Early Hi-Fi Interest

Kriesler Stereophonic Radiogram

Kriesler Stereophonic Radiogram.

Mum and Dad's pride and joy in my early years was the familiy Kriesler Stereophonic radiogram. A combined valve stereo amplifier, AM radio and turntable with stereo speakers in a single unit.

It was probably a Kriesler 11-77, made in Australia and released in 1959 as Australia's first stereophonic radiogram. It had a valve stereo amplifier, a Garrard model RC121 MKII automatic stacking turntable, an AM radio stage, and two Rola Australian made full-range 8-inch speakers.

Most of the LP records were Mum's choices via Reader's Digest.

In my teens, Dad brought home a stereo cassette recorder/player from an overseas trip. I modified the radiogram to add two RCA stereo outputs so that I could record my 45s and LPs direct to cassette.

My brother, Paul Borrett, has purchaed one of these units and is gradually restoring and "enhancing" it.

Electronics Australia Playmaster Twin Twenty Five Stereo Amplifier

Electronics Australia Playmaster Twin Twenty Five Stereo Amplifier.

In my teen years in 1976, I purchased an Electronics Australia Playmaster Twin Twenty Five Stereo Amplifier kit for about $100 and assembled it. It became the basis for my own first Hi-Fi system.

Designed by Leo Simpson of Electronics Australia, the unit produced 25 watts RMS per channel into 8 Ohms. I'd purchased the "Speaker Protector Kit", but not the optional simulated Teak cabinet.

It featured 4 transistors, 6 outputs (phono, tuner, aux 1, aux 2, tape out, tape control), and controls for volume, balance, and treble. It used a single large PC board and had a headphone jack that disabled the main speakers when a headset is plugged in.

Specifications:

• Frequency Response: +- 1dB from 25 Hx to 20 kHz.
• Compensation: RIAA to within +- 1dB.
• Sensitivity: Phono 2mV into 56k. Other inputs 150mV into 36k minimum.
• Overload: On phono 120mV.
• Sihnal/Noise: 70dB (on phono) @ 10mV. 70dB other inputs.
• Crosstalk: Better than -45dB over 100 Hz – 10 kHz.
• Distortion: Less than 0.05% at normal listening levels.
• Bass / Treble Controls: +- 13dB nom. at 50 Hz and 10 kHz.

A year later I purchased the $25 conversion kit to give the stereo amplifier 40 Watts RMS per channel, using a "C" core transformer.

Phillips Magnavox MV-50 Speakers

In 1976, I also build a pair of Phillips Magnavox MV-50 speakers from a kit, as featured in Electronics Today International. 50W RMS, 3-way system with 10" woofer, 6" mid range and two XJ3 dome tweeters per cabinet.

I finished building them just in time to pack them up for my move to Melbourne in the beginning of 1977.

Garrard M82 Transcription Record Changer Turntable

In 1976, I purchased a Garard M82 turntable with a magnetic cartridge and diamond stylis, plus a base and perspex cover as a kit.