Nordmende Sterling. What now?

[rpampt]

Nordmende Sterling. Finally some pics!!!

Pics added here and in post #18 & #19.

I originally started a thread over on the SS forum and didn't know how to move it over here. So I started a new thread.

Nordmende Sterling Isabella.

My neighbor let me have this for free. OK, now what do I do. I brought it home. It powers up, and makes static but that's about it. Since the tuner string is broken, not sure if it's turning the tuner or not, Since it has several different bands, not sure how that works. Had a mouse nest inside, but wasn't in the electronics, didn't see any other visible damage other than the tuner string is broken. Inside is the original bill of sale as well as as schematics, list of tubes, string install diagram, list of caps, etc. I know less about tubes than SS and that knowledge is limited. This model is called the Isabella. It's really a beautiful piece, was purchased new in 1962 I think.

Cabinet condition is pretty good for this era, All german tubes (I guess that's a given). The tuner has FM, SW1, SW2 and something called BC (which looks like AM). Switches for Stereo, bass, speech, presence, orchestra, brilliance and dials for alto and treble. Speakers are 3 way with a pair of tweeters.

The tuner section, when you open the lid, is absolutely beautiful!!! It a very light wood (lemon color) with a gold trim and the word Isabella also in gold above the display. The display is glass with brown background and clear where the light shines through. A very large knob on each end and all the buttons and knobs along the bottom in an ivory color (almost like piano keys). I know, I know, need pics. Will try and get some up soon.

Don't know that I would have room for this or would be acceptable to the wife. But if I removed it from the cabinet and could put that beautiful amp/tuner in a case, it would be really nice, but if I were to restore it or someone else does, I hate to not keep it all original, since it's in such nice shape. Oh what to do?

I also can't put a bunch of money in it. I have a DVM that I can use a little and minor soldering skills.

What do you think.

The link below is a picture of what it looks like. This is not mine, but a picture of one that belongs to someone else. The tuner display on there's looked different though. It looks better with the front closed.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=73597&d=1199413908

Here is a link to the original post over on the SS forum. Should I delete that thread since I've started this one here?

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=242100

Just added pics. Some more will follow on a new post.

 

[rpampt]

If I pull the amp/tuner part out and get it working properly does anyone know how it would sound. I have really not listened to any tube gear. But would this be a good taste of the tube sound. I'm presently listening to Hafler amps with Aztec speakers. They just bumped my JBL l88's and 4312's out of the rotation.

Just wondering what to expect?

 

[rpampt]

Wow, lots of hits so far but no reponses. Is this unit somewhat rare and folks are unfamiliar, do I need pics for ID, any other info I can provide?

I would like to restore it is some manner, but in addition to having a nice restored tube unit, how would the sound and performance compare to say my Marantz 2385 or my Hafler Pre/Amps, if I hooked it to some external speakers. Would this be considered entry level and just a minimal performer?

 

[rpampt]

I'm a one man thread here, can anyone help me out?

Here's some of the tubes in it. Does this help anybody with how it would perform?

AF Amplifier x 2: ECC83 (12AX7)
Phase Inverter: ECC82 (12AU7)
Output: x 2: ELL80

Is she worth saving for the sound or only the nostalgia.

 

[similost]

Have any pictures of the innards? Usually, recapping is the first place to start...

 

[rpampt]

I will try and get some pics, but won't be able to post until Monday probably. Yeah, I understand that's where I should start, but wondering if it's worth doing, or will I be disappointed with the sound,

 

[ferninando]

from your list of tubes it should perform quite nicely IMO. go ahead and do your thing with it. altho I know nada about it specifically

 

[solidjackson]

I have an old Nordmende console... it doesn't sound quite as nice as yours, but it's what I use to play 78RPM records. It really does sound good for that application.

Getting the radio out on mine isn't too hard, on mine there were 4 screws on the piece of wood holding the radio- if you screw them out, then the whole radio should slide out and the remaining screws on the chassis can be pulled out. Their radios usually used selenium rectifiers.

If it isn't to beat, I'd keep the whole thing together as a set. Some of those high end German radios really sounded good as a whole package, and having all the original sales material is a plus too.

 

[rpampt]

I have already pulled the radio/amp out of it. Just haven't pulled the bottom off of the radio/amp. It's sounding more promising for some of the comments. I'm much more apt to have room for it if I only use the radio/amp as opposed to the entire console, decisions, decisions, WAF you know...

Appreciate all the comments so far!

 

[WopOnTour]

Interesting console
So it has a single ELL80 then?
If so, and it's stereo (each pentode 1/2 in single-ended configuration?) it would be very low power ~3W a side
You'll need some 100db or better speakers to enjoy them IMO
Do you have a photo of the chassis? Does it have 2 output transformers?
WOT

 

[rpampt]

Interesting console
So it has a single ELL80 then?
If so, and it's stereo (each pentode 1/2 in single-ended configuration?) it would be very low power ~3W a side
You'll need some 100db or better speakers to enjoy them IMO
Do you have a photo of the chassis? Does it have 2 output transformers?
WOT

My bad, it has 2 of the ELL80's. I will try and post pics on Monday or Tuesday. From the paperwork, looks like 1 power transformer, 2 audio output transformers.

 

[WopOnTour]

Oh OK
The reason I was curious about a single ELL80 was that years ago I found a 2 tube single-ended STEREO amp schematic (that uses a single 12AX7 and one ELL80), but I've never been able to identify what it was out of. (see below)
The simplicity of the circuit has always intrigued me (and led to me building another 2-tube stereo amp using 2x6GW8)
Guess it's not this one but please post some pics and maybe someone (read Tom Bavis :thmbsp: ) can help you find a schematic
WOT

BELOW: SINGLE-ENDED TWO TUBE STEREO (one 12AX7 and one ELL80) ~3.5wpc

 

[rpampt]

Yes, I plan on posting pics. I do have schematics already including full component lists. Just wondering if sound wise, it is worth my trouble to restore. It would be my first foray into tubes and if this is just basic lo fi I may not want to take the time and money to do it. Other projects await as well.

 

[JesusJones]

YES ITS WORTH IT!!!!!!!


That is my stereo you have pictures of there!!! Mine worked fine when I got it though, and IMO it sounds freaking great.(it does say "High Fidelity" for a reason! ) Very reveiling. The bass drivers on mine are a bit soft. The surrounds may have unglued themselves.

Mine also has 8 speakers total, so maybe yours is a bit different. But I have always found this console to be totally hypnotic and very nice. All those presence and brilliance and orchestra controls really let you fine tune it to your likings. Mine is probably all original too, so if you spent the time to replace the caps and other stuff, it should not disapoint.(Also I think it makes At Least 15 watts per channel)

Plus it just looks so nice sitting there

PLUS! it has Tape in (Aux) so you can hook anything you want up to it.

Cheers,

Rudy

 

[rpampt]

Hey Rudy,

Great, some first hand experience. Yes the exterior on yours looks identical to mine. The tuner section looks a bit different. Mine does have 8 total speakers. A 3 way on each side but with dual tweeters so 4 total each. I don't remember mine having the Aux/tape input either. Have to take another peek tonite. Was it RCA jack type?

Hope you don't find me guilty of copyright infringement for using your pic. I will try and get pics up the first part of next week.

 

[JesusJones]

lol I put them on the internet because when I got mine I spent days looking for a picture and some info on it. Not so easy to do. So I put mine on the internet for everyone to see

And no it is not an RCA jack. It is some weird oldschool connection. Near one of the external speaker outputs. It will be on the left side looking from the front. You have to rig up some connections yourself, but it's not hard to do. Or figure out. Just remember to ground the one side to the metal tab. Then the two holes on the right are for the left and right channels.

Go hook it up and see if it works. I'd hate to convince you to fix this unit then be unhappy with the sound. (My standards may be different then yours)

Cheers,
Rudy

 

[rpampt]

Go hook it up and see if it works. I'd hate to convince you to fix this unit then be unhappy with the sound. (My standards may be different then yours)

Cheers,
Rudy

Too late now brother, all the blame will be on you:yes:LOL I am leaning towards at least doing the minimum to get it going again. I will have to look it over again.

OK, I'll share the blame, me 10% you 90%.

 

[rpampt]

More pics

Here are a few more pics. Now what do you think?

 

[rpampt]

And the last of the pics

That's all I have. Any other observations?

 

[Kiwick]

really nice console! it has Isophon speakers so it must sound really good, it would be a real shame to part it out!

The aux in socket is a standard DIN socket, the connections are usually left-right in-ground-right-left out, but the inputs and outputs can be on the opposite side depending if the socket was wired for input only or as "diode recording" (that's the european name for a tape deck in-out connection