Please visit my other sites when you are free: http://rolex.2itb.com http://vintage-watch.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Western Electric 755a fullrange speakers






Since there are so little information on the Western electric 755a speakers, I have decided to post more pictures for those who wants to know more about the speakers.
According to an expert JE Labs, This 8" full range driver has achieved "cult status" amongst audio aficionados. The most desirable version are the ones branded with the Western Electric logo with the frame in smooth silver or textured charcoal greyish brown finish. The mounting gasket always had 5 - 8 quality control stamps showing the tight tolerance procedures excercised in their manufacture. The later Altec branded 755As only had 1 or 2 stamps but essentially looked the same and came finished in either textured charcoal greyish brown or silver hammertone.
Aside from those quality control procedures and alnico magnet, what sets the 755A apart from the later 755C and 755E is the chemistry of the cone material. The procedure was very intensive, involving a "vacuum formed" process to produce a cone that contained silk and cotton components. This cone material is also found in original examples of WE/Altec 756A, 754A and 728B. Perhaps this is the reason why the 755A has that beguiling and lifelike midrange quality that eludes the later "pancake" versions.
For more details, please visit : http://members.myactv.net/~je245/755survey.htm
According to another expert Alan: " Western Electric 755A has three versions, the earliest period is zinc colour plating (as per the pictures enclosed), the later version with gray colour navy plating. Western Electric KS-14703 was the final period and produced by Altec at around 1950 - 1953. Altec 755A also has two versions, the early version started to produce in 1954 in 4 Ohm and later period at very late 50? - early 60 in 8 Ohm".
For those who are keen to find a pair, according to Alan: "The estimate price of Western Electric 755a is around HKD30,000.00 - 38,000.00 in Hong Kong and around YEN 550,000.00 - 650,000.00 in Japan (More expensive than a pair of 15" Tannoy red monitor). Altec 755A is around HKD14,000.00 - 18,000.00 depending on the condition and version. "
When buying the WE 755a, Alan has pointed out that: "the impedence matching and db matching is one of major problem when you selecting 755A. The Western Electric and early period Altec 755A is sold in mono, but not in stereo, In fact, +/- 10% impedeance of speaker is acceptable. If you looking for perfectly matching pair 755A than the price will be much higher.
I will listen to them for a while before I give my little comment on the WE755a!
Cheers
Monday, August 28, 2006
WE & Altec 755ace series speakers


After months of searching and hunting, I have finally managed to find a pair of early Western Electric 755a fullrange speakers in the Paino wood (Spruce wood) cabinets! Many has told me that it will be a mission impossible and one can only find it in Japan.
Initially, I have wanted to settle for a pair of Altec 755C and continue my search for the 755a. I have even bought a pair of original 8 inch Altec cabinets for the 755c ( as the 755c needs cabinet with ventilation). I have advertised in R33 seeking for 755a but not a single respond.
Finally, its a dream come true! Dream do come true for those believe!
According to Alan (an expert in WE amps) there are differences in the WE 755a vis-a-vis the Altec 755a speakers. For detail, please see below extract written by Alan..
WE755A was introduced by Western Electric in 1947. It is an 8 inches full range speaker with frequency range from 70 – 13,000 Hz with maximum capacity of 8 watt at 4 ohm in voice coil impendence. It only has very narrow angle distribution at 70 degrees (I believe this is reason of concentration on tone) and Western Electric suggests user to apply 2 cu ft closed speaker enclosure for this driver.
The Western Electric 755A is designed for PA and monitor purpose. The early version is in zinc plating at silver colour and the later period with gray navy painting. During late 40 – early 50’s, they were usually equipped on train, train station, business building, record studio and radio station as broadcasting monitor. During late 40’s, the major competitors of full range speaker on PA market included Altec 400A and Jensen P8P.
Honestly speaking, WE755A has much better construction than both models included special curve design of paper cone, large size U shaped Alnico magnet and much bigger voice coil construction…! Since the Western Electric sound equipment department was forced to close down by US Goverment in 1949, the production was passed on to Altec in 1950. The early period Western Electric KS-14073 was actually produced by Altec from 1950 – 1953, this version has silver colour painting also with same specs as 755A.
In 1954, Altec first introduced the Altec 755A to the market, the early version with glossy gray navy colour, but late period with brown navy colour. I believe the early period from 1954 – late 50’s should be in 8 Ohm and late period until early 60’s is 4 Ohm.
In very early 60’s, the Altec introduced Western Electric 755B with blue colour painting at 8 Ohm, but this model did not last long than it replaced by the Altec 755C “pancake” speaker in slightly later period of early 60’s with metallic green colour at 8 Ohm. If you look at the front, there is almost no different than 755A version, but if you look at the back than you can see this model no longer using Alnico magnet but replaced by flat ceramic magnet (Indox V) just look like a pancake.
Even Altec claimed 755C has better extension of both end from 40 – 15,000 HZ, but the guess dropped to 9,000 guess if compared to 755A above 10,000 guess. You can easily tell that the mid-range of 755C is not concentrated and transparent as 755A, the tone balance step down to be much thicker and lower bass than 755A but not as clear and open up as 755A…! Believe the angle distribution changed from 90 instead of 70 degree also affect the concentration as well…!
I would say that Altec 755C cannot be claimed as a full range speaker but it is a very good mid/mid-low range speaker in my limited understanding. The final version is Altec 755E introduced in 1968, it is very similar as 755C but the painting changed to white and gray, but also have different construction of wire connector. The sound characteristic of this model is very much the same as 755C, but the bass sound slightly solid and slightly upward than 755C and it still does not have clear and balancing tone as 755A
For those of you who are keen to know about the diferences in the 755 series speakers, please view another Western Electric expert web page:
http://members.myactv.net/~je245/755survey.htm
Please note the picture showing the Altec 755a,c, e speakers are not mine.. I have finally concluded my search for the hardwares and now is the time for the enjoyment of music! For those who are seraching for your dream set up, wishing you Good Luck! : )
Final item for the year - 755a speakers
For the full range speakers, I have started with the small RCA and a pair of Telefunken with a DIY open baffle. It was my first 2 pair of full range speakers. I have sold my 6 inch RCA spakers as the 8 inch was the ideal size. I was immediately captured by the sound of the 8 inch full range speakers. However, my DIY speakers were so ugly that my wife objected to it straight away.
Later on, I have moved on to a pair of Cora Beta 8 inch high sensitive speakers which is so detail and clear that even the signal noise from my vintage amplifiers could be easily picked up by the Coral. The Coral will be a perfect match for a modern (& quiet) preamplifiers. As I am not willing to change my vintage pre-amlifiers speakers, I have decided to cut love to a friend who can appreciates it more then me. In addition, the huge speakers cabinets also took up too much space in my living room making it difficult to walk. As a result, I have also let go my Siemens amplifiers (as it was too big taking too much space as well).
I have always have in mind a pair of legendary Western Electric full range 755a. However, despite much searching, I have only managed to find a pair of Altec 755e (costs about HK$8000 with a pair of DIY cabinets) and 2 pair of 755c (one with DIY cabinets asking for HK$10,000, and the other without cabinet asking for HK$7800) in Hong Kong.
The recent transaction at ebay for a pair of Altec 755a was about US$1826+ US$100 shipping = HK$14500. However, the fear of buying from ebay is that there is always a risk of non matching pair as well as non arrival of items.
After much consideration, I have decided not to pursue my Western Electric 124 dream as the costs is way too high (HKG$110,000). In addition, I have been advised by many of my hifi friends that the maintainance of the We124 is and will be a constant issues as many of the components are too old!
In addition, for the Western Electric amplifiers, there is always a dilemma of whether to change the capacitors & resistors or not with the Western Electric amplifiers. To change the capacitors or resistors would affect the values and originality of the WE124. Not changing the capacitors on the other hand will affect the qaulity of sound reproduction. Moreover, the WE also needs its Western electric 350 tubes in order to have the pure and "true" Western Electric sound!
Given the various strings of "attachments" and limitations, I have decided that it is not worth the trouble and the investmen in the search for the WE124 as hifi is supposed to give "pleasure" and not "pressures". My recent constant visits to the Hifi master for repairs have tired my eagerness to pursue a vintage amplifiers that needs constant consultation to the hifi "doctor"
With that in mind, my search for a pair of Western Electric 755a speakers has began (as speakers are relatively maintainance free). With the clear direction in mind, I have made up my mind to go for the real Western Electric 755a and not the Altec 755a or 755c or 755e as this will be the last item for the year! Too tired to search and I want to spend more time listening and enjoying the music! Since I cannot find a Western Electric amplifiers, at least i could be compensated with an all original Western Electric speakers!
cheers : )
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Two more items: WE124 & 755a

During these period, I have concentrated much efforts in trying to set up my ideal hifi system as well as trying to learn about vintage hifi.In the process, I have met up with many fellow audiophiles, some good and some are very dissapointing.
Now, there are two more items which I have desired namely Western Electric 124 & 755a full range speakers to complement my current set up. I must say the hifi journey has been an interesting one despite some set back.. : )
Following which, I intend to stop my vintage amplifier search and go back to my vintage watch and fountain pen collections which is a more "peaceful" form of hobby as there will be less "sarcastics remarks" from people and less "red eye or white eye" treatments. In addition, the main challenges in collecting of vintage amplifiers system are the issue of maintainance and space.
With my current set up, I am quite contented with them as my original intention is not to collect for the sake of collection but to use them in the living room, and bedroom for the enjoyment of music. The process of refinement and streamlining has helped me fine tuned what I like and intend to keep.
Two more items seems to collect so little and easy but it also seems so far to reach..
Please see my small collection at watch & pen blog:
http://vintage-watch.blogspot.com/
http://vintagepen.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Hifi for the bedroom

Space is always an issue in the bedroom. As such, for the bedroom system,I will have to find smaller size items in order to fit them in nicely while ensuring quality sound.
For the speakers set, I have brought in the Phass speakers with the EV35 tweeter (in a DIY wood holders) + Philips 634 player. The most difficult part is the amplifier system as they are too huge for the room. As I like KT66 and 6L6 amplifiers, there are very few vintage amp that is small. In the end, I have to find a new KT66/6L6 amplifier : Sound Master No 36 which is small enough to fit into my small bedroom. The Sound Master No36 is a Hong Kong made amplifier with auto bias for either KT66/6L6 or EL34 tubes. It also has a scoket with USB port for use with ipod.
Quite an enjoyable sound stage with this little set up!
Cabinets for 755c full range speakers

I was searching for the cabinet for the 755c full range speakers.In Hong Kong there is one company who can custom made cabinet for 755 speakers using the Spruce wood but the cost is very high. Luckily, I have managed to find a pair of NOS metal cabinet for the 755 speakers and I am now eagerly waiting for the arrival of the speakers units to be fitted into the cabinets. What I like most is the size of the cabinet..nice and compact. Moreover, with the see through hole, the conecpet of the cabinets are similar to the open baffle concept. Like what the expert in JE LAbs says: "one cannot expect ultimate bass extension with an open baffle but the lack of cabinet colorations gives purity to the sound that many will find very appealing"
It will be used for listening of vocal!
For details on the various 755s speakers, please read:
http://members.myactv.net/~je245/755survey.htm
Cheers
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Hi fi path

In my hifi journey, I have met many adiophiles along the way. Many of those I know are big time collectors of either vintage amplifiers or LS3/5a speakers.
For me, I change my gears very regularly. Why? I believe, one should only keep those that one like. Otherwise, we will need a large warehouse to store all the gears. Moreover, the unfortunate thing about hifi is that you will have to bring them home for continuos listening before you can tell whether you like it or not. Since I have just started the vintage hifi journey while many of my fellow audiophile have spent numerous years on it, I will have to move faster in order to set up my "dream set".
After much seraching, buying and then cutting love, I have realised that I like KT66 & 6L6tubes sound most. EL34 for me sounded too fast and a bit rough.EL84 tubes is very sweet but lacks the power and soundstage when played in the hall. As such, I have stramlined my other EL34, EL84 amps and keep only the few that I played everyday. Since I have limitaion on space and $$ plus I do not have the intention to rent an office to display the amplifers, I will have to follow strictly the "one in then one out policy" which I ahve promosed my wife. As I tended to get gear in very good condition, I have very little problem in selling them as like what they always say "good items are always in demand, and rubbish will always be rubbish".
I will rotate two amplifers per night, one using the Tannoy Canterbury and the other use the Phass fullrange speakers. I am hoping that the 755c and the WE124 will be my last pursuits but my friend has said that it is impossible....
Friday, August 11, 2006
PHASS Fullrange speakers


The past week has been a very hectic one as I have to travel overseas for work.
This evening, I finally managed to find some time to visit a "new" speaker cabinet makers near my office.
While waiting for the arrival of my 755C speaker units, I have decided to start searching for cabinet for the pair of 755c. Upon arrival to the shop, my attention immediately was captured by a pair of 4 inch full range alnico speakers in beautifully handcrafted Spruce wood (often called "piano" wood in Asia)! Even though the speakers is very small insize, the sound reproduction for Mid is excellent as well as has strong bass and high!
This pair of PHASS speakers units were made in Japan using Alnico magnets from South Africa while the speakers cabinet is made by a famous cabinet makers Feis audio in Hong Kong using the expensive wood that is used for the making of piano or violin. Spruce is the wood responsible for resonance and sound. Therefore it´s used in violin making for the tables with the sound-holes (ff-holes), bassbars, soundposts and reinforcements such as linings and blocks.
The size of the speakers are slightly smaller then the LS3/5a. I like the LS3/5a but I feel that we should open up our heart and mind and accept "new" product that is good. One example is the Chi Ping 3 1/2 inch full range speakers and another IMHO is this PHASS speakers. From the workmanship point of view, the cabinet is excellent and the sound is fantastic. It is espcially suitable for small bedroom or small areas. It is very user friendly as one could just placed it near the wall. The Chi Ping speakers sounded bright and open. The PHASS speakers having the Piano wood cabinet and bigger alnico magnet has the advantage of more refinement and depth.
The unit that I bought is the last prototype sample. Hopefully, the PHASS speakers could be massed produced soon so that more people could enjoy it!
While waiting for my 755C and my WE124, I will continue to listen to my Tannoy Cantebury and this PHASS speakers. Once the WE124 arrive, i will then bring one set of amplifiers, Pre amplifiers and speakers back to Singapore as it was really tough not having any system back home to listen..
Monday, July 31, 2006
Pye PF91




After much waiting, my vintage Pye PF91 finally came back home.The sound of it is really wonderful. The Pye PF 91 is really a user friendly amps as it can be used for both 110v or 220v without the need for any step down transformer.
The master has carfully cleaned the amplifiers and changed a few leaky capacitors and kept most of the amplifiers as original as possible.
The Pye PF91 KT66 is a push pull amp, with the KT66s triode connected, so the amp gives about 12W (same as the Leak TL12.1). There is another Pye HF25 (blue in colour ) which is a KT66 push pull monoblock power amplifier made in 1950s which give 25W (similar to the Leak TL25a).
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Vintage Electro Voice T35

While waiting for the arrival of the Pye PF91 KT66 amp, I have decided to play around with the vinatge Electro voice T35 high frequecies units.
Initially I have only intended to get some tubes but the owner of the vintage hifi shop Mr.Chen has strongly advised me to get this pair of 1950s alnico high frequecies speakers. The size of the magnet is huge (the diameter of the magnet is 6cm)
I have told Mr Chen that I should perhaps buy a cheap high frequecies tweeter but he was against the idea saying that it would be better off not having the cheap high frequencies tweeter at all as the improvement would not be there. He has told me the it is rare for such high frequecies tweeters as these have to be detached from a pair of working condition EV speakers.
The hifi journey is one of non stop discovery..Cheers
Saturday, July 29, 2006
CD Player recoomendation:Bang & Olufsen CD player




I have just returned from a business trip from Taipei. During my business trip, I have managed to get a quad set of KT66, Quad set of 7027a (specially good for Mcintosh MC240) and quad set of GE 6L6WGB plus a pair of Electro Voice T35 high frequency units (for my Chi Peng full range speakers)
To match my current vintage system, I have recenty used a vintage Bang & Olufsen CD player. Even though it was produced in the 1980s, the look and feel of the Bang & Olufsen CD player looks very modern and the sound quality of it is perfect in fitting with the rest of my vinatge gears!
From the functional point of view, it has to use a step down transformer as it is in 117v. Other then that, the touch screen function gives the CD player a very high standard and modern feel. The costs of the B & O CD is smiliar to the Philips CD 100. I used to own the Philips 100 CD player. However, the Philips CD 100 tend to be "over heated" after long hours of play and one has to take care of the ventilation in order to ensure its longivity. Not wanting to be "stressed" up when using the CD player, I have decided to sell away the Philips CD players to a Hong Kong collectors who owns a large collection of various CD players.
I shall be collecting my vintage Pye PF91 tomorrow back from servicing and I will be posting more pictures soon! I will have to do it soon as I will be away for business trip again from Thursday onwards...
Sunday, July 23, 2006
One more amplifier to complete the picture
- Leak 12.1,
- Radio craftsmen C500a,
- Mcintosh MC240 and
- Quad II.
- The serach for the WE 124 is now on...( temporary substituted by the model after WE124, the later model WE KS 16608)
Hopefully, I can complete the dream amplifiers picture before Christmas this year. While it is important to find the numbers, Quality in term of appearance is also an important factor to consider. There are so many good amplifiers out there but my personal view is that one should set an objective and path to follow as resource is limited but wants are not.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Quad II - 3rd time lucky


This is my 3rd pair of Quad II. The first was sold as the capacitors were replaced. The second sets were sold as I was having two sets of Leak 12.1 then. Today, I have managed to find a 3rd units of Leak 12.1 ,220v in its original condition.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Hifi summary July 2006

July 2006, Hong Kong - This evening, I have taken out all my hifi sets for some simple cleaning. Every unit bring me some fond memories. The Tannoy speakers reminds me of the raining day during Valentine's night, The Mcintosh reminded me when I first came to Hong Kong in June 2005, The 12.1 reminded me of my quest for a pair of 12.1; the Marantz 7 reminded me of the night after my company D & D rushing to view the M7; while the WE 16608 reminds me of the streets in Singapore...Every unit tells a story...
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Rogers LS3/5a 15 ohms


I have realized that I have mentioned very little about the LS3/5a speakers. I used to own 4 pairs of LS3/5a...all of them are Rogers namely:
- - 15 ohms black badge
- - 15 ohms with white belly
- - Transitional model from 15 ohms to 11 ohms (pseudo 15 ohms)
- - 11 ohms
Initially, I have intended to collect all the LS3/5a, all brands and makes. However, after much A/B compariosn, I have realised that while there are some differences in the various LS3/5a, the differences are so little that it would be so insignificant to really create an impact.
The strength of the LS3/5a is in its reproduction of vocal and playing of solo instrument. However, it has its limitation as there is very little base and very little high ..only strong mid. When using the LS3/5a to reproduce Orchestra musics, it sounded "rush and messy".
With the limitation, I have decided to try out the larger speakers which can reproduce the Orchestra music better. One of the my first large speakers was a pair of Altec 604E 15 inch speakers. It will reproduce strong base and sounded great for rock and Orchestra music. However, it sounded too "metallic" for my preference which as prompted to change for a pair of Tannoy Chartsworth 12 inch gold monitor. I like the British sound much better. The 12 inch Tannoy has the combination of the sweetness of the LS3/5a mid plus having the extension of base as well as high. Immediately, I know that Tannoy is THE speakers that will satisfy most of my hifi needs. I was lucky enough to upgrade to a pair of Tannoy Canterbury with monitor Red which is my all time favourite. ( very relex sound)
Thus, the LS3/5a is a pair of very good speakers but is not without its limitation. Firstly, it needed very good speakers stand (such as the foundation designer stand) to bring out the best in its potential. Secondly, don't expect too much base or high when playiung with this little pair of speakers. Thirdly, the escalating prices of the LS3/5a has made the equation between price versus performance to an unaccetable level. A good pair of LS3/5a in 15 ohms is around HK$11,000 + $5000 (for a pair of Foundation stands) = HK$16,000. With these amount of money, one can buy a pair of Tannoy 12 inch monitor gold Lanchester or Chartsworth. In addition, there are so many "modified" or fake LS3/5a which make one nervous in buying one. Lastly, the LS3/5a needs bigger power amplifiers to push and / or sounded good with tube amplifiers.
Some think that the LS3/5a is "suitable for small home" as it will not take much space. However, the reality of it is that in order to bring out the sound from these speakers, one has to bring it out 2- 3 feet away from the wall. Thus, when one take into consideration the speakers and its stand, plus the need to be away from the wall by 2-3 feet, the LS3/5a actually requires a larget space then say a Tannoy or Altec who can be placed near the wall. Small in this sense is actually a myth..
In the end, I have sold off 3 pairs of the LS3/5a and keep only one pair for reference (plus the fact that I could free up some cash to get the larger speakers since resources are limited but wanst are unlimited).
The LS3/5a is the King for vocal reproduction. However, in order not to miss out on other music details, I would think that one would need 3 pairs of speakers namely one large speakers, one LS3/5a and a full range speakers in order to have the speakers to cater for all music. However, this is just my personal opinion. Music and hifi is so personal that it is like colours or food preference...it all depends on your needs....
If you can afford, having a wall of LS3/5a with all brands and all models is also a very lovely sight : )
I have a few close hifi friends who has their great wall of LS3/5a and they look lovely! Well, in Chinese they say: 知足常樂 meaning to be content is to be Happy, and we should always count our blessings!
For more information on the LS3/5a, please read:
http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/hfw/oldeworldehtml/rogersls35a.html
Monday, July 17, 2006
Price of Radio Craftsmen C500a

The suggested retail price of a Radio CraftsmenC500a in 1953 was US$99. Thus, to play it in stereo mode (those days mainly in mono mode), would have costs US$198 for a pair.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
6L6 / KT66 amplifiers
- Leak TL12.1 (KT66) - the BEst KT66 amplifiers so far!
- Radio craftsmen C500a (KT66) - great work by the famous Sid Smith!
- Pye PF91 (KT66) - another great British amp that is rare!
- Western Electric KS16608 (6L6) - real value for money amp!
- Mcintosh MC240 (6L6) - One of the best advant guarde design and good power without the harshness!
Very soon, some ( or many) of the above will dissappear like water vapour in the air : ( whern the WE 124 appears..
Others interesting amps using KT66 are:
- RCA (my friend called it Big Quad II)
- Quad II
- Pilotone 901 (i think)
Given the strong inclination towards the KT66 & 6L6 tubes amplifiers, I have decided to down size and let go my Siemens amplifiers using EL84 tubes. The Siemens are great amplifiers with great details. However, since I have no wish to "collect", I have decided to focus on playing with the KT66/6L6 tubes families. By doing so, it would help me to save up resources, $$, time and space to hunt for the WE124... My wife will killme if she knows how much the WE 124 is going to cost! he he he!
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Klangfilm speakers wires


In my efforts to improve the quality of the sound from my current hifi system, I have replaced my ealier interconnect with the Artist made interconnect cables linking my Pre-Amp (1.8 Metres) to Amp & from CD to Pre Amp (1.5 metres)
For the speakers cables, I have used the Audio note silver cables and Western Electric cables. This afternoon, I have managed to get a pair of fully "burn in" 50 years old Klangfilm wires.
Similar to the Artist hifi interconnect, these wires were previously used in recording studios.
Great sound! I guess was due to the 50 years of continous usage as well as the purity of the copper!
Friday, July 14, 2006
Selling Marantz 7 & Mcintosh MC240 ?
Is this a right move?

