italian radios - en Archives

Brionvega RR126 Alexa – en

30th May 202321st September 2023
by giovanni

This page is the result of an eccentric and courageous request sent to us by a particularly demanding customer.

We were asked to set up a Brionvega RR126 radiophonograph to be managed by voice commands ALEXA.
We studied the problem and made the necessary modifications and inserted actuators so that this RR126 works with voice command.
As you can see in the video, this device turns on and off, adjusts the volume, chooses songs with voice commands, in this case implemented by Alexa.
Although tested with ALEXA this special version of RR126 works with any voice assistant, be it Siri on Apple HomePod, Google Assistant on Nest mini and of course Amazon Alexa on board Echo Dot!
And of course it also works with traditional controls, like a normal Brionvega RR126.

italian radios - en

Imcaradio Multigamma IF92 – en

28th October 201916th November 2019
by giovanni

Kingdom of Italy - 1939
The monthly salary of a worker is 250 lire, 1000 is that of a top executive.
Eng. Italo Filippa's IMCARADIO launches the MULTIGAMMA IF92 on the market at the modest price of 7500 lire.
This first information clarifies who the device was designed for and how many items were commercialized.
If there were still some doubts, the commercial of the time reads:
Impressive and of high musical quality 9-valve Radiophone.
In High Frequency the characteristic Multigamma chassis provides high sensitivity, which develops in a Low Frequency realized with the most modern valves and with patented phone circuit, which powers two giants electrodynamics loudspeakers with very light cone.

All IMCARADIO production aims for luxury and exclusive technological refinement, and the IF92 Multigamma is a magnificent expression of it.

The most important feature of this device is the Selection of the 8 bands by a Rotating drum. Registered patent of Imcaradio. Such system will be used several years later by other manufacturers around the world on the most prestigious multigamma models, such as Grundig in its Satellit series, Sony, Panasonic etc.
Different display for each range.

Two Class A power stages, each composed of a 6V6 which drives its own loudspeaker.

Illuminated Tuning Indicator with hand Weston-Imca.
Illuminated Precision-clock.
Ignition with pull-out key.

Inside the cabinet there are two chassis, one with the power supply and the other with the section and the two Low Frequency amplifiers.
The cabinet is very sturdy, as it weighs the tune of 70 Kg and no vibrations or resonances, deriving from the two large loudspeakers, are detected. It is covered with refined high-quality wooden compositions.

When the device is integrated with modern information-transfer technology, via cable or Bluetooth, the sound is magnificent.
Listening on this radio to old 78 rpm records is a real blast from the past. A past that some of us relive, but that most get to know for the first time. And it is a pleasant meeting with our roots.

The songs of the test playlist were chosen with an unusual criterion. I looked for songs that were probably listened to on this radio “when it was still young”. Only the last song is modern and it was included in the playlist in order to enhance the acoustic qualities of this device.
The recording quality of such songs is not excellent, sometimes very bad, but their charm is undeniable. Have a good listening!

The first song, entitled “L'Orgia”, is taken from the collection “Soirées Musicales”. A series of arias and ditties composed in 1830 in Paris by Gioacchino Rossini. It is a series of lovely transpositions of poems adapted to chamber music. Rossini managed to maintain the poetic form, the drama or the joy, by wisely dosing the chromatism and the rhythmic. Small masterpieces.

The second song is the “Tango delle Capinere” composed by Cesare Alberto Bixio on lyrics by Bixio Cherubini, brought to success by Aurelio Cimato, aka Gabrè. The beautiful recording I propose is the one played by Luciano Tajoli. This tango was written in 1928. Just like several songs of the time, it aimed at dignifying the work of the many “blackcaps”, who did the world's oldest job.

The third song is from the “Rigoletto” by Giuseppe Verdi. It is the famous aria “La donna è mobile” interpreted by the great Enrico Caruso. This is a recording from the early 1900s. The work, inspired by the drama “Le roi s'amuse” by Victor Hugo, was meant to be represented for the first time at the Fenice theatre in Venice with the title “La Maledizione” (by Vallier).
But in 1850 the Military Governor Cavalier de Gorzkowski forbade its representation. Even the name of the main character Triboulet, which could recall the ideas of suffering and tribulation, was Italianized in “Rigoletto”. Finally, after several adaptations, it was represented in 1851 and it was a great success.

The fourth piece is “L'Ottobrata”, taken from “Feste Romane” of 1928, one of the most important works by Ottorino Respighi (Bologna 1879 - Rome 1936).
After 1860 there was an opening towards the culture and the music from across the Alps. Before that time, it would have been considered almost a betrayal of the nation. The first great Italian musician sensitive to these new artistic trends was Respighi, who attended the teachings of Rimsky-Korsakof.
The influence of the great Russian master can be recognized in works such as “Le fontane di Roma”, “I pini di Roma” and “Feste romane”.

The last song, among those that this radio has certainly already known, won the Sanremo festival in 1958. “Nel blu dipinto di blu”, sung by Domenico Modugno. An important song in the history of Italian music, which consecrates the advent of the so-called “yellers”, including Tony Dallara, Adriano Celentano, Little Tony, Mina, just to name a few.
It represented a drive towards life for those Italians who, in those years, did not manage to emerge despite the economic boom.

The last song allows, instead, to appreciate the acoustic qualities of the Imcaradio IF92. It is the well-known “Euphoria” by the Swedish singer Loreen.
It is a very beautiful, award-winning song that has sold millions of copies. Very well recorded and arranged. Loreen's voice is fascinating and mysterious. Somehow the song actually reminds of Sweden.

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

Each radio is equipped with a cable for connection to any digital device.

- Bluetooth receiver embed - The unit is equipped with a BLUETOOTH receiver powered directly by the receiver power supply. This makes it possible to control the amplifier from any external digital device as an IPAD, a Smartphone, or a sophisticated multimedia station. So you can hear your preferred web station or your lossesless file without cables on the room. Wireless Receiver can be equipped upon requests.
- Multi Platform Connection - A customized adaptation cable to connect any digital device as Iphone, Smartphone, Laptop, CD Player etc. will be provided with this radio. This special cable suits the different impedances between the modern equipment and the receiver. Furthermore the two stereo channels flow into one without increasing the load to the input unit.

In 1932, the engineer Italo Filippa founded the IMCA, “Industria Meccanica Cartonaggi e Affini” (Mechanical Industry for Cardboard and Cardboard derivated products), in Alessandria.

In 1935 Filippa, passionate radio amateur, founded the IMCA RADIO Spa with the intent to start a production of luxury appliances.

The company also specializes in the construction of variable capacitors and range switches.

Eng. Filippa also patents a series of devices that he plans on using in his receivers, including a rotating drum RF section that allows for extremely precise brushing of frequencies, elevating the quality of his radios to an almost professional level.

In 1936 the models IF 65 and IF 78 are presented. (I would say that IF stands for Italo Filippa)

In 1937 the successful ESAGAMMA series was released.

In 1949 the first PANGAMMA series was presented. equipped with FM.

The company will also produce military equipment, separate components, and televisions.

In 1960 it was absorbed by Radiomarelli, which continued to produce IMCARADIO branded equipment, replacing the abbreviation IF with RID, until 1962 when it ceased production.

Year of production: 1939

Wavebands:

Long Waves (OL) 275 - 155 KHz
Medium Waves (OM1) 1600 - 870 KHz
Medium Waves (OM2) 900 - 490 KHz
Short Waves (OC1) 4,57 - 7,1 MHz
Short Waves (OC2) 7 - 11 MHz
Short Waves (OC3) 10,6 - 16 MHz
Short Waves (OC4) 15,15 - 23 MHz
Short Waves (OC5) 21 - 30 MHz

Operating voltage (CA): 110; 125; 160; 220 Volt

2 Fullrange Electrodynamic Loudspeakers

Dimensions (LHP) : 560 x 1010 x 880 mm / 22.1 x 39.8 x 34.6 inch

Net weight: 73,4 kg

9 Tubes: 6D6, 76, 6D6, 6Q7, 75, 2 x 6V6, 5Z3, 6L7

The High Frequency Group is composed of a rotating drum that can be extracted from chassis as it has no fixed connections to the rest of the radio. All the contacts are of high precision.
To each range corresponds a display, as shown in the photos.
The entire High Frequency section is built with high-quality components, such as the air ceramic compensator and the Ducati capacitors.
The CAV (Automatic Volume Control) is very efficient, even on very weak stations. The result is a stable, fading-free reception.

The device can be activated by turning the key. The movement reminds that of the ignition of the Lancia Astura.

On the left of the key there is the clock, in the middle the power light, on the right the tuning indicator.

Below. The first knob from the left is the Tone Control.
The second is the Volume Control which also works as the Input Selector.
- The Radio Input is selected in the regular position .
- The Turntable Input is selected in the extracted position.
The third knob is Normal Tuning Control. This knob is mechanically connected to the large horizontal wheel placed below the other knobs, which controls the Fine Tuning.
The last knob on the right controls the Drum Band Switch. At each change of range the display of the selected band is displayed.

brionvega - en

Brionvega Totem RR130 – en

2nd January 201921st September 2023
by giovanni

Brionvega is certainly the Italian brand of electronic equipment that left the deepest mark in the history of world design.
On this page, one of the most beautiful equipment of the Brionvega is presented: the TOTEM RR130.
It was designed by the architect and designer Mario Bellini in 1970.

Eight times Compasso d'Oro, Bellini counts among his most famous creations the Centro Espositivo e Congressuale di Villa Erba (Exhibition and Congress Center of Villa Erba) in Cernobbio, the Tokyo Design Center in Japan, the America Headquarters of Natuzzi in the United States, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, the Headquarters of the Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt, the Department of Islamic Arts at the Louvre in Paris, the new Convention Center in Milan.

The Brionvega Totem, along with others of Bellini's works, is exhibited at the MOMA in New York. It is visible on this page of the museum.

When closed it looks like a smooth cube of 51 cm per side.
Once opened, the turntable, the console and the two adjustable and removable speakers are found.
The turntable is a beautiful DUAL 1257 with a magnetic cartridge DUAL DN145E. The turntable and the cartridge will be analysed in detail later.
The central body includes a 22W stereo amplifier, an AM/FM tuner and a muzak receiver.

The Totem project follows the famous RR126 Radiofonografo. The two devices share different circuits, but several improvements and updates have been implemented in the Totem.

The acoustic quality is interesting. Leaving the speakers in their rotating supports, the distance between them is sufficient to guarantee a fair stereo separation, even if the best results are surely obtained by extracting the speakers from their supports and placing them at a distance of more than 1,5 meters.
The power is more than enough to fill medium-sized environments.
Rather than the frequency response, which is still quite linear, the most interesting feature is the kind of musicality the device can express. In fact, the sound is warm and mellow, close to the sound of tube amplifiers. This result derives from the type of circuit with a low negative feedback rate and the use of fair components, in complete contrast to the projects of Japanese derivation that were so fashionable in the 1970s.

A musicality with these features, a brilliant design, such a strong personality have determined its remarkable commercial success.

In our restorations we propose a small modification to the loudspeakers by equipping them with a brighter tweeter, which associated with the insertion of a bluetooth 5.1 circuit or of a wi-fi connection allows the listening of liquid music or any web-station of the world with a satisfying level of pleasantness in the listening.

The aesthetic remains absolutely unaltered but the sound changes significantly, becoming considerably more precise and free of disturbances.

Almost all the devices that are sent to us are stained, yellowed and with damaged edges.
For this reason we have equipped ourselves for the total double repainting (white and anthracite) and the screen printing of all the front and back writings.

These incredible restorations are photographically documented at the bottom of the page in the dedicated section.

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

CONNESSIONE A DISPOSITIVI DIGITALI

Each radio is equipped with a cable for connection to any digital device.

In 1945 in Milan, Giuseppe Brion and the engineer Leone Pajetta founded the B.P.M. (Brion Pajetta Milano), electronic component production company.
At the beginning of the 50s the company specialized in the production of radio devices and becomes the Vega B.P. Radio.
At the beginning of the 60s specialized in the production of Tvs and becomes Radio Vega Television.
In 1963, the company takes the definitive name of Brionvega.

Brionvega since ever had world-known designers and produced objects that are exposed in the most famous international museums.
Among the firsts designers Zanuso and Sapper, 1964, that projected the portable TV Algol 11 (picture on the bottom left) and the radio TS 502, the “cube” (picutre on the bottom right).
In 1965 the Castiglioni brothers (ppicture on the top left) signed then the Stereophonic Radiofonografo RR126.
In 1970 the designer Mario Bellini traces the shape of the stereo system “Totem” (picture on the top right).
In 1992, the company is sold by the Brion family to the Seleco.
In 1997 Seleco goes out of business and Brionvega, controlled, does so.
In 2004 SIM2 Multimedia has acquired the part of the Brionvega company dedicated to the radio production.
In 2010 SIM2 Multimedia acquires also the TV sector of the historical italian brand.

TURNTABLE

The turntable used in the Totem is the DUAL 1257.
This is an excellent semi-automatic equipped with a DUAL 16-pole motor, with belt transmission and a very heavy plate, for an excellent rotation stability; wow and flutter, in fact, remain within a small 0,05%.
The belt transmission and the detachment of all the not necessary mechanisms during operation allow to reach a signal / noise ratio of 68dB.
The 1257 is equipped with stroboscope and fine adjustment of the speed. It is also provided with micrometric adjustment of the bracket weight and separate Antiskating settings for Conical or Elliptical stylus.

VOLUME CONTROLS

The Totem RR130 is equipped with two separate volume controls.
- The first (LOUDNESS) changes the level by automatically changing the frequency response curve according to a physiological criterion (at low volume the bass and treble are enhanced).
- The second (VOLUME) changes the level, leaving the frequency response curve unchanged.
Both commands increase the overall output level.

Listening to LOW LEVEL: turn the volume knob to maximum and act only on the loudness knob to get the desired level.
Listening to MEDIUM LEVEL: turn the volume knob halfway and turn the loudness knob to get the desired level.
Listening to HIGH LEVEL: act on both the volume and loudness knobs to get the desired level.

Each speaker is equipped with three cone speakers, a woofer, a midrange and a tweeter.

Curious is the electrical connections between loudspeakers and amplifier. It is obtained simply by inserting the loudspeakers box into the appropriate support tube, equipped with slide contacts.

The woofer and the mid are quite adequate to the characteristics of the amplifier.
The tweeter is a little silky, soft, it lacks a bit in transparency in the higher frequencies.
This feature was totally irrelevant in radio reproduction, while using the Totem for listening to liquid music or other digital sources we prefer to replace the tweeter with a more modern and brilliant one.
Also the reproduction of vinyls benefits considerably from this.
Of course, in our restorations, the modification leaves the external aesthetics completely unchanged.

9a55 - en

Radiomarelli 9A55 – en

10th November 201829th March 2019
by giovanni

The most striking feature of the Radiomarelli 9A55 is its unmistakable aesthetic personality.
This beautiful line, with the control console inclined and directed towards the listener, and the loudspeakers panel embellished by harmoniously worked strips is the evolution of the model 8A05.
This line is found, with some changes, also on the 9A26 model which replaces the 8A28, also called “Federale”.

1945, the war is over and Marelli, like many other companies, resumes its civil activity. Radiomarelli presents the 9A55 model and it is a success.
The line is beautiful, the cabinet is in real wood, the front is curved, the control console is directed towards the listener. There is everything, and everything is in the right place.
The control panel, later analyzed, are simple, practical and effective.
The devices of the same class from other brands have a much more traditional and unattractive line. The differences between one and another are often little details, some ornaments, the canvas of the loudspeakers, the slightly different shape.
The 9A55 is a revolution. It is both really liked and not entirely liked.
It is the destiny of all the devices with a strong personality.

The Power Output stage consists of a 6V6 in class A. The 6v6 is a very popular beam-power tetrode used in “made in USA” amplifiers.
The beam-power tetrode was invented to bypass the patent pending on the pentode. The polarization is slightly different but the sonic characteristics is comparable, and for some even better, to the pentode EL84. It is an extremely robust valve, thanks also to the physical dimensions that guarantee an excellent heat dissipation.
The Power Output stage is provided with a negative feedback circuit which has a triple function:
- reduces the harmonic distortion
- regularizes the linearity of the frequency response
- allows three different signal equalization curves

The High and Intermediate Frequency stages follow a very simple classical scheme, from a modern perspective. A 6K7 is used in the Intermediate Frequency stage and a 6A8 in the oscillator/mixer High Frequencies stage.
Sensitivity is not high, so a good aerial and possibly a a good ground are required.
In Italy still remain very few stations that broadcast in Medium Waves, so the use of bluetooth input is very recommended, almost mandatory.

Using the bluetooth input the sound is very pleasant. The bass are well present, reinforced by the robust cabinet. Probably the rounded walls avoid the formation of stationary waves and resonances, contributing decisively to the good final result.
The device was designed to listen to stations in Amplitude Modulation, which provided a frequency response of the audio signal at most up to 4500 Hz. With the use of bluetooth this limitation would have been too invalidating, which is why the the original electrodynamic speaker has been replaced with an excellent Isophon wideband magnetodynamic loudpeaker whose frequency response is very extended.
The result is that the Mid is very present and the treble are present and sweet, slightly in the background.

In short, an enjoyable device with an exclusive line that, unfortunately, represents another piece of glorious Italian history that has gone away.

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

Each radio is equipped with a cable for connection to any digital device

– Multi Platform Connection – A customized adaptation cable to connect any digital device as Iphone, Smartphone, Laptop, CD Player etc. will be provided with this radio. This special cable suits the different impedances between the modern equipment and the receiver. Furthermore the two stereo channels flow into one without increasing the load to the input unit.

1930 - Giovanni and Ercole Marelli found the Radiomarelli brand based in Milan. A division of Magneti Marelli is dedicated to the production of radio equipment. The commercial slogan, also reported in the logo, is – The best in radio.
1931 – On Monday evenings from the Radiomarelli store in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, open for the occasion, the concerts held in the hall of the Royal Conservatory of Milan were broadcast to the public with two Musagete radios. Every Monday a crowd of people used to gather to enjoy the listening.
1932 - Magneti Marelli establishes Fivre, the Fabbrica Italiana Valvole Radio Elettriche (Italian Electric Radio Valves Factory), for the production of electric radio valves and cathode-ray tubes for future television.
1936 - Radiomarelli begins experimental research in the television field.
1956 - In the 50s the company paid particular attention to the design of its products, some designed in collaboration with external professionals, such as the Movision rv126 TV, designed by Pierluigi Spadolini.
60s – The decade of the company's greatest success, which produces radios, televisions and home appliances.
70s - Invasion of the European market by the producers of Japan and Taiwan, whose products are much cheaper, thanks also to the absence of design costs (the first devices were copied). Italian component manufacturers started to fail and equipment manufacturers were forced to turn to Asian component manufacturers, further increasing the cost of their devices. The design is cut and the devices produced can no longer be at the forefront. The delocalization of production begins but the crisis seems to be irreversible.
1975 - Radiomarelli was sold by Magneti Marelli in 1975 to SEIMART elettronica, supported by GEPI (Società di Gestione Partecipazioni Industriali) founded by IRI. SEIMART had already taken over the Magnadyne, the LESA and the Gallo Condor, all of which went soon bankrupt.
1976 - Radiomarelli ceases production activities. SEIMART establishes ELCIT - Elettronica Civile S.r.l. for the production of colour televisions under the Magnadyne and Radiomarelli brands. But Japanese and Turkish production is too strong.
1991 - ELCIT is taken over by the company SANDRETTO, from Turin, which produces injection molding machines. Despite the large investments to restore and diversify production, almost all the staff are placed in lay-off. Radiomarelli ceases to exist.
2018 - The entire group leader MAGNETI MARELLI is sold to the Japanese company CALSONIC KANSEI. Sad goodbye to another of the most important and glorious Italian companies.

The photo on the left is from 1931 and we can see the crowd that gathered every Monday evening in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan to listen, from the windows of the Radiomarelli store, to the concerts held in the hall of the Royal Conservatory of Milan and broadcast to the public through radio Musagete Radiomarelli

gbc - en

GBC Halifax FV-81 – en

7th February 20188th May 2022
by giovanni

The GBC HALIFAX FV-81 was designed, produced and commercialised by GBC as its flagship model.
It was advertised as a “High-performance, High-Fidelity stereo system”.
Very curious is the definition of the “drop-down” furniture piece, which is basically a fold-out cabinet.
Also interesting is the possibility to mount the cabinet to a wall.
For this purpose, reinforced rear screws have been applied.

Both amplifiers consist of a triode-pentode ECL86, the ultimate evolution of the ECLxx tube range.
The triode is used as a preamplifier and the pentode as a power amplifier. The declared power is of 3W per channel.
It may seem little, but it is not. The IREL loudspeakers, produced in Italy, are very efficient. The boost given by the cabinet further increase the overall effect.

This cabinet effectively sonorises a medium-sized room.
It is not recommended to use a passive subwoofer because of the softening that would be introduced by its crossover filter.
This device is suitable for the listening of Jazz, instrumental, new age and ethnic music, in general.
Metal and other musical genres characterised by strong dynamics are a little too softened by ECL86.

The turntable will be described later.

This device is naturally provided with Bluetooth. The best and practically unavoidable way to use it.
Using any device, smartphone, Ipad etc. it is possible to listen to any radio station in the world, any compilation, podcast, CD and so on.
The sound, of course, is that of the tubes.

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

Each radio is equipped with a cable for connection to any digital device.

GBC is the acronym for Gian Bruto Castelfranchi, who founded the company in 1958 in order to commercialize instrument accessories and related material.
It is his son Jacopo, however, who made GBC the biggest company in Italy for the commercialisation of electronic materials and devices.
Jacopo joins his father's company in 1946, starting to increase the number of represented products and expanding in the field of electronic components, tubes, passive components and various equipment such as tape recorders and turntables.

The company expands and diversifies and in 1957 the Selezione di Tecnica Radio TV periodical is born, for which is created the J.C.E., Jacopo Castelfranchi Editore.
Not to be confused with the Selezione Radio magazine, published from 1951.

In 1962 the head office is transferred to Cinisello Balsamo owing to a shortage of space.

In 1970, the magazine changes its name to Sperimentare Selezione di Tecnica Radio TV.
In 1970 it becomes a Sony distributor for Italy and it later creates a joint venture with it.
The sales points in Italy reach maximum expansion with over 150 shops.

GBC also designs and creates its own high-fidelity stereo systems and televisions.
In these years, GBC also commercialises assembly kits branded “High kit” and “Amtron”.
In the next few years, it also becomes an importer for Bang&Olufsen, Sinclair and Goldstar.

GBC is sold in 1980.

The turntable is a semi-automatic ELAC KST106 with stereophonic piezoelectric cartridge.
The turntable is rather quiet for the time. It is very simple to use.
It can play 16-33-45-78 r.p.m. records either manually or automatically. It is also provided with Multi-LP Capable Turntables.
Moreover, it can be placed automatically on records with a 30-25-17 diameter.
The ELAC needle has got two positions 33-78 r.p.m. with two different needle diameters.
The frequency response is linear on the whole audio band.
The turntable/head complex was really good for the time.
Nevertheless, the weight of the piezoelectric cartridges is between 5 and 8 grams. This forced the builders to apply an antiskating of the same strength in grams.
The couple wight/antiskating so big damages vinyl records over time. This is why I advise against using it with rare or precious LPs.

There are four loudspeakers, two for each loudspeaker box.
The 10 cm diameter conical tweeter in cellulose is close on the rear. This kind of structure makes it completely independent from pressure variations generated by the woofer. This ensures a clean and distortion-free reproduction.
The 6 dB/oct filter is essentially composed of a good-quality condenser.

The woofer frequency cut, instead, is entrusted only to its mechanical features.
Above a given frequency, likely around 5-6000 Hz, the softening with which high notes are reproduced is such as to work as a natural filter.
This peculiar way of building filters, very common at that time, not only was economical, but practically generated a single-driver loudspeaker reproduction, with the great advantage of focusing on the audible image.

572 - en

Fada 572 – en

13th January 201813th January 2018
by giovanni

Of Italian origins, Frank Angelo D'Andrea, the creator of Radio FADA, was born in the Bronx, NY in 1888.
At the age of 16, he worked in partnership with his brother, after learning radiotechnics working at Frederick Pierce Co.
In 1923, FADA began to produce radios that are very successful with the public, but due to the poor management of the staff, most of them participate in numerous strikes and the best engineers of the company go away.
In 1932 production was now very low and the company was sold to a group of businessmen in Boston.
In 1934 the company failed.
D'andrea continued the production of radio devices with another brand.
At SIARE in Piacenza - Italy was allowed to produce in Italy, under license, some of the American production devices. The production was entrusted to the Neapolitan 'La Precisa', which dealt with mechanical productions. All components, with the exception of vacuum tubes, some capacitors and resistors, were built in the same factory. La Precisa was able to build everything.
Today many of the radios produced by Fada over the years are very requested by radio collectors thanks to their beautiful design and the use of fine materials.

Like all the devices produced before the '50s, this Fada 572 is not equipped with FM, so it would be practically useless in Italy.
In the Short and Medium Waves the sensitivity is not such as to allow a quality listening.
But the owner wanted to be able to use it daily, so it was also equipped with a Bluetooth receiver. Totally reversible modification without leaving any trace of course, but that makes this appliance completely usable.
And the sound that comes out is also of excellent quality, with the phisical limits of course, but it is nevertheless unexpected.
This device has never sounded like this. Be sure.

The device was in really pitiful condition, the piece of furniture was completely rotten and destroyed by woodworms. The veneer was destroyed or missing. The broken or missing metal parts. The electronic part completely was redone, and finally, the speaker totally blocked.
But the device deserved all our care.
So, after viewing the main features, let's start the story from the beginning.

As I wrote earlier, the furniture had suffered a lot. It had certainly been kept in damp and poorly ventilated areas for many years.
The veneer was detached or missing.
The curved plinth at the base of the radio had been lost. This hoof is very important, a good part of the beauty of this device is given by the curvature and sinuosity of this hoof.
The whole piece of furniture was rotten or destroyed by woodworms.
The first sensation, just a close look at the real conditions of the furniture was: Here is a job that will put a strain on us!

The first part of the restoration, the detachment of the veneer, was carried out as quickly as possible. There was a danger that woodworms could move on to the wood stored in the woodworking shop.
A good cure for woodworms and a rest of more than three weeks in a bag has definitively excluded any danger.
The galleries excavated by the worms were subsequently filled, to recreate the solidity and compactness of the wood.
All internal reinforcements and battens have instead been redone. This allowed getting back the original structural solidity.
The hoof was redone with a healthy plant, starting with a reconstruction of the measurements taken from some photos.
The veneer work was very delicate, from that depending on the final appearance of the appliance. The design of the wood has been carefully chosen to respect that of the original veneer.
And finally, the final result, before the waxing done by hand.

imcaradio - en

Imcaradio Pangamma IF121 – en

31st October 201728th October 2019
by giovanni

The Imcaradio Pangamma IF121 was the first Italian receiver with FM.
For many years the FM will remain a privilege of few, the high cost of the equipment and the only radio program available only in the main Italian cities limited its spread.
Almost all the brands initially opted for adapters to be inserted in AM appliances or in external cabinets to be connected to the phono socket. The few complete AM / FM devices were often double, ie with separate AM and FM sections up to the BF stage. This results in very complex radios with several vacuum tubes. The Pangamma mounts 13, the Watt Giubileo also, the Philips BI700 reaches 14 tubes.

The model was also designed for export, in fact, the FM reception band goes from 88 to 108 MHz.
The Pangamma IF121 is the most prestigious model of this manufacturer that had chosen to build only high-quality models.
The final stage, to be honest, is not very powerful, delivers almost 4 W, but works in class A and is supported by a large cabinet and an efficient speaker, so the sound is more than satisfactory.

For the detection, a discriminator circuit with double diode and limiter stage was used.

Inside the cabinet, there are two frames, one with the power supply and the low-frequency amplifier and the other with the actual radio section.
This is because the frame of the radio section was also used in the models IF142 and IF194, while the frame of the amplifier changed.

The cabinet is very solid and there are no vibrations or resonances arising from the speaker. It is covered with high-quality wood and carefully chosen design.
Saying the weight and dimensions are “relevant” is an understatement.

The dials is beautiful. The background is mirrored. The number of bands and related graphics indications make it attractive and apparently complex.
But this is its beauty

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

Each radio is equipped with a cable for connection to any digital device.

In 1932, the engineer Italo Filippa founded the IMCA, “Industria Meccanica Cartonaggi e Affini” (Mechanical Industry for Cardboard and Cardboard derivated products), in Alessandria.

In 1935 Filippa, passionate radio amateur, founded the IMCA RADIO Spa with the intent to start a production of luxury appliances.

The company also specializes in the construction of variable capacitors and range switches.

In 1936 the models IF 65 and IF 78 are presented. (I would say that IF stands for Italo Filippa)

In 1937 the successful ESAGAMMA series was released.

In 1949 the first PANGAMMA series was presented. equipped with FM.

The company will also produce military equipment, separate components, and televisions.

In 1960 it was absorbed by Radiomarelli, which continued to produce IMCARADIO branded equipment, replacing the abbreviation IF with RID, until 1962 when it ceased production.

g185 - en

Geloso G185 – en

8th September 20178th September 2017
by giovanni

It is really unusual to see in all my pages a device that is not manufactured in Germany.
In fact, I have restored this Italian Radio “Geloso” only when one of my dearest friends requested me to do so.
When I was young I had modified so many Gelosos and I remember how well they were made.
The device was bought on eBay and it was shipped directly to me from the seller. I did not read the advertisement but I knew that its price was similar to a restored German appliance, therefore expecting a restored and working machine.
When I opened the box I saw the cabinet was in good condition, while the scale was a little less, but the radio was intact and after some tests I decided to try it.
It was painful. The radio crackled and the sound was distorted.
Undeterred, I imagined that after a good restoration and a special tuning it would return to be as new.
Unfortunately, this was not the case. The substantial restoration is documented in the final part of the page but the result was much lower than expected.
The loudspeaker has a band with very reduced, both on high and on low.
The final sound is not very powerful. The “integral” volume control with that of tone (increasing one, increases the other) causes the response would be different in each position of the volume knob. The aim was to obtain a physiological control of the volume. The result was an unreal and always different sound.
The smallest of the Loewe Opta sounds much better.
The movement of the mechanical parts of the tuning is not so soft because it is devoid of any flywheel.
The long needle swings at every vibration.
The FM tuning is noisy and I understand from my friend that probably the FM band is probably not original. Unluckily, I did not have documentation about it because I am specialized in German devices.
However, this is the cheapest FM device produced by the Geloso and I am sure the devices of top class can compete with medium – class devices produced by Grundig, Nordmende and so on.

BLUETOOTH

Built-in Bluetooth receiver

DETAILS >

MULTI PLATFORM CONNNECTION

Each radio is equipped with a special cable that connects with any digital source.

DETAILS >

- Built-in Bluetooth receiver - This unit can be equipped with a BLUETOOTH receiver powered directly from the device. That makes it possible to use the amplifier from any digital device, IPAD, Smartphone, or sophisticated multimedia station. You can listen to your wireless Web Stations or favorite music around the room. On request, we can also mount a Wireless Receiver.

- Multi Platform connections - Along with the device, we can also provides you an impedance adapter cable to connect any digital source, such as iphone, smartphone, computer, CD player, etc. This purpose-built cable adapts different impedances of modern digital equipment. Also the two stereo channels are collected into a single flow without increasing the load input unit.

brionvega - en

Brionvega RR126 – en

24th July 201715th July 2022
by giovanni

Brionvega is certainly the italian elecronic equipment brand that the most left a sign into the world design history.
Brionvega masterpiece, the Radiofonografo Stereofonico Brionvega RR126.
It has been projected by architects Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni in 1965.

The RR 126 has been projected as “stereophonic high fidelity device”.
When it appeared on the market, it was welcomed with a big selling success.
It was available in white, lobster, and wood. The white one was the most requested.
It has been a revolution in the design of the home devices for the listening of the music.
Thanks to its modular structure, that allows to put the speakers on the top of the central body so that a cube is shaped, or on the side of the central body so that a parallelepiped is shaped.

Thecnically the circuit is typical, except for what refers the stereo decoder that is preamplified alone.
The original sound of the bi-conic speakers is a little defective in the high and low part of the range, and a little bit enclosed.
For this reason we always suggest in our refurbishments an internal adjustment to the speakers, introducing a little mask that bends the loudspeakers towards the center to focalize better the listening, and also the radical replacement of the original loudspeakers with modern 3-ways ones, projected to work in a limited-dimension sounding board.
The aesthetics remains absolutely unmodified but the sound changes deeply, widening, opening and getting significantly more precise.

Almost all the white or lobster models, when they come to us, are spotted, yellowed and with damaged edges.
For this reason we are equipped for the whole double varnishing (white and dark brown) and for the serigraphy of all the incriptions, anterior and posterior.

These incredible refurbishments are documented by pictures at the bottom of the page in the dedicated section.

Breaking news: the RR formerly owned by David Bowie has been auctioned in London for 324.000 pounds.

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

Each radio is equipped with a cable for connection to any digital device.

IMPROVED LOUDSPEAKERS

The kind of the loudspeakers is changed.

- Improved loudspeakers - The modest bi-conic original loudspeakers can be replaced, with pertinent changes, by brillant 2/3 ways loudspeakers with a significant improvement of the device's sounding performances.
The adjustment is completely invisible.

- Bluetooth receiver embed – The unit is equipped with a BLUETOOTH receiver powered directly by the receiver power supply. This makes it possible to control the amplifier from any external digital device as an IPAD, a Smartphone, or a sophisticated multimedia station. So you can hear your preferred web station or your lossesless file without cables on the room. Wireless Receiver can be equipped upon requests.

– Multi Platform Connection – A customized adaptation cable to connect any digital device as Iphone, Smartphone, Laptop, CD Player etc. will be provided with this radio. This special cable suits the different impedances between the modern equipment and the receiver. Furthermore the two stereo channels flow into one without increasing the load to the input unit.

Starting from the left, on top we find the dial glass of the AM bands and the related knob for the tuning, the strength tuning indicator, the indicator of the stereo station (green), and the power on one (red). Finally on the right we find the FM scale and the related tuning knob.
Below we have the buttons for Long, Medium, Short Waves, FM Mono, FM Stereo, Turntable Mono, Turntable Stereo, AFC, Tape Recorder.
Further below we have the Power On / Bass, Treble, Balance, Volume, Input Level knobs.

Il giradischi è stato sostituito con uno nuovo, il quale è stato a sua volta ingrassato e tarato
L'apparecchio era stato "sistemato" da un privato, successivamente era stato portato in un laboratorio Grundig/Philips della zona. Non so chi abbia fatto cosa, ma uno dei due transisor pilota era stato montato rovescio, per cui appena si accendeva andava in corto.
Restauro elettronico
Dopo il restauro però ancora nulla funzionava. Era stato montato un transistor di potenza al posto di uno di segnale, ma si in fondo sono sempre transistor ....
L'apparecchio comincia a funzionare ma distorce in maniera evidente. Si tratta di distrsione di crossover.
E parecchia
Misura, prova riprova, è tutto tarato perfettamente, le tensioni sono tutte regolari, ma cosa può essere? Torniamo a misurare i finali, che sembravano buoni. Cosa? 0,6 volt di tensione base/emettitore? Ma se sono degli AD149! Ehm! Sono marchiati AD149 ma sono dei comuni transistor al Silicio !!!!! Chi li ha comprati avrà sicramente risparmiato qualcosa, ma pensando di acquistare dei costosi transistor al Germanio ha ricevuto invece degli economici transistor al Silicio ... rimarchiati!
Con quattro equivalenti degli AD149 veri la macchina torna a posto
on è stato un restauro facile ed ora capisco perchè il laboratorio non ci è riuscito, però ...

ducati - en

Ducati RR3404 Paniere – en

8th June 20178th May 2022
by giovanni

The Ducati Breveti Society was born in Bologna in 1926 by the Ducati family.
The business grew quickly, so much so, that Adriano Ducati decided to extend the production from condenser to complete radio equipment.
When the Borgo Panigale office was opened further expansion took place.
In 1938, the Optics centre was created and for this reason two other plants were built near Borgo Panigale (one near Bazzano and one in Crespellano).
This production intensified to the point that Bruno Ducati began to study a new project to extend the plant even further.
In 1935, the Borgo Panigale plant was established.
This was a modern and ambitious project intended to create an industrial and technological centre in Bologna.
During this time, Ducati developed abroad opening branches in London, Paris, New York, Sydney and Caracus.
In 1954, during state management Ducati’s production was divided into Ducati Electrotechnics and Ducati Mechanics.
Ducati Mechanics was located in Plant 2, while Ducati Electrotechnics (now Ducati Energia) occupied the rest of the building.
The rest is modern history.

It is not a device purchased in recent times. It was purchased from the grandfather of the current owner.
The radio remained in the family, it was the only survivor of a previous collection; it was too important to remain abandoned in a damp warehouse.
This magic talking box, deserved to see the light of day again and make its baritone tone resonate in the middle of the room.

The page dedicated to this device is different from the usual one, it illustrates the history about this excellent and fascinating restoration.

This is a blocked loudspeaker before the restoration
Fixed on a support deformed by moisture and time
Details
The dismantling of the electromagnet
Here is the magnetic cavity which should be perfect and smooth. Few tenths separate it from the cylinder that flows in it.
The other side is worse.
The magnet after restoration
The spider was completely disconnected
The cone will be drilled to access the magnet support screws
The fixing of the spider
The magnet
The centre of the cone
The repair of the holes

The rests of the original veneer have been totally deleted. The furniture has been plastered on the corners and where it was necessary. The flanks have been veneered again.
The sewing work of the various veneer pieces, to rebuild a flaming veneer according to the original, is wonderful. The veneer rectangles are cut and shaped until they achieve the desired design. The various pieces that you see are attached with the sellotape by some painters who wanted to understand the final effect.
We realized by removing the decoration with the logo, at places where it was not exposed, the decoration itself, was gold. So, it will have to be reinstated. If you look for Ducati Panieri images on the web, you can notice none of the devices have a gold decoration.

Let's talk about chassis and mechanical parts, all precision mechanical parts. The frame is crooked, straightened. Who knows what kind of blow should have taken this appliance?
Details of the bands switch with “lightweight oxidation traces”. Maybe it will not make good contact.
The tuning wheel missed a piece.
It is possible to reproduce it to do an insert.
The variable condenser is badly off.
The frame is broken and some of the plates bent.
Some variable condenser repair sequences
Fixed the chassis, straightened the plates, applied a reinforcing bracket, reclaimed sphere balls from an old bicycle and then adjusted the distances. Now the plates do not touch each other and are in good working order.