March 1st 2010

OUR TAKE ON ‘CLASSIC AMPS VERSUS MODERN AMPS’

In a nutshell, it comes down to dollars!

Quality amplifiers in the 70's & 80's, on average, cost about 1/2 the price of an average vehicle. Spend that sort of money today & you'll get yourself a truly 'awesome' amp.

Spend $500 to $800 today on a quality classic amp compared to the same value on a modern amp, and the difference will be like chalk & cheese - just the weight of the old amp will indicate quality - to smooth out our rough old 240v power supply, you need transformers & copper wire that's heavy - pick up a modern amp for that value & it'll be like a black empty shoe-box! Pick up a quality modern amp (say $10,000 worth) & it'll be heavy, really heavy.

These quality issues also extend to nearly every other part in the amp - the capacitors, transistors, resistors etc. Whereas in modern budget amps mostly made in Asia somewhere, are just that - a budget product for a fast living, disposable orientated consumer.

To the retro buyer, quality and style oozes out of the classic amps - steel chassis, steel covers, solid alloy fronts & knobs, VU meters, timber cases, all things beautiful! Play with the front of a modern budget amp (say under $1000) & it's all plastic.

What about the sound they produce? The sort of classic quality amps we stock, offer a wonderful tonal warmth only the highest quality amps produced today can offer.

Here's some un-solictored words from a recent client who bought a gorgeous old Linear Design amp -

"just want to say how pleased i am with it - it is a beautiful amp in every way and compliments my ancient honky old speakers beautifully. i put it to the test - which means both sides of yes's "close to the edge" on vinyl quite loud and it really delivered. it even makes those silly little CDs sound good. i couldn't be happier.thanx again."

February 1st 2010

SELECTING A CLASSIC AMPLIFIER THAT’S  RIGHT FOR YOU

To set the record straight, basically, there are pre-amplifiers, power amplifiers and Receivers.

Pre-amplifiers are really just a ‘switch boxes’, where the inputs come in and get selected (phono, Aux, tuner, Mic, tape, CD, DVD, iPod, PC Audio) , get manipulated (tone controls, filters & volume) with the resulting signal being sent to the Power Amplifier.

A Power Amplifier is just that – it amplifies whatever is sent in within it’s capabilities to the speaker terminals – maybe split to multiple speaker systems.

An Integrated Amplifier  (probably the most common incarnation) combines the 2 above, into one ‘box’.

A Receiver, is an Integrated Amplifier with a radio Tuner built-in, easily identifiable as it will have a tuner dial.

The first step is to decide if you need a radio (AM/FM & in new models DAB) as you’ll get more value for your money in an integrated Amp if you don’t require a radio.

Next, how many inputs do you need -  remember, all these Classic Amps will accept the headphones output from your iPod/iPhone, PC audio out, CD/DVD audio, and more, so they can become your total entertainment centre audio provider. The Phono input is the only input you can’t use for all these audio sources, Phono is for Turntables only.

If you are into the retro revival, probably the next thing to consider is looks!  Steel fronted, BIG solid metal knobs, flicking VU meters, dial lights, or timber veneer wooden surrounds – they don’t make ‘em like that any more!

Probably, the last thing on the agenda is power capabilities measured in watts. Unless you have an auditorium sized room or power hungry ears or speakers with no neighbours, most amplifiers will drive most speakers to reasonable levels. That said, the more power your amplifier has, the easier it will run, there’ll be less likelihood of speaker damage if the volume is ‘flicked’ around too far and you’ll ‘future-proof’ yourself should you wish to upgrade your speakers later. As a guide, 50watts RMS is a relatively powerful amp - some claims of 1000's of watts is mis-leading advertising.

Yep! cheap, under powered amplifiers are speakers worst enemies – they easily distort and deliver unstable nasty voltages that burn speaker coils.

We go through these steps many times with new customers wanting help with an amplifier purchase – we usually have 30 or more on offer and can always achieve what best suits your needs.

 Disclosure: if we inadvertently breach any copyright material anywhere on this site and you are the owner thereof, please contact us directly and we will take immediate action to your satisfaction.

PLEASE NOTE OUR GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

·       All stock are genuine, used, high quality components from decades past and are offered for sale as is – you cannot expect them to be in new condition.

·       All stock has been selectively acquired by Classic HiFi, tested extensively & serviced where necessary.

·       You are encouraged to audition in-store, as there are no returns/exchanges/refunds as you executed the sale under the above conditions

·       If you require shipping, you understand that whilst we do our best to pack, we cannot be held responsible for items damaged in-transit.

·       If, by arrangement, you avail yourself of our 3 month warranty, coverage does not extend to mis-use or consumables such valve amplifier tubes and turntable stylii and belts.

·       Any order cancellations prior to delivery or collection, incur a 15% fee, levied against the purchase price.

·       We encourage you to attend to your own installations as we assist in-store with set-up advice.

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