german radios - en Archives – Page 7 of 7

Saba meersburg w2 enhanced – en

3rd March 201717th October 2018
by giovanni

The Meersburg W2 Radio was built during 1952 by the company SABA.
The company gave the models of its radios the names of German cities.
This model has been the best amongst all the devices with the output stage in A-class.
The Meersburg's model is unique and outstanding around the world because it uses a powerful EL34 as a power output.
I've never heard of another radio as special as this one.

On demand, we can offer this unit with some changes, highlighting its extraordinary performance.
Any changes made are completely reversible.
Below are the most important changes we propose:-
- Replacement of EL34 with a KT88 including the changes of the polarization.
- In order to keep the deep scenographic of the original to change the disposal of the speakers.

The most interesting features about the Meersburg W2 are:-
- Output stage in A Class with EL34 pentode as modern amplifiers Hi- End.-
- Alloy speakers to completely muffle the vibrations.
- Checks the loudness with five prearranged equalization curves selected from a switch.

- The amplifier FM is a pentode. This architectural choice guarantees more sensibility than following tiodano amplifiers. Unfortunately, the high sound is dependant on this type of tube and for this reason it is necessary to be careful to select the correct tube.
- The medium frequencies are equipped with a coupling adjustment. This feature allows calibration with high precision the slope and extension of the medium frequency curve. Usually, there is not this control and has been predetermined by the manufacturer at an average value.

This radio looks wonderful with its well proportioned form.
It is possible to put the loudspeakers in a library or in a corner in side the wall.
The quality and the power of the sound is beyond imagination.
Furthermore, it is possible to listen to music by streaming because the receiver Bluetooth has been integrated inside the device.
In my opinion this is particularly beneficial.

IMPROVED LOUDSPEAKERS

The position and the kind of the loudspeakers is changed.

BOOSTED OUTPUT STAGE

The original EL34 was replaced by a powerful KT88.

CONTINUA >

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

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

- Improved Loudspekers - The two loudspeaker are changed and have now the central axle aligned. A new crossover filter is installed to have the best response curve possible. The results is that the soundstage is incredibly realistic for a mono device. And the listening in mono it may hold some surprises. Seeing is believing.

- EL34 replaced by KT88. - The original power tube of this radio is an EL34. This is an unusual engineering choice and makes this radio one of the most unique in the world. I have wanted to experiment the employment of the KT88 instead of the EL34. The polarization has been changed and the KT88 works in suitable conditions. It is intentional that all its power is not used to the maximum benefit instead could be used on other external speakers. This elaboration has transformed the radio into something similar to a Juke Box. The sound of the KT88 is more dry than the EL34, this last one ( EL34) is more well rounded. It is possible to make a preferential choice as the base is different between the two tubes. The power discharged by the strong KT88 tubes is magnified. The risk is the physical limit will be reached by the frontal loudspeaker at wideband.
This makes the devise suitable for tolerant neighbours!
- 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.

SABA is the acronym for Schawarzwälder-Apparate-Bau-Anstalt meaning engineering institute of Technological appliances of the Black Forest.

The company was founded back in 1835 by Joseph Benedikt with the initial name of Jockele-Uhren, but only in 1923 the production of radio devices began and the company went under the name of SABA.
Toward the end of the 20s SABA became famous with the well-known S35 and in the following years it became the second German producer after Telefunken. During the war SABA produced military equipment and in 1945 the company was completely destroyed by a bombing.
In 1947 the production of radio devices began again and SABA distinguished itself immediately for ist avant-garde and high- quality production.

hey also began to produce TVs (the first PAL color TV is a SABA), house appliances and medical equipment. Many Italians used to work there. The Alnico Greencone loudspeakers became popular for their linearity, power handling, constant impendence that would be employed in each Hi-Fi devices of that time.

The radio devices with motorized tuning became popular as well and SABA became the representative German brand meaning quality, reliability and detailed precision. In the 1970s the decline began. According to specialized magazines of that time not having a Japanese device at that time meant not having Hi-Fi. In the 80s Thompson took over SABA. In the 90s the other way around, having a Japanese device of the 70s meant not having Hi-Fi. They found out that they functioned with a 96% counterreaction and that a device with 0.001 db from 1 to 100 KHz extension did not necessarily sound good.

We do not trust our ears and we do trust what other people say not necessarily with a good purpose.
2007: due to insolvency SABA disappeared from the TLC (Chinese) and Thompson (French) joint venture, and SABA ceased to exist.

The Tone Control system is completely different from the majority of other devices.
The manufacturer has installed a prearranged switch system with five equalization curves.

The selected curve is visible on three vertical and small windows emphasizing a low, medium and acute tone.

The advantages of this system are clarity and stability but its limitation is that it is possible to make a slight adjustment choosing one of the five prearranged equalizations curves.
However the five prearranged equalization curves cover all listening needs.

The volume is controlled from the tuning knob placed on the left. The loudness is integrated.
In line with the axis it is possible to find a knob to choose the prearranged equalization curve.
On the right you can find the tuning's indicator.

Below is shown the dialglass with different bands: Long, Medium and Short waves.
At the bottom of the dialglass two sections are visible: K-Lupe and UK
The K-Lupe section, convenient to listen to short waves (KW).
The UK section, that is the FM band's scale.

At the end you can find :
- a series of buttons : OFF, normal tuning (AM), closed tuning (AM), Record Player, Bands (Long, Medium and Short), FM.
- three bars indicating the selected equalization curve.
- two knobs on the right. The biggest one for the three AM Band on the and the smallest for the FM Band and fine tuning in short waves.
The tuning of the short waves is carried out in two phases:
1. Press the button KW and tuning use the biggest tuning's knob.
2.Use the the smallest knob (the same than FM tuning) and watch the K-Lupe scale to refine tuning the preselected station.

german radios - en

Graetz Melodia M618 – en

3rd March 201716th February 2024
by giovanni

The Melodia M618 is the radio with the most modern design produced by Graetz in those years.
No radio in those years had a design somehow similar to this. It is of the end of Fifties that we are referring to.
This is the reason why I wanted to dedicate a page of my website to it.

Its design gave me the opportunity to take pictures of it with modern furniture. But it is when I put it among elements of colonial style that its impact became astonishing.
Warm colours, soft wood, natural sound that only tubes can give. It looked like radio and furniture were designed together.

Technically this device has everything available at the time.
Separated tone controls. Three curves set equalizer. Two frontal widerange loudspeakers, a frontal cone tweeter and a double sided flutes horn tweeter.
Class A power amplifier with the wonderful classic EL84.

Tuning is stable and sharp on every band.
This is an easy radio to find a place to, because of its reasonable measures.
All in all, a true little jewel.

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.

The Ehrich & Graetz metalworks was a factory established in 1866 in Berlin by Albert Graetz (1831–1901) and the tradesman Emil Ehrich (died 1887) under the name "Lampen-Fabrik Ehrich & Graetz OHG" (E&G).
By 1897 the firm was controlled by Albert's sons, Max Graetz, and Adolf Graetz. The company grew rapidly, and in 1899 factory complexes were built in Berlin, in the United States, France, the UK, and Bombay.
Around 1910-1916 Max Graetz developed the famous Petromax Lantern. Around 1925 the factory also produced radios, and other electrical appliances under the name Graetzor.

In the Second World War, just as in the First World War, the company was part of the war industry. With the use of forced laborers from France, Russia and the Netherlands the company made huge gains in production.
At the end of April 1945 the factory was claimed by the Russian army.

In 1949 the firm became part of the "peoples" program, "VEB-VolksEigenerBetrieb" and since 1950 "VEB Fernmeldewerk, Berlin Treptow (RFFT)." VolksEigenerBetrieb, means that the factory was owned by the people for the people (Communism)

In 1948 Erich, and Fritz Graetz founded a new company in Altena, Germany known by the name The Graetz Firm, which was successor to the lost family company in Berlin. The new company produced mainly radios and televisions.
In 1961 the company was then sold to Standard Elektrik Lorenz (SEL) AG, but since 1987 has been to the present owned by the Finnish company Nokia.

Inside the cabinet there is a dipole for FM reception and a ferrite rotating aerial for AM reception.
Ferrite aerial can be rotated from the outside to achieve a perfect tuning of the device in the AM.
In this picture you can see the rotation mechanism, and the aerial position indicator.
The reception sensitivity with internal aerials is very good. This unit was in fact produced when there were not many radio stations, and those available were far from each other.
Using an external aerial sensitivity is further increased.

The first objects you meet on the left is the magic eye indicating the perfect tuning of each station and below the bass tones indicator.
Then you can see the volume control knob (with incorporated loudness).
On the same axis there is the ferrite aerial orientation knob.
The Long, Medium, and Short Wave AM scale and the FM scale.
On the right the tuning knob and further the treble tone indicator.
Below we see the bass control, the Off, record player, recorder , Ferrite Aerial buttons and those for Long, Medium, Short and FM Wave bands, and further the treble control knob.

german radios - en

Loewe Opta Venus 822W – en

21st February 201731st May 2018
by giovanni

The Loewe Opta Venus 822W, Loewe’s the top model after the Hellas, has a most beautiful casing.
One of the characteristics of Loewe-Opta radios that I have always appreciated is their commitment and beauty from an aesthetic point of view. The wooden surfaces are all convex with the front of the device which supports the keyboard by ogive arch sections. Frames in authentic lapped brass. Folded edges in the brass leaf. The keyboard itself has rounded and edged buttons in an ivory tint. The grain of the wood is finely coupled with perpendicular intersections.
All of these precious features come together to achieve a vibrant, balanced, and very pleasant cabinet.
Back in the day, carpenters knew the difference between a piece of wood and a furniture.
Obviously what is stunning about this device is the original illuminated section that reproduces a gracious abat jour effect. Such valuableness is not found is any other device of any other brand. The lighting feature can be activated by gently pulling a small cord on the top left side of the *case/cabinet/chassis and can be turned on or off independently from the radio itself.
The listening experience, after the necessary warm-up time, is naturally very pleasing, full-bodied but also ringing and clear.
The Venus 822W is equipped with a hearty front speaker with a rounded wide-band produced by Isophon. This transducer has the curvature of a cone-shaped hyperbole typical of multioctave/multiple-eighths speakers.
The two lateral tweeters induce a 3D-effect and allow a homogeneous musical response from whichever angle the device is listened from.

Tuning is stable and reception, particularly in FM, is very clean.
The device, once turned on, is ready to use after a few swconds of warm-up time, but as for all tube-device the optimal sound is achieved after at least 15 minutes of use. All the components need to reach the operative temperature to become stable.

LOUDSPEAKERS

Three impressive loudspeakers. A big wideband on the front and two eliptical mid-tweeters on the left and right side.

SPEAKER LIGHTING

You can use this radio as nice beside lamp.

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

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

1923 Foundation of the radio frequency GmbH by brothers Siegmund and David Ludwig Loewe, and others.

1926 The first success come, the Loewe OE333 radio.

1929 The founding of Loewe Television AG

1931 World's first TV based on the cathode ray tube

1933 Because Hitler the political against the Jews forces Ludwig Loewe to emigrate.

1938 Loewe produce the first home audiovisual entertainment centre with integrated radio, television and record player.

1939 Introduction of the standard TV receiver "E1"

1940 Loewe becomes a war factory and change name to Löwe Radio and Co.

1942 Löwe Radio forced to change its name to Opta and Co.

1945 Civil production continues in Berlin, Leipzig and Kronach

1946 The establishment of a branch factory in Düsseldorf where were built the best Loewe radios

1949 The firm is changed in Loewe Opta and Co

1950 The world's first home tape recorder

1958 Radio production continued only in Berlin and Düsseldorf. Kronach factory produces only TV

1961 Germany's first device for home recording, the Optacord 500

1964 Founding of Loewe Opta GmbH

1965 From now on radio production was carried on only in Berlin

1979 Loewe revolutionizes the construction of TV sets with the inroduction of the fully integrated platina chassis.

1981 The sensation: Loewe presents to the press the first European stereo TV

1983 Loewe introduces the first series production of the BTX decoder for the new CEPT standard.

1994 Loewe bring the first fully digital TV with 100 Hz Technology onto the market

1997 With the Loewe Xelos @ media the age of the union of television,computers and telecommunications is introduced.

Inside the cabinet there is a dipole for FM reception and a ferrite rotating aerial for AM reception.
Ferrite aerial can be rotated from the outside to achieve a perfect tuning of the device in the AM.
In this picture see the rotation mechanism and the position indicator of the aerial.
The reception sensitivity with internal aerials is very good. This unit was in fact produced in a period when there were not many radio stations and those available fairly apart from each others.
Using an external aerial sensitivity is further increased.

There are three loudspeakers.
The large wide-band loudspeaker in die-cast aluminum delivers a warm, deep bass, very present medium tones and a smooth, silky treble.
The two elliptical Mid-Tweeters, when inserted, reconstruct the scene with a brilliant treble sound that is never squeaky or annoying, that typical of paper tweeters.
The Mid-Tweeters are isolated from the rest of the chassis being that each is collected in a designated shell that also has the function of conveying the sounds in the double side exits.

On the left side you can see the volume control knob (with incorporated loudness).
Pulling on the volume knob activates the narrow tuning for the mid-wave band.
From the upper side the FM, the Short, medium and Long Waves.
Finally, the movement of the tuning knob is very pleasant being supported by a large flywheel.
Axially to the tuning knob the command of the ferrite antenna rotation.
From left, there are, in order of appearance, the bass control with its indicator, the 3D buttons, the "Voice" equalization, FA-Ferrite Antenna, OFF buttons, record player, keys for tuning Long, Short and Medium Waves, FM, and the knob for the treble control with its own indicator.

2083 - en

AEG 2083 – en

18th February 20177th July 2018
by giovanni

It is important to underline that Telefunken is a joint venture between AEG and Siemens. It was created in order to produce professional and consumer radio devices.
As you can see in the previous gallery, but for its front logo, there is no difference compared to the Orchestra 53.
In 1953 it was Telefunken's top quality model. The brand was one of the most prestigious german companies.
This device is characterized by a great number of remarkable features.
An example is the FM oscillator stage for which an expensive ECC81 tube with high gain was employed.

An extra medium frequency stage was added in all bands in order to obtain a better sensitivity and selectivity than other excellent german devices.An aerial amplifier stage for AM bands was added in order to further improve the sensitivity in these bands that were extensively employed at that time.
Equally refined solutions were used on the Output stage
Pure A class with a powerful EL12 tube was used on the output stage.
Usually the outupt transformer distorts the sound. The bigger the output transformer the less the sound is distorted. This device has a very big transformer.
Moreover, to balance the frequency response a feedback system was used.

Professional louspeakers were used, the same that were employed in some theater loudspeakers. Clearly a greater number of the latter was used in theaters.
Due to its high quality the woofer is usually traded on ebay for USD 180.
With this business card to introduce it, this device cannot but save some great surprises for us.
With its stable tuning and relaxing sound the Orchestra 53 can be easily played in spacious rooms.

For those who want to start a collection with a great piece.

Back to my Telefunken Concertino TS’s review where I argued that the peculiar tuning lever and its fly-wheel reminded me of Fellini.
With this device I would update my argument saying that it reminds me of “The Great Beauty” where Fellini is undoubtedly still a strong presence.

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.

Inside the cabinet there is a dipole for FM reception and a ferrite rotating aerial for AM reception.
Ferrite aerial can be rotated from the outside to achieve a perfect tuning of the device in the AM.
In this picture see the rotation mechanism and the position indicator of the aerial.
The reception sensitivity with internal aerials is very good. This unit was in fact produced in a period when there were not many radio stations and those available fairly apart from each others.
Using an external aerial sensitivity is further increased.

braun - en

Braun Atelier 3 Enhanced – en

15th February 201727th February 2019
by giovanni

The best Tube receiver built by BRAUN

This is a really special review. In fact, the device under test is not only one of the best tube stereo receivers built in Germany in the 60's. Not only is the device that has a shocking design, modern and rational than the other equipment of the time. But this device it has been improved by us in its essential points. The result is spectacular.

But let's start from the beginning. The receiver section represents the utmost of Braun tube production. It belongs to the class of biggest German receivers such as Telefunken Opus 2550, Nordmende 3004, Graetz Stereo Unit 250, the Saba Studio I etc.

Main feauture of this device is the simplification of electric circuits (today is pretty self-explanatory, but in 1961 it was considered a remarkable feature). Differently from other devices the Braun’s Negative Feedback is reduced to a single resistance (highlighted in red) aiming at a low distorsion and an excellent musical transparency.

The sounds control circuit is canonical: a very efficient and balanced Baxandall circuit (highlighted in yellow). It allows the sound control without changing the signal’s phase according to potentiometers.

The Loudness circuit (highlighted in green) is extremely simple and studies for a correct emphasis of low frequencies. Sound quality is as good as Telefunken’s, Nordmende’s, grundig's and Graetz’s of the same level, more refinement maybe.. You will definitely need high-efficiency loudspeakers. This enhanced device is valuable for its breathtaking design and for its performance both.

FM FREQUENCY RANGE

FM frequency range widened from 88 up to 108 MHz

MORE SUITABLE TURNTABLE

New vintage turntable with anti-skating and cartridge weight regulation

IMPROVED AMPLIFIERS

Amplifiers with new noiseless capacitors and resistors

STEREO DECODER

Ultra noiseless MPX decoder embed

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

- FM frequency range widened from to 88 up to 104 MHz - The tube radios produced in Germany in the years 50/60 are famous worldwide for their excellent sound quality, the beauty of their furniture, their strength and for their construction standards without compromise. Unfortunately the FM band extending from 87.5 to 100 MHz for which are scarcely usable in most cases. After careful study and a lot of tests we were able to obtain a frequency range by some units from 88 to 104 MHz. We have also reconstructed a display exactly identical to the original, made with the same materials and the same techniques, but with the new frequency range. The result is perfect. An original device, but with the ability to listen most stations in any country.

- New vintage turntable with anti-skating and cartridge weight regulation - The turntable originally installed on this beautiful machine is really inadequate. In 1962 you could find much better. But for reasons of space, aesthetics, and I think, also economics, it was installed a BRAUN PC4 model.
The new turntable mounted was produced by Dual and is a very particular model. It has a series of characteristics that have allowed, and made affordable, transplantation.
Compatibility Features:
- Only a few years newer than the Braun
- Quite similar in size to the original turntable.
- Piezo cartridge. So it works perfectly with the Braun preamplifier stage
Improvement features:
- Cartridge weight adjustment
- Antiskating adjustment
It 'been necessary a significant top panel adjustment work, but the result is perfect. It seems born that way.

- Improved amplifier - New high quality Metal Film resistors take a place of the noisy old carbon composite resistors. The old capacitors are completely renewed with very low parasitic losses (ESR). Great attention in the direction of assembly of the components has been used. All the improvements are substantial.

- Ultra noiseless MPX decoder - A MPX decoder was introduced between RF and BF stages. Usually it lack. It's a decoder developed specifically for this unit by a German engineer I work with. The noise level introduced is very low. Crosstalk is perfectly calibrated. With correct receiving conditions the result is an accurate reconstruction of the sound stage.

- Walter Gropius, The new architecture and the Bauhaus, Cambridge, M.I.T. Press, 1968, ©1965.
- Gropius - Marston Fitch, Walter Gropius, New York, G. Braziller, (The masters of world architecture series), 1960.
- Magdalena Droste; Angelika Taschen, Bauhaus 1919 - 1933, Ko?ln Taschen 2002,
- Reissinger; Robinson; Siebenbrodt, Bauhaus Weimar - designs for the future, Ostfildern-Ruit : Hatje Cantz Publishers, 2000.
- Jaeggi-Schwaiger, Fagus: industrial culture from Werkbund to Bauhaus, New York , Princeton Architectural Press, 2000.
- Hans-Joachim Braun, The German economy in the twentieth century (The German Reich and the Federal Republic), Routledge, New York 1990.
- Jonathan M Woodham, Twentieth century design, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1997.
- Nigel Whiteley, Design for society, London, Reaktion Books, 1998.

Web:
- http://www.bauhaus.de/
- http://designmuseum.org/design/dieter-rams
- http://gizmodo.com/5411868/dieter-rams-gallery/gallery/10
- http://www.formguide.de/en/designers/overview/peter-keler/

The 1961 is one of those "crossroads" years of the History of Twentieth Century. That year's events will leave a deep mark - for better or for worse - in Europe. The international context has deeply changed form the post-war years. The Nations that allied to defeat the Nazi Germany are by now opposed militarily and ideologically. From the beginning of the year the Cold War influences the whole World. The threat of a new Global War appears at this point inevitable, and the assumptions are all there. In this gloomy climate, a series of crucial events for mankind comes in succession.

In Germany, in particular, 1961 is recalled as "The year of the wall". In few days the Authorities of the German Democratic Republic ordered the construction of a double layered wall and an armed surveillance system to divide East Berlin form the western sectors. Berlin Wall becomes the symbol of a contrast between East and West that gradually involves the whole World, shortly afterwords bringing it to the brink of a nuclear catastrophe with the Cuban crisis two years later.

The contrasting two superpowers involves all sectors of the economic and political life. Scientific research paves the way to the conquest of Space, opening another contest front between USA and USSR to reach the Space. On April 12th, 1961 Yuri Gagarin with the Vostok 1 is the first human being to travel into Space and orbit around the Earth. the United States of America have to acknowledge the huge leap ahead of the technological development of Soviet Union.

It's the intellectuals turn to build bridges between the counter posed parts. 1961 is sure enough an extraordinary year also for Culture: Ivo Andric is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature; the debate between Positivism and Dialectical materialism divides the Frankfurt School. Karl Popper and Theodor Adorno discuss on the Scientific Research Methodology and give birth to the "Positivismusstreit", namely the clash between Positivism and Dialectical materialism that will influence the future Epistemological debate. The philosophical debate is as such originated by the different ideological visions of Marxism and Positivism. Hemingway commits suicide and Primo Levi writes "La tregua/The Truce", an account of a return to the world of the Living after the hell of Lagers.

The 1961 is moreover the Economic Boom year and the re-construction of the Europe that had been destroyed during the Second World War -that went on during the '50s - forms the paving ground of an unprecedented economic growth period. The welfare society arises, and Germany is in the front line.

German culture rediscovers Weimar. and the representatives of the artistic and theatrical avantgarde, such as Brecht. Walter Gropius, founder in 1919 of the revolutionary tendency of Bauhaus Architecture, establishes in Darmstad the Bauhaus Archive. The Bauhaus, created in 1919, and permanently snapped off with the coming to power of Hitler, is rediscovered in the early '60s by the new generation grown in the harsh postwar period. The rediscovering of the essential lines of the concept of the great German architect is, for the architects of the '60s an Epiphany. The hose and the furniture become the final product of a mental, planning and practical process that combines together technique, ergonomics, simplicity in an totally innovative stylistic merger.

New building techniques concepts enter into the big firms trough by hiring designers, new profession that starts influencing the production lines. With thins new approach the product-objects that are sold are to be seen in a “total” product vision, that is a synthesis of technique and concept.The modern idea of Design as we currently mean it is born.

Braun is one of the first Firms that decides to invest in Design. The best designer was Dieter Rams, who was on apprentice with Otto Apel (Apel was for ten years the assistant of Albert Speer, Hitler's architect, and following that became the Ministry for Armaments and War Production of the Reich. After the war he was hired by the Americans to modernize the construction industry techniques in the USA). Rams started a stylistic research work that brought him to develop the concept of “ergonomic essentiality”, summarized in his aphorism "Weniger, aber besser", that is “Less, but better” or in a wider sense “Less, as long as better”.The influences of the Bauhaus are clear in his works, particularly Peter Keler works, from which he took the concepts of “spatiality” and “linearity” of works as "Wiege (Cradle)", 1922 translating the into simple and elegant lines.

Carlo Giacchin

Good Design is Innovative - The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted.
Good Design Makes a Product Useful - A product is bought to be used. Good design emphasises the usefulness of a product.
Good Design is Aesthetic - The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products are used every day and have an effect on people and their well-being.
Good Design Makes a Product Understandable - It clarifies the product’s structure.
Good Design is Unobtrusive Products - fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art.
Good Design is Honest - It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept.
Good Design is Long-lasting - It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated.
Good Design Is Thorough Down to the Last Detail - Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the consumer.
Good Design is Environmentally Friendly - Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment.
Good Design is as Little Design as Possible - Less, but better. Back to purity, back to simplicity.

Inside the cabinet there is a dipole for FM reception and a ferrite rotating aerial for AM reception.
Ferrite aerial can be rotated from the outside to achieve a perfect tuning of the device in the AM.
In this picture see the rotation mechanism and the position indicator of the aerial.
The reception sensitivity with internal aerials is very good. This unit was in fact produced in a period when there were not many radio stations and those available fairly apart from each others.
Using an external aerial sensitivity is further increased.

The volume control is on the left (with built-in loudness) and axially.
The next control you meet on the left is the Treble. Then you can see the Bass control knob.
Above you see the Magic Eye (Tuning Indicator)
On the left you meet the band spread dial with the FM, Short, Medium, and Long Wave bands.
Below you see the control buttons. Respectively: Off, Voice, AFC, Stereo/Mono, Turntable, LW, Internal AM Antenna, MW, SW, FM.
On the right the big tuning knob.
Below you see the Volume Control II (Deactivated), the Balance control and the ferrite aerial orientation knob.

Output Power Board before restoration
Before and after
Both the boards restored
The MPX decoder
The underside
The power suppy with new rectifier and capacitors
Matched power tubes NOS
The FM oscillator modified to reach 104 MHz
The calibration of the FM converter
The tuning of the Medium Frequency Transformers
Close the oscilloscope
FM detector tuning
Perfect! At 10,7 MHz the current is Zero in the detector
And this is the correct ratio curve
Now the Braun NAKED is playing
The modified wood case before the reassembling
Close the wood case
More close, to see the perfection
New turntable assembling
New turntable almost ready
Turntable first test
New Dialglass. You can see the different transparency zones as the original

german radios - en

Telefunken concertino steuergerät 2380 – en

11th February 201716th May 2023
by giovanni

Around the early 1960s, the biggest German manufacturers put what we now call "receivers" on the market. They called them Steuergerät, which means Electronic Control Unit. The Telefunken Concertino Steuergerät 2380 is one such device.
The Telefunken produced two lines of Steuergerät, one with output stage in A class and the other in AB class. The Concertino 2380 had its output stage in A class, while the Opus 2430, and then the Opus 2550, had their output stage in AB class.
The Concertino has the same sizes, the same cabinet than Opus 2550. The Opus models are more powerful, with 7 W per channel, while the Concertino has 4 W per channel, but 4 W in A class makes the difference.
Another big difference between the Opus and the Concertino is that the Opus was designed with an embedded stereo decoder, while in the Concertino the decoder was optional. All our Concertinos are equipped with a stereo decoder.
The final tube in the Concertino is the famous ECL86. This dual tube consists of a triode, used as a preamplifier, and a pentode, used as a power output. We can often find this tube in refined amplifiers such as the Bang & Olufsen 608 or Scott Stereomaster 200B. The Concertino 2380 is equipped with oversized output transformers to prevent the air-gap reaches saturation. Furthermore, the huge power supply is oversized, as you can see in the pictures.
The circuit also provides a negative feedback that guarantees its linearity. The preamplifier stage has a physiological control of volume and tone controls separated for treble and bass. There are also two removable equalizers, further emphasizing the bass and treble. They’re very useful when the device is coupled to speakers whose frequency response is not entirely linear.
Finally, the sound is very round and balanced, as you'd expect. You can perceive the spaces between the notes. This tube device produces a warm sound, as expected, but can even be edgy with speakers with supertweeters.
The phenomenal sound quality is really unthinkable for this type of device. Since the device has built-in Bluetooth, it’s especially suitable for listening to streaming music. This, in my opinion, is putting it to its best use.

SEPARATE LOUDSPEAKERS

It is possible to connect any speaker, preferably with high efficiency.

DETAILS >

STEREO DECODER

The device is equipped with the rare Stereo Decoder, allowing you to listen to a multitude of FM Stereo broadcasts in stereo

DETAILS >

BLUETOOTH

Built-in Bluetooth receiver

DETAILS >

MULTI PLATFORM CONNNECTION

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

DETAILS >

- Separate loudspeakers - Using separate loudspeakers is an important option for stereo receivers. This allows you to couple the receiver to speakers best suited to particular space, design or acoustic performance requirements. The most suitable loudspeakers are analysed later, under loudspeakers.

- Stereo Decoder - The device has an integrated Stereo Decoder. This allows you to listen to stations that use this transmissions system in stereo. Many stereo receivers are not equipped with a Multiplexer so they work in stereo only when you select the record player’s /Recorder/Aux input . Such receivers, in listening to the radio, send the same signal to both channels, so listening is monaural. This is not the case with the Concertino 2380, which is totally beyond stereo.

- 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.

1903 To prevent the English Marconi Company from having a monopoly on wireless transmissions,,Kaiser Wilhelm II orders the company AEG and Siemens to set up a joint venture to develop wireless telegraphy in Germany. It was established under the name of Gesellschaft für drahtlose Telegrafen mbH.

1923 The company name is changed to Firmierung in Telefunken, Gesellschaft für drahtlose Telegrafen mbH. Abbreviated as Telefunken, where Tele means Telegraph and Funken means "Lightning" in the sense of being fast and immediate.

1930 Production gradually moves from military and Government equipment to the production of consumer appliances. During this period, Telefunken enters the market of radio-television, recorders and etching of records.

1930 As radio transmissions are now needed not only to transmit telegraph messages, but also true music and speech broadcasts, it becomes necessary to introduce the concept of sound compression, to avoid continual volume level changes of the radio. Telefunken designs and produces the U3, the first compressor for transmitting stations in the world,. TheU73b, as seen in the picture, represents the evolution of previous models—it allows you to change the compression level, the release times and the attack times.

1941 All Telefunken’s actions are transferred to AEG, which effectively becomes the sole owner of the trademark Telefunken, its factories and patents.

1948 Germany is not invited to the Copenhagen Conference, where the division of Medium and Short Wave radio frequencies of Central Europe is decided. The war has just ended, and officially Germany isn't considered as a technologically important nation. Because of this, Germany decides to develop FM broadcasts even if the quality of the transmissions is considerably higher than those in the AM. At this time, Telefunken develops the V72 microphone/amplification system and its evolutions, intended to be used in all German broadcasters and most European ones too, as well as at the most important recording studios, such as EMI, Decca, Telefunken, etc.

1955 The company becomes Telefunken GmbH.

1967 Telefunken is joined with AEG and the company becomes ‘’AEG-Telefunken’’.

1970 Poor management causes the company to lose market shares. AEG begins to outsource entire business segments and make constant rearrangements.

1985 Daimler-Benz AG buys what remains of AEG-Telefunken.

1996 The name Telefunken is cleared and all activities related to audio products stop.

Today The company name has been renewed in Telefunken Holding AG. Telefunken and its use worldwide are responsible for the name. In United States Telefunken USA buys the rights to build and market worldwide original microphones and some audio equipment under the brand Telefunken Elektroakustik.
The original company that helped spread the music throughout the world doesn’t exist anymore.

As with each Hi-Fi amplifier from this time period, the Concertino 2380 has separate bass and treble control. An interesting feature is that the high-tone control also changes its efficiency with the volume variance, because of its association with the loudness circuit.

There is also a system of correction for the frequency response, consisting of two buttons that insert preset equalization curves. The BASS button emphasizes the low frequencies while the Jazz button emphasizes the high frequencies.

Inside the Cabinet there is a dipole to receive FM bands and Shortwaves. A ferrite rotating antenna is for long and medium waves reception. The ferrite antenna can be rotated from the outside to collect the maximum possible signal while receiving two AM bands.

In the picture you can see the entire mechanism of the antenna’s rotation. Using the internal antennas, the sensitivity is very good. Of course, under some conditions, using an external antenna further increases the receiver’s sensitivity.

german radios - en

Saba meersburg w4 enhanced – en

30th January 201715th December 2017
by giovanni

The MEERSBURG W4 model was built in 1953 by SABA.
Saba singled various models of their equipment giving the name of German's cities.
With Push-Pull power stage the Freiburg has always been the top model.
With Single Ended A Class power stage the top model has always been the Meersburg.
However the Meersburg W2 (the subject of a future review) and the Meersburg W4, for various reasons, have characteristics which, from some points of view, make them even more interesting models of Freiburg.

This review is also a little bit special.
In fact, this unit some changes to exalt to the maximum the already remarkable performance have been made.
This equipment will be exposed to the public, in Rome in October 2016 and in Taipei in December, and other future exposures. A copy can be ordered of course.
As our practice these changes are completely reversible.

But we come to the most interesting native features of this device.

Audio section:
- Final stage in pure A Class. Like the best modern Hi-End amplifiers. A true Religion.
- Speakers concentric. As the prestigosi and refined Hi-End, Goodmans, Altec, Jensen speakers etc. The only way to get a realistic and detailed sound image at the same time.
- Baxandall circuit on Tone Controls. As in the best Hi-Fi amplifiers of the following years. The other manufacturers were using the most simple and cost control configurations.

Radio section:
- FM Amplifier pentode. This constructive choice ensures greater sensitivity than later triode amplifiers. Unfortunately it accompanied by a higher intrinsic noise to the type of tube, for which is required a careful selection of the tube itself.
- Media converters with variable frequency coupling. This peculiaroità to calibrate very accurately the slope and the extension of the Medium Frequency bell. Normally, this control is not present, and is secured from the factory to a mean value.
- Double medium frequency stage. This expensive option guarantees a high sensitivity and selectivity.

Conclusions:
The furniture is beautiful, the proportionate and rounded shapes sizes. Flaming (the design of the wood grain) is chosen with wisdom and taste. The mirror finish with which the device is proposed it further enhances its beauty.
For the speaker layout it is suitable to be positioned in a library or in a niche in the wall.
The sound quality is really unimaginable for this type of equipment.
Since the device is equipped with built-in Bluetooth, it is particularly suited to listening to streaming music.
The best use I can do, in my opinion.

IMPROVED LOUDSPEAKERS

The position and the kind of the loudspeakers is changed.

IMPROVED ILLUMINATION

We changed also the illumination system.

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

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

- Improved Illumination - Illumination system is changed for a perfect simmetric illumination of the dialglass. On the original device the illumination was not perfectly simmetric on the left respect the right side of the dialglass. It's not acceptable. Look at all other Saba Meersburg W series do you see on the net to understand the difference.

SABA is the acronym for Schawarzwälder-Apparate-Bau-Anstalt meaning engineering institute of Technological appliances of the Black Forest.

They also began to produce TVs (the first PAL color TV is a SABA), house appliances and medical equipment. Many Italians used to work there. The Alnico Greencone loudspeakers became popular for their linearity, power handling, constant impendence that would be employed in each Hi-Fi devices of that time.

Inside the cabinet there is a dipole for FM reception and a ferrite rotating aerial for AM reception.
Ferrite aerial can be rotated from the outside to achieve a perfect tuning of the device in the AM.
In this picture see the rotation mechanism and the position indicator of the aerial.
The reception sensitivity with internal aerials is very good. This unit was in fact produced in a period when there were not many radio stations and those available fairly apart from each others.
Using an external aerial sensitivity is further increased.

german radios - en

Graetz Sinfonia 4R/221 (88 – 108 MHz) – en

22nd January 20176th April 2023
by giovanni

From the 2nd World War till the Sixties, Graetz was considered one of the most prestigious radio manufacturers, although it never achieved high sales performances due to the high cost and economic conditions in Europe at that age.
Graetz devices have always been appreciated both for their accurate and elegant finish and, above all, for the constant research for innovative and patented acoustic solutions.
SINFONIA 4R/221 is the core product of the most prestigious series among Graetz production in 1955/1956, installing the Rundstrahl-Raumklang durch Klangkompressor (Omnidirectional Surround by Sound Compressor).
We will look into Graetz innovative sound system in detail further on; as per now, it is important to know that some of their speakers spread the sound by a specific designed path which makes impossible to pinpoint exactly where the sound comes from, with the result of making listening exactly identical at all points of the room.

The medium-high tones are spread in all directions by a seemingly decorative grid which is placed in the upper side of the cabinet.
The resulting effect is thrilling. The bass is very deep and very strong thanks to the huge woofer housed in the front of the great piece of furniture that works as a large sounding board; high notes are clear, bright and pleasant.
The sound impression is consequently very extensive, full and rich and the overall sound effect makes you fall in love at first sight, indeed at first note.

The cabinet is very nice and sturdy, proportions are well balanced and its asymmetries recall an impressive Greek temple.
As expected, finishing touches are awesome.

Everything is exciting in this unit, from the sharp and firm mechanical noise of the keys, to the pleasant softness of the tone and volume controls, till the reassuring big flywheel that accompanies the movement of the tuning knob.
Thanks to its two-stage for medium-frequency the tune is highly accurate and stable.

SINFONIA 4R was and remains a rather expensive unit but this might really be the only reason why someone might not want to buy it!

FM FREQUENCY RANGE

FM frequency range widened from 88 up to 108 MHz

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

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

- FM frequency range winded from 88 up to 108 MHz - The tube radios produced in Germany in the years 50/60 are famous worldwide for their excellent sound quality, the beauty of their furniture, their strength and for their construction standards without compromise. Unfortunately the FM band extending from 87.5 to 100 MHz for which are scarcely usable in most cases. After careful study and a lot of tests we were able to obtain a frequency range by this unit from 88 to 108 MHz . We have also reconstructed a display exactly identical to the original, made with the same materials and the same techniques, but with the new frequency span. The result is perfect. An original device, but with the ability to listen all stations in any country.
– 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.

The Ehrich & Graetz metalworks was a factory established in 1866 in Berlin by Albert Graetz (1831–1901) and the tradesman Emil Ehrich (died 1887) under the name “Lampen-Fabrik Ehrich & Graetz OHG” (E&G).
By 1897 the firm was controlled by Albert’s sons, Max Graetz, and Adolf Graetz. The company grew rapidly, and in 1899 a factory complex were built in Berlin, in the United States, France, the UK, and Bombay.
Around 1910-1916 Max Graetz developed the famous Petromax Lantern. Around 1925 the factory also produced radios, and other electrical appliances under the name Graetzor.

In the Second World War, just as in the First World War, the company was part of the war industry. With the use of forced laborers from France, Russia, and the Netherlands the company made huge gains in production.
At the end of April 1945 the factory was claimed by the Russian army.

In 1949 the firm became part of the “peoples” program, “VEB-VolksEigenerBetrieb” and since 1950 “VEB Fernmeldewerk, Berlin Treptow (RFFT).” VolksEigenerBetrieb, means that the factory was owned by the people for the people (Communism).

In 1948 Erich, and Fritz Graetz founded a new company in Altena, Germany known by the name The Graetz Firm, which was successor to the lost family company in Berlin. The new company produced mainly radios, and televisions.
In 1961 the company was then sold to Standard Elektrik Lorenz (SEL) AG, but since 1987 has been to the present owned by the Finnish company Nokia.

Not much to share with items Musica and Melodia, this unit has been designed to meet the needs of contemporary wealthy audiophiles.

The sound of this radio is still outstanding.
When the restoration of this item was finished, I had the chance to listen to the wonderful Concerto Grosso in G Minor "Christmas" as performed by the NBC Symphony Orchestra - Harmonia Mundi, Audiophile Edition. The music player is my Marantz CD94 MKII inserted into the Recording Magnetophon Input.
Listening to the Symphony with SINFONIA 4R is really thrilling, even more exciting than listening to it from my own stereos, although they are all customized to my very demanding standards.

Below, details, starting with the sound diffusion system.

As already said previously, 4R "Rundstrahl-Raumklang durch Klangkompressor" translates into Omnidirectional Surround Sound by a Compressor.
I would like to point out that the radio was first produced in 1954 but we are already talking about surround sound!

As known, low notes naturally spread in the surroundings in an omnidirectional way, so it is rather difficult to locate a subwoofer with closed eyes.
On the other hand, speakers spreading high notes are extremely directional, making their position in relation to the listener very critical: it only takes a little change in position from the settled listening location and part of the message and details of the highest sound information are missed.

During the evolution process of Hi-Fi, this issue has been tackled with different systems and solutions. At that time, Graetz set it with the 4R system very effectively.

The giant woofer is mounted on Sinfonia's front panel and this is consistent with what we have said about the fact that the low tones are omnidirectional and therefore not easy to be localized. Medium and high pitched tones are instead spread by a sound compressor produced by a double ceiling built into the cabinet and conveniently shaped internally.

The midrange speaker is fixed directly to this false ceiling, and the sound is diffused in all directions with the help of an acoustic trap.
The two electrostatic tweeters are also fixed to this ceiling, but with an additional channel of admission.

In the lower quality models Music and Melody, the system is quite different and simplified.

The performance is amazing: no matters what your position is in respect to the unit, the sound does not change, the highs are always perfectly in front of us and the bass always present.

It is not possible to determine if we are facing the unit or at its side, letting us free to move anywhere in the room.

Compared to the television, isn't radio fascinating for this reason as well? Free to move, free to think and do something else while listening.

Inside the cabinet there is a dipole for FM reception and a ferrite rotating aerial for AM reception.
Ferrite aerial can be rotated from the outside to achieve a perfect tuning of the device in the AM.
In this picture see the rotation mechanism and the position indicator of the aerial.
The reception sensitivity with internal aerials is very good. This unit was in fact produced in a period when there were not many radio stations and those available fairly apart from each others.
Using an external aerial sensitivity is further increased.

The volume control is on the left (with built-in loudness) and axially, the command of the ferrite antenna rotation.
You can see the indicator of the position of the antenna, the magic eye that indicates the perfect tuning of each station, the scale for Long Medium and Short AM waves, and the FM scale.
Below, from left, there are, in order of appearance, the bass control knob, power buttons, record player, tape recorder, keys for tuning Long Medium and Short Waves, FM, and the knob for the treble control.
Finally, the movement of the tuning knob is very pleasant being supported by a large flywheel.
Axially to the dial knob there is a selector for the control of the selectivity in AM.

Category: <span>german radios – en</span>

SABA MEERSBURG W2 ENHANCED

SABA MEERSBURG W2 ENHANCED

IMPROVED LOUDSPEAKERS

BOOSTED OUTPUT STAGE

BLUETOOTH

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENT

HISTORY

LOUDSPEAKERS

TONE CONTROL

AERIALS

SEPARATE CONTROL TUNING BETWEEN AM AND FM

TUNING INDICATOR

CONTROL PANEL

REAR SIDE

RESTORATION STEPS

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE

Graetz Melodia M618

GRAETZ MELODIA M618

BLUETOOTH

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENT

Graetz factory

HISTORY

MAIN FEATURES

TONE CONTROL WITH LEVEL INDICATION

AERIALS

SEPARATE CONTROL TUNING BETWEEN AM AND FM

TUNING INDICATOR

LOUDSPEAKERS

CONTROL PANEL

REAR SIDE

RESTORATION STEPS

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE

Loewe Opta Venus 822W

LOEWE OPTA VENUS 822W

LOUDSPEAKERS

SPEAKER LIGHTING

BLUETOOTH

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENT

Dr. Siegmund Loewe

Loewe Opta factory - Kronach (D)

HISTORY

MAIN FEATURES

LIT SPEAKER GRID

TONE CONTROL WITH LEVEL INDICATION

AERIALS

SEPARATE CONTROL TUNING BETWEEN AM AND FM

TUNING INDICATOR

LOUDSPEAKERS

CONTROL PANEL

REAR SIDE

RESTORATION STEPS

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE

AEG 2083

AEG 2083 - Telefunken Orchestra 53

BLUETOOTH

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENT

TONE CONTROL

AERIALS

SEPARATE CONTROL TUNING BETWEEN AM AND FM

TUNING INDICATOR

CONTROL PANEL

LOUDSPEAKERS

REAR SIDE

RESTORATION STEPS

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE

Braun Atelier 3 Enhanced

Braun Atelier 3 Enhanced

FM FREQUENCY RANGE

MORE SUITABLE TURNTABLE

IMPROVED AMPLIFIERS

STEREO DECODER

BLUETOOTH

TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENT

Dieter Rams installing the 'The New Electronics' pavilion for the show "Designing Modern Life" held within the Design Museum in London.

Design Museum of London