CiH wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2025 11:33 am
In the seventies, my dad was a good friend of the local high-end Hi-Fi shop owner.
He got to try out lots of gear.
Highlights included the Dalek-like KEF 105 speakers, but the Quad amp-pre amp combo was the most enduring part.
Nice. I think Kef are still about too.
As well as the Quad I've got the Thorens record deck to look at, plus a Sugden tuner (valve I think) and a Technics dual cassette deck.
My Dad liked his audio and the Quad was the pinnacle of his purchases IMHO.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Hooked the Quad up to some speakers today and fed in a very low level signal into each channel one at a time:
IMG20250109115240.jpg (257.27 KiB) Viewed 79 times
Both channels seem to work great, so I think I'll move onto the record deck next
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
Icky wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 5:12 pm
@rubber_jonnie, you need some Quad ESLs to go with that amp. Some nice retro radiator speakers
Quad_ESL-57_luidspreker.jpg
Oh I'd love some.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
rubber_jonnie wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2025 11:55 am
Hooked the Quad up to some speakers today and fed in a very low level signal into each channel one at a time:
IMG20250109115240.jpg
Both channels seem to work great, so I think I'll move onto the record deck next
You'll probably need a new drive belt for the 125. Thakker.de do the best although there are some cheaper belts available. I change mine about every 12-18 months. Luckily they are very cheap. You'll know it needs changing when 45s are realllly slow
Has it got a fancy tonearm like an SME? I bet it has and I'm envious already
@chronicthehedgehog For your enjoyment here are some photos:
IMG20250110085939.jpg (337.62 KiB) Viewed 24 times
IMG20250110085911.jpg (182.79 KiB) Viewed 24 times
IMG20250110085841.jpg (294.4 KiB) Viewed 24 times
IMG20250110085916.jpg (194.63 KiB) Viewed 24 times
I have discovered an issue though, and that is that there are 3 bolts that run through from the main deck to the metal substructure. They have rubber bushings that give some softness to the suspension, which is 3 large adjustable springs (The big white knob). I found one rubber bushing to be missing:
IMG20250110085819.jpg (236.79 KiB) Viewed 24 times
I've pulled one from another mount and I'll see if I can buy some or even make one myself. Finding a nut and washer should be a trivial task. This is what is missing:
IMG20250110085953.jpg (208.42 KiB) Viewed 24 times
It looks like the nut worked off over the years, but somehow my Dad didn't notice. I think it is a Nyloc nut (Or some sort of locking nut), so it really shouldn't have fallen off, but I will use a drop if threadlock when I reassemble it. I'll use threadlock on the others at the same time and I'll re-level it using the spring adjusters.
BTW I already have a replacement belt
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
rubber_jonnie wrote: ↑Wed Jan 01, 2025 1:23 pm
Construction is just beautiful. I pulled all the PCBs and cleaned the contacts with IPA followed by a cotton bud with a little Electrolube.
It is interesting to see that the electronics of those days was a lot more colorful...
Very nice construction, reminds me of my school days where we learned to tie the cables together this way...
