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Classic Valve Amplifiers and stuff!

 

If you are like me – you will love ‘old’ stereo equipment, especially valve amplifiers. In this section we take a look at some of the landmark manufacturers such as Leak, Quad, Thorens, Garrard, Shure, SME, etc, who made an impact on the development of ‘Hi Fi’ (does anyone call it that these days?).

 

My memories of record systems and valve amplifiers go back to pre-33rpm; when our dad had a large collection of 78s. I remember he had an electric record player (very posh!) and by its side resided a small box. In this box lived needles – these were religiously changed every eighth record. Dad kept a pad by the record player and each time it was played he would make a note on the pad!

 

With the introduction of LPs into our house, the equipment to play them also changed. First, dad bought an HMV valve amplifier/radiogram - of course – but before too long he changed this for separate stereo pieces.

 

The first set-up he bought in the late 1960’s consisted of:

 

Thorens TD150 record deck; SME 3009 Series 11 Tonearm; Shure V15 cartridge; Leak 30 Plus amplifier; Leak Sandwich 600 Speakers.

 

I am very proud still to own the Leak 30 Plus Amplifier.

 

I also still have the original packaging and brochure which came with it! The style of instruction inside it is like going back years!

 

Dad (as dads do!) gave me his cast-offs when he updated, so I continued to use his Leak stuff for a number of years – here’s a photo of my daughter Sarah in 1974 (hope she doesn’t see this – I’ll be dead!) aged about 10 months holding up a Leak 600 – or was it the speaker holding up Sarah?

 

Regrettably I don’t have the speakers anymore.

 

Over the years some of my friends bought Quad valve amplifiers – which at the time was way out of my range!

 

But it did sow the seeds of interest, and around 10 years ago I was fortunate enough to acquire an un-molested set of Quad 11 valve amplifiers & Quad 22 control unit.

 

Last year I bought a pair of Quad ESL-57 electrostatic speakers from Ebay – unseen and untested. I am pleased to say – like lots of people on Ebay – the seller was a genuine person and I now own a great pair.
 

 

They are not yet operational as we are in the process of some serious renovation work in our home and when completed I will have a ‘Listening room’ especially for my Hi Fi. I’ll keep you updated with progress!

 

So now my system consists of:

 

Thorens TD125 Mk11; SME 3009 Series 11 tonearm; Shure M75ED; Quad 11 mono blocks; Quad 22 control unit; Quad ESL-57 speakers.

 

Currently I am using Tannoy Mercury Speakers – they’re good through the Quad 11 valve amplifiers – mind, I do have them on a pair of good quality stands – makes a world of difference.

 

If you have a passion for a particular make I have not yet listed – or want to share your memories of systems you’ve owned over the years, please contact me with the details ,and I’ll gladly add them to these pages.

 

 

Copyright: Unless specifically stated Intellectual property rights and web design Vinyl Records Still Live

 

Quad 11 Valve amps

Quad Electroacoustics is a British manufacturer of hi-fi equipment, based in Huntingdon, England. ........

H.J.Leak & Co. Ltd

The Leak company was founded in 1934 by Harold Joseph Leak and was sold to the Rank Organisation in January 1969.  ........

Linn Sondek LP 12

LP12 is the abbreviation for the legendary Linn Sondek™ LP12 transcription turntable produced by Glasgow,........

SME

Set in the heart of the Sussex countryside at the foot of the south downs SME is the home of arguably the finest precision gramophone pick-up arms and turntables in the world.....

Shure V15

The first of the classic Shure's was the Shure V15 that arrived on the hifi scene in 1964,........

Thorens

Founded in 1883. Thorens is known as one of the oldest and most experienced manufacturers of sound reproduction equipment in Europe. ........

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