Vintage Audio Online

Crown SX-724 Reel to Reel

These wonderful Crown reel to reel machines were made in the USA - Elkhart, Indiana to be exact.  This particular model sports the rare Crown hub adaptors for playing 10.5" reels.  Of course, it also plays 7" reels, and is capable of multiple speeds for both tape.

The machine retains the classic brushed silver faceplate that Crown is known for, offset my black dials, switches and trim and those two wonderful VU meters.  Giving away its commercial focus, this machine is wrapped in a heavy duty road case and many of the 700 and 800 series Crown Reel to Reel tape players were.

This machine is for sale for $400.  Please contact us if you are interested.

More pictures after the break.

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I pulled out the Ace Bass B2-50 for someone today and connected it to what I had lying around.   A pair of budget Audex speakers (circa 1960) and a Pioneer SX-1250 receiver.  I turned out be quite a good demo, mainly because the small 6-8" woofers in the 2-way Audex speakers are quite bass shy, giving the superb B2-50 lots of room to shine.  Of course, the SX-1250 was an excellent performer (as always) with 160 watts on tap into these 8 ohm speakers.  I've never seen a receiver pull in so many FM stations in stereo without an antenna connected.

Some details on the AudioPro Ace Bass.  Its a powered subwoofer produced by 3dGruppen of Sweden and utilizes two 6.5" drivers made by Philips capable of doing 20Hz at realistic listening levels.  It does great for audio, where many modern subwoofers fall flat.

A few more shots after the break.
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Packard Bell DPA-10 Stereo Tube Amplifier : Before!

Model:  Packard Bell DPA-10 Amplifier removed from a Packard Bell RPC-5 Console.

Tubes:  1 x EZ81 Rectifier 2 x 6AQ5 output tubes 1 x 7025 Signal tube

I've never restored or re-built a tube amplifier, so I figured this little console amplifier would be a good place to start.  It's a nice little stereo amplifier, with its two output transformers mounted underneath the chassis.  There's one tube per channel, which I figure should be good for 5-8 watts per channel.

Somewhat unusual for a console amp, all the connections are available on the front panel of the amplifier.  There's two jacks for the left and right speakers, 2 RCA plug inputs and one octal plug which is currently jumpered to the 'on' position.  There's also an unconnected RCA plug, which was presumably used for something else in another version of this amplifier.

The plan is to clean this up, sand it down and respray it.  Then, change any capacitors, restistors and other parts as needed and mount it on a small wooden plinth.

Part 1 of 3:  Cleaning and Sanding is detailed after the break.

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Western Electric Ballantyne Sound Master 6SN7 5514 6B4 Tube Theater Amplifier

Tons of potential in this cool theatre amplifier!

Current bid is over $360

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Western-Electric-Ballantyne-Sound-Master-6SN7-5514-6B4-Tube-Theater-Amplifier-/370801723832?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item56558149b8

Hickok 6000A Tube Tester

In the market for a great tube tester?  This Hickok 600A might be for you.  Unlike some cheaper models, this Hickok 6000A is a mutual conductance tester, which gives you better testing results.  Current bid is $290 from seller Tube.Valley who has been auctioning off a huge amount of tube equipment from the estate of Vacuum Tube Valley.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hickok-6000A-Tube-Tester-3-/261204422012?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd0ff2d7c

KLH Model Eight FM Receiver And Remote Speaker Tube Radio

A classic KLH tube radio and speaker.  Perfect for your kitchen setup!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KLH-Model-Eight-FM-Receiver-And-Remote-Speaker-Tube-Radio-/390582775165?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item5af08c2d7d

How many pieces can you name?

Vintage Sony Audio Equipment (circa 1976)

Image Credit: Starsky on eBay

McIntosh C-20 Stereo Compensator / Preamplifier (1959-1963)

Retail price $269.00 in 1959.

"Simplicity, flexibility, and beauty have been integrated by careful engineering and design in the McIntosh C-20 Stereo Compensator. The greatest listening pleasure in stereo or monophonic reproduction is assured as a result of over a year of careful and diligent research in hte requirements of a new preamplifier designed for stereo. Full stereo flexibility has been provided plus built in protection for your investment in monophonic records. McIntosh has designed in the C-20 Stereo Compensator the necessary features required to give the finest monophonic reproduction the keenest listener may require. Complete satisfaction is yours in monophonic and stereophonic with the McIntosh C-20 Stereo Compensator."

For Sale:   This Mcintosh C-20 is currently for sale on eBay via seller Starsky. Get your bids in now, auction ends April 23, 2014.

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Pioneer PL-115D Turntable

The Pioneer PL-115D is a great turntable dating from the mid to late 1970's.  It features a substantial plinth that keeps vibration and resonance to a minimum.  This table starts automatically when the arm is moved over to the record.  Cueing is manual, but the arm is automatically returned when a record is finished.  There's adjustment for tracking weight via a counterweight, and and a small knob to the right to set the anti-skating adjustment.

A cartridge can be mounted via a standard 1/2" mount headshell.

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Marantz Model 18 Receiver

First up is this very clean Marantz 18 receiver, shipping from Mason Ohio.  One of the last Marantz receivers produced in the USA (before production moved to Japan), this early production was built in Marantz’s original factory in Woodside, NY.

Current bid is over $600, and please do note that the seller discloses some issues with the AUX and Tape inputs.

Sold for $730 4/15/2013

Hickok 600A Tube Tester

In the market for a great tube tester?  This Hickok 600A might be for you.  Unlike some cheaper models, this Hickok 6000A is a mutual conductance tester, which gives you better testing results.  Current bid is $290 from seller Tube.Valley who has been auctioning off a huge amount of tube equipment from the estate of Vacuum Tube Valley.

Sold for $300 4/15/2013

'Barn Find' Eico HF-89

How about this powerhouse tube amplifier?  The Eico HF-89 uses four EL34 power tubes.  This barn find example is untested but the chassis shows real promise for a great restoration.

Sold for $709 4/15/2013

Marantz 2215B Receiver (1973-1977, MSRP 250 USD)

The Marantz 2215B has a relatively modest 15 watts per channel, and certainly isn't as big and powerful as some of it's bigger, but similiar, Marantz receiver brethren, but it still has that wonderful Marantz sound.  The five main control knobs have a wonderful sense of symmetry on the classic brushed silver Marantz faceplate.  Also present is the classic Marantz blue dial.

The 2215B can be paired with a WC-116 or WC-15T wood cabinet.

Check out the rest of the pictures after the break.

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Read the October Issue, 1962 of Hifi & Stereo Review after the break.

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