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28th January 201721st August 2017
by giovanni

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 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 range.
The result is perfect. An original device, but with the ability to listen all stations in any country.

Here the radio models upgraded:

BLUETOOTH CONTROLLER

Usually our radios come supplied with particular adapter cables that allow you to connect to other devices (MP3 reader, CD player, iPad, Smartphone, etc.).
From today on, upon request and with fee, all of our devices can be made Bluetooth capable.
Thus allowing the device to be commanded from any Bluetooth source, basically from any modern multimedia device.
So it's easy to listen to any web radio, or the memorized playlists in the media player of your computer or iPad.
The Bluetooth feature even allows the radio to be used as a hands free speaker device when receiving telephone calls on a connected cellular device.
The Bluetooth range is approximately 10 meters. Typically walls are not considered an obstacle, so the control center with the radio device can also be in another room.
The volume can be controlled by both the radio and the emitting Bluetooth device. Simply turn the volume knob to the desired level and then adjust the sound with the emitting device.
Naturally if the radio's volume knob is at zero, turning up only the emitting devices volume does not work.
The Bluetooth receiver turns off simultaneously with the radio.

HOW WE RESTORE RADIOS

Does it look brand new? Let’s see how we got to this result
Prior the restoration- it could be in these conditions after 60/70 years
Or be delivered like this if it traveled in an inadequate package
Or even worse if it was highly damaged during the shipping
THE WOODEN CABINET - its restoration might require the complete removal of varnish and original cladding
Original varnish removal implies the removal of any other type of upholstery and decorations that should be photographed and measured in order for them to be faithfully rebuilt
Here is the cabinet after the painting. The restoration technique employed on the cabinet will depend on its age and on the originally employed technique
KNOBS. You begins with a pivot identical to the one on the radio device. On the same device pivot might have different diameters and forms
Starting from an original knob you can build the molds and then you create the new knob with a mixture of the same color of the original knobs
DIALGLASS- with a software you can prepare a file and then you print out a film for each color (in the picture there are two colors, gold and black)
The negative films give gelatine to the structures in the dark and you let them dry in the oven
The structures, incised with a gush of water, are dried and are ready for the serigraphic projection on glass
Layers of paint are spread and it goes through the non-clogged holes of the structure
In order to get to a dialglass which is completely undistinguishable from the original
LOUDSPEAKER PANEL - the front canvas is dry cleaned by a specialized dry cleaner
Sometimes restoring the weave needs to be restored with original yarn
ELECTRONIC - the cleaning phase is very important for the mechanical and electronic restoration. In the picture only half of the device has been cleaned
Here is what a cleaned and ready for the mechanical restoration device looks like
Restoration and calibration of the chords and tuning mechanism following original instructions
Electronic restoration implies the substitution of all condensers and of other risk or outside tolerance components
Sometimes it is necessary to restore alimentation or output transformers following building techniques of that time
Components can not be judged based on their aspect. This condenser is perfect on the outside and has a brand value of 500 pF and an effective value of 1412
The diodes bridges are almost always used up, they are disassembled and reassembled with the necessary alterations to bring the tension to the levels required by the project
On the electrostatic loudspeakers the membrane or the elastic absorbent are substituted
Sometimes some parts need to be completely rebuilt
Some loudspeakers are blocked or distort the sound. They need to be reassembled after mending the damage
Often the potentiometers are blocked, interrupted or oxidised and they are disassembled and mended
The tubes are tested one by one and, when necessary, substituted
The record players are restored and tested
Lastly: the calibration of every stage following meticulously the manufacturer’s instructions
UPGRADE - necessary accessories to interface radios with outer devices, headphones, record players, CD players, MP3 etc.
In order to get to these results
Or to devices with mirror finishing touch
Or with a finishing touch that makes the beauty and the scent of wood stand out
Creating wonderful objects that furnish a luxury place with class

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