GammaElectronics ... since 2005, concentrating on vintage and non-audiophile
audio gear.
In the 1970s and 1980s, which were perhaps the Golden Age of great-sounding
and affordable audio gear, the mainstream audio companies -- Sony, Pioneer,
JBL, etc., sold at Sears, JC Penney, Fretter, Crazy Eddies,
Highland, Pacific Stereo, and other "appliance
stores", at least here in the United States -- were meant for the general
public -- by far, the largest group of consumer audio components. This audio
gear had big, room-filling sound that delivered excitement and emotion. "Audiophile" gear,
being more expensive, and a fraction of the audio market, offers more nuanced
(delicate) sonics. But sound that might not be as much fun! Explore
our site, then seek out the vintage gear on FB Marketplace, flea markets,
eBay or your local thrift store.
NEWS!
Now incorporating information, guides and articles related to: Electrical
Engineering and Science for Manufacturing Applications, including: industrial
electronics, DIY electronics, breadboard projects, and related areas.
This website is an ideal companion for industry and academia alike.
top: Classic Dual turntable review in Audio magazine (Feb. 1977). above: Advertisement for a Dual 1249 turntable, Audio magazine
(May 1977).
above: Portion of Dual turntable ad from April 1978.
above: Photo from an ad of the Dual 731Q turntable, ca. March 1980.
above: Scanning Beam Microscope photo of Stereohedron stylus; 2000 times magnification. Brackets point out wider contact area. Photo featured in this
1979 Stanton Magnetic ad.
Stereo Review (American hi-fi audio magazine,
published 1958-1999)
Hot Tip!!! DIY audio (RCA/phono) interconnects
What to use:
WIRE: I use JSC Wire--Multi-Conductor
Overall Foil Shield 75°C, 300 V, PE Insulation (the version shown here is more than two conductors)...
...which I get at the
local electronics-parts store. It's good enough for most industrial and residential
applications and far from being cheap-grade. I also use Canare microphone
or coaxial cable; I don't think this more-expensive, audio-app-specific wire
is better than JSC.
PHONO (RCA) CONNECTORS: Neutrik, Switchcraft, Canare, etc.
How to wire: Blue is signal - tip on plug;
Screen (shield) is return (ground) - outer on plug. So, how about white?
Wire it to the outer at the signal (source) end only, making the cable "directional".
Old-is-new trends are common in all eras, gadget genres, and formats.
Gear "collectors" may be motivated by nostalgia or boredom
or re-sale value (eBay stores)... but let's set these excuses aside, and simply
ask this fundamental question:
How much technical progress has really been
made in audio science and engineering -- that is, does modern equipment really sound
better?
Is there such a thing as "timeless high-fidelity?"
Perhaps, yes, if one is talking about: vinyl on classic Thorens turntables,
played on decades-old electrostatic and horn loudspeakers, and (of
course) through vintage vacuum-tube gear. This old stuff, when functioning
properly and reliably (and maybe restored), can directly compete
with many contemporary models.
Much old gear can be found on eBay and Craig’s List for considerably less
money than band new (or even used-but-modern equipment, as in the overpriced used/2nd hand/trade-in section of hi-fi shops).
Knowing when to invest in old gear takes practice and skill (sometimes
literally: as in using a soldering iron!). But the economic and self-accomplishment
rewards are well worth it! You many never buy new gear again!
This type of headphone is essentially in the same family as the moving-coil
type, except that the coil has, in effect, been unwound and fixed to a
thin, light, plastics diaphragm.
The annular magnetic gap has been replaced by opposing bar magnets, which
cause the magnetic field to be squashed more or less parallel to the diaphragm.
The " coil " is in fact now a thin conductor zig-zagging or spiraling
its way across the surface of the diaphragm, oriented at right angles
to the magnetic field so that sending a constant direct current through
the conductor results in a more or less equal unidirectional force, which
displaces the diaphragm from its rest position. An alternating music signal
therefore causes the diaphragm to vibrate in sympathy with it, creating
a sound-wave analogue of the music. (read
more...)
Now incorporating site formerly known as "Measurement-Testing.com" !!! This
was one of our sister sites (2005-2016) created simultaneously with industrial-electronics.com.
It has moved in! All its content are finally and conveniently here on gammaelectronics!
There are affiliate ads and product links on this web site. I earn income
by ad-link clicks (e.g. "Ads by Google") and product sales
(e.g. Amazon). If you are genuinely motivated to click a link
or purchase a linked product, by all means do so. However, please realize
that I obviously have financial interests here and while I try to be
objective and fair in product reviews and recommendations, some personal
bias may leak through. Also realize that it takes dozens to hundreds
of ad-link clicks and/or product sales to affect income generation on
this site. So, as an
individual, your support or non-support of affiliate-linked products
or ads is only a drop in a large body of water.
