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Weekend 'Scores' AKA More Stuff

David_NC

David_NC

Super Member
Over the weekend, I picked up another QSC USA 900. I like my current one, the price was right, and a backup is always good. While I was there, I helped the seller get rid of more stuff, as he was cleaning out his garage. I'm now the new owner of a couple Pioneer tube receivers, an SAE cassette deck, and the QSC amp. I'm not familiar with Pioneer tube equipment, so this will be an adventure for sure! Since I already have an ST-70, I thought it would be good to have some efficient speakers for it, and a pair of Dahlquist DQM-9's will work for that (95dB)... they followed me home, too.

First up, an ER-420; the best I can tell, it's from the really late '60's up to '70 or so.
ER-420 -1.jpeg ER-420 - 2.JPG ER-420 - 3.JPG

Next, an SM-B201 from the early '60's:
SM-B201 - 1.jpeg SM-B201 - 2.jpeg

Dahlquist DQM-9:
DQM-9 - 1.jpg DQM-9 - 4.JPG

SAE and QSC:
SAE Cassette Deck - 1.JPG
USA 900 - Second Unit - 1.JPG
 
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Couple nice tube units there and an odd looking cassette unit.

The Pioneer database has some info on the receivers, dates and it appears your SM will make the start date for that unit a bit earlier.
 
The later receiver is very clean and looks to be in good condition. The older one was so rough and dirty that I almost didn't take it. I spent a couple hours cleaning them up with most of that spent on the B201. After removing about 1/4" of crud from the chassis, there may just be hope for it! It's a pre-FM stereo unit with dual AM / single FM tuners with an option for a MPX decoder. Of course, neither will be powered on for some time.
The DQM-9's sound good. They are much brighter / detailed than my usual ADS's, which is no surprise. They are not harsh or annoying, and I think they'll do well with something a bit warmer than the Denon 80 watt receiver I tested them with. Just for fun, and to see what a sensitivity of 95dB means, I connected them to an old Sony STR-7025 receiver with a big 18 WPC. So how do they sound on that unit? I was surprised at just how good they sound together. Played in the garage in a less than ideal setup, the combo would go as loud as I'd want, bass was abundant, and the highs were clear. I think they'll pair well with tube equipment.
 
The DQMs are one of the bigger models and should should most excellent. A few here love the Dahlquist boxes, a number of threads. Looking for a comparison to the ADS as there are some Dahlquist on my radar. Had a number of ADS and have a bookshelf pair for comparison but don't have any DQM or other boxes. Have some 10s, a couple pair but that is different.

The DQM-9 in oak walnut was a grand new the plastic coated one nextel was 1350 per orion which takes latest list price in general. The 9 is listed as 81-89 or something.
 
I have the matching SAE integrated amp, a I102 with the mounting ears cut off by the PO. Nice to see what one looks like.

I used it for a while but it has been replaced by a x101b.
 
rickl said:
I have the matching SAE integrated amp, a I102 with the mounting ears cut off by the PO. Nice to see what one looks like.

I used it for a while but it has been replaced by a x101b.
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I used to drool over the black SAE equipment at a stereo shop when I was in junior high and high school. I didn't seek out this unit; the seller added it to the stack of receivers. It does need a belt, which is no surprise. Once I finish a few other projects, I'll move on to this one and see how it performs. Other than a smallish scratch on the front, it's good cosmetically. It would definitely be a good addition to an SAE stack.
 
I have the SM-B201 also. Got it from granddad. Made in 1961 I think. After replacing "only" the four orange capacitors driving the tubes it works well. Sounds good. I think it's ready to be properly serviced now that it's up and running. Packed full of gray Suzuki caps just waiting to go poof. So it sits.
P2210042.JPG
 
During high school in the late 1960’s I bought a Chrysler branded 2nd hand tube receiver, traded in at a TV store. I learned much later it was made by Pioneer. No FM but the same 2 AM dials as yours and it had SW. What it didn’t have which really disappointed me was no preamp for MAG phono. Back then I had my heart set on a magnetic cartridge. Wound up selling it to a school bud across the street.

Got something similar recently branded AGS but made by Trio/Kenwood. A bit newer with FM and MAG phono in.

I was strongly encouraged to replace all the grey capacitors which I did along with the electrolytics. It’s crowded underneath those tube receivers so no picnic.

Good luck with the resto.
 
62vauxhall said:
During high school in the late 1960’s I bought a Chrysler branded 2nd hand tube receiver, traded in at a TV store. I learned much later it was made by Pioneer. No FM but the same 2 AM dials as yours and it had SW. What it didn’t have which really disappointed me was no preamp for MAG phono. Back then I had my heart set on a magnetic cartridge. Wound up selling it to a school bud across the street.

Got something similar recently branded AGS but made by Trio/Kenwood. A bit newer with FM and MAG phono in.

I was strongly encouraged to replace all the grey capacitors which I did along with the electrolytics. It’s crowded underneath those tube receivers so no picnic.

Good luck with the resto.
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You're not kidding! My only experience with working on tube equipment is my ST-70, which I'm almost finished with. These receivers are a whole 'nother level of mess and complexity underneath!
 
I "restored" a aft-12 pioneer. Similar looking but this had FM and a MUX RCA for stereo. The hardest part was stringing both dial cords. The mice got to it before I got it. The tuning eye is kind of cool.

I was glad to send it back to the owner.
 
Blue Shadow said:
The DQMs are one of the bigger models and should should most excellent. A few here love the Dahlquist boxes, a number of threads. Looking for a comparison to the ADS as there are some Dahlquist on my radar. Had a number of ADS and have a bookshelf pair for comparison but don't have any DQM or other boxes. Have some 10s, a couple pair but that is different.

The DQM-9 in oak walnut was a grand new the plastic coated one nextel was 1350 per orion which takes latest list price in general. The 9 is listed as 81-89 or something.
Click to expand...
I've been using the DQM-9's in the garage setup pretty much exclusively for the past month or so. This was partially due to the fact that these suckers are heavy (3/4" mdf sides with a 1/2" layer on top of that!) and are bigger than the L520's I used there previously. The ADS's are MUCH easier to put on a shelf when not in use than the Dalquists for sure! The other reason was that I wanted to see if my first impressions have changed. Honestly, I've really gotten to like them a lot. As much as I like ADS, I think I kinda like the DQM's a bit better than the L520's... at least in the garage with that particular Denon receiver. I've also used them on an ST-70, but the ADS's seemed to sound better on the tube amp. I suppose I need to give the DQM's a longer listen on the Dynaco to see if it grows on me.
Sometimes, I hear different equipment and really like it initially but later don't. Sometimes, I don't care for it at first but grow to really like it. In this case, it's a bit of both - I've really gotten to like the DQM-9's. They are very revealing but not harsh. Their bass is surprisingly good. I will say the fit and finish of them isn't quite as good as any of the ADS L series that I have. The grill frames look to be made of some sort of MDF, or maybe even something worse, and the joints do not hold up. I'll repair them with some angle brackets painted black. The laminate is some sort of Formica, and it's coming off in a few places. At least it's a simple thing to pull each piece off completely and reattach with contact cement. At least Formica is quite durable! Both of these are easy fixes, but the really important part - the sound - is quite nice (after acclimating to them a bit).
I rarely see this model for sale. The DQM-9 Compact seems to be more common. It's similar but has a smaller woofer and enclosure and is less efficient and doesn't have the same bass, from what I've read. Still, it should be a good speaker. If you come across either of these, especially the non-compact 9's, for a good price I'd give them a try.
 
I seem to be on a roll lately. First a pair of B&W DM 200's in good condition for free. Cabinets and grills in good shape and they sound nice. Then I came across a Yamaha CA-810 integrated amp and marching tuner(CT-810) in mint condition for $69.00 for both. Not a scratch or any other blemish on either one. They also sound good. Today it was a Nikko Alpha II power amp in near mint condition, only one little nick on the top edge. It was $80.00 and it also sounds great, I am listening to it as I write, the meters and the meter lights work and look good. I am a sucker for big old fashioned VU meters. I read and hear about these scores that other people make, well it finally happened to me. Now I am thinking about the Nikko Gamma 40 FM tuner and Nikko EQ-1 I saw on CL for $100.00 to go with the Alpha II. Not a score but not a bad.price. Then I would have to get a Nikko Beta 20 or Beta II preamp to to complete the set. Not that I really needed all this stuff but I could not pass up these buys. I have been buying and selling stereo equipment since 1963 and don't think I will stop until they start to shovel the dirt over me.
 
Made another score audio related but more studio related..An Alesis RA 150 amp, a Tascam CD-RW 700 CD recorder, an Alesis mixer and Fuman power conditioner in a road rack case. And about 15 rack blanks of various sizes. All for free. All looks brand new except the case and work great .Cannot believe my good luck. The only thing I don't know what I am going to use it for is the mixer. Maybe I will have to get out my Roland VS-800 digital studio workstation (another freebie)and start a recording studio although I have no idea what I
would be doing. My granddaughter just started playing guitar, maybeRaCK STUFF.jpg Roland 1.jpg I will produce her hit song.
 
Old HiFi Guy said:
Made another score audio related but more studio related..An Alesis RA 150 amp, a Tascam CD-RW 700 CD recorder, an Alesis mixer and Fuman power conditioner in a road rack case. And about 15 rack blanks of various sizes. All for free. All looks brand new except the case and work great .Cannot believe my good luck. The only thing I don't know what I am going to use it for is the mixer. Maybe I will have to get out my Roland VS-800 digital studio workstation (another freebie)and start a recording studio although I have no idea what I
would be doing. My granddaughter just started playing guitar, maybeView attachment 1789656 View attachment 1789659 I will produce her hit song.
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Free is good, especially when it looks to be fun stuff! If nothing else, the road rack case is quite useful.
 
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