Q) I have a problem with a Technics SV-DA10. It plays well, but is unable to rewind (except when the pinchroller is engaged, like when using the jog/shuttle). Would you have an idea?
A) The problem may be:
1. The brake shoe for either geared tape hub is loose, falling appart and interfering with the tape hub. I have simply replaced these with a proper sized piece of very fine felt or soft cardboard glued on with a tiny bit of epoxy.
2. The friction clutch/gear (under the chassis where the gear to shift back and forth to the tape gear hubs) is worn and exerting no friction to pull the tape. I pull apart the clutch gear, flip the clutch pad over and stretch the tension spring...Read Full Article
Q) Hi there, I was wondering if you guys mod the single channel Bellari MP 110?
If you do, how much? I would like to replace the OP AmP and the transformer.
Which op amp and transformer would you put in there? Please let me know and
thank you for your time.
A) We can modify the Bellari MP 110, but the specific mod you are asking for would not be something we would recommend. There would not be any obvious change in sound, and more than that changing the op amp could even make it worse. This is because ...Read Full Article
Q) Would be so kind to tell me which machine is better for recording and listening tapes? Revox B77 or Teac A3440?
A) Yes, one of my favorite kinds of questions, but strangely, a tough one to answer. Here's the strange truth. Both decks at this age would need cleaning and calibration. If basic service is done, the Teac would win out mechanically, but not by much. Yet the Revox would be the better sonically, but not by much. There's the rub. The Teac can be put back into excellent consistent, mechanical and audio quality condition with little trouble. But… As good as the Revox is, it will suffer some critical age related problems which will interfere with it's potentially much better sonic performance...Read Full Article
Q) Do you sell aftermarket Electrix Repeater Power Supplies?
A) Yes, infact others are asking for these as well. Incredibly to do it with nice cable, box, and supply it will be $140. I need them too, but now I can only fabricate from parts and pieces. I need the somewhat special cable from existing supplies. I have also opened and fixed original supplies. This is $88 to do (small board, some special parts to fit "switching" mode supplies)....Read Full Article
Chinese mics (and their boutique relabeled versions) almost all suffer from the same problems. In fact, AKG, Neumann, and many other big name manufacturers do not design their own internal power supplies, shielding, grounding, and RFI protection well enough. Now with today's super sensitive mic elements with high gain circuitry, and more radio frequencies emanating from computers and cell phones, such shortcomings can appear more obvious – such signals can invade mics or preamp wiring, causing noise, hash sometimes confused as mic noise, and hiss – so our mods correct those shortcomings. Most Chinese mics, like the Apex 460, can be modified to have better, correct capacitors, welded chassis grounds, and multistage RFI filters to lower the noise floor and improve long term use....Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleWe don't have an online shopping cart yet, so we currently process payments through PayPal. If you're interested in a part or machine you've found on our site, just click the "Contact Us" link that's in the far right column of the listing. This will start an e-mail with the item ID number/name pre-filled in the subject line. In the body of the e-mail, feel free to ask us any questions you might have, and include your zip code so we can calculate shipping. Once we receive your e-mail and verify that the item is in stock, we'll reply with any relevant information that you requested or we just think you should know, along with a link to complete the order through PayPal.
It may take us one or more business days to get back to you - we are a small shop and are closed on Tuesdays and Sundays - but we try to answer every e-mail we receive. Before you check out through PayPal, you may want to take a look at our shop policies.
You can also call us at (617) 926-8020 to talk to someone in person, and although PayPal is easiest, we can also complete orders over the phone if you pay by Visa or MasterCard. We are always happy to answer questions and provide advice....Read Full Article
The boards are adapted to as close of input impedance match as possible when ordered (and noted on website). Many boards 210, 201A 202 etc. are very similar but differ in subtle ways because M.C. cartridge designs (even same models) varied in performance, especially in low frequency "equalization" and output level. We at APT tried to keep up with this matter and attempted to calibrate each card to within +/- 1db at 50hz (lows) for specific cartridges, but it was getting too complicated when more different M.C. designs kept coming....Read Full Article
Read Full ArticleQ) I am looking for the best set of vintage speakers by either KLH or AR to couple with a Macintosh receiver ca 1970s. I have some 5s which I like, but I want to add another pair. Would you recommend KLH 6s or 20s or which model for the best sound possible? Also how do you compare AR with KLH.
A) AR and KLH are very similar in many ways. Later version AR possibly have better tweeters. The real old speakers either have limited performance tweeters which must be replaced or without a doubt an updated crossover is needed ...Read Full Article
Q) In your opinion how would these speakers work as rears in a theater system?
A) These are OK. People want them because of style appeal. Infact the speaker is a common woofer tweeter combination hidden inside an unserviceable sealed metal basket. The units I had were the better peerless dome and better CTS woofer, so they should be reliable. Others had cheaper parts. Ohm products varied tremendously...Read Full Article
Are you a consumer oriented audio electronics technician living in the Boston, MA area? If so, we would like to talk to you about an opportunity as a technician in our shop. We are looking for someone who is passionate about Hi-Fi and pro audio, and has a vast knowledge of audio electronics, from reel to reel tape recorders to digital effects processors, from tubes to transistors, and everything in between. We don't look for licenses, degrees, or certificates; we are looking for someone with a vision, a desire to keep on top of the latest technology, without forgetting the vintage roots. If this is you, email us, or give us a call - (617)926-8020 - and talk to Vince (the owner) about this position in a one of a kind shop....Read Full Article
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