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4055 - en

Grundig 4055 W/3D Klang – en

18th March 202318th March 2023
by giovanni

german radios - en

Nordmende Tannhauser 59 – en

15th March 202315th March 2023
by giovanni

Nordmende Tannhäuser 59

Tannhäuser, nato in una famiglia di cavalieri di Salisburgo, partecipò forse alla sesta crociata del 1228 e fece quindi una vita errante come poeta e cantore. Frequentò la corte di Vienna del duca Federico II.
Secondo una leggenda, nella sua vita Tannhäuser trova il Venusburg (monte di Venere), il regno sotterraneo di Venere, e vive con lei per un anno. Lascia quindi la dea pieno di rimorsi, e intraprende un viaggio fino a Roma, per chiedere perdono al Papa Urbano IV. Il papa gli ricorda che tale peccato porta alla dannazione eterna, e gli promette perdono solo in caso di miracolo: la comparsa di fiori nel suo bastone. Tre giorni dopo Tannhäuser torna a Vienna ed il bastone fiorisce.

La leggenda è stata quindi messa in musica da Richard Wagner con il suo Tannhäuser.

La Nordmende, ai tempi del suo massimo splendore e sviluppo tecnologico volle chiamare Tannhäuser il suo apparecchio più bello mai prodotto.
Un apparecchio studiato per rappresentare il massimo della perfezione tecnica del tempo e costruito con cura maniacale.
Lo stadio finale è composto da una coppia di EL84 in Push-Pull. L'inversione di fase veien effettuata con una sezione del doppio triodo ECC82 in configurazione Cathodyne. Questo tipo di invertitore ha il vantaggio di poter essere collegato direttamente allo stadio precedente.
Tale stadio è costituito dalla sezione rimanente del doppio triodo ECC82 che provvede ad amplificare il segnale dopo l'attenuazione derivante dal circuito del controllo di toni.
Il triodo contenuto nella valvola multifunzione EABC80 costituisce il preamplificatore di ingresso e riceve il segnale da un potenziometro logaritmico con 3 prese intermedie per un complesso ed accuratissimo circuito di controllo fisiologico di volume.

La sezione radio è di altrettanta elevata qualità. E' presente uno stadio di Media Frequenza supplementare allo scopo di aumentare la selettività.
Questo permette una ricezione delle trasmissioni, particolarmente in Modulazione di Frequenza, particolarmente stabile ed esente da disturbi.

Il complesso di altoparlanti è poi veramente imponente. Tutti gli altoparlanti sono di costruzione Isophon.
La riproduzione delle basse e medie frequenze è assicurata da un grande woofer ellittico P 2031/19/105 che misura 31 cm di lunghezza e 20 di altezza.
Agli acuti sono dedicati invece ben 5 altoparlanti costruiti con 3 tecnologie diverse.
Frontalmente abbiamo il medio a cono da 13 cm per una riproduzione morbida e perfettamente integrata con quella del woofer.
Su ciascun lato è stato posto il famoso tweeter a cono HM 10/12/70 ed un tweeter elettrostatico ST HB7.

Come scrisse Baudelaire il Tannhäuser rappresenta la lotta dei due princìpi che hanno scelto il cuore umano come principale campo di battaglia, ossia la carne contro lo spirito.
La Nordmende rese onore a questa grande opera realizzando il suo prodotto migliore.

BLUETOOTH

Ricevitore Bluetooth integrato

CONTINUA >

PIATTAFORMA MULTICONNESSIONE

Ogni radio viene equipaggiata con uno speciale cavo che permette la connessione con qualsiasi sorgente digitale.

- Ricevitore Bluetooth integrato - Questa unità può essere equipaggiata con un ricevitore BLUETOOTH alimentato direttamente dall'apparecchio Questo rende possibile usare l'amplificatore da qualsiasi dispositivo digitale esterno, come IPAD, Smartphone, o sofisticate stazioni multimediali. Potrete ascoltare le vostre Stazioni Web o le vostre musiche preferite senza cavi in giro per la stanza. Su richiesta è possibile anche montare un Ricevitore Wireless.
- Piattaforma Multi Connessione - L'apparecchio viene fornito di un cavo di adattamento che permette di collegarlo a qualsiasi dispositivo digitale come A Iphone, Smartphone, Laptop, CD Player etc. Questo cavo speciale permette di adattare l'impedenza tra l'apparecchio ed i moderni dispositivi. Inoltre i due canali stereofonici vengono fatti confluire in un unico canale monofonico senza incrementare il carico dell'unità sorgente.

Nel 1923 Otto Hermann Mende fonda a Dresda la Radio H. Mende & Co. Dopo i bombardamenti della fabbrica nel 1945, Martin Mende (figlio del fondatore) crea una nuova società a Brema la North German Mende Broadcast GmbH . Il cui nome viene successivamente cambiato in NORDMENDE.
Negli anni 50 e 60 diventata uno dei produttori tedeschi di radio e TV di maggior prestigio della radio.

Negli anni 70 i televisioni NORDMENDE diventano famosi per i loro telai a schede e per il test rigorosi e controllo di qualità dei prodotti finiti. Ma i costi elevati di tanta qualità si rivelano uno svantaggio competitivo quando il prezzo di televisori a colori ha cominciato a scendere.

Nel 1977 una partecipazione di maggioranza viene venduta ai francesi di Thomson. L'anno seguente, la famiglia vende le azioni rimanenti. Nel 1980, le fabbriche di Brema viene chiusa, NORDMENDE diventando puramente un marchio di proprietà Thomson.

Fonte - Wikipedia

Grazie a Dan Ludington per la foto.

L'apparecchio è stato dotato di un sistema di correzione della risposta in frequenza indipendente dai controlli di tono.
E' composto da 6 tasti che inseriscono curve di equalizzazione predefinite operanti sul circuito di controreazione (non sono filtri passivi).

Il tasto Bass enfatizza i toni bassi.
Il tasto Sprache enfatizza i toni medi per un ascolto più pulito di trasmissioni parlate.
Il tasto Expander (quello grande centrale) inserisce una curva di controreazione che favorisce leggermente i toni medio bassi aumentando il senso di spazialità.
Il tasto Solo accentua leggermente i toni medi per favorire l'ascolto di strumenti singoli.
Il tasto Jazz enfatizza molto i toni bassi ed alti per favorire l'ascolto di questo genere musicale.

Il sistema di controllo dei toni è molto efficiente. Sopra le grandi manopole dei controlli di tono, separate per alti e bassi, troviamo due finestrelle separate che si illumina progressivamente di bianco indicando l'enfasi data alla banda su cui agiscono.
La manopola del controllo degli acuti è collegata alla ferrite nei trasformatori MF e ne fa variare la pendenza della campana del trasformatore stesso. In tal modo, quando si è nelle bande AM, si accentuano ulteriormente i toni acuti già prima dell'arrivo nello stadio amplificatore BF.

Sopra la scala, nel pannello altoparlanti troviamo la serie dei tasti del Bandbreite Schltbar illustrata in precedenza.
Scendendo sulla scala parlante, si trova prima di tutto l'occhio magico che indica la perfetta sintonizzazione di ciascuna stazione.
Sotto si trova il comando del volume (con loudness incorporato).
Tirando la manopola del volume si inserisce il circuito che aumenta la selettività nelle bande AM.
Partendo dall'alto sono indicate poi la scala AM per le Onde Lunghe, Medie e Corte, sotto troviamo la scala FM.
Proseguendo verso destra si vede l'indicatore della posizione dell'antenna in ferrite.
Vi è infine la manopola della sintonia, il cui movimento è molto piacevole essendo supportata da un grosso volano.
Coassiale alla manopola di sintonia c'è la manopola per ruotare l'antenna in ferrite.
Sotto da sinistra troviamo la manopola del controllo degli acuti immersa in un piacevole alloggiamento di bachelite con effetto avorio.

german radios - en

Philips Saturn 653/4E/3D – en

18th November 202221st November 2022
by giovanni

The Philips Saturn 653 / 4E / 3D is the second most important model of the house in 1955, and in the intentions of the manufacturer aspires to be one of the most popular models of all German production for the innovative technology used.

As a matter of fact, they met their goal and produced a unique piece of technology, for both the German and World Wide market.
It’s peculiarities are:

4 power tubes (2xEL84 and 2xUL41)
Dedicated amps for Hi and Low frequencies
An Iron-Free coupling output (OTL)
High Damping Factor with Negative Feedback circuit
4 High impedance speakers

The Philips Saturn 653 / 4E / 3D has dimensions in line with the top models, but it’s woodwork, frames, and speaker covers contribute in giving it a much sleeker, eye-pleasing look to complete any furniture display.
The Low frequencies are particularly deep thanks to the separated OTL amplifiers and to the impressive size of the subwoofer, approximately 21cm in diameter (more or less 8.3 inches).
Exactly the same as for the Capella 753/4E/3D model I suggest making good use of the mid-tweeter, as this successfully crafted speaker (17 cm in diameter) makes the mid and Hi frequencies pleasant and true to life, especially if seated in front of the Machine.

High and Mid Frequencies sections
The FM group is of the variable permeability type. It has a high amplification and stability.
Being equipped with an automatic noise suppressor in the presence of signals below 1.7 V, the output is muted to avoid hearing rustling and noise when searching for stations.
The de-emphasis circuit is set to 50 uS, valid all over the world except for the USA and South Korea. In these countries, the filter should be increased to 75 uS.
The AM section is equipped with a rotating antenna for the OM and OL bands. The antenna can be controlled by a knob on the front.
The mid-frequency sections are composed of three separate filters for AM and FM. The first of these filters is adjustable. The second is the amplifier filter and the third filter further increases the selectivity of the device.

All the listed solutions translate into a very low distortion, an increase in power, and a pleasantness of use hardly ever obtained in other appliances.
This is the Philips Saturn 653/4E/3D

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.

In 1891, the brothers Gerard and Anton Philips, started to produce the first incandescent bulbs in Eindhoven.
Later, Philips specialized in the production of electro- medical equipment, and in 1918 introduced the first X-ray tube.
In the following years, Philips began specializing in the broadcasting industry. In 1932 the company succeeded in selling over one million radio equipment and became the world’s first producer.
During the Second World War, Philips transferred to the Netherlands Antilles, and returned to the Netherlands at the end of the conflict.
In 1958 Philips was the only multinational to have a pavilion dedicated to the Expo in 1958 known as Le Poème Electronique.
In the second post- war period, began the production of the first televisions, then the launch of the music cassettes in 1963 and the production of the first integrated circuit in 1965.
In 1982 Philips launched with Sony the first compact disc player.
In 1984 Philips acquired the control of the German Grundig.
In the 90's Philips faced a financial crisis.
In 1991 it inserted on the market the Video CD and it is one of the first companies in the world to develop high definition television.
In 1999 Philips established a joint venture with LG Electronics, named LG Display, which ends in 2009.
In 2006 together with Sony launched the first Blu-ray.
In 2009 Phillips launched the first full-HD LCD TV in 21:9 format.
Phillips holds 48,000 registered patents.
Currently, the production is focused on low- energy lighting products and LED systems and services for diagnostics and production of medical devices.

The preamplifier consists of two stages. At the entrance, the volume potentiometer is equipped with three sockets for physiological correction (loudness). The intervention curves are visible in the first graph.
Philips considers the frequency of 800 Hz to be the center of the audible band, so the treble and bass controls are calculated to enhance the frequencies above and below that value. The choice of this frequency is very important for the musicality and the pleasantness perceived by listening to the device.
In the second graph the frequency response of the preamplifier, with the tones enhanced to the maximum. You notice the different equalization you get by listening to the AM bands (Long Waves, Medium, Short) or listening to the FM band and PHONO.

The final stages are two distinct, one for the low frequencies and one for the high frequencies. These amplifiers control separate speakers, a 26 cm woofer for the bass and three speakers for mid/high frequency, with the 17 cm front speaker disconnectable for 3D effect.
The most interesting feature of these final stages is that they are without an output transformer.

The feature that makes this device very interesting is that each final stage uses a pair of EL84 / UL41 in an ironless configuration, ie without an output transformer (the known critical point of the final stage).
The output stage uses the operating principle called Shunt Regulated Push-Pull (SRPP) used today in HIGH-END amplifiers.
The output transformer limits the bandwidth of the entire amplifier. The bass is limited by the inductance of the primary winding, the treble is limited by the parasitic capacitance resulting from the alternation of the primary and secondary windings. The alternating winding of the primary and the secondary windings is also necessary to improve the coupling and thus reduce the dispersed flow.
The reduction of the dispersed flow increases the damping. This is essential in the loudspeakers mounted inside the cabinet of the radios, which do not work in hermetically closed boxes, and which are therefore free to move almost without resistance from the surrounding air.

The two output tubes (EL84, UL41) of each channel, four final valves in total, are connected in series with DC-DC coupling. Each UL41 is configured as a triode.
The output is taken from the cathode of the UL41. The speaker has an impedance of 800 ohms, identical to the average impedance that occurs on the catode, whereby direct coupling (without transformer) is possible between the final stage and the loudspeaker.
The Philips Saturn 653 is therefore totally free of all the problems deriving from the output transformers.

The damping of the loudspeakers is kept high by the low dynamic resistance of the feedback loop.

The 21 cm loudspeaker, with a 23 mm diameter magnetic core, is placed at the front.
A front 17 cm mid-tweeter can also be switched off if you want to increase the 3D effect.
On the two sides, there are two elliptical tweeters pointing upwards. Radiating to the ceiling of the room to take advantage of the reflections of the environment that add to the direct radiation produce an expansion of the soundstage.
There are no dangers of stationary wave due to the working frequency of these speakers.

There are several options for connecting external speakers.
It is, in fact, possible to connect an external woofer, excluding or not the internal woofer while leaving all the other speakers active.
It is possible to connect external medium-high units, excluding or not the internal mid-tweeters, while leaving the internal woofer active.
It is possible to connect woofers and external medium-high units, excluding or not all, or some, internal speakers.

In the center of the speaker panel is the Magic Eye which indicates the perfect tuning of each station.
KLANGREGLER - Low Tone Indicator (FA Key) and High Tone Indicator (SOL Key).
Just below we find the large Volume knob, with built-in automatic loudness correction.
FERROCEPTOR - Indicator of the position of the internal ferrite antenna. This internal antenna (excludable with the HA key) is used in the OM and OL bands. The internal antenna must be rotated until the best tuning is achieved.
Just below we find the large knob of the Manual Tuning, whose movement is very pleasant being supported by a large flywheel

4010 - en

Grundig 4010W – en

11th October 201716th March 2023
by giovanni

Produced in 1952 and 1953, the Grundig 4010W was one of the high quality models of the manufacturer, and, of course, of the entire German production.

VIntage Radio Cabinet
Let’s start by describing the cabinet.
The dimensions are obviously important. The device does not want to pass by unnoticed. The wood veining is deliberately pronounced.
The furniture is enriched by further refinement, to clear lines that slim down the sides and the front are not drawn. These are authentic inlays of light wood.
Today, it is inconceivable to do such a thing, both for cost and for mastery.

In Grundig 40101W the band of the Short Waves is divided into three autonomous sections:

SW1 - 50,8 to 35 mt (5,9 - 8,6 MHz)
SW2 - 35 to 24 mt (8,6 - 12,5 MHz)
SW3 - 24 to 16,7 mt (12,5 - 18 MHz)

In this way, the tuning on the bands is very accurate because each band has the entire extension of all the musical scale.
In the devices produced in the following years, the Band of the Short Waves were compressed into a single musical scale.
The Medium Waves are also divided into three sections:

MW1 - 585 to 318 mt (515 - 945 kHz)
MW2 - 321 to 185 mt (935 - 1620 kHz)

Moreover, the memorization of one Medium Wave station is planned. Pressing the ORT-S button, the head of a threaded plank appears, allows the button to be rotated and tune into a favourite station.
Each time that you press the ORT-S button, the radio will tune in to the memorized station.
The FM Band ranges from 87.5 to 100 MHz. The installation of Bluetooth is highly recommended on this radio.

The amplifier section consists in a classic EABC80 tube as a preamplifier. It is equipped from controls of the high and low tones.
The output stage is a powerful EL12 polarized to operate in A-Class.
It is provided with a negative feedback system, elaborated for linearize the response in the frequency of the output stage.
However, the circuit does not introduce a high feedback factor, so the sound remains very natural.
The output transformer is well dimensioned, so it is impossible to have saturation effects.

The result of all these expensive technical solutions allows a high quality of the sound.
This was another excellent realization of the Grundig engineers.

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 - At 22 years old Max Grundig begin a radio repair business.

1939 - The II world War start. Grundig works primarily for the Wehrmacht and repair of telecommunication equipment.

1945 - Immediately after the war, the demand for repair work was very great. Max Grundig built the first two Grundig appliances: the Tubatest tube tester and the Novatest testing device.

1947 - Start the sale of a kit radio, the Heinzelmann. The unit is the basis of success, sold more than 15,000 pieces.

1950 - Very high frequency (VHF) is introduced to Germany and places new demands on the industry. Grundig launches the 380 W on the market.

1952 - The first television channel starts up in Germany. After intensive research, Grundig launches the FS 080 onto the market. In the same year the first portable tape recorder Reporter 500 L is created.

1956 - After a lot of radio produced with progrssively high performances was produced the Concert Radio 5080 equipped with an equaliser, which has five controls and a visual display.

1965 - A new factory is established in Braga, Portugal. The Satellit 205 is one of many appliances in the Satellit series. This product marks the beginning of Grundig production of high-quality global receivers.

1970 - The Audiorama 7000 Hi-fi was produced, it has twelve dynamic speaker systems in one speaker.

1976 - The Reel Tape Recorder TS 1000 is equipped for semi-professional use.

1980 - The slim-line Hi-fi Tuner ST 6000 and the Monolith Hi-fi Dynamic Flat Top Antenna, which has 22 speaker systems, are two particularly popular appliances in the new hi-fi range.

1984 - After severe drop in sales Philips increased its stake in Grundig 31.6 percent and takes over the corporate management.

1997 - Philips pulls out of its involvement with Grundig.

2003 - The company files for bankruptcy.

2008 - Turkey's Koç Holding took full ownership of Grundig Multimedia B.V., the parent company of Grundig Intermedia GmbH in Nuremberg.

Courtesy of: Grundig

The tones control system is very efficient. Above the large tone control knobs there is a band that lights up gradually indicating the emphasis on the band on which it acts.
Interesting the high-tone control knob linked to two thin ropes. One of them is for the position indicator of the control itself, whereas the other changes the position of the ferrite in the MF transformers modifying the inclination of the transformer’s curve.
By doing so high tones were attenuated/accentuated even before getting to the BF stage. Tone control was usually put into effect with the potentiometer on the voltage amplifier stage

There are two loudspeakers.
This couple of loudspeakers are very oversized.
In fact, it is the same couple used in the 5010 models, that assembles two EL12 by push-pull mode.
The main wide band measures 13.8 in of width for 7.9 in of height. It covers a part of the radio’s width ..... that is so big.
Grundig produce both loudspeakers.
A very interesting feature is that they are equipped with an adjustable basket.
This allows me to centre the cone movement with respect to the magnetic system.

The mid-tweeter has an oversized magnet. It has to tolerate considerable power peaks because it is cut very low.
The acute are unexpectedly crystalline whilst remaining very sweet.

The cones are cellulose treated and they are to this day in perfect condition, without any deformation or structural failure.
Objects built when they had to last “at least” the life time of the owner.

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.

braun - en

Braun RCS9 – en

30th May 201724th June 2017
by giovanni

The best Tube receiver built by BRAUN.
Same receiver you find on model with turntable Atelier 2 and 3.

This 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

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.

- 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.

german radios - en

Grundig Stereomeister 15 – en

19th March 201716th March 2023
by giovanni

Despite the look futuristic, for that time, the Stereomeister 15 use only tube circuits.
In this device the original decoder has been replaced with a modern decoder specifically designed. This decoder has a better separation and a lower noise rate than the original one.

The most interesting feature of this model is that the output transformers are bigger than in later models.
I think that also the German industry progressively saved money in their projects.
Transformers larger means less possibility of saturation, deeper bass and lower distortion.
Like others Stereomeister the final stage is a class AB Push-Pull with a feedback circuit for response linearization and distortion decrease.
By employing efficient diffusers the power is more than appropriate even if you want to play the in big spaces.

The response curve changes according to the position of the potentiometer that controls and corrects the volume.
The shift from the section with volume correction to the one with no correction is fairly audible, that is the reason why it is preferable to maintain the volume at a certain level.

The unit is equipped with variable control of the Hall effect.
This refinement has been implemented in order to obtain a depth similar to what you have listening music in a very large room, such as a cathedral.
It's achieved by delaying the sound than the original and remix both.
I discourages the use of the Hall feature. The effect can be pleasant but it is a distortion of the original informations.

Following Grundig’s tradition, the radio section is extremely stable, sensitive and free from ground noises.
Even the final stage is silent and buzzless.

Sound high quality, the stereo decoder and the absence of inner loudspeaker (giving the device a rather modern shape) make of this device a great collector’s piece.

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.