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Normandy Sterling?

rpampt

rpampt

Analogeous Vinylitis
Nordmende Sterling not Normandy Sterling? Picked it up today!

I talked to a fellow today that has a console stereo in storage. What I thought he said was a Normandy Sterling that he purchased new in the mid to late 60's. What he probably said was a Nordmende Sterling. I've never heard of this brand. He purchased it new in Lawrenceburg, IN.

Can anyone tell me anything about them? Is it worth going to look at? I know nothing about tube gear, but might be interested it trying something out.
 
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He said it was made in germany. Maybe that is not the company name but the style and/or model name?
 
I've got a Nordmende Sterling table hi-fi that I had restored. Simply gorgeous and sounds amazing. EL84 output into a 6x4" with three tweeters.
 
That's probably it Nordmende Sterling. It is a console stereo. He said it's too much for 1 person to move. I can get it for free, I just have to pick it up. He's a neighbor and is going to call me when he goes to his storage unit the next time. Not sure if it is still working or not. I believe it was when he put it a way.

How do they sound and what is the build quality.
 
rpampt said:
That's probably it Nordmende Sterling. It is a console stereo. He said it's too much for 1 person to move. I can get it for free, I just have to pick it up. He's a neighbor and is going to call me when he goes to his storage unit the next time. Not sure if it is still working or not. I believe it was when he put it a way.

How do they sound and what is the build quality.
Click to expand...

Nordmende was a German company that made very high quality stuff indeed....if its free and you have the room i would say grab it !!!
 
I picked it up today

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?
 
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I think you should order some caps and dig in!

On that note, I need to get working on the two tube receivers I have sitting around here...
 
I had an Isabella.My sister gave to me.She had it next to her ironing board for years and the wood finish was deterioated because of all the water spray.Wouldn't power on.It was just too much trouble for me so I took the speakers out took the tubes out and the TT.Scrapped the rest.To each their own but I saw nothing attractive in this console.Too bad because she said it used to sound really nice when it worked.I just didn't have the time,space, or finances for this console.
 
The console itself is in good shape, that's the main positive about the console. The tuner display inside is the beautiful part (in my opionion). Looks like nearly new inside and something just looks so... classic, retro.

It almost looks like something that was designed now with a retro look.

But as you say, to each his own.
 
According to the manual, it has 13 electrolytic caps and another 125 or so fixed caps. Would these all need to be replaced?
 
You know if you search the tube threads there was some info on the one I had and what all those buttons mean in english.
 
The electrolytic caps are the first candidates. Priority depends more on where they are used in the circuit. Most of the others will be found in the tuner sections and do not need to be dealt with at first.

Priority are the ones in the power supply.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

David
 
I spent last winter going through a Nordmende Carmen tabletop model. Just brew up a large pot of coffee, find a quiet corner to set it in and take your time. Sounds sooo good when done. People are impressed with what mine does and how it sounds for such an "old" radio!! I sit here in Fairbanks, Alaska and tune into Radio Havana on a regular basis.
 
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