Category Archives: Audio

Harman-Kardon Citation 11 Pre-Amp Overhaul

Posted on November 11, 2015 by retrovoltage

A neighbor brought me his brother’s Citation 11 for a full overhaul. After a few decades of faithful stereo reproduction, then a number of years in storage, it was time for an overhaul to get it working good as new again! Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Electronics, Projects, Stereo, Vintage | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

The Speaker Spotter – November 6th, 2015

Posted on November 6, 2015 by retrovoltage

Today’s Speaker Spotter showing the most interesting speakers for sale on the local Craigslist has a number of rare, unusual, and high-end speakers you’re not likely to find anywhere else. As always, I’m not affiliated with any of these sellers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Collections, Commentary, Hi-Fi, Speakers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

1937 Zenith 5-S-126 Tune-Up

Posted on October 30, 2015 by retrovoltage

This very nice Zenith 5-S-126 came through the shop a little while ago. It was originally purchased by a local collector from eBay already restored and playing, and served well for a couple of years, until it started having some … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Bose, Projects | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Speaker Spotter – September 30th, 2015

Posted on September 30, 2015 by retrovoltage

It’s back! Another installment in this occasional series, “The Speaker Spotter”, picking out the most interesting speakers available on my local Craigslist. Today’s Speaker Spotter focuses on bookshelf speakers for the best sound possible in a small package. As always, … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Collections, Commentary, Hi-Fi, Speakers | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Creek 4140 S2 Overhaul and Voltage Conversion

Posted on August 23, 2015 by retrovoltage

This Creek 4140 S2 amplifier is a bit newer than most through the shop, although it’s getting up there. This particular one was constructed in 1989, and came via eBay from the UK configured for 220V power. The owner wanted … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Electronics, Projects | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

1963 Fisher FM-100-B Stereo FM Tuner Overhaul

Posted on August 9, 2015 by retrovoltage

Something a bit unusual came through the shop recently, an old tube-type Fisher FM-100-B Stereo FM tuner. Anyone who knows classic tube audio knows Fisher, and the FM-100-B sure lives up to the name. It’s a 12-tube FM/MPX Only tuner with … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Electronics, Radios and Tubes, Stereo, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sony ST-J75 Recap and Alignment

Posted on July 31, 2015 by retrovoltage

The Sony ST-J75 is a pretty well regarded, great sounding stereo FM tuner from the early ’80s. It’s one of the first forrays into digital tuning, with a frequency read-out, programmable memory, and seek/scan functionality and variable muting driven by … Continue reading →

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Stereo Aficionados

Posted on July 25, 2015 by retrovoltage
Posted in Audio, Commentary, Stereo | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Old rocker complains about new technology

Posted on July 15, 2015 by retrovoltage

According to Rolling Stone, Neil Young is pulling his catalog from all streaming music services over complaints about the sound quality. I don’t see this impacting me personally since I don’t listen to him and indeed can’t even name a … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Commentary, Ideas, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

1950s Motorola Modded Standalone Tube Amplifier Measurements

Posted on July 6, 2015 by retrovoltage

I had an unusual project through the shop recently. It’s a Magnavox tube amp from the late 1950s. The owner brought it in reporting he’d purchased the amplifier, pulled from a damaged console stereo and modified to be a standalone … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, DIY, Electronics, Hi-Fi, Projects, Radios and Tubes, Vintage | Tagged , , | 3 Comments