Decent Old Valve Stuff (Dynatron)
Discussion
Now we all would love a virgin NOS quad valve stereo setup or equivalent with electrostatic speakers and unobtanium turntable.
But for mere mortals on a budget some retro hifi valve bargains are to be had on flea bay if you bide your time..
I recently started lusting after a decent old valve radiogram for a vinyl fix. Setup some searches and wait..
Zillions of cheap radiograms were made, mainly with single elliptical speakers per channel, one gnat power amplifiers and plywood housings.
But some decent expensive valve ones do exist if you search them out.
Quality kit bought by the wealthy using guineas from the 1930'as onwards they often graced many a fine drawing room.
Until recently destined for the skip by relatives pecking over the inheritance corpse they now have a resurgence as valued hifi.
You can still find some decent stuff with a bit of cunning and knowhow.
Anyway I basically bought a Dynatron Marlow RG24 stereo radiogram a couple of weeks ago for the princely sum of £144
That's probably not far off what it cost new in the 19??'s
Loads of valves, 4 x ECL-86 push pull stereo amplifier, three speakers per channel stereo, Bass, midrange and tweeter...
separate 5 valve 6 waveband tuner chassis with FM, Garrard AT6 turntable etc etc It's a gem and sounds great.
Anyway stuff of this vintage needs some tlc and replacement capacitors and resistors etc before it used in earnest.
Luckily electronics is my thing so just waiting on delivery of some parts before it blasts the neighbors into oblivion with opera..
OK It's aesthetic style is very subjective and won't likely blend with your Ikea 'Billy' Bookcase or 'Gurn' Settee.
But it matches my Red Cross charity shop dark brown sofa and 'covers anything up' carpet.
Anyway this gives you an inside tour.
https://youtu.be/Jmc2Qo7LMxw
But for mere mortals on a budget some retro hifi valve bargains are to be had on flea bay if you bide your time..
I recently started lusting after a decent old valve radiogram for a vinyl fix. Setup some searches and wait..
Zillions of cheap radiograms were made, mainly with single elliptical speakers per channel, one gnat power amplifiers and plywood housings.
But some decent expensive valve ones do exist if you search them out.
Quality kit bought by the wealthy using guineas from the 1930'as onwards they often graced many a fine drawing room.
Until recently destined for the skip by relatives pecking over the inheritance corpse they now have a resurgence as valued hifi.
You can still find some decent stuff with a bit of cunning and knowhow.
Anyway I basically bought a Dynatron Marlow RG24 stereo radiogram a couple of weeks ago for the princely sum of £144
That's probably not far off what it cost new in the 19??'s
Loads of valves, 4 x ECL-86 push pull stereo amplifier, three speakers per channel stereo, Bass, midrange and tweeter...
separate 5 valve 6 waveband tuner chassis with FM, Garrard AT6 turntable etc etc It's a gem and sounds great.
Anyway stuff of this vintage needs some tlc and replacement capacitors and resistors etc before it used in earnest.
Luckily electronics is my thing so just waiting on delivery of some parts before it blasts the neighbors into oblivion with opera..
OK It's aesthetic style is very subjective and won't likely blend with your Ikea 'Billy' Bookcase or 'Gurn' Settee.
But it matches my Red Cross charity shop dark brown sofa and 'covers anything up' carpet.
Anyway this gives you an inside tour.
https://youtu.be/Jmc2Qo7LMxw
Edited by peterperkins on Thursday 6th February 17:55
Lovely thing, I had something a little smaller as a child in my bedroom,I used to listen to Tony Blackburn and Arnold the dog on a Sunday morning. I used to switch it on a few minutes before and sit listening to it crackling and the volume getting louder as it warmed up.
Bakelite knobs, and the radio dial with the exotic cities printed on the dial,Moscow,Luxembourg etc. Evocative smell as it got warm as well.
During the 1970s when HiFi was still expensive people used to pull these apart and mount the amplifiers and speakers in homemade ply boxes to get a cheap hifi. The Garrard record decks were often removed as they were quality products
My brother had a couple made like this, traded from a friend who used to scour the tip looking for them.
I bet that one sounds sublime. Enjoy
Bakelite knobs, and the radio dial with the exotic cities printed on the dial,Moscow,Luxembourg etc. Evocative smell as it got warm as well.
During the 1970s when HiFi was still expensive people used to pull these apart and mount the amplifiers and speakers in homemade ply boxes to get a cheap hifi. The Garrard record decks were often removed as they were quality products
My brother had a couple made like this, traded from a friend who used to scour the tip looking for them.
I bet that one sounds sublime. Enjoy
Well it's now back together working, inspected, recapped and lubed.
It does have a rubbing coil on the right hand side R&A bass speaker so that is out on the bench for some magnet tapping etc.
If I can't fix it i will look around for a spare or replace both 10" bass units with modern ones.
https://youtu.be/hOhyQGG1ZVs
It does have a rubbing coil on the right hand side R&A bass speaker so that is out on the bench for some magnet tapping etc.
If I can't fix it i will look around for a spare or replace both 10" bass units with modern ones.
https://youtu.be/hOhyQGG1ZVs
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