Discussion
Mars said:
Similar size to an Isobarik, and with the Kef B139 "racetrack" driver, but the enclosures don't look the same configuration.
What are they?.. and what happened to them? I love stuff like this. I bet they sounded big.
TLS80 http://www.imf-electronics.com/Home/imf/speaker-ra...What are they?.. and what happened to them? I love stuff like this. I bet they sounded big.
Chimune said:
Unfortunately they are being driven by my av amp rather than the technics kit due to space limitations.
My Yamaha AV amp has pre outs so I have a NAD masters power amp with ProAC studio 150 floor standers with a BK sub and Mission 733 rears. It’s a bit of a mongrel setup up but it works really well for everything from stereo to 5.1. Sounds pretty amazing to be honest and everything has it’s own amp.I also have a Sony Scala 2 set of separates which I’ve owned since new in 1995 with a pair of Tannoy revolution series 2. One of the best sounding combinations I’ve heard.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 18th February 21:43
NGRhodes said:
Mars said:
Similar size to an Isobarik, and with the Kef B139 "racetrack" driver, but the enclosures don't look the same configuration.
What are they?.. and what happened to them? I love stuff like this. I bet they sounded big.
TLS80 http://www.imf-electronics.com/Home/imf/speaker-ra...What are they?.. and what happened to them? I love stuff like this. I bet they sounded big.
MercScot said:
NGRhodes said:
Mars said:
Similar size to an Isobarik, and with the Kef B139 "racetrack" driver, but the enclosures don't look the same configuration.
What are they?.. and what happened to them? I love stuff like this. I bet they sounded big.
TLS80 http://www.imf-electronics.com/Home/imf/speaker-ra...What are they?.. and what happened to them? I love stuff like this. I bet they sounded big.
But in their defence, I was thinking about the revolution and evolution of HiFi in the "old days" last night and I came to the conclusion that you need revolutionary people behind Quad, Linn, Naim and IMF (for example) to experiment and explore the physics, and to come up with whacky ideas and designs that might look out of place in a normal domestic environment in order to better everyone's understanding. All I see these days is more and more Bluetooth boomboxes, which I despise. Room-linked systems have become almost the preserve of Sonos alone (I know there are others but they don't seem to compete), and all the "fun" designs (read: whacky) have become sensible.
If I could afford a set of Activ Klout/Isobariks (or Keltiks) I'd bloody well make room for them... who needs a sofa?
Mars said:
deadslow said:
Similar size to an Isobarik, and with the Kef B139 "racetrack" driver, but the enclosures don't look the same configuration.What are they?.. and what happened to them? I love stuff like this. I bet they sounded big.
Mars said:
MercScot said:
NGRhodes said:
Mars said:
Similar size to an Isobarik, and with the Kef B139 "racetrack" driver, but the enclosures don't look the same configuration.
What are they?.. and what happened to them? I love stuff like this. I bet they sounded big.
TLS80 http://www.imf-electronics.com/Home/imf/speaker-ra...What are they?.. and what happened to them? I love stuff like this. I bet they sounded big.
But in their defence, I was thinking about the revolution and evolution of HiFi in the "old days" last night and I came to the conclusion that you need revolutionary people behind Quad, Linn, Naim and IMF (for example) to experiment and explore the physics, and to come up with whacky ideas and designs that might look out of place in a normal domestic environment in order to better everyone's understanding. All I see these days is more and more Bluetooth boomboxes, which I despise. Room-linked systems have become almost the preserve of Sonos alone (I know there are others but they don't seem to compete), and all the "fun" designs (read: whacky) have become sensible.
If I could afford a set of Activ Klout/Isobariks (or Keltiks) I'd bloody well make room for them... who needs a sofa?
). I was fortunate to spend many hours in the company of John Wright who was heavily involved with IMF prior to starting TDL. John was a mathematician and used his expertise here to help develop the early transmission line designs; he was a charming man who was more than happy to share his extensive knowledge / experiences. Of all the companies you mention above, I think Peter Walker was the standout innovator ( Electrostatic speakers, Current dumping amplifiers ). The others made superb products which were developments of existing principles / technologies.
The TLS80 MKii plots on the link must have been done in a relatively small chamber because the low frequency response is well short of the 20Hz specification.
Edited by Crackie on Friday 19th February 14:57
Since we're doing quirky floorstanders, here are mine. The 'baby' Rega R3. 3 way, with a side firing bass unit that is a beefed up version of the front mid range unit. Mine are most of the way to being the RS3 as I fitted the upgraded tweeters.
I bought them damaged on eBay for a song about 10yrs ago and replaced the tweeters and a couple of drivers. The victims of a drunken party according to the PO!
I love these speakers, clear and tight, the treble and midrange really sing and the bass is punchy enough without being boomy or uncontrolled. They look good too, and are small enough not to dominate the room.
My Systemdek IIX turntable is even older, bought second-hand from Vickers hi fi in York in the late 80s! Unusual Helios Scorpio arm, Linn K5 cartridge. Gave it a bit of an overhaul during lockdown, stripped, cleaned and reset arm bearings and cartridge, fixed the broken anti-skate, re-dressed the arm wires which had been snagging. It's no LP12 beater but it's been part of my life since I was a student and I wouldn't be without it.
Amp is fairly run of the mill Arcam A65 with a matching CD65 too. Not high end by any means but makes a well balanced set up.
Rotel 810 tuner and Yamaha tape deck get zero use these days but complete the retro picture. My sole 21st century concession is Sony BM10 Bluetooth module so I can do Spotify and prove to the kids I am only 90% a dinosaur;)
dontlookdown said:
My Systemdek IIX turntable
I remember I had a Systemdec in the eighties. iirc it was painted with Nextel and you could get them in many exotic colours. Paired with Infinity tone-arm and Denon cartridge which had been sent to New Zealand to be customised by the Garret brothers. Old now, and memory hazy, so details could be wrong.Sadly most of my kit isn't set up particularly well due to moving house.
However this is my pride and joy will be most upset if ever it snuffs it.
A good while ago cost me about £40. Worth several times that now I would imagine.
Pair of B & W 601 S2's four around £60, again worth a bit more now I would guess.
NAD 320BEE Amp, as mentioned before recapped as they come with cheap Chinese caps from the factory.
Now is full of panasonic FC series.
Also have a Arcam Alpha 7R which is prob a step up from the NAD. Will maybe source a CD7 to go with that.
However this is my pride and joy will be most upset if ever it snuffs it.
A good while ago cost me about £40. Worth several times that now I would imagine.
Pair of B & W 601 S2's four around £60, again worth a bit more now I would guess.
NAD 320BEE Amp, as mentioned before recapped as they come with cheap Chinese caps from the factory.
Now is full of panasonic FC series.
Also have a Arcam Alpha 7R which is prob a step up from the NAD. Will maybe source a CD7 to go with that.
deadslow said:
dontlookdown said:
My Systemdek IIX turntable
I remember I had a Systemdec in the eighties. iirc it was painted with Nextel and you could get them in many exotic colours. Paired with Infinity tone-arm and Denon cartridge which had been sent to New Zealand to be customised by the Garret brothers. Old now, and memory hazy, so details could be wrong.It's not the most revealing turntable in the world but it does have a pleasingly 'vinyl' sound that I am fond of.
dontlookdown said:
deadslow said:
dontlookdown said:
My Systemdek IIX turntable
I remember I had a Systemdec in the eighties. iirc it was painted with Nextel and you could get them in many exotic colours. Paired with Infinity tone-arm and Denon cartridge which had been sent to New Zealand to be customised by the Garret brothers. Old now, and memory hazy, so details could be wrong.It's not the most revealing turntable in the world but it does have a pleasingly 'vinyl' sound that I am fond of.
but other colours were available
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