Arkay
Lunatic Member
Wasn't sure whether to put this in the music forum or in the turntables forum, but it ended up here...
Today I picked up three interesting and apparently somewhat rare audiophile/"test" records: two old ones, and one newer:
1. VOX DL-130 "This is High Fidelity"
This is an LP and a 25-page booklet in a box-case, from 1955. As the cover says, "A comprehensive course in the principlesof Audio, with tests for frequency response, intermodulation, resonances."
There is a very decent review/commentary on this LP at the Pristine Audio set, where you can HEAR THE WHOLE THING for free (stream or download)! Here is the link:
http://www.pristineclassical.com/LargeWorks/Orchestral/PAXX001.php
IMO, it's worth listening to, even though I found I could hear a lot more information, more clearly, when playing the LP than when streaming it. That might be due to the fact that I was using mediocre headphones directly from a laptop for the streaming, versus a decent stereo set-up with speakers for the LP listening.
This LP had a visible scratch on the last track, so the shop owner offered to test-play it for me. There was a slight "pop" sound for about four revolutions, but otherwise it was okay. Some background crackles, but after two cleanings on the VPI they were greatly reduced; I think a bit more cleaning (perhaps steaming or Elmers, along with the VPI?) and a zerostat should lower that even further. The guy very nicely cut the price in half for me, though, because of the sound issues, and since I think they are 90 percent cleaning issues, I got it.
GO TO THAT LINK above and listen to this; I think it is an interesting presentation, even if a bit dated. Some things, like the hum noise they demonstrate, you'll be unlikely to hear today, but it is still interesting. The booklet features a lot more detailed information and discussions of these topics, with some graphs and charts, too.
1.a. THE FREEBIE:
Slipped into the case was also an old brochure/ad thing (looks like it was cut from something larger) from Harvey Radio Company, Inc. of Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) at 43rd St., New York, which features the Magnecord New Citation Tape Recorder, and their own Cabinet designs, and the text on the obverse (some is cut off/missing) mentions time payment plans and their AUDIOtorium, where you can audition the gear.
2. THE DUBBINGS CO. D-100: "The Measure of Your Phonograph's Performance"
Slipped in with the Vox LP was this second LP (with its original cover, in a classically dated design), from The Dubbings Company, 41-10 45th Street, Long Island City 4, New York.
The back reads, in part:
The record within this sleeve is an LP record. It is to be played, and used, just as any other long-playing record might be. That is, at a speed of 33-1/3 rmp, using a microgroove stylus (stylus diameter of 0.001).
Sides A and B are identical. We suggest that you use one side only...keeping the other side as a check against the first side.
The rest of the back of the LP talks about what the record has and how to use it.
I enjoyed this part:
Counterbalance the arm to the minimum weight at which it will track band 16. Measure the stylus force. Add 50% more weight to the stylus end of the arm. The final weight should not exceed 10 grams. The weight that you have determined should provide the optimum stylus force.
Uh, the stylus force should not exceed TEN GRAMS?!?!?!
I should hope not! It does tell you something about the age of this LP!
The rest of the LP includes various frequencies, an unmodulated band, a 45-second 3000 cps tone for checking wow and flutter, and a series of 400 cps bands at increasing decibel levels, for use as a tracking test.
It does say, regarding those last tracks:
No arm, excepting the very best professional playing arms and stylii, will track all bands. You may be sure that, if yours is a home phonograph or changer, it is working properly, if it will track the first three of these bands. ... Don't try to force your phonograph arm to track any band by adding weight to the head of the arm.
[Heck, if it won't track at up to ten grams, what would you add to the arm... a brick?
]
Near the end of the text is this:
This is the first of a series of test records that are offered as a further service of THE DUBBINGS CO. Be on the lookout for others of THE DUBBING CO.'s releases....
I don't think they made too many releases after this... since I can find NOTHING about this or other offerings of theirs, online. Zero hits on Google.
3. 45 RPM: Testing Your Equipment by DENON/PCM (Japanese release)
This is a Japanese audiophile-grade 45 rpm stereo 12" LP, OW-7401-ND. A circular logo in the upper left corner says, "100 Years of Recorded Sound/1877-1977", so I guess this one dates from 1877 (or after?).
This is all in Japanese, including the inside booklet, but from a few English indications I can at least read that this LP includes:
SIDE A:
1. Right-Left Identification and Phasing Test
2. Frequency Response Test (different frequencies)
3. Crosstalk test
4. Phase Accuracy and Balance Test
5. Wow and Flutter Test
6. Trackability Test
7. Reference Level
8. Comparison Between PCM Recording and Normal Recording
SIDE B:
1. Low Frequency Response Test
2. High Frequency Response Test
3. Low Frequency Range Response and Transient Test
4. High Frequency Range Transient TesT
5. Overall Test from Band 1 to Band 4
6. Dynamic Range Test
7. Overall Test of Mid Frequency Range
8. Wow and Flutter Test
9. Phase Accuracy and Balance Test
10. Intermodulation test
I'll have to struggle a bit (or get help) to figure out all the Japanese text, to know how to get the most out of all these tests, but I think this will be the really useful LP out of these three. I'm looking forward to hearing that Japanese 45-rpm 12" LP quality sound through the new NS-1000Ms!
But the first two are interesting, in terms of audio history. A comparison of the content of the older two and that of the new one really helps to show how much was learned about sound reproduction over the years between the early fifties and the late seventies. The production qualities of the records themselves also shows the advancement made in that time period.
Just thought I'd share these finds. Anyone else into old/odd rare test LPs? Have any rare ones to share?
Today I picked up three interesting and apparently somewhat rare audiophile/"test" records: two old ones, and one newer:
1. VOX DL-130 "This is High Fidelity"
This is an LP and a 25-page booklet in a box-case, from 1955. As the cover says, "A comprehensive course in the principlesof Audio, with tests for frequency response, intermodulation, resonances."
There is a very decent review/commentary on this LP at the Pristine Audio set, where you can HEAR THE WHOLE THING for free (stream or download)! Here is the link:
http://www.pristineclassical.com/LargeWorks/Orchestral/PAXX001.php
IMO, it's worth listening to, even though I found I could hear a lot more information, more clearly, when playing the LP than when streaming it. That might be due to the fact that I was using mediocre headphones directly from a laptop for the streaming, versus a decent stereo set-up with speakers for the LP listening.
This LP had a visible scratch on the last track, so the shop owner offered to test-play it for me. There was a slight "pop" sound for about four revolutions, but otherwise it was okay. Some background crackles, but after two cleanings on the VPI they were greatly reduced; I think a bit more cleaning (perhaps steaming or Elmers, along with the VPI?) and a zerostat should lower that even further. The guy very nicely cut the price in half for me, though, because of the sound issues, and since I think they are 90 percent cleaning issues, I got it.
GO TO THAT LINK above and listen to this; I think it is an interesting presentation, even if a bit dated. Some things, like the hum noise they demonstrate, you'll be unlikely to hear today, but it is still interesting. The booklet features a lot more detailed information and discussions of these topics, with some graphs and charts, too.
1.a. THE FREEBIE:
Slipped into the case was also an old brochure/ad thing (looks like it was cut from something larger) from Harvey Radio Company, Inc. of Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) at 43rd St., New York, which features the Magnecord New Citation Tape Recorder, and their own Cabinet designs, and the text on the obverse (some is cut off/missing) mentions time payment plans and their AUDIOtorium, where you can audition the gear.
2. THE DUBBINGS CO. D-100: "The Measure of Your Phonograph's Performance"
Slipped in with the Vox LP was this second LP (with its original cover, in a classically dated design), from The Dubbings Company, 41-10 45th Street, Long Island City 4, New York.
The back reads, in part:
The record within this sleeve is an LP record. It is to be played, and used, just as any other long-playing record might be. That is, at a speed of 33-1/3 rmp, using a microgroove stylus (stylus diameter of 0.001).
Sides A and B are identical. We suggest that you use one side only...keeping the other side as a check against the first side.
The rest of the back of the LP talks about what the record has and how to use it.
I enjoyed this part:
Counterbalance the arm to the minimum weight at which it will track band 16. Measure the stylus force. Add 50% more weight to the stylus end of the arm. The final weight should not exceed 10 grams. The weight that you have determined should provide the optimum stylus force.
Uh, the stylus force should not exceed TEN GRAMS?!?!?!
I should hope not! It does tell you something about the age of this LP! The rest of the LP includes various frequencies, an unmodulated band, a 45-second 3000 cps tone for checking wow and flutter, and a series of 400 cps bands at increasing decibel levels, for use as a tracking test.
It does say, regarding those last tracks:
No arm, excepting the very best professional playing arms and stylii, will track all bands. You may be sure that, if yours is a home phonograph or changer, it is working properly, if it will track the first three of these bands. ... Don't try to force your phonograph arm to track any band by adding weight to the head of the arm.
[Heck, if it won't track at up to ten grams, what would you add to the arm... a brick?
]Near the end of the text is this:
This is the first of a series of test records that are offered as a further service of THE DUBBINGS CO. Be on the lookout for others of THE DUBBING CO.'s releases....
I don't think they made too many releases after this... since I can find NOTHING about this or other offerings of theirs, online. Zero hits on Google.
3. 45 RPM: Testing Your Equipment by DENON/PCM (Japanese release)
This is a Japanese audiophile-grade 45 rpm stereo 12" LP, OW-7401-ND. A circular logo in the upper left corner says, "100 Years of Recorded Sound/1877-1977", so I guess this one dates from 1877 (or after?).
This is all in Japanese, including the inside booklet, but from a few English indications I can at least read that this LP includes:
SIDE A:
1. Right-Left Identification and Phasing Test
2. Frequency Response Test (different frequencies)
3. Crosstalk test
4. Phase Accuracy and Balance Test
5. Wow and Flutter Test
6. Trackability Test
7. Reference Level
8. Comparison Between PCM Recording and Normal Recording
SIDE B:
1. Low Frequency Response Test
2. High Frequency Response Test
3. Low Frequency Range Response and Transient Test
4. High Frequency Range Transient TesT
5. Overall Test from Band 1 to Band 4
6. Dynamic Range Test
7. Overall Test of Mid Frequency Range
8. Wow and Flutter Test
9. Phase Accuracy and Balance Test
10. Intermodulation test
I'll have to struggle a bit (or get help) to figure out all the Japanese text, to know how to get the most out of all these tests, but I think this will be the really useful LP out of these three. I'm looking forward to hearing that Japanese 45-rpm 12" LP quality sound through the new NS-1000Ms!
But the first two are interesting, in terms of audio history. A comparison of the content of the older two and that of the new one really helps to show how much was learned about sound reproduction over the years between the early fifties and the late seventies. The production qualities of the records themselves also shows the advancement made in that time period.
Just thought I'd share these finds. Anyone else into old/odd rare test LPs? Have any rare ones to share?
