What's the oldest peice of gear or speakers you have or owned?

13

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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2010
    I have a General Electric Model t 115 five tube superhetrodyne AM receiver. It was my grandfather's that he use to listen to in his shop many, many moons ago. Takes a while to warm up but still works. I can't find a date on it anywhere on the outside of the unit and I googled it with no luck.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,727
    edited March 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    I have a General Electric Model t 115 five tube superhetrodyne AM receiver. It was my grandfather's that he use to listen to in his shop many, many moons ago. Takes a while to warm up but still works. I can't find a date on it anywhere on the outside of the unit and I googled it with no luck.

    If you want to track it down, try (if you haven't before):
    http://www.nostalgiaair.org/

    or the antique radio forum at www.videokarma.org
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  • dee1949
    dee1949 Posts: 1,425
    edited March 2010
    ....they don't build them like they use to. craftsmanship.

    ...of course I still have my ole Dynaco ST-70 packed away.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,727
    edited March 2010
    heh, I forgot this ole guy. This is an Altec 603B; sort of a bargain-basement version of the 604 "Duplex" family. Sort of :-) The 603B is not a duplex driver at all; it is an extended range woofer -- the "extension" being earned via a metal dustcap with a multicell horn in front of it to improve its loading (coupling to the room) and dispersion! Not an idea that ever caught on (thankfully). This rascal probably dates from the very late 1940s/very early 1950s, has an AlNiCo magnet and an 8-ohm voicecoil, and sounds... well... OK. No 604, that's for sure. Note in the poor closeup photo (sorry!) the decidedly old-school phenolic "spider".

    http://www.lansingheritage.org/images/altec/catalogs/1949/page4.jpg

    page4.jpg
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited March 2010
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    ahh, didn't know radios were in scope for this question! I have an RCA Radiola 18 TRF (tuned RF, i.e., pre-superheterodyne) AM receiver and speaker. This dates to ca. 1928.

    http://www.radiolaguy.com/Showcase/Radiola18.htm

    Thats awesome man, where did you get that?
    Polk Audio Surround Bar 360
    Mirage PS-12
    LG BDP-550
    Motorola HD FIOS DVR
    Panasonic 42" Plasma
    XBOX 360[/SIZE]

    Office stuff

    Allied 395 receiver
    Pioneer CDP PD-M430
    RT8t's & Wharfedale Diamond II's[/SIZE]

    Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music. ~Ronald Reagan
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,727
    edited March 2010
    Knucklehead wrote: »
    Thats awesome man, where did you get that?
    It was actually given to me by a coworker. It is in good condition although I've never yet tried to bring it back to life.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2010
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    If you want to track it down, try (if you haven't before):
    http://www.nostalgiaair.org/

    or the antique radio forum at www.videokarma.org

    Thanks Bro. I can't believe I'm already a member of VideoKarma. If you are a member of Audio karma does your membership automatically go over to Video Karma? I don't remember joining.
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  • Tower Boss
    Tower Boss Posts: 52
    edited March 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Thanks Bro. I can't believe I'm already a member of VideoKarma. If you are a member of Audio karma does your membership automatically go over to Video Karma? I don't remember joining.

    Yes, user name and password are the same for both sites. The VideoKarma was split off of AK last year.

    Regards,
    Mike
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2010
    Tower Boss wrote: »


    Yes, user name and password are the same for both sites. The VideoKarma was split off of AK last year.

    Regards,
    Mike

    Thank you.
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,141
    edited March 2010
    Awsome stuff guys! The technology from then till now sure shows. Just like cars, planes and everything else, there's been quite an improvement except for maybe Tube amps.As I understand only a little progress has been made there.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,727
    edited March 2010
    tony millard wrote: »
    ...The technology from then till now sure shows. Just like cars, planes and everything else, there's been quite an improvement...
    nope, not really.
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  • Gulfstrings
    Gulfstrings Posts: 313
    edited March 2010
    Still spinnin' vinyl on my 1978 Technics SL 1301 turntable I bought new at the Detroit Electronics show the same weekend we saw the Rockets (formerly the Detroit Wheels) and Bob Seger at Cobo (sp) Hall.

    It's all there and works great! Just priced a replacement cover ($94.95 + tax), but decided the original looks good enough and has a lot more character.
    Marantz AV7005
    Marantz MM7055
    Onkyo DX-755 CdP
    Oppo BDP-93
    Technics SL-1301/Shure M97xE
    Polk RTi A7s
    Polk CSi A6
    Polk FXi A6s
    Velodyne VDR10-BV
    Panamax M5100-PM
    Antec VERIS A/V Cooler x 2
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  • devani
    devani Posts: 1,497
    edited March 2010
    1937:eek: DC Voltmeter, it still works like a brand new unit. It's heavy...

    it was a gift from another student who was studying PhD in EE. they were graduation gifts for getting my EE degree.:D

    P1010019-1-1.jpg
    P1010010-2-1.jpg

    I also have an AC current meter as well but had trouble uploading pictures.
    Dated 1925:eek:. I will post them later tonight.
    Video: LG 55LN5100/Samsung LNT4065F
    Receiver: HK AVR445
    Source: OPPO BDP-93
    HT: POLK SPEAKERS RTi6, FXi3, CSi5, VTF-3 MK2
    2Ch system: MC2105, AR-XA, AR-2A, AR9, BX-300, OPPO BDP-83
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2010
    Wow that is beautiful!
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,727
    edited March 2010
    devani wrote: »
    1937:eek: DC Voltmeter, it still works like a brand new unit. It's heavy...

    it was a gift from another student who was studying PhD in EE. they were graduation gifts for getting my EE degree.:D ...

    I also have an AC current meter as well but had trouble uploading pictures.
    Dated 1925:eek:. I will post them later tonight.

    that is very cool!
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  • devani
    devani Posts: 1,497
    edited March 2010
    Thanks guys, heres' the AC ammeter dated 1925...it's hard to see but its there...this thing is 85 years old:D

    P1010025-1.jpg
    P1010024-1.jpg
    Video: LG 55LN5100/Samsung LNT4065F
    Receiver: HK AVR445
    Source: OPPO BDP-93
    HT: POLK SPEAKERS RTi6, FXi3, CSi5, VTF-3 MK2
    2Ch system: MC2105, AR-XA, AR-2A, AR9, BX-300, OPPO BDP-83
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,141
    edited March 2010
    I wonder if Darknight has ever seen one of those two up above? They sure look like museum pieces.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    Tower Boss wrote: »
    Hello Tony,

    I have quite a few vintage pieces, tubed gear like a Fisher 800-B receiver from '62, monster receivers like the Hitachi SR-2004, Pioneer SX-1980, Rotel RX-1603, and Sansui G-33000/22000 receivers from late 70's.

    MonsterReceivers-01-1.jpg

    Regards,
    Mike

    That Sansui piece is B-E-A-utiful! You took awesome care of your stuff, it is all very clean.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2010
    tony millard wrote: »
    I wonder if Darknight has ever seen one of those two up above? They sure look like museum pieces.

    Are you insinuating that Raife is very old?:eek::D

    I wish I would have taken pictures of a 1950s computer & power supply they had at my tech school in the early 70s. First of all both took up a whole room each. Second, they had tubes in them the size of paint cans. Third when powered up you felt like you were in the jungles of deep dark Africa it was so hot. Fourth it only performed the functions of a simple calculator these days.
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  • Tower Boss
    Tower Boss Posts: 52
    edited March 2010
    tony millard wrote: »
    Tower boss, Mike, that old special pioneer looks awsome!!:eek:

    I guess that's a keeper for life huh.:D

    Hello Tony,

    Yep, the Pioneer is a cool piece of audio history and a long term keeper for sure.
    Zitro wrote: »
    That Sansui piece is B-E-A-utiful! You took awesome care of your stuff, it is all very clean.

    Hello Zitro,

    The Sansui’s besides being beautiful are B-E-A-sts, as the G-33K Receiver weighs 104 pounds. They do require maintenance from time to time, but I enjoy it as I’ve been tinkering with electronics since I was a kid.

    Regards,
    Mike
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,141
    edited March 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Are you insinuating that Raife is very old?:eek::D

    I wish I would have taken pictures of a 1950s computer & power supply they had at my tech school in the early 70s. First of all both took up a whole room each. Second, they had tubes in them the size of paint cans. Third when powered up you felt like you were in the jungles of deep dark Africa it was so hot. Fourth it only performed the functions of a simple calculator these days.

    I just thought Raife would've seen those since his profession is in their field.

    When I was about 17 or so I also walked into a mainframe room that was full of 6' tall rows of those spinning tape mains and the floor was elevated so the air conditioning could circulate all around this 20' x 60' room. I can't remember what company or if it was the government that was running these things. I do remember my boss saying what they needed was above his capabilities.:D

    I'm getting ready to put my Pioneer SX-3900 to use and then try to sell it for 250.00 for starters. I like those flouroscan meters on these too.:D
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • doctor r
    doctor r Posts: 837
    edited March 2010
    1979 Polk Monitor 7Bs, 1979 Optonica RP 3636 TT, 1974 Dynaco SC80 Intergrated and and two unbuilt Dynaco kits sealed in their original boxes (Dynaco PAT4 and Stereo 80) also bought in 1974.
    integrated w/DAC module Gryphon Diablo 300
    server Wolf Alpha 3SX
    phono pre Dynamic Sounds Associates Phono II
    turntable/tonearms Origin Live Sovereign Mk3 dual arm, Origin Live Enterprise Mk4, Origin Live Illustrious Mk3c
    cartridges Miyajima Madake, Ortofon Windfeld Ti, Ortofon
    speakers Rockport Mira II
    cables Synergistic Research Cables, Gryphon VPI XLR, Sablon 2020 USB
    rack Adona Eris 6dw
    ultrasonic cleaner Degritter
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,141
    edited March 2010
    :eek:wow,
    Doctor R, you sure are serious about vinyl. What a system AND collection you have there.

    It must sound above anything I've ever heard before.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • Radridd
    Radridd Posts: 43
    edited March 2010
    I still have a set of Realistic Mach-1's. They are still in excellent condition.
    Sony KDL-46XBR6, Onkyo 886, Emotiva XPA-5, Oppo BDP-83, HR22 HD-DVR, Polk RTi A9s, PolK CSi A6, Polk RTi A3s, SVS PB12-NSD, Monster HTS2500 Reference PowerCenter, Logitech Harmony 1.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,727
    edited March 2010
    Radridd wrote: »
    I still have a set of Realistic Mach-1's. They are still in excellent condition.

    FYI, if anything bad ever happens to your woofers, you can now buy brand new replacements from PartsExpress :-P
    (comment is superfluous)
    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=290-184

    Both 4 and 8 ohm versions are available.


    290-184_L.jpg
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  • Radridd
    Radridd Posts: 43
    edited March 2010
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    FYI, if anything bad ever happens to your woofers, you can now buy brand new replacements from PartsExpress :-P
    (comment is superfluous)
    http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=290-184

    Both 4 and 8 ohm versions are available.


    290-184_L.jpg

    Hard to believe they are still available. Look at those massive 10oz magnets. Ha!
    Sony KDL-46XBR6, Onkyo 886, Emotiva XPA-5, Oppo BDP-83, HR22 HD-DVR, Polk RTi A9s, PolK CSi A6, Polk RTi A3s, SVS PB12-NSD, Monster HTS2500 Reference PowerCenter, Logitech Harmony 1.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,727
    edited March 2010
    Radridd wrote: »
    Hard to believe they are still available. Look at those massive 10oz magnets. Ha!

    Not still available; PE's very recently introduced them, as well as CTS-style phenolic ring (cone) tweeters, for the restoration market. No idea why they haven't also brought out modern reproduction Peerless KO10DT silk dome tweeters... :-)
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,067
    edited March 2010
    My SDA 1C's are the oldest audio gear I've owned.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • JPSmario
    JPSmario Posts: 142
    edited March 2010
    1969 Realistic MC-1000 speakers (w/circa 1983 Bose replacement woofers), 1972 PAT4 and Stereo 120, 1973 Pioneer TX-7100, 1974 Dual 1229 (still in use, overhauled 3 years ago). They served me well for a couple of decades.
    Dual 1229/Grado Gold/Rotel RCD1070/RC995/RB980BX/Pioneer 7100/Denon DRM710/Monster HTS3600MKII/PolkAudio SDA2B/TL's
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  • woodsman10b
    woodsman10b Posts: 408
    edited March 2010
    My vintage late 70's Onkyo Integrated 7022. Its in great condition and sounds wonderful!! Got to love this old stuff!!:D
    Most of them only hear how loud it sounds, and the rest of us hear everything else - :rolleyes:
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