Everlasting Green (11/04/2001)
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Dear Readers,

I suppose the great fun and joy of hi-fi, is we can gather different types of equipment that has different characters, mix and match them according to our own opinions. This would form a unique sound system, to create a special character, and the subtle revelation of the music, that most suit one’s individual taste.

As I was packing up my old hi-fi magazines and notes, I suddenly came across a book I bought sometime around 1989. The book was 118 examples of hi-fi system combination, suggested by 15 famous Japanese hi-fi experts. During that time, internet was not available, and looking for information meant going to the library or the local book shops. The book still has its value today, as history or a record of what hi-fi was in the 80s. Also, many speakers mentioned in the book are still hot items today! I shall list out 4 systems here, for us to savor the taste of the 80s. I have picked these systems because I have heard all the speakers.

The speakers are: Yamaha NS-1000M, JBL 4343WX, KEF 105, Magnepan MG-II.

Yamaha NS-1000M

(image is splitted due to scanning from middle of book)

Yamaha NS-1000 speakers
Onkyo    Integra P303 control amplifier
Pioneer  M25 power amplifier
Trio Kenwood KT-770 tuner
Denon    DP-6000 turn table
SAEC     WE-308SX
Technics 205C-IIL  cartridge
Revox    HS-77MK4   open reel tape
Akai       GXC-730D  tape deck
Sony     ECM-56A  microphone

Although the Japanese are big in the hi-fi market, their speakers are never considered successful. In fact, speaker design is the weakest in Japanese design capabilities. Even today, the Japanese consistently loose out to the Europeans. Speaker design is indeed an art, not pure engineering.

However, in the 80s Yamaha produced the NS-1000M. It was such a success that even the Denmark Broadcasting Corporation used the NS-1000M as the reference monitor in the 80s. Remember the old Yamaha showroom in Plaza Singapura in Singapore? I used to visit the Yamaha showroom to listen to the NS-1000M speakers. Later, my piano teacher bought a pair of NS-1000M, and I enjoyed many hours amazed by the life likeness of piano music played by the monitors.

The Denon turntable should be the quartz locked type direct drive turntable. The turntable was so strong that it could continue to turn even when someone steps on it! The turntable was partnered with the famous SAEC arm, which boast a high precision and able the best cartridge to perform. I have no impression of the Technics MM head. However, I thought a Ortofon or Denon MC cartridge would be a better choice. I supposed the MM head was chosen for listening to all types of music (both pop and classical).

The Pioneer M25 power amplifier is a pure class A mode amplifier. Up until today, the M25 is still a superb performer. If you can find one, you should invest in it. Very few class A amplifier has the musicality as touching as the M25. Also, the M25 is capable in driving any difficult loudspeakers.

In the 80s, it was very important to have the FM tuner. It should be the same today! There are so many radio stations that gives good programs. It is better than buying CDs. I still keep an Akai analog tuner which I personally believes it out performs any of the modern Digitally synthesized FM tuner. The Trio Kenwood used to make excellent tuners which has sensitivity of less than 1uV. From the picture it was the typical look of the Japanese tuners in the 80s. Believe me, if you can buy one of these old babies in good condition, they are worth it. The sound is very analog and beautiful.

Cassette tapes and open reel are less common today. With the advent of CD audio, tapes and LP have taken the back seat for the mass. For this system, if you replace the front end with a top of the range CD player, it still will have a hard time better the Denon-SEAC-Technics combination. There is no doubt about it.

This system will be very ideal for playing jazz fusion or pop music like Sade.

JBL4343WX

(image is splitted due to scanning from middle of book)

JBL            4343WX
Accuphase  C220 control amplifier
Accuphase  M60 X2 power amplifier
Technics     38T tuner
Sony           PSX9 turntable system
Scully         280B2 open reel tape station

In the 80s, JBL speakers were the dream speakers by many audiophiles in Hong Kong, Japan and almost everywhere. The JBL4343 is a four channel four speakers system. It uses horn for the high frequency. Initially, the speaker might sound harsh and hard. After breaking in, the speaker will be very open and neutral. Of course, like all JBL, it could go very very loud. JBL 4343WX is a monitor, and could reflect the taste and capabilities of the person using it.

Accuphase is one of the few Japanese pre-power amplifier manufacturer which is well received by audiophiles. Accuphase C220 preamplifier is a truly simple is the best design, with no tone control facilities. The Accphase M60 is capable of 300W per channel. As we all know, muscular amplifiers in the 80s or even early 90s could sound rough. The Accuphase M60 partnership with the JBL was to have maximum control of the power hungry JBL.

Front end was supplier by the Sony PSX9 heavy weight turntable system. Today, many would prefer to replace it with a Sony Espirit CD player. However, I would still prefer the vinyl setup.

During that time, a system like this would deserve a big open reel tape station like a Scully. I doubt we could find any open reel player today. However, bear in mind that the Scully is many folds superior than any Mini Disc or tape player, even the Technics VHS hi-fi tape. It is sad that technology is aiming at miniaturization, price and ease of use, and not quality of the product.

This system would be ideal in a big room playing rock or pop. It could even be better as the main core of a home theatre system.