛樂活動，而開着收音機收聽天空小説廣播或聽聽音樂留意一下流行榜已是一大娛樂。以當時在香港及亞太區的生活水平，收音機也可以說是奢侈品。

在50至60年代的真空管收音機可說百花齊放；世界各地的收音機製造商可以分為兩大陣營，就是以徳國、英國為首的歐洲機和以美國為首的美國、加拿大機；兩種收音機在設計和特性都顯著不同。歐洲機設計精緻複雜，外型高貴，可以收聴世界各地的電台，有些更備有FM超短波頻道，在當時FM是一種最新的廣播模式，聲音非常傳真而且不受天氣影響。不過歐洲收音機價錢非常昂貴，動不動需要港幣$500 一部，在當時已經是一個普通文員的月薪。到了60年代香港開始引入一些日本和美國收音機進口價約百餘元一部，設計簡單和修理容易，適合一些中等家庭；從此香港步入了全盛的無線廣播時代；而有缐廣播的麗的呼聲亦因此被淘汰了。

NOS tubes

I have managed to find some NOS tubes Valvo ECC40, Mullard EF80, Mullard EC92 from Central HK for my Grundig 5010 and also another set of nice Valvo EL12 coke bottle shaped tubes from UK.

Tubes for Grundig 5010

Tubes for Grundig 5010: 

EF80: HF-Amplifier(FM)

EC92: FM-Frequency changer

EF85: MF-Amplifier(FM), HF-Amplifier(AM)
ECH81: AM-Frequency changer
EAF42: MF-Amplifier
EABC80: Detector and AF-amplifier
ECC40: AF-phase shifter
EL12 2x: AF Outputstage
EM34: Tuning-indicator

Grundig 5010

I have played with my new Grundig 5010 for several days and I like the power of the music and the great conditions and its abilities to play all kind of music.  Have recorded a sample of music.