User talk:David Schofield

Classic Valve Amplifiers and stuff!

If you are like me – you will love ‘old’ stereo equipment, especially valve amplifiers. Some might say landmark manufacturers such as Leak, Quad, Thorens, Garrard, Shure, SME, etc, who made an impact on the development of ‘Hi Fi’ (does anyone call it that these days?). My memories of record systems and valve amplifiers go back to pre-33rpm; when our dad had a large collection of 78s. I remember he had an electric record player (very posh!) and by its side resided a small box. In this box lived needles – these were religiously changed every eighth record. Dad kept a pad by the record player and each time it was played he would make a note on the pad!

With the introduction of LPs into our house, the equipment to play them also changed. First, dad bought an HMV valve amplifier/radiogram - of course – but before too long he changed this for separate stereo pieces.

The first set-up he bought in the late 1960’s consisted of: Thorens TD150 record deck; SME 3009 Series 11 Tonearm; Shure V15 cartridge; Leak 30 Plus amplifier; Leak Sandwich 600 Speakers.

I am very proud still to own the Leak 30 Plus Amplifier. I also still have the original packaging and brochure which came with it! The style of instruction inside it is like going back years!

Dad (as dads do!) gave me his cast-offs when he updated, so I continued to use his Leak stuff for a number of years – including the fantastic Leak Sandwich 600 Speakers – boy did they sound good? Regrettably I don’t have the speakers anymore.

Over the years some of my friends bought Quad valve amplifiers – which at the time were way out of my range! But it did sow the seeds of interest, and around 10 years ago I was fortunate enough to acquire an un-molested set of Quad 11 valve amplifiers & Quad 22 control unit. Some people in the 80’s thought it good to ‘Modify’ them – a bit of advice – if you want a pair of Quads, do not buy anything but unmodified stuff. The others have been destroyed.

Last year I bought a pair of Quad ESL-57 electrostatic speakers from EBay – unseen and untested. I am pleased to say – like lots of people on EBay – the seller was a genuine person and I now own a great pair. They are not yet operational as we are in the process of some serious renovation work in our home and when completed I will have a ‘Listening room’ especially for my Hi Fi. I’ll keep you updated with progress!

So now my system consists of: Thorens TD125 Mk11; SME 3009 Series 11 tonearm; Shure M75ED; Quad 11 mono blocks; Quad 22 control unit; Quad ESL-57 speakers. Currently I am using Tannoy Mercury Speakers – they’re good through the Quad 11 valve amplifiers – mind, I do have them on a pair of good quality stands – makes a world of difference.

The Quads are going to the Quad service department for a well earned restoration – so I’ll keep you updated with the renovation.

David Schofield writes about preserving vinyl records and antique audio equipment. He maintains ‘Vinyl Records Still Lives’ at http://www.vinylrecordslive.co.uk where you can read more about preserving vinyl records and find out what’s going on in the audio world.



Hello David, my name is Kristina. Welcome to AboutUs.org!

This here is your TalkPage, and I wonder if you would like to edit the VinylRecordsLive.co.uk page? One of our goals is to help you make this DomainPage and AboutUs a resource for you and your business, so please contact me if I can help or answer any questions. Here are some links that I have found useful...

Welcome to the community, Kristina ..talk.. 09:58, 6 January 2008 (PST)

Music: Who Wants To Live Without It?

Music has always played a major part of my life, as from the earliest age I can remember classical music constantly playing in our home. Dad had a lot of 78s and an electric player which required frequent needle changes. In fact I used to watch him change them religiously every eight plays – not something he would let anyone else do!!

As children, we used to give singing recitals - especially at Christmas times!! I am grateful for the exposure our parents gave us to music – even if dad was a bit single minded when, in the late 50’s my brother Kenneth, bought home a recording of a new rock-n-roll singer called Buddy Holly I think dad thought it was not proper music and that the record couldn’t possibly be up to the same standard as his Beethoven or Mozart recordings!!

He used to have constant discussions with Kenneth about playing them on his’ radiogram. And as for the Beatles and Rolling Stones records I wanted to play a few years later – no comment!!

Both my two brothers were taught to play classical music on the piano by our Aunty Win. For myself; it was 1962 and I was far too interested in my Uncle Frank’s brand new MGB roadster to concentrate – try as my mum did to encourage me!!

My eldest brother, Robert, turned out to be a highly accomplished musician – playing the French horn professionally for many years. Kenneth, my other brother, in later years, would get all his beer bought for him in the NAFFI bar, bashing out songs when we had a session – mind you he always had a bad head the next day!

After I left home and joined the British Armed Forces, I have to say my mates were not too happy about Grieg being played in the barrack room. Same problem as my dad had – different music. So I had to use earphones to listen to him. But when 'The Who' came on – now, that was a different story - then we used to get into trouble with the Duty Sergeant for playing the music too loud!!

Anyway, over the years, I have developed a passion for all types of music and my collection of vinyl records has now grown to include Amadeus Mozart through to Led Zeppelin. But, I guess if I had to pick just one piece of music to take to that desert island it would have to be:

Mozart’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra No1 in F Minor, Op 73

My favourite recording of this outstanding piece: (only one of several!) Deutshe Grammophon 136550 SLPEM (stereo - 1968) Karl Leister, Clarinet, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Rafael Kubelik.

I bought this recording whilst stationed in Germany in 1970 – since then I have obtained other fine recordings of the Concerto, but I find Karl Leister’s interpretation of the Adagio(in particular) perfectly captures Mozart’s objective of writing the most profoundly expressive movement for a solo instrument.

I never fail to be moved by it

David Schofield writes about preserving vinyl records and antique audio equipment. He maintains ‘Vinyl Records Still Lives’ at http://www.vinylrecordslive.co.uk where you can read more about preserving vinyl records and find out what’s going on in the audio world.

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