The AWA Journal - On The Internet

On The Internet
Vintage Hi-Fi Stereo On The Web

by Chuck Schwark
3108 Colfax St.
Evanston, IL 60201

I was looking through some radio and TV ads in 1950s magazines, and got to thinking what the electronics scene was like 50 years ago. This was the Golden Age of Hi-Fi and Stereo. Being offered were tube-based audio power amps, preamps, AM/FM receivers, and integrated units, as well as hi-fi speakers and the like. Many of these early companies had been started by pioneers, like H.H. Scott, Frank H. McIntosh and Dr. Sidney Harmon.

I've compiled a small list of links to sites featuring this now "classic" equipment. Some are more extensive than others. Many have great pictures of legendary amps and receivers.

Vintage H.H. Scott Hi-Fi Stereo Archive by Lee K. Shuster
http://www.hhscott.com
The ultimate archive of information for aficionados of these classic components. Includes photo-tour, schematics, manuals, history, an E-List and a Web Forum.

Fisher amplifiers

The Fisher Radio Corporation
http://fisherdoctor.com/
Restoration services for all Fisher vacuum tube gear from 1937 to 1967. Manuals, tuner upgrades, parts, and cabinets.

McIntosh Headquarters Bldg. entrance

McIntosh History Pages by Roger Russell
http://www.roger-russell.com/aboutmc.htm
History of the McIntosh Laboratory, from Mr. Mcintosh's consulting service in Washington, D.C. to the present, including the Loudspeaker Division. Many good sources of info and other McIntosh links.

Unofficial Dynaco Home Page by Greg Dunn
http://home.indy.net/~gregdunn/dynaco/
Devoted to modifications and upgrades to (mostly tube) vintage Dyna gear as well as company information. Includes links to other Dynaco related websites.

Collector's Database for Marantz
http://www.classic-audio.com/marantz/mindex.html
Once you get past all the ad banners, there are hundreds of pictures of this company's wide range of equipment.

Collector's Database for Pioneer
http://www.classic-audio.com/pioneer/pindex.html
This section of the "Classic-Audio" website (see above) is devoted to Pioneer.

Vacuum Tube Valley
http://www.vacuumtube.com/
VTV is a high-quality quarterly publication devoted to the colorful past, present and future of vacuum tube audio electronics. Charlie Kittleson is the Editor and Publisher. He has been enjoying tube audio since 1964. Kittleson is the author of the famous Vintage Hi-Fi Spotter's Guides and producer of Vintage Hi-Fi--The Golden Era (a documentary video).

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