Tag: <span>nordmende</span>

Nordmende Tannhauser 59 german radios - en

Nordmende Tannhauser 59 – en

NORDMENDE TANNHÄUSER 59

Nordmende Tannhäuser 59

Tannhäuser, born into a family of knights in Salzburg, took part maybe in the sixth Crusade of 1228 and led a wandering life as a poet and a bard. He attended the court of Duke Frederick II in Vienna.
According to legend, during his life Tannhäuser found the Venusburg (mount of Venus), the subterranean reign of Venus, and lived with her for one year. He then left the goddess, full of remorse, and undertook a journey to Rome, in order to ask Pope Urban IV for forgiveness. The Pope reminded him that such sins lead to eternal damnation and promised to forgive him only in the event of a miracle: the appearance of flowers on his cane. Three days later Tannhäuser returned to Vienna and the cane bloomed.

The legend was put into music by Richard Wagner in his Tannhäuser.

Nordmende, in its heyday of technological growth, decided to name “Tannhäuser” its best device ever produced.
A device designed to represent the crest of the technical perfection of its time and extreme attention to detail.
The output stage is composed of a pair of  EL84 in Push-Pull. The phase inversion is carried out with a section of the double triode  ECC82 in Cathodyne configuration. This kind of inverter has an advantage, the possibility to be connected directly to its previous stage. Such stage consists of the remaining section of the double triode ECC82, which provides for the amplification of the signal after the attenuation deriving from the tone control circuit.
The triode contained in the multifunction valve EABC80 constitutes the input preamplifier and receives a signal from a logarithmic potentiometer with 3 intermediate sockets for a complex and very accurate physiological volume control circuit.

The radio section is of the same high quality. An additional medium frequency stage is present, in order to increase the selectivity.
This allows the receipt of transmissions, especially in FM, particularly stable and free from disturbance.

The complex of loudspeakers, moreover, is really impressive. All the loudspeakers are made by Isophon.
The reproduction of low and medium frequencies is ensured by a big elliptic woofer  P 2031/19/105 which measures 31 cm in length and 20 in height.
To trebles, instead, are dedicated 5 loudspeakers built with 2 different technologies.
Frontally we have a 13 cm midrange for a soft reproduction, perfectly integrated with that of the woofer.
On each side was placed the famous HM 10/12/70 cone tweeter and an ST HB7 electrostatic tweeter

As Baudelaire wrote, the Tannhäuser represents the struggle between the two principles which choose the human heart as their battlefield, that is the flesh against the spirit.
Nordmende honoured this great piece of work with the realisation of its best product.

Frontally, we can find the famous cone tweeter HM 10/12/70 The trumpet exit of a DKS 6/13/100 and an electrostatic tweeter ST HB7 were put  on each side.

Nordmende Tannhauser 59

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embedded

READ MORE >

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

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

READ MORE >

TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENTS

- Bluetooth receiver embedded - 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.

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

LA STORIA

In 1923 Otto Hermann Mende founded Radio H. Mende &amp; Co. in Dresden. After the bombing of the factory in 1945, Martin Mende (son of the founder) created a new company in Bremen, the "North German Mende Broadcast GmbH" whose name was later changed into NORDMENDE.

In the 50s and 60s it became one of the most prestigious German TV and radios manufacturer.

In the 70s the televisions by NORDMENDE became famous for their frames, cards and for the rigorous testing and quality controls carried out on their finished products. Unfortunately, the high cost involved in such detailed quality determined a competitive disadvantage when the price of color television began to fall.

In 1977 the majority of the shares was sold to the French Thomson. The following year, the family sold the remaining shares. In 1980, the factories of Bremen was closed, NORDMENDE becoming purely a trademark of Thomson.

 

 

Thanks Dan Ludington for the image.

MAIN FEATURES

Year of production: 1958/59

Superheterodyne IF 468/10700
10 AM Circuits
13 FM Circuits
Wavebands:
Medium Waves (OM), Long Waves (OL), Short waves (OC), FM (UKW)

Loudspeakers:
1 woofer
1 cone midrange
2 horn tweeters
2 electrostatic tweeters

Dimensions (LHD):: 700 x 420 x 290 mm / 27.6 x 16.5 x 11.4 inch
Net weight: 16.3 kg / 35 lb 14.4 oz
9 Tubes: ECC85 ECH81 EF89 EF89 EM34 or EM35 EABC80 ECC82 EL84 EL84

Nordmende Tannhauser 59

Nordmende Tannhauser 59

BANDBREITE SCHALTBAR

The device has been equipped with a frequency response correction system independent of the tone controls.
It is made up of 5 keys which insert predefined equalization curves operating on the feedback circuit (they are not passive filters).

The Bass key emphasizes bass tones.
The Sprache key boosts the mid-range for cleaner listening to spoken broadcasts.
The Expander key (the large central one) inserts a feedback curve that slightly favors the mid-bass tones, increasing the sense of space.
The Solo key slightly accentuates the mid-tones for easier listening to single instruments.
The Jazz key greatly emphasizes the low and high tones to facilitate listening to this musical genre.

TONE CONTROL WITH LEVEL INDICATION

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.

The treble control knob is connected to the ferrite in the MF transformers and varies the slope of the transformer bell. In this way, when you are in the AM bands, the treble tones are further accentuated even before arriving in the BF amplifier stage.

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

BASS MAX

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

Bass flat

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

BASS MIN

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

TREBLE MIN

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

TREBLE FLAT

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

TREBLE MAX

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

ANTENNE

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.

SEPARATE CONTROL TUNING BETWEEN AM AND FM

The tuning system is another gem.
The unit is equipped with mechanisms for keeping separate the AM and FM bands.
The tuning knob is single but a selector switch commutes into cable systems (all in steel) and pulleys separated depending on the band.

The movement is transferred to both mechanisms with a system of pulleys and separated gears.

 

TUNING INDICATOR

Nordmende Tannhauser 59

The magic eye has of course been replaced.

Nordmende Tannhauser 59

ALTOPARLANTI

The loudspeakers are six.

 In the front we find the biggest elliptic broadband built by Isophon, very linear and efficient. Also frontally, we find an Isophon cone midrange.
In order to obtain a 3D effect, we find on the sides two cone tweeters with two  electrostatic SuperTweeters.

 The acoustic performance is really generous.

 None of the radios I know has the same dotation of loudspeakers.

CONTROL PANEL

Nordmende Tannhauser 59

Above the dial, in the loudspeakers panel we find the series of buttons of the Bandbreite Schltbar, previously described.
Moving downwards on the tuning-dial, we first find the magical eye, which indicates the perfect tuning of each station. Below, we find the volume control (with integrated loudness).
By pulling the volume knob, the circuit which powers selectivity in the AM bands is inserted.
From the top down are then indicated the AM dial for Long, Medium and Short bands and below we find the FM dial.
Moving further right, we find the indicator of the position of the ferrite aerial.
Finally, there is the tuning knob, which movement is very pleasant as it is supported by a big flywheel.
Coaxial to the harmony knob is the knob which rotates the ferrite aerial.
Below on the left we find the treble control knob set in a nice bakelite casing with ivory effect.

In the following order, then, we find the buttons:

AUS - Off
TA - Turntable
TONBAND - Tape recorder
L - Long Wave
Peil-Ant - Ferrite antenna for  LW and MW
M - Medium Wave
K - Short Wave
UKW - FM

On the right, the bass control is visible.
Above the tone controls, the respective emphasis indicators of the controls.

REAR SIDE

Output for external speakers.

Socket for recorder (tonbandgerat).

Turntable input (Tonabnehmer)

AM and FM aerial inputs and ground socket.

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE
Nordmende Tannhauser 59
Nordmende Spectra Futura german radios - en

NORDMENDE Spectra Futura – en

.
NORDMENDE SPECTRA FUTURA (Mono - Stereo)

NORDMENDE SPECTRA FUTURA (Mono - Stereo)

Also this reviews will be accompanied by a section with graphs of technical measures of the most important parameters.
There is no such thing anywhere else, as far as I know. Not even the manufacturers themselves detailed the technical features of their own devices at this level.
This new section has been developed for an objective comparison of different devices.
In order to avoid interpreting the measurements incorrectly, it is very important to read the warnings carefully the first time.

The Nordmende Spectra Futura is the only transistor device of the German brand that we will review on this site.
We will examine it for its design resulting from the collaboration between the Nordmende design center and the famous American designer Raymond Loewy.
Will talk about Loewy later on this page. However, we all know the products he designed, such as the Coca-Cola bottle or the Lucky Strike pack.

Collaborating with the American designer was a very good choice. The device was a sales success and overshadowed all similar radio receivers of other brands, which sometimes tried to awkwardly imitate its shapes.
It was produced in many versions, with many color combinations, as shown in the brochures of the time shown here.
The most flamboyant model is certainly the Orange-Red, while the most elegant is with solid aluminum bands and wooden cabinet.

Nordmende produced both monophonic and stereophonic versions of this device. Both models are visible in the photos on this page. Obviously the stereophonic version is the most satisfying from a musical point of view.

The electronic design of this model is interesting from our point of view. Being a few years that the transistors were used for commercial purposes, the circuits were very similar to the tube circuits. The voltages and polarizations changed, but the principle schemes were almost the same, so the sound of the amplifiers of this period is close to the sound of the tube ones.

The FM section is quite stable, very traditional and time-tested.

Conclusions: A beautiful device to look at, which adapts to modern as well as vintage furnishings, with a pleasant and sufficiently powerful sound. A piece of design made in the USA in a machine made in Germany in a handcrafted restoration made in Italy.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The first song is by Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa, it's called Sweetest Pie. Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, aka Megan Thee Stallion for her imposing build, is a Texan rapper and girl prodigy. In a few years he has received considerable public and critical success, famous on TikTok his Savage remixed with Beyoncé. In 2021, she was awarded Best Debut Artist. In 2022 he published in collaboration with the singer Dua Lipa, Sweetest Pie (Sweet cake). The song is permeated with very explicit sensuality, as is Megan's style. An irreverent debut in the presentation of the spectacular Nordmende Spectra Futura.

And irreverence and sensuality are the leitmotifs of the second piece, The quadrille of bullfighters from Bizet's Carmen.
The apparent lack of morality of the protagonist, her vitality, the immeasurable propensity for freedom make her incomprehensible, unacceptable to Don José, who falls madly in love with her and as in the worst traditions will end up killing her. The Spectra Futura, despite the small numbers, manages to highlight the chorus and the orchestra with a momentum typical of much more muscular machines.

Nordmende Spectra Futura

Nordmende Spectra Futura

The third song, played by Antonio Serrano (mouth organ) and Javier Colina (double bass,) is actually by Stevie Wonder, Overjoyed. The title, overflowing with joy, does not hide the meaning and impulse of the piece. The text of "Overjoyed" speaks of a love not reciprocated, indeed, hidden, lived all alone on one side. Stevie wants to reveal to his beloved how deep is the feeling he has for her, hoping that she will accept it and reciprocate. Musically, the piece is characterized by the continuous changes of key and the use of natural sounds as a rhythmic basis. Serrano's harmonica is well enhanced by the Spectra Futura which puts it a head ahead of the double bass, as it should be.

The fourth song is the famous Back to Black by Amy Winehouse. “Back to Black” means returning to a state of depression after the end of a love affair. She specifies that it is a state of despondency in which the pain of loneliness drowns in alcohol and drugs. The reference is to the tormented story with Blake Fielder-Civil, which led to her death after a physically and psychologically toxic marriage, where Amy, already debilitated by eating disorders, did not last long.

The fifth song, again by Stevie Wonder, dedicated to his wife, Syreeta Wright. You are the sunshine of my life. The couple was actually already divorced by the time the song hit. Their marriage has always been difficult due to the singer's work schedule. "I've always lived in his shadow," Wright said. However Wonder was very devoted to Syreeta. In the song the husband looks at his now familiar wife and remembers why he loves her and promises he always will. But it didn't work out for this couple.

RAYMOND LOEWY

Raymond Loewy appears twice on the cover of the prestigious TIME magazine, in 1949 and 1990 as one of the 100 most influential Americans of the 20th century

Born in Paris in 1893, he emigrated to the USA at the end of the First World War. He was one of the most prolific and creative designers in the world, and perhaps deserves the title of father of industrial design.

His work is not limited to a single sector but extends over the most diverse areas.

Much can be read about his work online and in the numerous books dedicated to him, but probably few know that in 1973 he worked on a diplomatic project between the United States and the USSR with the aim of easing tensions between the two countries during the Cold War period.

A very small part of his most famous works

1939 - The Pennsylvania Railroad S1 steam locomotive
1940 - The pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes
1954 - The Scenicruiser bus for Greyhound company
1955 - Coke - The first large format bottle, and in 1960 the first steel can.
1962 - Studebacker Avanti with bodywork made of fiberglass reinforced polyester, speed over 240 km/h.
1962 - Air Force One, designed following the color indications of President John Kennedy, who followed the tastes of First Lady Jaqueline.
1967 - The Nordmende Spectra Futura designer radio, which was successfully marketed the following year.
1971 - Shell logo, which has remained almost unchanged to this day.

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embed

Read More >

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

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

Read More >

ELABORAZIONI TUBESOUND

- 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.

Nordmende Spectra Futura

 

.
HISTORY

1923 - Otto Hermann Mende founds Radio H. Mende GmbH in Dresden producing radios under the brand name “Mende”.
1939 - During World War II the government requests to produce bomb detonators.
1945 - The factory is partially destroyed by bombing and dismantled by the Soviet Union.
1947 - Martin Mende (son of the founder) sets up a new company in Bremen the North German Mende Broadcast GmbH. Whose name is later changed to NORDMENDE. The operational headquarters are established in the former Focke-Wulf aircraft factory in Hemelingen.
1950 - Becomes one of the most prestigious German radio manufacturers. Since 1950, development engineers have been planning the production of televisions.
1953 - The demand for televisions grows and Nordmende is already prepared.
1961 - Nordmende produces the first television with an ultrasonic remote control.
1964 - A new factory is opened in Wildeshausen, then in Bremerhaven, Sittensen and finally in Verden in 1972
1968 - The company is oriented to design products and comes out the "Spectra Futura" designed in collaboration with the famous designer Raymond Loewy.
1969 - The sons Karl and Hermann take over the management and soon have to deal with the onset of the crisis. Competitive pressure was mounting, the market was "saturated" and the high cost of such quality proved to be a competitive disadvantage when the price of color televisions began to fall.
1977 - Company shares were sold to the French group Thomson-Brandt. But even this did not bring the hoped-for help and so in 1980 the last shares of the Nordmende company were sold.
1980 - The production of audio devices is transferred to France, but the French group was not organized and some absurd choices were made such as the division of labor in production and assembly between the plants in Villingen (Saba) and Bremen, which still made more complex and expensive to produce.
1981 - The first factories in Germany are closed. The same fate will befall the other companies controlled by the French group, such as Dual, Saba and Telefunken.
1987 - Europart's plan, 25% owned by the Thompson group, also failed and in the 1990s the new company filed for bankruptcy. Saba, Nordmende and Telefunken merged and remained part of the Thompson group.

MAIN FEATURES

Year of production: 1968/70
Superheterodyne IF: 460/10700
7 Circuits AM - 11 Circuits FM

Wavebands: Medium Wave (OM), Long Wave (OL), Short Wave (OC), FM (UKW)

Speakers:
1 full-range 13 cm

Dimensions (LHP) : 594 x 156 x 162 mm / 23.4 x 6.1 x 6.4 inch
Net Weight: 8.2kg / 18lb 1oz 21kg / 46lb 4.1oz

Transistor 13: 3 x AF106, 2 x AF121, AF125, AF137, BFY39IV, BFY39II, BC139, AD161, AD162, AC122, AD150, 3 x AA112

Nordmende Spectra Futura

MEASURED TECHNICAL FEATURES

IMPORTANT REMARK
(to be read carefully at least the first time)

  1. The following measures have been carried out in order to compare, from an electrical point of view, the devices that will be reviewed on this site. It is not possible to make comparisons with measurements made by other laboratories on different devices. The instrumentation and measurement conditions are probably very different.
  2. The instrumentation used for the measurements is obsolete and unprofessional. We believe that more precise instrumentation is not necessary due to the tolerances of the human auditory system. Distinguishing a distortion of 1% from one of 1.1% or 1.001% only makes sense from the electrical point of view. Probably no one can hear the difference by ear. Only a child and very few lucky people can perceive the difference between a flat response curve up to 16 KHz and one up to 20 kHz.
  3. The perception of sound depends on many factors, namely the age of the listener, the listening environment, the musical genre that is being reproduced, the listener's expectations, his or her listening habits and knowledge and many other factors, besides of course the quality of the other devices. Therefore, there is no direct and unique relationship between the results of the measurements made and the pleasantness of listening to a specific device.

Nordmende Spectra Futura

BANDWIDTH

Normally the measurement of the bandwidth is done on a resistive load. The deformation caused by the loudspeakers' inductive load and the effect of the mechanical resonance of the speakers themselves on the feedback circuit are not considered. The effects are by no means negligible, the measurements carried out on a purely resistive load are always very linear but they don't coincide with the real frequency response.

On the other hand, this response curve was measured on an inductive laod, that is, with its own loudspeakers.
The frequency response measurements were made with a sinusoidal generator and a 
Wandel & Goltermann WM  20 level meter.
You can see the actual frequency response on the vobulator' screen.

As you can see the low tones are slightly enhanced due to the always active loudness correction.

Nordmende Spectra Futura

Nordmende Spectra Futura

TONE CONTROL

The measurement is always taken on an inductive load, i.e. with its own loudspeakers.

In the image on the left you can see the effect of the bass control in the maximum exaltation position.
In the image on the right you can see the effect of the treble tone control in the maximum exaltation position.

Nordmende Spectra Futura

RMS POWER

We consider as Maximum Power the square of the lower of the RMS voltages measured at the three sample frequencies divided by the load resistence.
The measurement conditions are the following:
- sample frequencies, 100, 1000, 10,000 Hz
- 8 ohm resistive load
- distortion less than or equal to 1%.
The measuring instrument provides the RMS value directly.

The measured RMS power is 4.6 W

Nordmende Spectra Futura

Nordmende Spectra Futura

 

Misura IM% a 1000 Hz

Nordmende Spectra Futura

 

 

INTERMODULATION DISTORTION %

The Intermodulation Distortion % was measured with the SMPTE standard and measured at 1W RMS.
The two measurements were carried out by modulating the 50 Hz sine wave with a 1080 Hz sine wave and then with a 10400 Hz sine wave, with an amplitude in a ratio of 1/4 compared to the basic sinusoid.
The output voltage was kept around 2.83V on an 8 ohm carico.

The measured Intermodulation Distortion % (IM%) is 0.13%

 

 

 

LOUDSPEAKERS

The original speaker, or speakers in the stereo model, is a modest Isophon P13F.
Its most important features are:

Maximum power 5W
Resonance frequency 130Hz
Frequency response 80-14000Hz
Sensitivity N.C.

The loudspeaker seemed to us not being able to fully express the good characteristics of the amplifier, for this reason we decided to replace it with an excellent JBL GTO525e or similar.
The features of the last is completely different:

Maximum power 135W
Resonance frequency 80Hz
Frequency response 70 - 21000Hz
Sensitivity 92dB

With this new loudspeaker the frequency response and power handling have changed radically.
Compatibly with the small dimensions of the cabinet and the limited power, the sound is now much warmer and more convincing. The effect of exaggerated emphasis of the mid tones due to the difficulty of reproducing the low and very high tones of the old loudspeaker has completely disappeared.

In the end, a beautiful sound capable of filling even a medium-sized room.

CONTROL PANEL - MONO Model

Nordmende Spectra Futura

 

1 - Volume control (with loudness built-in)
2 - The bass control knob
3 - The treble control knob

4 - TA - AUX
5 - L - Long Waves
6 - M  Medium Waves
7 - K - Short Waves
8 - U - FM
9 - AUS - Turn off

15 - FM sensitivity switch
16 - FM tuning knob
17 - AM tuning knob

CONTROL PANEL - STEREO Model

Nordmende Spectra Futura 

 

1 - The treble control knob
2 - The bass control knob
3 - Balance Control
4 - Volume control (with loudness built-in)
5 - Stereo broadcast indication
6 - Tuning indicator

 

1 -
2 -
3 - 

7 - AFC - Automatic frequency Control
8 - STEREO - Mono/Stereo switch
9 - TA - AUX

10 - L - Long Waves
11 - M  Medium Waves
12 - K - Short Waves
13 - U - FM
14 - AUS - OFF switch

15 - FM sensitivity switch
16 - FM tuning knob
17 - AM tuning knob

Nordmende Spectra Futura

REAR SIDE

Output for external speakers.
Turntable input (Tonabnehmer)
AM and FM aerial inputs and ground socket

RESTORATION STEPS

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE
Nordmende Spectra Futura

 

Nordmende Tannhauser 58 german radios - en

Nordmende Tannhauser 58 – en

NORDMENDE TANNHAUSER 58

NORDMENDE TANNHÄUSER 58

Nordmende Tannhäuser 58

Tannhäuser, born into a family of knights in Salzburg, took part maybe in the sixth Crusade of 1228 and led a wandering life as a poet and a bard. He attended the court of Duke Frederick II in Vienna.
According to legend, during his life Tannhäuser found the Venusburg (mount of Venus), the subterranean reign of Venus, and lived with her for one year. He then left the goddess, full of remorse, and undertook a journey to Rome, in order to ask Pope Urban IV for forgiveness. The Pope reminded him that such sins lead to eternal damnation and promised to forgive him only in the event of a miracle: the appearance of flowers on his cane. Three days later Tannhäuser returned to Vienna and the cane bloomed.

The legend was put into music by Richard Wagner in his Tannhäuser.

Nordmende, in its heyday of technological growth, decided to name “Tannhäuser” its best device ever produced.
A device designed to represent the crest of the technical perfection of its time and extreme attention to detail.
The output stage is composed of a pair of  EL84 in Push-Pull. The phase inversion is carried out with a section of the double triode  ECC82 in Cathodyne configuration. This kind of inverter has an advantage, the possibility to be connected directly to its previous stage. Such stage consists of the remaining section of the double triode ECC82, which provides for the amplification of the signal after the attenuation deriving from the tone control circuit.
The triode contained in the multifunction valve EABC80 constitutes the input preamplifier and receives a signal from a logarithmic potentiometer with 3 intermediate sockets for a complex and very accurate physiological volume control circuit.

The radio section is of the same high quality. An additional medium frequency stage is present, in order to increase the selectivity.
This allows the receipt of transmissions, especially in FM, particularly stable and free from disturbance.

The complex of loudspeakers, moreover, is really impressive. All the loudspeakers are made by Isophon.
The reproduction of low and medium frequencies is ensured by a big elliptic woofer  P 2031/19/105 which measures 31 cm in length and 20 in height.
To trebles, instead, are dedicated 4 loudspeakers built with 3 different technologies.
Frontally, we can find the famous cone tweeter HM 10/12/70 for a soft reproduction, perfectly integrated with that of the woofer. The trumpet exit of a DKS 6/13/100 and an electrostatic tweeter ST HB7 were put  on each side.

As Baudelaire wrote, the Tannhäuser represents the struggle between the two principles which choose the human heart as their battlefield, that is the flesh against the spirit.
Nordmende honoured this great piece of work with the realisation of its best product.

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth receiver embedded

READ MORE >

MULTI PLATFORM CONNECTION

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

READ MORE >

TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENTS

- Bluetooth receiver embedded - 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.

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

HISTORY

In 1923 Otto Hermann Mende founded Radio H. Mende &amp; Co. in Dresden. After the bombing of the factory in 1945, Martin Mende (son of the founder) created a new company in Bremen, the "North German Mende Broadcast GmbH" whose name was later changed into NORDMENDE.

In the 50s and 60s it became one of the most prestigious German TV and radios manufacturer.

In the 70s the televisions by NORDMENDE became famous for their frames, cards and for the rigorous testing and quality controls carried out on their finished products. Unfortunately, the high cost involved in such detailed quality determined a competitive disadvantage when the price of color television began to fall.

In 1977 the majority of the shares was sold to the French Thomson. The following year, the family sold the remaining shares. In 1980, the factories of Bremen was closed, NORDMENDE becoming purely a trademark of Thomson.

 

 

Thanks Dan Ludington for the image.

MAIN FEATURES

Year of production: 1957/58

Superheterodyne IF 468/10700
10 AM Circuits
13 FM Circuits
Wavebands:
Medium Waves (OM), Long Waves (OL), Short waves (OC), FM (UKW)

Loudspeakers:
1 woofer
1 cone tweeter
1 horn tweeter with twin mouth
2 electrostatic tweeters

Dimensions (LHD):: 700 x 420 x 290 mm / 27.6 x 16.5 x 11.4 inch
Net weight: 16.3 kg / 35 lb 14.4 oz
9 Tubes: ECC85 ECH81 EF89 EF89 EM34 or EM35 EABC80 ECC82 EL84 EL84

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

BANDBREITE SCHALTBAR

The frequency response correction system is made of 6 keys that insert preset equalization curves operating on the feedback circuit, they are not passive filters.
This solution was adopted only on the upper class models.

The Bass key emphasizes the bass.
The Sprache key emphasizes the mids for a cleaner listening to broadcasts spoken.
The Horspiel key leaves the control to the tone knobs.
The Orchester key puts in the flat passband.
The Solo key slightly accentuates the mids to encourage listening to individual instruments.
The Jazz key emphasizes the very low and high tones to encourage listening to this kind of music.

TONE CONTROL WITH LEVEL INDICATION

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.

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

MAX BASS

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

FLAT BASS

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

MIN BASS

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

MIN TREBLE

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

FLAT TREBLE

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

MAX TREBLE

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

AERIALS

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.

SEPARATE CONTROL TUNING BETWEEN AM AND FM

The tuning system is another gem.
The unit is equipped with mechanisms for keeping separate the AM and FM bands.
The tuning knob is single but a selector switch commutes into cable systems (all in steel) and pulleys separated depending on the band.

The movement is transferred to both mechanisms with a system of pulleys and separated gears.

 

TUNING INDICATOR

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

The magic eye has of course been replaced.

LOUDSPEAKERS

The loudspeakers are five.

 In the front we find the biggest elliptic broadband built by Isophon, very linear and efficient. Also frontally, we find an Isophon cone tweeter.
In order to obtain a 3D effect, we find on the sides a huge trumpet tweeter with two outputs and two electrostatic SuperTweeters.

 The acoustic performance is really generous.

 None of the radios I know has the same dotation of loudspeakers.

CONTROL PANEL

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

Above the dial, in the loudspeakers panel we find the series of buttons of the Bandbreite Schltbar, previously described.
Moving downwards on the tuning-dial, we first find the magical eye, which indicates the perfect tuning of each station. Below, we find the volume control (with integrated loudness).
By pulling the volume knob, the circuit which powers selectivity in the AM bands is inserted.
From the top down are then indicated the AM dial for Long, Medium and Short bands and below we find the FM dial.
Moving further right, we find the indicator of the position of the ferrite aerial.
Finally, there is the tuning knob, which movement is very pleasant as it is supported by a big flywheel.
Coaxial to the harmony knob is the knob which rotates the ferrite aerial.
Below on the left we find the treble control knob set in a nice bakelite casing with ivory effect.

In the following order, then, we find the buttons:

AUS - Off
TA - Turntable
TONBAND - Tape recorder
L - Long Wave
Peil-Ant - Ferrite antenna for  LW and MW
M - Medium Wave
K - Short Wave
UKW - FM

On the right, the bass control is visible.
Above the tone controls, the respective emphasis indicators of the controls.

Nordmende Tannhauser 58

REAR SIDE

Output for external speakers.

Socket for recorder (tonbandgerat).

Turntable input (Tonabnehmer)

AM and FM aerial inputs and ground socket.

RESTORATION WORKS

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE
Nordmende Tannhauser 58
Nordmende Stereo Steuergerät 3007 3007 - en

Nordmende Stereo Steuergerät 3007 – en

NORDMENDE STEREO STEUERGERAT 3007

NORDMENDE STEREO STEUERGERAT 3007

Finally we do not find passive correction or equalization filters on a machine, and this goes to advantage response linearity and signal transfer speed.

I put this note at the beginning to highlight the main characteristic of the NORDMENDE STEREO STEUERGERAT 3007, say, the extreme response linearity.
The power of the RMS output goes around 9W per channel, and its enough to pilot medium dimension and efficiency speakers.
Not having appearently a color of its own, this machine leaves musicality to the loudspeakers, that will have to be chosen with care.
This is in my opinion the harder side, but at the same time intriguing, of the placing of this Nordmende.

Very easy to use and very compact, represents a stylistc line at the top those years in Europe.
Shortly the Japanese will come with their professional-looking machines...talking about the appearence.

The cabinet is very beautiful and opaque-varnished.
The care and the precision by Nordmende in its production are notorious. The quality of the components is known over all by german collectors.

I personally prefere the “naked” machine.
Aesthetically it reminds me of the McIntosh look (don't blame me the evaluators of the legendary Chambers Street's company)
The deisgn is less heavy and immediately becomes current and this benefits the thermic balance increasing the functioning stability and the duration.
If I would have to do a tweaking and not a refurbishment, I'd protect the machine with a black shiny grid of the right dimension. I'm convinced that the result would be very interesting.

EXTERNAL 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 >

TUBESOUND

- Altoparlanti separati - Poter utilizzare diffusori separati  è una possibilità importante per ricevitori stereofonici. In questo modo è possibile accoppiare al ricevitore i diffusori più adatti alle esigenze di spazio, di design o di prestazioni acustiche. I diffusori più adatti sono analizzati in seguito, nella sezione altoparlanti.

- Stereo Decoder - L'apparecchio è dotato di Decoder Stereo integrato. Questo permette di ascoltare in stereofonia le stazioni che usano tale sistema trasmissivo. Molti ricevitori stereofonici non sono dotati di Multiplexer per cui funzionano in stereofonia soltanto quando si seleziona l'ingresso Giradischi/Registratore/Aux. Tali ricevitori, nell'ascolto della radio, inviano ad entrambi i canali lo stesso segnale, per cui l'ascolto è monofonico. Non è il caso della Concertino 2380 che è totalmente stereofonica.

- 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.

- Connessione MultiPiattaforma - Con l'apparecchio viene fornito un cavo adattore di impedenza per connettere qualsiasi sorgente digitale, come Iphone, Smartphone, Computer, CD Player ecc. Questo cavo appositamente costruito adatta le differenti impedenze delle moderne apparecchiature digitali. Inoltre i due canali stereofonici vengono raccolti in un unico flusso senza aumentare il carico dellunità sorgente.

Nordmende factory

HISTORY

In 1923 Otto Hermann Mende founded Radio H. Mende & Co. in Dresden. After the bombing of the factory in 1945, Martin Mende (son of the founder) created a new company in Bremen, the "North German Mende Broadcast GmbH" whose name was later changed into NORDMENDE.

In the 50s and 60s it became one of the most prestigious German TV and radios manufacturer.

In the 70s the televisions by NORDMENDE became famous for their frames, cards and for the rigorous testing and quality controls carried out on their finished products. Unfortunately, the high cost involved in such detailed quality determined a competitive disadvantage when the price of color television began to fall.

In 1977 the majority of the shares was sold to the French Thomson. The following year, the family sold the remaining shares. In 1980, the factories of Bremen was closed, NORDMENDE becoming purely a trademark of Thomson.

MAIN FEATURES

Year of production: 1966/68

Superheterodyne IF 468/10700
6 AM Circuits
10 FM Circuits

Wavebands:
Medium Waves (OM), Long Waves (OL), Short waves (OC), FM (UKW)

AC Voltage: 110 - 220 Volt

External loudspeakers output

Dimensions (LHD) : 550 x 210 x 230 mm / 21.7 x 8.3 x 9.1 inch
Net weight: 9.2 kg / 20 lb 4.2 oz (20.264 lb)

Tubes 8: ECC85, ECH81, EAF801,ECC808, EMM803;ECC81, 2 x ECLL800

Nordmende Stereo Steuergerät 3007

VERY HIGH QUALITY AND CONTROL OF THE DETAILS

The tube sockets are made of ceramic and not bakelite.
The use of this expensive material ensures the grip of the contacts even with high temperatures and without spurious capacities and and interferences thanks to the best dielectric characteristics of the ceramic compared to other cheaper materials usually used in commercial devices.

AERIALS

Inside the cabinet there is a dipole for FM reception and a ferrite aerial for AM reception.

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.

Nordmende Stereo Steuergerät 3007

SEPARATED TUNING CONTROL BETWEEN AM AND FM

The tuning system is interesting and different than other devices made in Germany.

The device is equipped with separate tuning mechanisms for AM and FM bands.
There are two tuning knobs, separate but coaxial, with cable and pulley systems separated depending on the band. This type of tuning has a very strong mechanics.

Regarding maintenance, cleaning and lubricating once every 10 to 15 years is sufficient.

TUNING INDICATOR

The magic eye has of course been replaced.

Nordmende Stereo Steuergerät 3007

MAIN CONTROLS

Nordmende 3007


On the left we see the volume command with incorpored loudness.
After that on the right the L-R channels balance control.
Bass tones knob, treble tone knob.

Nordmende 3007

We find then these buttons, in this order:
Power On/Power Off,
Stereo/Mono,
Turntable/Recorder Input,
Long, Medium, Short Waves,
FM,
Automatic Frequency Control (keeps an FM station centered once tuned in)

Nordmende 3007


On the right we find then the magic eye that indicates with the left bar the presence and the level of a Stereo Station, with the two little bar on the left the perfect tuning of each station.
Finally we find the two axial knobs for the tuning of the AM and FM bands.

Nordmende Stereo Steuergerät 3007

REAR SIDE

Output for external speakers.
Socket for recorder (tonbandgerat).
Turntable input (Tonabnehmer)
AM and FM aerial inputs and ground socket.

RESTORING WORKS

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE
Nordmende Stereo Steuergerät 3007
Normende Othello 55 german radios - en

Nordmende Othello 55 (88 – 108 MHz) 2D and…

Nordmende Othello 55 (88 – 108 MHz) 2D and 3D

NORDMENDE OTHELLO 55

The decision to restore this unit has been carefully considered before taking any action. The key elements examined are two.

First: in the 2D model the entire set of loudspeakers is located on the front.
The models produced in subsequent years were equipped with a 3D system for sound diffusion; the medium/high frequencies were spread also from the sides of the unit in order to provide an optimal listening while offering the great advantage to enable people performing other activities moving free within the area.
Unfortunately, most of the times the radios were placed on a shelf or on a piece of furniture closed at the sides, making the lateral diffusion totally useless, if not a disadvantage. In fact, a big frontal broadband and one or more electrostatic supertweeters were typically installed on units with 3D, while mid/tweeters were on the sides. So, if the side speakers were occluded by books or other barriers, the sound was consequently compromised, resulting not as bright as it could have been.
On the contrary, in this device the entire set of speakers is installed in front, making spreading the sound easy and with great naturalness and transparency.

Second: the great visual impact of the cabinet.
The careful choice of woods and the fine workmanship reveal the beauty of this piece at first glance.
The professional restoration further enhances it, giving new life to such a fine handmade object like we have not seen in decades.
There is no trace of plastic, the whole cabinet develops in contrast with metals and woods, arranged to enliven the entire piece.
However, as already mentioned, from the point of view of the style, Nordmende has always been considered rather austere. Large appliances such as Othello remain impressive and rigorous, especially suited to classic furnishing or brave and refined contrast combinations, which further improve the visual impact preserving an unrivaled acoustic at the same time: pleasant, sophisticated and deep.
Tone controls with separate linear indicators, final A Class stage with EL84 and triode preamp, effective system of feedback that linearizes the response; all these elements make listening to this unit extremely pleasant and fulfilling.

Of course there is also the 3D model, so you can choice the preferred model depending on the location.

In conclusion, a great Normende unit.

Produced in 1955, the Othello belongs to the Nordmende high class tube radios.

Normende Othello 55

FM FREQUENCY RANGE
FM frequency range widened from 88 up to 108 MHz

READ MORE >

BLUETOOTH
Bluetooth receiver embed

READ MORE >

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

READ MORE >

TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENT

- 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.

Nordmende factory

HISTORY

In 1923 Otto Hermann Mende founded Radio H. Mende & Co. in Dresden. After the bombing of the factory in 1945, Martin Mende (son of the founder) created a new company in Bremen, the "North German Mende Broadcast GmbH" whose name was later changed into NORDMENDE.

In the 50s and 60s it became one of the most prestigious German TV and radios manufacturer.

In the 70s the televisions by NORDMENDE became famous for their frames, cards and for the rigorous testing and quality controls carried out on their finished products. Unfortunately, the high cost involved in such detailed quality determined a competitive disadvantage when the price of color television began to fall.

In 1977 the majority of the shares was sold to the French Thomson. The following year, the family sold the remaining shares. In 1980, the factories of Bremen was closed, NORDMENDE becoming purely a trademark of Thomson.

MAIN FEATURES

Year of production: 1954/55
Superheterodyne IF 468/10700
6 AM Circuits
11 FM Circuits
Wavebands:
Medium Waves (OM), Long Waves (OL), Short waves (OC), FM (UKW)
1 Elliptical woofer
1 Midrange
1 Electrostatic Tweeter

Dimensions (LHD): 26 x 15.9 x 10.8 inch
Net weight: 27 lb 8.5 oz
7 Tubes:
2xEC92, ECH81, EF85, EABC80, EL84, EM34

Normende Othello 55

TONE CONTROL WITH LEVEL INDICATION

This device controls are arranged unusually compared to the traditional collocation. The large knobs of the tone controls are coaxial knobs for volume and tuning.
Above the large tone control knobs there is a band that lights up gradually indicating the emphasis on the band on which it acts.

AERIALS

Inside the cabinet there is a dipole for FM reception and a ferrite rotating aerial for AM reception.

The reception sensitivity with internal aerials is very good.
Using an external aerial sensitivity is further increased.
This unit was in fact produced in a period when there were not many radio stations and those available fairly apart from each others.

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.

Normende Othello 55

SEPARATE CONTROL TUNING BETWEEN AM AND FM

The tuning system is another gem.
The unit is equipped with mechanisms for keeping separate the AM and FM bands.
The tuning knob is single but a selector switch commutes into cable systems (all in steel) and pulleys separated depending on the band.

The movement is transferred to both mechanisms with a system of pulleys and separated gears

DOUBLE MEDIUM WAVES CIRCUITS

In Othello and Tannhauser (the two top models) was expected to double tune for medium wave with two separate mechanisms.
Pressing the MW button with the usual tuning dial is made in the normal search on Medium Wave bands and the indication is that the main tuning display.
Pressing the Ortssender button and moving the white knob on the bottom left you will search in medium wave with an decreased sensitivity and the indication is secondary on the little vertical display.
You receive thereby better the local stations.

Normende Othello 55

TUNING INDICATOR

The magic eye has of course been replaced.

LOUDSPEAKERS

The speakers three are seats on front.
There is a very efficient cone broadband and a protected cone tweeter.
For a clear treble reproduction there is an electrostatic SuperTweeter.
The acoustic performance is truly remarkable and satisfying.

CONTROL PANEL

Normende Othello 55

In the center of the speakers panel we find the magic eye that indicates the perfect tuning station.
To the left is the volume control (with loudness built-in). Coaxially there is the treble control.
Pulling the volume knob we obtain a narrow station tuning on MW band (udible high frequencies increased)
Continuing we find the OM high sensibility (vertical), FM, AM main display for Long Wave Medium and Court bands, Ferrite aerial position (vertical) display.

We then find the keys in the order the Turntable, LW, Ferrite aerial, MW, MW high sensibility, KW and FM knobs.
Finally, there is the tuning knob. Coaxially there is the bass control.
Under the dialglass there are two knobs arranged axially: one on the left controls the tuning stations in OM narrow band, the right rotates the ferrite aerial.
Each of these two knobs is equipped with indicator on themain dialglass.

Normende Othello 55

REAR SIDE

Output for external speakers.
Socket for recorder (tonbandgerat).
Turntable input (Tonabnehmer)
AM and FM aerial inputs and ground socket.

RESTORATION STEPS

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE
Normende Othello 55
Nordmende Carmen 58 carmen 58 - en

Nordmende Carmen 58 – en

Nordmende Carmen 58

NORDMENDE CARMEN 58

Produced in 1958, the Carmen belongs to the Nordmende middle class tube radios.
But what makes this Carmen 58 stick out from the other middle class radios is its elegance.
Nordmende was carefully naming its radios and even in this case the name Carmen suits this product perfectly.
With Carmen 58 Nordmende designers began a line of products with clean and elegant shape. As the older models the quality of the materials represent Nordmende at its top. High quality wood, metals and plastics.
The cabinet is mirror painted. And its infinite reflections catch the eye.
And so the Carmen become the queen of the house. It could not be otherwise with that personality.

Our professional restoration process further enhanced this feature, giving new life to a classical handmade object that is now ready to work for many more decades.
We have been trying to place this radio in different locations: in the end we realized that this Carmen fits perfectly with a classical and refined ambience.

As older Carmen the Model 58 sound  deep and refined. The separate tone controls, the A Class final stage, the triode preamp, the efficient feedback system that linearizes the response are all elements that make the sound of this radio a very warm and pleasant listening experience.

A cheerful and bright sound, aggressive silhouette.
If it were a shoe would be a Size 12 Womens Heels

Nordmende Carmen 58

BLUETOOTH
Bluetooth receiver embed

READ MORE >

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

READ MORE >

TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENT

- 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.

Nordmende factory

HISTORY

In 1923 Otto Hermann Mende founded Radio H. Mende & Co. in Dresden. After the bombing of the factory in 1945, Martin Mende (son of the founder) created a new company in Bremen, the "North German Mende Broadcast GmbH" whose name was later changed into NORDMENDE.

In the 50s and 60s it became one of the most prestigious German TV and radios manufacturer.

In the 70s the televisions by NORDMENDE became famous for their frames, cards and for the rigorous testing and quality controls carried out on their finished products. Unfortunately, the high cost involved in such detailed quality determined a competitive disadvantage when the price of color television began to fall.

In 1977 the majority of the shares was sold to the French Thomson. The following year, the family sold the remaining shares. In 1980, the factories of Bremen was closed, NORDMENDE becoming purely a trademark of Thomson.

MAIN FEATURES

Year of production: 1957/58
Superheterodyne IF 468/10700
8 AM Circuits
11 FM Circuits
Wavebands:
Medium Waves (OM), Long Waves (OL), Short waves (OC), FM (UKW)
1 Elliptical wideband
2 side Tweeters

Dimensions (LHD): 605 x 370 x 270 mm
23.8 x 14.6 x 10.6 inch
Net weight: 12 kg / 26 lb 6.9 oz
6 Tubes:
ECC85, ECH81, EF85, EABC80, EL84, EM84

Nordmende Carmen 58

TONE CONTROL WITH LEVEL INDICATION

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.

EQUALIZATION KEYS

The frequency response correction system is made of 6 keys that insert preset equalization curves operating on the feedback circuit (they are not passive filters).
This solution was adopted only on the upper class models.
The Bass key emphasizes the bass.
The Sprache key emphasizes the mids for a cleaner listening to broadcasts spoken.
The Horspiel key leaves the control to the tone knobs.
The Orchester key puts in the flat passband.
The Solo key slightly accentuates the mids to encourage listening to individual instruments.
The Jazz key emphasizes the very low and high tones to encourage listening to this kind of music.

Nordmende Carmen 58
Nordmende Carmen 56/3D

AERIALS

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.

SEPARATE CONTROL TUNING BETWEEN AM AND FM

The tuning system is another gem.
The unit is equipped with mechanisms for keeping separate the AM and FM bands.
The tuning knob is single but a selector switch commutes into cable systems (all in steel) and pulleys separated depending on the band.
The movement is transferred to both mechanisms with a system of pulleys and separated gears.

Nordmende Carmen 56/3D
Nordmende Carmen 58

TUNING INDICATOR

The magic eye has of course been replaced.

LOUDSPEAKERS

The front speaker is a large ISOPHON elliptical broadband .
The sound is beautiful, very deep bass and clean treble thanks to the side protected cones, as the HI-FI speaker of the following decades.
Of course I'm not speaking here of High Fidelity, but the warmth and charm not found in modern devices.

CONTROL PANEL

Nordmende Carmen 58

In the center under the speakers panel we find the Equalizaton keyboard.
To the left is the volume control (with loudness built-in).
Pulling the volume knob we obtain a narrow station tuning on MW band (udible high frequencies increased)
After we find the magic eye that indicates the perfect tuning station.
Continuing we find the FM and AM main display for Long Wave Medium and Court bands, Ferrite aerial position display.

Finally, there is the tuning knob.Coaxially there is the ferrite antenna control.
Under the dialglass we find the bass control equipped with indicator on the main dialglass.
To the right in the order there are the Turntable, LW, Ferrite aerial, MW, SW and FM keys.
Further we find the treble control equipped with indicator on the main dialglass.

Nordmende Carmen 58

REAR SIDE

Output for external speakers.
Socket for recorder (tonbandgerat).
Turntable input (Tonabnehmer)
AM and FM aerial inputs and ground socket.

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE
Nordmende Carmen 58
Nordmende Carmen 56/3D carmen 56/3D - en

Nordmende Carmen 56/3D – en

Nordmende Carmen 56/3D

NORDMENDE CARMEN 56/3D

Produced in 1956, the Carmen belongs to the Nordmende middle class tube radios. But what makes this Carmen 56 stick out from the other middle class radios is its beauty.

Nordmende was carefully naming its radios and even in this case the name Carmen suits this product perfectly.
This Carmen 56 model is flashier than the general Nordmende production, typically much more austere. No doubt though that the balance of the forms and the quality of the materials represent Nordmende at its top. A massive use of high quality wood and brass inserts, a wise balance of dark and bright colours and the special touch given by the transparent and bright insert around the knobs of the equalizer: here stands the secret of such a beauty.

Our professional restoration process further enhanced this feature, giving new life to a classical handmade object that is now ready to work for many more decades.
We have been trying to place this radio in different locations: in the end we realized that this Carmen fits perfectly with a classical and refined ambience but that also a more modern environment can put a special spotlight on this beautiful radio that will definitely catch the attention.

Carmen 56 sound is nice, deep and refined. The separate tone controls, the A Class final stage, the triode preamp, the efficient feedback system that linearizes the response are all elements that make the sound of this radio a very warm and pleasant listening experience.

In fact, accordingly to its name, this Carmen is really a delicious crush.

Nordmende Carmen 56/3D

BLUETOOTH
Bluetooth receiver embed

READ MORE >

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

READ MORE >

TUBESOUND IMPROVEMENT

- 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.

Nordmende factory

HISTORY

In 1923 Otto Hermann Mende founded Radio H. Mende & Co. in Dresden. After the bombing of the factory in 1945, Martin Mende (son of the founder) created a new company in Bremen, the "North German Mende Broadcast GmbH" whose name was later changed into NORDMENDE.

In the 50s and 60s it became one of the most prestigious German TV and radios manufacturer.

In the 70s the televisions by NORDMENDE became famous for their frames, cards and for the rigorous testing and quality controls carried out on their finished products. Unfortunately, the high cost involved in such detailed quality determined a competitive disadvantage when the price of color television began to fall.

In 1977 the majority of the shares was sold to the French Thomson. The following year, the family sold the remaining shares. In 1980, the factories of Bremen was closed, NORDMENDE becoming purely a trademark of Thomson.

MAIN FEATURES

Year of production: 1955/56
Superheterodyne IF 468/10700
8 AM Circuits
11 FM Circuits
Wavebands:
Medium Waves (OM), Long Waves (OL), Short waves (OC), FM (UKW)
1 Elliptical wideband
2 side Tweeters

Dimensions (LHD): 22.6 x 14.8 x 10.4 inch
Net weight: 26 lb 6.9 oz
6 Tubes:
ECC85, ECH81, EF85, EABC80, EL84, EM34

Nordmende Carmen 56/3D

TONE CONTROL WITH LEVEL INDICATION

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.

EQUALIZATION KEYS

The frequency response correction system is made of 5 keys that insert preset equalization curves operating on the feedback circuit (they are not passive filters).

This solution was adopted only on the upper class models.
The Bass key emphasizes the bass.
The Sprache key emphasizes the mids for a cleaner listening to broadcasts spoken.
The Orchester key puts in the flat passband.
The Solo key slightly accentuates the mids to encourage listening to individual instruments.
The Jazz key emphasizes the very low and high tones to encourage listening to this kind of music.

Nordmende Carmen 56/3D
Nordmende Carmen 56/3D

AERIALS

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.

SEPARATE CONTROL TUNING BETWEEN AM AND FM

The tuning system is another gem.
The unit is equipped with mechanisms for keeping separate the AM and FM bands.
The tuning knob is single but a selector switch commutes into cable systems (all in steel) and pulleys separated depending on the band.
The movement is transferred to both mechanisms with a system of pulleys and separated gears.

Nordmende Carmen 56/3D
Nordmende Carmen 56/3D

TUNING INDICATOR

The magic eye has of course been replaced.

LOUDSPEAKERS

The front speaker is a large ISOPHON elliptical broadband .
The sound is beautiful, very deep bass and clean treble thanks to the side protected cones, as the HI-FI speaker of the following decades.
Of course I'm not speaking here of High Fidelity, but the warmth and charm not found in modern devices.

CONTROL PANEL

Nordmende Carmen 56/3D

In the center of the speakers panel we find the Equalizaton keyboard.
To the left is the volume control (with loudness built-in). Coaxially there is the ferrite aerial control.
Pulling the volume knob we obtain a narrow station tuning on MW band (udible high frequencies increased)
After we find the magic eye that indicates the perfect tuning station.

Continuing we find the FM and AM main display for Long Wave Medium and Court bands, Ferrite aerial position display.Finally, there is the tuning knob.
Under the dialglass we find the treble control equipped with indicator on the main dialglass.
To the right in the order there are the Turntable, LW, Ferrite aerial, MW, SW and FM keys.
Further we find the bass control equipped with indicator on the main dialglass.

Nordmende Carmen 56/3D

REAR SIDE

Output for external speakers.
Socket for recorder (tonbandgerat).
Turntable input (Tonabnehmer)
AM and FM aerial inputs and ground socket.

THE USUAL AMAZING LAST IMAGE
Nordmende Carmen 56/3D