Classic BIC Venturi Formula 4 Three-Way Speakers

Wow, look at this classic pair of legendary BIC Venturi Formula 4 three-way speakers, made in the US of A and just in. Feel the power of the Venturi!

UPDATE: Sold!

The BIC Venturi Formula 4 is a classic and well-regarded large three-way bookshelf style speaker from around 1975. These were quite famous back in the day, you can read more about them here.

Specifications

These BIC Venturi Formula 4 speakers have a lot of bass for their size, it’s actually quite surprising on first listen. This was part of their appeal and meant that a high dynamic range was possible, even with smaller systems. Mids and highs are clean and the horn does a great job of increasing sensitivity and adding to that punch that horn drivers deliver.

These iconic speakers need a new home and I don’t have room to store them. Grab them for $495.

Beautiful Luxman DZ-111 CD Player, Lovely Sounding Player, Just Serviced!

Check out this very nice Luxman DZ-111 CD player, just serviced and with a new loader drive belt installed.

These players were excellent sounding units from around 1990, so another early CD classic. These are heavy players for their size, and very nicely built and easy to service. I had the whole mech out, cleaned, lubricated and with a new belt installed in around an hour.

Specifications, courtesy HiFi Engine

Disc format: CD

Digital converter: LC7881C

CD Mechanism: KSS-152A

Frequency response: 50Hz to 20kHz

Dynamic range: 85dB

Signal to Noise Ratio: 100dB

Channel separation: 90dB

Total harmonic distortion: 0.08%

Line output: 2V

Digital outputs: coaxial

Semiconductors: 16 x IC, 21 x transistors, 2 x FET

Dimensions: 438 x 85 x 314mm

Weight: 5.5kg

You’ll note this player uses the venerable Sony KSS-152A, a great laser.

This lovely Luxman DZ-111 also comes with her original manual, courtesy of her careful previous owner/s.

Again, this is a classic player from the time when CD players were built to last. This serviced Luxman DZ-111 can be yours for $395.

Classy Sony TC-K33 Cassette Deck, One Owner, Serviced!

UPDATE: Sold!

Take a look at this really lovely Sony TC-K33 two head cassette deck, just serviced with a new capstan drive belt, mechanism lube, tape path clean and de-mag. Proudly made in Japan, this deck needed some TLC as all do at this age, but she rewards with crystal clear sound, rock-solid speed-accuracy thanks to the new drive belt and heavy flywheel.

This deck comes from the same generous owner who donated several pieces featured here and he purchased the deck new. You can read a bit more about this delightful Sony deck, here.

Specifications, courtesy HiFi Engine

Type: 2-head, single compact cassette deck

Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo

Tape Speed: 4.8 cm/s

Heads: 1 x record/playback, 1 x erase

Tape Type: type I, CrO2, Metal

Noise Reduction: B

Frequency Response: 20Hz to 16kHz  (Metal tape)

Signal to Noise Ratio: 66dB  (dolby B)

Wow and Flutter: 0.07%

Total Harmonic Distortion: 1.0%

Input: 77.5mV (line), 0.25mV (mic)

Output: 0.435V (line)

Dimensions: 430 x 105 x 290mm

Weight: 4.5kg

Are you looking for a lovely, value-priced cassette deck for your collection? Look no further than this one-owner, made in Japan, just serviced Sony TC-K33, for just $375.

 Beautiful Sony TA-333 Integrated Amplifier, in Amazing Condition!

Just in, check out this absolute beauty! If you need a really high-quality, modestly powerful integrated with LED meters, a nice phono stage and all the features needed to run a great little hi-fi stereo system, this could be perfect.

UPDATE: Sold!

Just cleaned and serviced, she’s also received an LED lamp upgrade for the meters, full adjustments and switch and control maintenance, far beyond what almost any other retailers offer. That’s the advantage of buying directly from a specialist!

Specifications, courtesy HiFi Engine

Power output: 25 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)

Frequency response: 10Hz to 50kHz

Total harmonic distortion: 0.3%

Damping factor: 30

Input sensitivity: 2mV (mic), 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line)

Signal to noise ratio: 72dB (MM), 95dB (line)

Output: 150mV (line)

Speaker load impedance: 4Ω to 16Ω

Dimensions: 430 x 135 x 290mm

Weight: 6.2kg

Year: 1979

I want to keep all the great gear like this that I come across, but that’s obviously ridiculous. She has to go, she’s a bit too pretty to have sitting around!

Please, take this lovely girl and give her a new home before I change my mind! She can be yours for $495.

Perfect Pioneer SA-408 Integrated Amplifier!

UPDATE: Sold!

You just have to see this old girl to believe the conditions she’s in. As always, just serviced and detailed, you could eat off this almost pristine Pioneer classic. SHe’s a very similar spec to the Sony TA-333 above, in other words a high-quality, modestly powerful integrated amplifier, with built-in phono preamp as all amplifiers had, back in the day.

Specifications, courtesy HiFi Engine

Power output: 25 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)

Dimensions: 420 x 88 x 220mm

Year: 1979

Like the Sony TA-333, this Pioneer SA-408 has just been cleaned and serviced and is ready for a new home. This would make a great first hi-fi amplifier for someone, she’s a lovely simple little unit from an era when gear like this was made to last.

This Pioneer SA-408 would be perfect driving a little set of bookshelf speakers and can be yours for just $375.

 Wow – Music Angel XD-845 Mk3 Class-A Tube Amplifier, Cosmetically Imperfect, NOS, Tested!

Check out this beautiful Music Angel XD-845 Mk3 class-A single-ended triode tube amplifier for sale. This is a cosmetically imperfect unit and sold as-is, without tubes. The amplifier package was dropped in shipping, resulting in some cosmetic damage.

UPDATE: Sold!

The damage is easily fixable by anyone good with their hands. I sold the replacement unit many years ago, you can see and read about it in this article. Since then, this original, shipping damaged unit has been sitting in a box, unopened and unused.

UPDATE: By request, I’ve powered her up to reform her capacitors and test her. All voltages are present and correct and she powers up normally. The damage appears purely cosmetic. All that being said, this unit is being sold as-is, tested and working, but with no warranty.

The Music Angel Class-A 845 is a beast. This is 28kg of pure Class-A, single-ended triode (SET) tube amplifier that sounds nothing like any solid-state amplifier you’ve ever heard. The 845 is warm, liquid-smooth and powerful for its rated 20 Watt/ch rating.

With an amplifier like this, you’ll hear mid-range magic that only SET amps provide. The 845 also has prodigious bass and you get to look at those gorgeous output tubes glowing orange, with the lights out…

There is a ton of info out there on these liquid-smooth sounding tube amplifiers, so just search for Music Angel 845 and loads of articles will come up. This unit obviously has no tubes and is priced accordingly.

As mentioned, I don’t have any 845 tubes for this amplifier. I DO have some very nice NOS Russian military small signal tubes. A set of four would normally set you back $100, but I will include a set @ just $50 for any interested buyer. The big 845 output tubes can be purchased from around $150 per set of two, upwards. So you need say $200 worth of tubes and she is cosmetically imperfect but otherwise good.

This otherwise lovely, NOS, Music Angel XD-845 Mk3 Class-A amplifier comes in her original box and sold for around $1500 AUD new, in 2014. She is sold as-is, tested and running, needing a set of tubes and a little TKC. This would be a great project for someone wanting a sweet-sounding class-A valve amp.

Make me an offer on this beauty!

Attention Marantz Collectors: Stunning Marantz CD-84 CD Player For Sale!

That’s right, here is an original, classic, first-generation Marantz CD-84, with CDM1 mech and finished in classic Marantz champagne. I’ve just written about this beautiful CD player, so check that out, too.

UPDATE: Sold!

Regular readers will know that I have too many CD players and, despite having sold a ton of gear recently, and my desire to keep this classic piece of digital audio equipment, I just don’t need this plus the Sony CDP-X7ESD, Nak OMS-7, Meridian 207 etc, so she is up for grabs.

This player is in excellent condition for her age, with light scuffing noted on the top panel but no major scrapes and scratches.

The Marantz CD-84 isn’t true first-gen in terms of CD players but it’s damn close. These early players were really seriously built, the CD-84 weighing around 10kg, mostly because of its heavy-duty power supply, metal construction and serious Philips CDM1 mech. That’s right, the Marantz CD-84 uses the infamous and perhaps most highly sought after mech of all, the all-metal and glass CDM1.

Not only that, but the Marantz CD-84 also uses Philips classic TDA1540 DAC chip. These chips are famous for having 14-bit resolution and a unique, warm sonic presentation. This CD-84 for example has a strong, robust sound, with the warmth and smoothness often lacking in early CD players. But this was an upmarket player, you’d expect a strong performance.

Specifications

Disc format: CD
Digital converter: TDA1540, 16-bit linear (almost!)
CD Mechanism: CDM-1
Frequency response: 4Hz to 20kHz
Dynamic range: 90dB
Signal to Noise Ratio: 90dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.003%
Line output: 2V
Dimensions: 416 x 90 x 300mm
Weight: 9.2kg
Year: 1984

I’ve just repaired and serviced this machine. I repaired the drawer load motor wiring, fixed a bunch of dry joints on the DAC and front panel boards, cleaned and lubricated the metal loader mechanism and gave her a general clean.

Sound-wise, the CD-84 is punchy and warm. She’s not the highest resolution player, but these TDA1540 and 1541 machines have a warmth that belies their age. It’s strangely counterintuitive to think about older players which often sounded thin and shrill sounding warm and rounded, as this machine does.

Machines like this CD-84 are becoming very collectible, like other quality, historic audio gear. I’ve said before that CD is the new vinyl and it really is. With CD collections selling for as little as $1 per disc, you just can’t go wrong with great players from the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s.

Keep in mind that this CD-84 is completely original, apart from her recent repair and service. I’ve left her that way on purpose, so that her next owner can make decisions about her future hopefully under the right guidance.

Sacrilegious as it is, the two TDA1540 DACs and the CDM-1 are so sought after now that some will see this as a part-out opportunity. I hope that doesn’t happen. This Marantz CD-84 is far too rare and collectible in her own right to be broken up for parts. She deserves to sit in a vintage hi-fi system, where someone can rightly enjoy her.

This beautiful piece of hi-fi history can be yours for $995.

Lovely Marantz CD4000 CD Player, Like New, In Box!

Just in, this very nice Marantz CD4000 CD player, from the golden era of CD, is ready for a new home.

UPDATE: Sold!

Specifications

Disc format: CD
Digital converter: TDA1545
CD Mechanism: CDM-12.1
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Dynamic range: 95dB
Signal to Noise Ratio: 98dB
Channel separation: 85dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.0063%
Line output: 2V
Digital outputs: coaxial
Dimensions: 435 x 86 x 265mm
Weight: 2.9kg
Year: 1999

Utilising the classic Philips CDM-12.1 mechanism and TDA1545 bitstream chipset, this is a great sounding budget machine from a time when decent budget CD players like this lasted longer than a couple of years!

This Marantz CD4000 comes with her original box, manual and cable, but no remote. You can pick up remotes for $10, so I wouldn’t be worried about that. You can read more about the CD4000 in the original brochure, here: Marantz_cd4000_brochure_en

If you are after a good, proper old-school CD player that smashes other entry-level players like the new CD5005 for build quality and service life, look no further than this CD4000, for $395.

Legendary Pioneer A-400 Integrated Amplifier, One of the Best!

Alright, so many of you will know about this legendary classic integrated amplifier from Pioneer – the A-400. One of the best-reviewed amplifiers of its era, this little gem is still widely used in many good systems.

UPDATE: Sold!

The Pioneer A-400 hails from the early ’90s. She features 50 Watts per channel, solid build and a focus on sonic performance over features, hence the low switch and control count. More can be found here, including the very high review ratings.

This one is cosmetically and electrically perfect – EXCEPT – check out the back panel connectors. I have no idea what happened here, I don’t really care either. I’m not fixing it but someone else certainly can if they can be bothered.

Other than this back panel madness, the amplifier works perfectly. A good project for someone I reckon.

Grab this lovely old girl, in need of a little TLC, for $99!

 Lovely Yamaha CDC-705 Multi-Disc CD Player

Here is yet another beautiful CD player from back in the day. This CDC-705 was one of the best Yamaha five-disc machines, with impressive weight and build for this style of machine.

UPDATE: Sold!

Recently serviced with a new tray drive belt, clean and lube, this player runs very well and plays discs perfectly. You can read more about the CDC-705 here.

The CDC-705 is also in almost perfect physical condition, amazing given that she hails from 1990!

Need a good multi-disc player, with some classic vintage style and build quality? This classic Yamaha CDC-705 CD player can be yours for just $295, not much at all for such a cool player.

Stunning NAD Master Series M3 Dual Mono Integrated Amplifier

Stunning Pioneer/Centrex KH-5522 Home Stereo System with AM/FM Radio, Record Player, Cassette Deck & Speakers!

How’s this for a ripper home stereo set-up with the lot! Just look at this beautiful Pioneer KH-5522 Cassette Home Stereo Recording System with AM/FM Stereo and Record Player – to use its full title!

UPDATE: Sold!

This is a complete music system with radio, cassette deck, turntable, amplifier and speakers.

This lovely system comes complete with speakers and sounds great. All sources and functions work well. She’s not perfect, but not much 45 year old gear is. Balance varies a bit as you you change volume but the balance control fixes that. The cassette deck plays very slightly slowly, but sounds good nonetheless. Many potential owners won’t play tapes, but the facility is there.

The KH-5522 has the warm, rich sound so often associated with this older all-analogue gear. It would make an excellent first system, or a cool second system for the spare room or kids.

The turntable part of this unit is actually pretty good. This deck very similar to the iconic Pioneer PL-12, with high quality motor, bearing and mostly metal construction. It’s a bit better than the solid-mounted deck found in the common Rondo 3000 for example.

I serviced this unit for her original owner going back many years. This explains the nicely running turntable and Ortofon OM-10 cartridge, a solid choice for this turntable. He kindly donated the system to Liquid Audio earlier this year when it needed attention. Now, after some much needed maintenance, she is ready for a new home.

I’ve just serviced her (Sept 2021), and spent time on the turntable, which received the usual premium rubber drive belt, full lubrication and new foam arm return buffer. I also cleaned and serviced the cassette deck which works well, and performed other general maintenance.

This one owner from new Pioneer/Centrex KH-5522 home stereo system is a piece of vintage home stereo history. It comes with the original owners manual and can be yours for $695.

Set of Four Vibrapod Model 3 Isolators

Vibrapod Isolators are classic equipment support and isolators, all the way from St Louis in Missouri, USA!

This set had light use before the item they were supporting was sold. They’ve been stored in the box since then and present like new.

UPDATE: Sold!

Vibrapod Isolators reduce vibration transmission and therefore improve the sound of just about anything you support with them.

Each Vibrapod Model 3 can support 3.5 – 5.5 kg. Some quick math gives a set of four supporting gear up to 22kg. Suggested uses include Medium Weight Amps, DAC’s, Transports, Turntables, Speakers.

Prices vary, but a set of four Vibrapod Model 3 Isolators retails for up to $152. Grab these for $75. Let me know if you find them for less and I’ll match or beat it!

Stunning Nakamichi PA-1 Five Channel Power Amplifier

WOW! I was so pleased to repair and service this monster amplifier and I now present her for sale. Actually, I can’t believe she’s still here!

UPDATE: Sold!

This rare, five-channel Nakamichi beast weighs a ton. I deal with some heavy amplifiers, but this one is seriously dense! In terms of performance, the PA-1 is highly rated, regarded as an exceptional amp for home cinema or stereo duties. Check out the 4.9/5 rating and reviews over on AudioReview.

Boasting five equal 100 Watt channels of proper old-school linear amplification, no class-D cost savings to be found here, the PA-1 is a made-in-Japan Nakamichi that will drive almost any speakers with ease. Use it as a stereo amp, bi-amplify a pair of speakers using four channels, or use all five channels driven by a home cinema preamplifier.

Specifications

Nakamichi is one of Japan’s most famous high-end hi-fi manufacturers and most things they made have become collectible. The PA-1 is rare and similarly desirable because of its performance heavyweight build and Nakamichi, made in Japan pedigree.

If you’ve seen modern multi-channel amplifiers, you’ll know how many corners are cut to make them affordable. This amp would cost many thousands of dollars if it were made like this and sold now.

This Nakamichi PA-1 is in almost perfect condition. Recently fully serviced and thoroughly cleaned, she’s received dry joint repair and full electronic adjustment as per factory specified methods. She’s also been bench tested for reliability.

You can own this stunning Nakamichi PA-1 five-channel power amplifier for just $1395.

Beautiful Arcam Alpha 5 CD Player, Upgraded & Restored by Liquid Audio!

Wow, I’m selling yet another piece from my CD player collection. I figure I’ll keep two CD players, so all the others need to go.

UPDATE: Sold!

The Arcam Alpha 5 needs no introduction to most people who know their players. This one has a new TDA1541A DAC chip installed, with very few hours on it, so it should be good for many more years. All electrolytic capacitors were upgraded at the time of overhaul, along with special high-speed rectifier diodes and many other changes designed to improve performance.

This beauty has the classic Philips TDA1541 sound – organic, warm, lush, you know the terms. Nothing else sounds quite like the 1541 and nothing else probably ever will. Heaven forbid but if you needed a TDA1541A for another machine, this one is socketed and has very low hours. These chips are rare as hen’s teeth these days, so watch out for fakes.

The Arcam Alpha 5 also features the legendary Philips CDM9 swing arm laser mech, another rare and sought after part these days. Naturally, this one performs flawlessly.

I made a video about this machine when I did the work, some years ago, you can watch it here:

This lovely, old-school CD player plays discs with ease and sounds fabulous. She now just needs a nice new home!

This heavily improved and restored Arcam Alpha 5 CD player can be yours for $750.

Gorgeous Sony XA-20ES CD Player, With Box and Remote!

Yet another piece of equipment from my personal collection for sale here, and believe me, they don’t build them like this anymore. Check out this gorgeous Sony XA-20ES CD Player, with the original box and remote. I even have the manual somewhere!

UPDATE: Sold!

I bought this player brand new, from Douglas Hi-Fi. I paid around $1000 AUD for her way back then and she has never missed a beat, an icon of Sony reliability and build quality.

Specifications

Disc format: CD
Digital converter: CXD8505BQ
CD Mechanism: KSS-213B
Frequency response: 2Hz to 20kHz
Digital outputs: coaxial, optical
Dimensions: 430 x 125 x 350mm
Weight: 7.5kg
Accessories: remote commander
Year: 1997
Price: GBP £450 (1997)

I made some small improvements to her but she is essentially factory original, apart from a couple of better op-amps and film caps. She still runs her original laser and performs perfectly. People love these players, they were from Sony’s ES series when that meant something. The frame and beam construction of the machine contributes to the substantial build quality and weight.

I’m sad to say goodbye to this beautiful Sony XA-20ES and the other Redbook CD equipment I’m selling, but CD is far from dead in my system or elsewhere. CD is actually the new vinyl in many ways, offering more and more from discs that are bargain-priced these days and it can sound absolutely superb with the right playback setup, finally, 40 years on from its release.

I’ve just purchased an even better sound new (old) machine and so I have to clear some of my collection. That’s the only reason I’m selling these pieces from my collection! This Sony XA-20ES can be yours for just $675.

Stunning, Upgraded PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC for Sale!

Check out this beautiful PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC, improved and loved by me in my system and now for sale, ready for a new owner!

UPDATE: Sold!

I’m having a special sale of items from my collection and this NuWave DSD is one of many lovely pieces that have to go. This is to make way for new acquisitions including a new (old) CD player, phono preamplifier and more. Stay tuned for some crazy rare and expensive NOS Siemens tube-rolling and other stuff!

The NuWave DSD is an affordable breakthrough digital to analog processor or DAC. Based on the acclaimed Sabre 32 bit Hyperstream architecture, the NuWave DSD accepts inputs from any digital source including I2S, coax, TOSLINK and USB, playing both asynchronous PCM (up to 192/32) and DSD (single or double rate) through our exclusive class A hybrid output stage with either single-ended (RCA) or balanced (XLR) connections.

I’ve been using this PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC with my Meridian 506 24-Bit CD Player, also for sale. This is a really spectacular combination and a killer Redbook CD duo. The NuWave DSD needs a really clean jitter-free digital feed and the Meridian provides it. Having said that, any good digital source will do the job. Feed it a lesser quality stream though and it won’t like it.

You can read a good review, here.

This is from my personal collection and features the improvements I developed for the DAC and which add to this DACs performance and value. I added these improvements to many NuWave DSDs from around Australia, for many very satisfied customers!

This DAC is a sublime performer, especially when the modest cost is factored in. Incredibly, it betters my previous reference Musical Fidelity TriVista 21 DAC in terms of power and control and punches way above its substantial weight.

The NuWave DSD is in pristine original condition and can be purchased for just $1095.