Yeah, a gumball machine full of Skittles. And a vintage stereo system.
Sometime in November I discovered that the left channel of my Jolida 502 amp was quiet. Basic troubleshooting revealed that it wasn't a defective tube, input source, speaker or speaker wire. Something internal. Maybe it's time to send it in to the manufacturer for a complete repair and tuneup. I bought it used more than ten years ago and it probably needs some capacitors replaced. But the dang thing weighs an Irish ton and I'd have to pay shipping to and from Maryland. I'm still debating sending it in or not.
Around that time, my wife was asking what I wanted for my birthday and Christmas. Then I had a great idea: "How about pitching in to help me buy this vintage tube amp on ebay? Mine is acting up and I'll need a backup system. Oh, and I have this ebay coupon for 10% off electronics." She agreed and so I ordered this Knight 333 for $143:
It was made at the Pioneer factory in Japan from 1973-1975 and is nearly identical to the Pioneer SX-34, just rebranded for an American reseller. In addition to its several input jacks and power amp, it has a built-in tube radio and phono stage pre-amp. It also has the green-glowing tuning eye tube and a nice wood cabinet. It sounds great, but some of its 13 tubes could use replacing. Due to its age, it will also likely need new capacitors before too long. I also laid down $20 for a service manual and circuit schematic to help me with maintenance.
This amp puts out about 15 watts per channel, so requires speakers with high sensitivity to achieve adequate volume. My current Bowers & Wilkins mini-monitors have a sensitivity rating of 91 dB which is considered high by modern standards. I think I could get by with them on the Knight 333, but saw these Pioneer cs-77 speakers (picture shows only one of the two) on craigslist for $50 and snatched them up:
With a sensitivity rating of 108 dB they get loud very easy. This model dates back to 1969. They sold for $59 at the time so were considered entry-level hi-fi. Many of the reviews online mention that they were purchased by soldiers in Vietnam and shipped back to the States. Sure enough, the man I bought them from did the same. The trellis woodwork was symbolic of hi-fi Japanese speakers from this era. I like the look and they sound nice.
Since the Knight 333 amp has the phone stage pre-amp, I figured I might as well get a component turntable to complete the system. For $60 I got a fine deal on ebay for this Dual 1218:
Made in the Black Forest, Germany in 1971-72 and sold for $189 at the time, so was considered moderately hi-fi. It could use an internal cleaning and relube to get the automatic play mechanism functioning properly, but works great manually. I just need to get up and stop it at the end of each side. Poor me. I'm looking forward to getting it all cleaned, lubed, and the multiplay spindle installed so I can sit back and enjoy six sides without having to flip or change records.
Altogether, it's a vintage tube system for less than $300. Should I have gotten an iPod instead? Not a chance! Now I can take my Spirit of St. Louis to work to serve as the office sound system:
2 comments:
I'll take an iPod!!!! ;-)
Another one?!?!
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