WE HAVE EXTENDED OUR TRADING HOURS
Please note that our core trading hours have been extended to 6 days per week: Tuesdays – through Sundays 11am to 6pm daily. Closed Mondays
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Amplifiers
HOW TO CHOOSE A STEREO AMPLIFIER
HOW TO CHOOSE A STEREO AMPLIFIER
Firstly, you need to understand what types there are:
There’s the ‘Pre-Amp’ – simply it’s a the switch box selector (phono/tuner/tape/aux) with the ability to manipulate the sound with knobs such as treble/bass/volume.
Here’s an image of a Pre-amp & Power amp:
The Pre-amp sends the audio to a Power Amp which amplifies the sound (this is where the ‘grunt’ is provided). The Power amp drives the speakers.
Then there’s the Integrated amp – The Pre-amp & the Power amp, integrated into one box!
Finally there’s the Receiver – an Integrated amp with a radio tuner built in – in Classic HiFi’s context, that means an AM/FM radio.
If you think you may want to listen to the radio, get a receiver, they are beautiful to behold. They are easily identified as they have a radio ‘dial’ across the front panel.
Most of our customers choose an integrated amp or a receiver – they both accept Turntables as a source, as well as iPods, CD or DVD players, even audio from your TV or computer.
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OUR TAKE ON ‘CLASSIC AMPS VERSUS MODERN AMPS’
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 ‘killer’ 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.”
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PLEASE NOTE OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE
PHONO PRE-AMPLIFIERS
Whilst all our classic amps have ‘Phono’ inputs for turntables, the same can’t be said for modern amps.
Lots of audio manufacturers dropped ‘phono’ inputs on amplifiers in the 90’s – they thought vinyl had gone away……….silly them!
Consequently, we get lots of enquiries on how to connect turntables to amps that have nothing more than ‘Aux’ inputs, even on Home Theatre Receivers.
Yes, there’s an easy fix.
It’s called a ‘Phono Pre-Amplifier’ – a little powered unit that equalizes & boosts turntable output via the standard RCA sockets from the turntable for input into any ‘Aux’ input of any amplifier.
It’s called a ‘Phono Pre-Amplifier’ – a little powered unit that equalizes & boosts turntable output via the standard RCA sockets from the turntable for input into any ‘Aux’ input of any amplifier. Typically, this is what they look like:
For those of you who are struggling to hear a decent reproduction of your vinyl, it will be dawning of a new era! It’ll make your records sound awesome!
From as little as $88 for the entry level unit, they are worth every cent.
Here’s the link to ours:
Of course, there are many higher end versions & without going berserk (they can go up to the $1000’s) the ProJect Pre-amps which we stock, carry our recommendation for those who want that little bit more from their vinyl.
The ‘Phono Box II’ is the next step up (at $249) with MM/MC capability for those who might want to investigate the world moving coil cartridges at some stage:
Next, there’s the ‘Phono Box USB’ ($279) with all of the above plus a USB output for direct connection to a computer:
Finally, in the Project range there’s the 2x valve version ‘Tube Box’ ($599) to engender that beautiful warmth that only valves can:
Over and above, we stock the likes of Creek, Musical Fidelity, Ortofon, QED.
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 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
· We encourage you to attend to your own installations as we assist in-store with set-up advice
· If you require shipping, you understand that whilst we do our best to pack, we cannot be held responsible for items damaged in-transit.
· All our products carry a 3 month warranty, but coverage does not extend to mis-use or consumables such as amplifier facia globes, valve tubes and turntable styli or belts.
· Any order cancellations prior to delivery or collection, incur a 15% fee, levied against the gross price.
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