Component(s) you would induct into a "Hi-Fi Hall of Fame"?

[MattHooper]

For those that are not familiar with them, here is a specification sheet from 1986:
Audio Database

• Technics SL-M3​

• ¥ 99,800 (around 1986)

Commentary​

A full-auto player with linear tracking system.

It is equipped with a unique linear tracking arm that can make tracking error, which causes distortion during playback, and inside force, which causes channel imbalance, close to 0.
The tracking error angle is within ± 0.05 ° by detecting the arm deflection angle with an optical sensor and obtaining a high-precision detection signal.

The tone arm uses a unique dynamic balance system, and the arm bearing uses a 4-point support system gimbal suspension system.
In addition, the arm has a low mass design with an effective mass of 13g including the cartridge.

Diameter 32.5 cm, Weight 2.5 kg, Inertial Mass 427 kg / cm2Large and heavy aluminum die-cast turntable has been adopted.

Continuously variable pitch adjustment within ± 6% is possible.

Equipped with an electronically controlled full auto mechanism.

Equipped with plug-in connector system MM type cartridge.

TNRC and high-density particle board are used for the cabinet.

• 
  
• 

Model Rating​

Type	Quartz DD full auto player system
<Turntable portion>
Drive system	Direct drive
Control system	Quartz control
Number of revolutions	33 1/3, 45 rpm
Wow flutter	0.022%W.R.M.S(JIS C5521) 0.008% W. R. M. S (Rotating Part Only)
Signal-to-noise ratio	82 dB (DIN-B, IEC98A weighted)
Cartridge Section
Type	Plug-in connector MM type stereo cartridge
Exchange needle	EPS-P205ED4(¥15,000)
<General>
Pwer	100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz
Power consumption	22W
External dimensions	Width 526x Height 202x Depth 426 mm
Weight	13.5kg

There were various internal power supplies for different voltages and also a more rare (from what I have been told) switch selectable power supply for USA/Europe (which is on mine).
I typically use NOS SHURE T4P: V15 V-P carts.
Shure VN5P Stylus Specifications
- Output voltage @ 1kHz, 5cm/sec.: 3.2mV
- Channel balance: 1.5dB
- Channel separation @ 1kHz: 25dB
- Frequency response: 10Hz-25kHz
- Stylus type: 0.2 x 0.15 mil nude hyperelliptical, MICROWALL/Be beryllium shank
- Tracking force range: 1.25g
- Color: Light Gray
I have some NOS VN5MR (Essentially the same but has the brush)
But am now looking into the JICO styluses (I have a couple of the 1st ones they issued in my stock)

A NOS Technics P-33 (obtained through Thakker EU)
Technics EPC-P33 Cartridge Specifications
- Type: Moving magnet
- Frequency response: 10-50,000 Hz | 20-10,000 ± 1 db
- Output voltage @ 1kHz, 5 cm/sec: 3.5 mV
- Tracking force: 1.25 ± 0.25 g
- Channel balance @ 1kHz: Within 1.8 dB
- Channel sepration @ 1kHz: 22 dB
- Recommended load impedance: 47-100 kΩ
- Compliance (dynamic): 12 x 10-6 cm/dyne (100Hz)
- Weight: 6 g (cartridge only)
- Replacement stylus: EPS-33ES (elliptical)

And a
Grado Gold 3 P-mount T4P Phono Cartridge Specifications
- Type: Moving magnet
- Output voltage: 5mV
- Frequency response: 10Hz-60kHz
- Load impedance: 47k ohms
- Channel separation: 35dB
- Stylus type: Elliptical
- Stylus replacement: User replaceable
- Compliance: 20mm/N
- Tracking force: 1.0 - 2.0 g
- Recommended tracking force: 1.5 g
- Weight: 5.5 g

That is friggin awesome! Lucky you!

 

[MattHooper]

Obviously the Quad 57 is in there, but what about the Quad amps from around the same era? Do they rate Hall of Fame and if so, why?

I mean, I know that the Quad tube amps were a good fit for driving their speakers which could be finicky. But beyond that I know nothing.

 

[SIY]

Obviously the Quad 57 is in there, but what about the Quad amps from around the same era? Do they rate Hall of Fame and if so, why?

I mean, I know that the Quad tube amps were a good fit for driving their speakers which could be finicky. But beyond that I know nothing.

They had excellent performance for the day and some very clever design; analyses of the design from Morgan Jones and Menno Vanderveen show just how clever. A copy of the circuit would not fare well in today's market for religious reasons.

 

[Short38]

This (incorporating much foundational thinking quickly cribbed by others):
View attachment 430313

YES. Also came the best user manual I’ve ever seen. Regret selling mine.

 

[Short38]

Most Dynakits.

Assembled a Stereo 400. Used for years.

 

[Short38]

Sony PSX 800 linear tracking TT
While I know I’ll be consigned to the subjectivist dust bin of history, JBL Paragon and Olympus S8R (with carved grillle).

 

[MattHooper]

They had excellent performance for the day and some very clever design; analyses of the design from Morgan Jones and Menno Vanderveen show just how clever.

OK, thanks. I certainly wouldn’t doubt Peter Walker‘s ingenuity!

A copy of the circuit would not fare well in today's market for religious reasons.

Because of the neutrality of the design?

As I remember, Peter Walker wasn’t big on listening or subjective stuff in designing amplifiers, and I think he knew just by the design itself and measurements it was essentially transparent.
(I have this vague recollection of an interesting way that he tested the neutrality/accuracy of his amp design, but I can’t remember it. Maybe it was just measurements?)

 

[Hiten]

All in all, Technics was probably the greatest producer of phono products: turntables, arms, cartridges.

Yes. Aesthetically the tonearms looks nice too. Probably lots of hard work in every aspect went in to producing.
regds.

 

[Mort]

Genelec 8030x monitors.

 

[SIY]

Because of the neutrality of the design?

Most actual designs are, when tested with controls) pretty neutral, putting aside the megabuck table radios. But as you point out, Walker said it out loud. No claims of magic. Bad for this market segment.

Worse yet, plenty of feedback and an all-pentode design, both unfashionable in fashion audio.

 

[Thomas Savage]

Obviously the Quad 57 is in there, but what about the Quad amps from around the same era? Do they rate Hall of Fame and if so, why?

I mean, I know that the Quad tube amps were a good fit for driving their speakers which could be finicky. But beyond that I know nothing.

I would vote for the 303 or 606 , brilliant both plus good bit of audio engineering.

When you consider the size of the competition, like the massive krell amps etc .

Who dosnt think this is epic ..,

 

[SIY]

I would vote for the 303 or 606 , brilliant both plus good bit of audio engineering.

When you consider the size of the competition, like the massive krell amps etc .

how dosnt think this is epic ..,
View attachment 432357

Yer knobs are dented.

 

[Thomas Savage]

Yer knobs are dented.

How rude .,
Iv had no complaints, a few moans and groans but..

 

[DSJR]

Not yet mentioned:
- Sennheiser HD414
- Linn LP12
- The first Technics direct drive record player
- Martin Logan CLS
- Nakamichi Dragon
- Genelec 1031 and the first 80x0 (AFAIK the 8050)
- B&W 800 (the very first) and Nautilus

I should support the Linn LP12 suggestion, but in all honesty a well sorted Thorens 150 (the 'basic donor design root' of the LP12) earns a higher place to me (it can 'sound' bloomin' good too if working and set up right) and in actuality, it's the original AR turntable design that beats 'em both, with some incredibly clever engineering especially in the tonearm, which modern-day 'audiophiles' into such things don't even begin to appreciate in my view!

The B&W 801 original and KEF R105 original models did lift further the high standards set by others at the time and I'm very sad never to have heard any Genelecs as yet (nor Neumanns either, come to that).

Has anyone listed the Crown DC300 amp, let alone the Quad 303 (with its then novel output 'triple' circuit)? The former was a monster of an amp in the early 70s with excellent performance at the time, which I'd suggest is still 'well balanced' today if not top of the tree now and the latter I'd suggest was one of the first genuine attempts to get solid state to perform linearly in those days when transistors could be all over the place (I'd love to see a proper tech review of the latest incarnation of that venerable model number as it seems to have taken off sales-wise in a world of high-end cloned 'bling' products).

[edit] - The Quad 66 preamp as pictured above should also be there, as it was (for Quad) a radical departure. I'm still suspicious of the rotary controls being removed and I still feel this over the otherwise (great for the job) Artera preamp

Would any of the B&O 'sliderule era' amps, tuners and receivers be worthy of an entry as well? the Master/Lab 5000 tuner and amp could drive a four ohm load all day (and did) fifty five years ago, the 4400 (4410 in black) receiver had a pretty good performance with almost timeless styling. The Beogram 4000 parallel tracking turntable was solidly built and still has looks to die for and the final 6002/8002 models had the 'sonics' too, I remember.

 

[aschen]

Bryston 4b
Rega planar 3
Klipschhorn
Nautilus
Bose acoustamass
Carver Tf amps
Threshold stasis
Krell ksa
Polk sda