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Vintage Hifi

Vintage Hifi Western Electric Leak amplifiers Mcintosh MC240 Radio Craftsmen C500a Fisher Pre amplifiers Tannoy Cantebury speakers Quad II & Pye PF91 Hifi Matching Charateristics of amplifiers More WE photos Altec speaker cabinet Lafayatte Single ended amplifier Hifi accessories Other collectors' Tannoy Rogers LS3/5a Fisher 50c pre amplifiers Siemens amplifiers Pye Mozart DIY Projects My Hifi Wish Lists KLH Radio Pye HF10M single ended Schematics Western Electric 124B Tubes for Western Electric 124b Photo of Western Electric 124B Altec 755a speakers My Hifi Set up : Evolution Western Electric 120a

My new hobby!

I have started playing with vintage hifi since coming to Hong Kong END JUNE 2005.

 

Key Focus

Being an antique lovers, I collect mainly vintage amplifiers. In addition, the quality of materials used and the workmanship are much more superior then the modern day standard. Many of my amplifiers are more than 40 years old and they are still performing well.

I like the sound from the 6L6/KT66 tubes which is why most of my amplifiers thatI like are using them, namley Leak 12.1, Quad II, Pye PF91, Mcintosh MC240, Westren Electric KS 16608 L1 & WE 124. 

As for speakers, I think every audiophiles should have 3. One large speakers, in my case a Tannoy Canterbury with a 12 inch Red monitor for listening of Orchestra and multiple instrumental music; one full range speakers (Western Electric 8 inch 755a for listening to vocal) as well as a pair of LS3/5a for music reference.

What is important in the amplifiers is to ensure that both the comestic as well as the interior are in poerfect conditions. By using Vintage amplifiers, one could also see the values of the items appreciates over time as supply are limited but demand are not.

The prices of many vintage hifi items have gone up greatly as a result of huge demand from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and recently the mainland Chinese.

Thus, one has to be quick in searching for them!

 

My Collection

Email me if you are keen on any of my amplifiers

The brands that I like are:

  • Mcintosh (US)
  • Marantz (US)
  • Leaks (UK)
  • Rogers (UK)
  • Fishers (US)
  • Western Electric (US)
  • Radio craftsmen (US)
  • Lafayatte 
  • Quad II (UK)
  • Pye (UK)
  • Tannoy (UK)
To be specific, following much listening and comparison, I have realized that I have a strong inclination for 6L6/Kt66 amplifiers. The EL34 tubes amplifiers has more force and power but it sounded a bit rough in my ears. The EL84 has very sweet sound but it lacks the power when needed. Currently, my 6L6 / KT 66 amps consists of the the following:
  1. Leak TL12.1 (KT66) - the BEst KT66 amplifiers so far!
  2. Radio craftsmen C500a (KT66) - great work by the famous Sid Smith!
  3. Pye PF91 (KT66) - another great British amp that is rare!
  4. Western Electric KS16608 (6L6) - real value for money amp!
  5. Mcintosh MC240 (6L6) - One of the best advant guarde design and good power without the harshness!

Other hobbies

Besides vintage hifi, I also collect vintage fountain pens and watch.

Please visit:

  • Rolex.2itb.com
  • Longines.2itb.com
  • Vintage-pen.2itb.com