Kutztown Radio Show - Spring 2021

Most pictures taken with a Sony A7II camera + Chiyoko Super-Rokkor 45mm f2.8 LTM lens

Pavillion 1

Rumor has it that dealer tables were sold out. Just another indication that things are returning to normal.

Pavillion 2

If you're looking for vintage Altec, JBL, RCA, Stephens, Western Electric or '50s to mid '60s classics from Acrosound, Dynaco, Eico, Fisher, Heathkit, Marantz, Scott and etc., they are getting thin on the ground and no bargains are to be found. 

Late 40s to early 50s cutting lathe

This is a fine piece from the monaural era for the serious hifi collector!

Those who are into '70s-'90s components have greater choices.

The main highlight of this season's event was meeting audio enthusiasts from the Philly metro area whom I've only known via Audiokarma and HiFi Haven. I spent most of the time talking shop with them and wasn't able to snap as many pictures as I've done in the past. 

AKG K240 Monitor (left) + K240 "Sextett" (right)
Sony A7II + Schneider-Kreuznach Retina-Xenon 50mm f1.9 DKL

For about a Benjamin, I went home with a pair of AKG K240 Sextett headphones, a TDA1541 chip'd Magnavox CDP, 37s, 76s and 6CG7s, a handful of Jazz CDs + a couple of LPs!

I also found something that's been on my radar for at least 20 years, but it shall remain nameless until...😉

Looking forward to the Fall event!🍻

Hi-Fi for the Deck: Rpi3B >TDA1543x4 DAC > Simple Triode SE6V6 amp > EV Sonocaster

Spring and Fall are the best seasons to enjoy food and drinks on our deck. To complement the beautiful atmosphere, I assembled an e-z to set up and dismantle hifi system!

Music Source

This stack consists of a Raspberry Pi 3B loaded with Volumio music player/streamer tethered to a Signstek USB to SPDiF converter which connects to a Muse TDA1543x4 Non-OverSampling DAC.

Volumio offers a wide choice of radio stations streaming MP3 files up to 320 Kbps. The Radio Paradise channel has even started broadcasting FLAC files. 👍

Amplifier

In the late 80s, I built my first amplifier from scratch using transformers from a cosmetically challenged Dyna SCA35. I used this paraphase circuit from the Dynaco Transformer Catalog with a 6SL7 driving a pair of push-pull 6V6s. Musically, I preferred this amp to my then highly modified Dyna ST70 and pair of MKIVs.

with 6F6Gs courtesy of John Piro

Since I always had reservations about the 1626 triode's musical abilities, I converted the JEL Darling Style amp to use triode connected 6V6s. Wow!👍

!!!WARNING!!! 

The voltages in this circuit are potentially lethal! Build at your own risk!

Input sensitivity = 0.3V, no need for a preamp
This amp also does a good job of driving my collection of orthodynamic headphones via adapter.

Triode connected 6V6s mimic directly heated triodes much better! 🎻🎸

Speakers

This pair of Electro-Voice Sonocasters came from the flea market. I guesstimate the sensitivity to be in the mid 90s dB @ 1W @ 1M. Driven by 1.4 triode watts per channel from the SE6V6 amp, I sure won't be annoying the neighbors. 🤣

The 8" drivers are unmarked but look very much like MC-8s - not quite an Altec 755C or Pioneer PIM8L in terms of refinement or realism, but not too shabby either + a lot more rugged!

Happy Listening!🍻