I never know why people have to complain about other peoples Hi-Fi configurations because it is the owner who enjoys and listens to it and not the people complaining.
Exactly, I like lots of bass, so I have my bass turned up, but not everyone does, a sound system should sound as good as the person who listens to it wants it to sound
@@fissionchips8840 The difference is that he isn't making any kind of universal proclamation on the "right" way to do things - he's not saying that everyone should use a graphic equaliser; he's just explaining how he uses one and why he likes to. The comments he's referring to don't say "I don't use a graphic equaliser because of XYZ", they say "you should never use a graphic equaliser because of XYZ", which is quite patronising and obnoxious. I don't use one myself, but it's no skin off my nose if someone else chooses to.
I came in to say the same thing. Such a beautiful setup, I could watch it for hours lol. Techmoan should do a 10 hour royalty free music ASMR video of just his HIFI playing.
Equalizer settings are also important if you have certain types of hearing loss. I have very awful low frequency hearing, but the highest frequencies are pretty close to normal, so I tend to boost the low and keep the highs alone mostly, and I rely on EQ settings to make audiobooks clearer as well.
Haha I loved that comment in the end. I'm a vinyl mastering engineer. I've cut master discs for over 20 years.... I've NEVER understood these Audiophiles. Even from a producers perspectives... Could never understand them. A great example was an audiophile trying to explain to me how he wants to get the purist sound and blah blah blah, yet his exotic 5000 speakers sounded way to bright, his cartridge he used sounded way to soft, and completely did not sound like the source.... Guys.. Enjoy the music the way you want, we made the reference recording, you all should have fun with it.... Even if it's with Mega Bass 😂. Cheers
If it sounds good to the listener then it's absolutely fine. (Just don't force me to listen to your setup when you've turned on the Loudness button and cranked the bass and treble controls up to maximum!)
About 10 years ago I worked for an AudioVideo events company; the greatest legacy of working there for me was getting me out of that purist audiophile "objectivity" mindset for good. I saw how audio engineers actually do their craft in the real world and it isn't the sort of "pristine" objectivity that "consumer audiophiles" imagine it to be. There's constant tweaking to "fit the room", "adjust to the audience", and just pure "feel on the day". This includes an enormous amount of EQ to "ring out the room" as they say, along other subjective tricks and tools. There is no purist objective sound as "it was intended" to be reproduced; it's all based on subjective feel of the day. These "consumer audiophiles" are largely imagining a fictitious Platonic ideal of "sound as it was intended" that doesn't exist in the professional and industrial world of audio.
In my experience tweaking and EQ in domestic applications can be put behind one when the system is clean, simple and right, but that mainly involves choosing for what sounds good rather then what looks good and what is common expectation (like thick cables and complex solutions to non existing problems). I have heard 1960's mono radio's with a 3 dollar DAC on bluetooth sound very nice and more enjoyable than a 3000 Euro system....it's all about the enjoyment.
Heh, I was a pro live and studio engineer for 25 years and just got done writing my own rant where I went into all of that and just now saw your comment after finishing.. All I can say is a hearty YUP. 😂 Heh, really. Your comment mirrors so many points that I hit in mine.. thanks for that, I don't feel so awkward for going off on a rant now, lol. Cheers!
I'm a 35 year live and studio audio pro, and I'm lucky to have had it knocked out of me before I finished highschool, doing punk band "tours" using hifis as amps for front of house. I don't mind if people prefer particular things, just don't be an asshole about it, ya know? And also, there is no objective truth in audio. Everyone hears differently. Also also, all electrons are the same. I'll stop and let someone else have a turn.
What really drove it home for me was, while doing a lot of retail installs - BGM/PA systems - getting a contract to set up demo rooms for a certain boutique outfit. The rack of equipment on display wasn't actually connected to anything. The speakers were actually being driven by some remarkably affordable, off-the-shelf components mounted on a rack concealed inside a wall. And not even the _same_ equipment at every site! Stuff on display? 5 figures, easy. Stuff in use? Maybe $3,000. And although they had their special, large-gauge, "high-end" cable - including in-wall - we were supplied with 1,000 foot reels of bog-standard jacketed 18/2. Sometimes it was foiled, but usually it just had the 20ga bonding wire. Those jobs were quite interesting in other ways, but the audio side was literally just "Rack it up and plug it in." No tuning or adjusting _at all._ And the customers ate it up, sadly.
@@Sgtspork Thanks for all the replies. What's interesting to me is how this kind of "platonic" mindset of an "ideal form that exists the realms" as it were, only affects a certain kind of high end consumer and no other market segment. The average consumer for products doesn't care much, and the actual professionals don't get hamstrung on it either, it's just a certain kind of middle to high ground part of the "consumer" market that gets afflicted with this kind of intellectual goop. You see this in any for of audio/video/electronics, and computing. You see it a lot in the attitudes against "emulation" not being legitimate in the computing/video game space as well, or making "inside baseball" distinctions between FPGA hardware recreation vs actual hardware vs software emulation. Also in home video, and the like.
I agree, unless you are in the professional arena, you build your system and shape your sound for you. What other people think doesn't matter, I just needs to sound awesome to your ears
Seeing your Hifi setup again makes me hope that someday we get a tour of your Hifi room in it's entirety. Would love to see how it's evolved over the years as well!
I never had one of these but i remember wanting one as a kid back in the late ‘80s. I’m so greatful that new Techmoan videos keep comming week after week- thanks for all the hard work & dedication, Matt! I always smile when i see a new video is available…
you should look into the modern low cost 4 and 6 band EQs made by SCHIIT electronics. I swear by them, nice and small little EQs you can use anywhere. Their preamps are amazing little things too and not too expensive either.
Excellent point about replacing back up batteries *before* they leak ! And they're in things you wouldn't expect - my old TIG welder had one that had spilled its guts - luckily it all came good with a scrub up to remove the gunk and solder in a new one. Be careful *not* to short any tracks when doing so - they're normally supplied with a charge in them - more than enough to damage tracks and other components !
I just bought a Beomaster 1000 from a splendid young man in Preston. He's re-capped it & replaced some components. I asked him if he was a "tinkerer". "No, I'm an electrical engineer" he replied. Very heartening to find a person in their 20s who is capable & enthusiastic about these sorts of things. I can let you have his number.....
Moaning about the type of people who believe that audio sounds better depending on the direction of a fuse fitted in a plug with AC passing through it.
That was a very slick battery repair - using the old posts instead of risking taking it out and then adding a much better battery carrier that you can replace the battery - very nice
Kudos on ending the video with your clock at 13:37, because you are LEET. Also, I love seeing old tech being given new life, because as good as new tech is, the older tech just has a charm that new tech cannot match.
Soldering in the battery holder is a great idea and is exactly what I would have done - and in fact have done. Not only does it make future replacement of the battery easier, should this unit move on from your possession or be put in storage for a long time, the battery becomes far less of a concern vis-a-vis leakage
I know what you mean about ANTI-EQ snobs. I use to tell them that I had 4 separate EQ units patched together on my system two for right ch and two for left ch. You could just watch the arrogance and color drain from their face. I have the same battery problem with my vintage Technics eq like yours but mine has the TOUCH -SENSITIVE slider pads. Thanks Matt
You not only repaired it, you made a great improvement. I’m also a fan of graphic equalizers, I spend a lot of time in my car commuting so mobile audio is my thing, and vehicle acoustics can be quite a challenge to overcome and get things to sound how I enjoy listening to them. Keep up the great content, I always look forward to kicking off my Saturday with your video.
Changed a number of ‘memory’ batteries. Was asked ti look at a printer that ‘only printed to Legal size paper. Took off off cover and mentioned poss battery they only last 5 years. Took out the CR2032 and hmm the date of manufacture was 5 years to the day old!! Smiled and said. Told you so. New CR2032 and printer now happy to print in A sizes
Really like how you just love your hifi and choices, and you're right, just do what makes you happy. A lot of audiophile gear sounds rather poorly and the listening experience could very much benefit from an EQ and the eighties had some really nice and enjoyable gear. I made, based on good advice, other choises, which are totally unfit for most people. Having 1,30m large horn speakers with 18 inch woofers on a simple system that defies all audiophile laws in the living room is something I enjoy every day. And I hope that everybody enjoys their hobby as much or even more. cheers.
Your absolutely right about equalization Matt!! For my HiFi I have to use an equalizer (Teac EQA-10) for the Dolby Digital and DTS as they have a habit of losing bass and mid level on my JBL speakers.They are vintage as well, and are known for their bass. And while most home theater/receiver presets are adequate, they do have room for improvement. Especially for a mix of vintage and modern audio components. If you don't like Matt's setup or demonstrations, there are a lot of other channels that specialize in the "audiophile" tastes and sensibilities. Try those and let Matt do what he does best, and thats to share his enthusiasm about his hobby with the community.
I love your Hi-Fi setup. It looks so cool and sounds great. The other reason to have an EQ, is that everyones hearing is different. some dramatically. I've got a 15 band per channel graphic EQ, it looks and feels so cheap and crappy with it's tiny slidy knobs and a power LED. But it works.
Yeah, it's like "no EQ, never! it's a heresy!"... while people tend to lose the upper part of the bandwidth over time. Listening room accoustics differ too, so do speaker systems. While I don't use an EQ myself, it's not final. Things affecting my hearing may happen over time or incidentally.
Great video/explanation. The tape monitor concept can confuse casual users who are frustrated by a silent Hi-Fi, then "blasted" when they finally figure it out. One of my Pioneer receivers flashes the tape monitor indicator every time inputs are switched as a reminder, but the most intuitive controls I have seen are on a Yamaha receiver with a separate "Rec Out" selector instead of tape monitor on/off. You set the input selector to tape, then the rec out selector becomes the input selector...
I've had this equalizer but I gave it to a friend because the plastic glass came loose and I couldn't get it back attached. They glued it to the middle frame with so strong adhesive that I couldn't find any glue that would keep it in place forever. Other than that it's a nice device, I still use the SH-8046 every day.
This one had a bit of everything. Successful repair with a helpful battery compartment. A money shot of all the items in your collection that made it to the hi-fi/living room. Examination of the dead component with the differences in chemical composition. Under 10 minutes. Great!
Great vid. Can we please get an up to date tour of your hi fi? I know it is always changing but that last shot before the credits deserves its own video! Thanks again. Awesome work!!!
You have the best channel on TH-cam for tech junkies and retro tech junkies - I think I have seen every single video and the production value is just outstanding!
Nice time showing in that final shot 1337. Now having some good old late-seventies equipent recently (recordplayer from technics, amp from kenwood), I was wondering if you need any heating in the room with all your equipment when it's turned on. Some of it can turn quite warm, can't it.
I love how Techmoan also comes up with solutions. I would never have come up with an idea like this to get around the battery problem. Thanks to videos like this, I'm getting more and more confident about doing my own repairs. Thank you!
I have a similar unit, the Sansui SE-88 (which I believe was available in silver as well), and I like it for the same reasons you like the Technics! Love the shorter format. Around 10 minutes is perfect. I understand sometimes you need more for a deep dive but I don't always have 10 or 30 minutes. Anyway, as always, thanks for listening!
Thanks to your nice revisiting of the EQ line of Technics I realized I have a SH-8055 which seems to be at, or near, the top of the range. I should dig it out of my stored gear. Perhaps doing something similar to your battery replacement. Pooh on those who are anti-tone control. My unit was used to help make the best recordings of cassettes for almost a ten-year period until I moved on from cassettes When I listen to those cassettes today they sound really good. Tweaking the curve was a solid decision and the Technics turned out to be a great find as I bought used at the time. in the eighties along with an Optimus receiver that I used until just a few weeks ago for music at my shoe repair shop. It finally died by the interjection of spurious noise making it a fantastic over-achiever needing retirement. Great video as usual!
I agree 100%. Set up your system to sound the way you like it. Not even the very best equipment will be like actually being at a live performance, and so many things will affect the sound anyway, so at the end of the day, just go for the sound you like!
Got two SH Technics equalisers. SH-GE70 and a SH-E66 in perfect condition. I’ve had the SH-GE70 in my system via the amps loop out for about 7 years. It performs excellently and no audible noise at all. To my ears it has no detrimental effect on the audio, if anything the vocals sound even more centred. It was so good I bought the second one just in case. I will keep in mind the need to possibly replace the battery in the future, for now I have the EQ settings written down just in case it ever forgets them, but thus far no issues.
@@Sigma-INFJ.It’s a very good unit I think. I’m sure no true audiophile would want it in their system but I have much praise for how it performs in my system. The SH-E66 is the same as the SH-GE70 except the E66 doesn’t have the 2 buttons on the right side. EQ Rec and Input Selector, never used them so doesn’t matter to me. I paid about $200 for each on eBay. Can get them cheaper but these were both like new.
That is an absolutely wonderful system you have there! I had a "cough" Realistic/ Radio Shack version of this year's ago and absolutely loved and actually miss it!
Nothing wrong with Realistic gear, so long as you understand that they had a range of models for different budgets. They made decent audio available through their large network of store locations. True audio stores were not always nearby, but Radio Shack was. Similarly there was Lafayette Radio and Olson Electronics, but they had much fewer locations. And yes, I will admit that the lower-end models were not as spectacular from the viewpoint of an audiophile (or wanna-be)! 🙂
Same, I had a realistic from RS as well, with physical sliders and green/red meter lights. I remember my friends and I all wanted to copy Ferris Beuhler's setup...
Some of the Realistic stuff was pretty decent, in particular for the price. Most of the audio gear rotated through one month a year when it was on sale at a good discount. A lot of my old Realistic stuff from the 1980s was replaced with better gear, but to be fair most of the Realistic still worked when I got rid of it, and some of the very-expensive replacements--while fancier and much higher-end--have failed in less time. In my home theater setup I have two first-revision "Mach One" speakers (which I sometimes rotate out with Mach Two's) which I find a bit weak on midrange, so I paired them with two nice "end of the era" Optimus speakers with the Linaeum tweeters which have good highs and great midrange but not good bass. Combine the two and I quite like the sound. It's not quite as nice as my friend's speaker set that was $3500 around 1998. But you know, the difference isn't worth $3000. I got the Mach Two's and the Optimus Pro LX5'-2s both on half-price sales.
I used to own the 8055 model, I found it in a charity shop for £25 about 10 years ago. I loved it, and I loved how it made things sound. I had to sell it when moved in with girlfriend, but made a very healthy profit on it!
Thanks to you explaining how an equaliser connects to a system as well as demonstarting yours I am going to add one to my modest system; in fact I'm on eBay Germany right now taking a look. I also enjoyed you dig at our good friends... those Audiophiles.
I have a kenwood that is similar but i like this technics better the no slider option just shows how much more technology went in to technics products.
Of course, the primary purpose for EQ originally was to adjust and balance sound on Tapes, Customizing the sound was something that people just started doing and that's totally fine. My car audio has an eq and it has no tape at all, I use my eq. I don't know if I'm making sense, it's late at night at the time of my writing this so if it's rubbish, just ignore me.
Graphic equalizer is still an essential audio equipment required in a stereo system in my opinion even though stereo amplifiers have bass and treble tone control because it boosted or cut a specific range of frequencies to improve sound quality on some music genres. I think the decline of graphic equalizer used in home stereo system was because of loudness war on music since the late 90s which recording studios have "mastered" music with their so-called own factory settings. Another reason is that because nobody used cassette tapes to record anymore which caused the removal of tape monitor loop switch on amplifiers and even though if todays amplifier contains a main in pre out switch, it is no longer jumpered and it acts as pre amplifier mode input like my Marantz PM-8006. Another alternative that I enjoy this equipment is because of looking at the spectrum analyser when I'm not equalizing it. Most simple answer I can say for audiophile today is they simply want everything to be simple and not complicated.
Technics equipment was always the up-line Matsushita/Panasonic/National marque in the US en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technics_(brand) . This really takes me right back to my teen years in the '80s. As a radio amateur, I'm always impressed at the build quality of these units. I remember how I and my friends were always so mesmerized by those flourescent bar graphic equalizer displays ... so much more "modern" than normal needle VU meters of the day. It was truly a glimpse into the future!
I recently fixed up an old G.E. all in one system from the same period and you should see how big the circuit boards are. 2 the size of the units foot print. This looks so much more elegant.
This was a great repair and bit of future proofing as well, but I can't help thinking I'd have put that battery case outside on the back of the unit, then run the wires inside. No more worry about a damaging lab inside, and no need to open the case when the battery does eventually die. Thats just me though. Thanks for another great little video.
I agree with you I always like adding a equalizer or tone controls. Listen to it the way you want to listen to it and forget those to tell you how to listen to your own music. Thanks for the good videos have a good holiday.
I have an Akai tuner that had he same battery issue, also replaced with a battery holder soldered to the connections. Now it remembers the presets, but only for about 30 mins, then it forgets again. This is an improvement on it being completely forgetful, but I think there is a capacitor that is part of the circuit that also needs replacing. For other silver facia EQs Akai did a full range from the same era, but I don't know of any that had spectrum analysers built in, I think they're all just EQ.
I picked this EQ up a few years ago and it's a great addition to my rig. I have the black version of it. I've never listened to the online snobs about the EQ, I'm happy with it so that's what matters to me.
I am so happy that I got the matching equalizer for my Pioneer system. I don't use it for playing records, but it makes radio broadcast sound so much better. If it wasn't meant to be a part of my system, the engineers at Pioneer wouldn't have made it.
I found out a couple of years ago that the "proper" way to use a graphic equalizer is that you are supposed to connect a mic to it. set it in the room where you normally listen, run white noise through the GE and adjust the sliders till the sound is flat in the center on all freqs. supposedly the point of a GE is to compensate for acoustics in a room.
Loving this. I'd consider myself a hi-fi enthusiast (I don't use the word 'audiophile' nowadays, as that has connotations of people that use music to listen to their equipment rather than the other way around, and spend silly money on 'directional' Ethernet and USB cables etc). I don't have an EQ in my main system, but I've connected an old Tandy (as Radio Shack used to be called here in the UK) own-brand graphic EQ up to the system in the office. It's not in the signal path; I've hooked it to the analogue output of an el-cheapo PCM2704-based USB sound card, with the actual audio coming via the SPDIF. This means I can have 'das blinkenlights' (ie the spectrum analyser) without messing up the signal path - and that proves very useful when mastering my own music.
I have the same graphic equaliser, but in black. I have until this last year kept the unit on stand by with the plug in to keep the memory of my settings. Stopped doing that now and the back up battery seems to be still keeping the settings even though it is now 35 years old. Thanks for letting me know about how you changed the battery, because I'm sure sooner rather than later my battery will go.
I know Norwich is a long way from you and you enjoy tinkering but there is a good retro repair shop in Norwich. It features in the Retro Electro Workshop TV program.
I have one of these in Brown. Hasn't been used in a good 15 years. Really not enough bands to be useful but good to see one in use. I must now check the battery on mine.
I worked at Radio Shack in the mid 80 during my high school years. Our go to on the audio systems wall were the spectrum analyzers and graphic eqs that we had hooked up and displaying what was played on at the time in the background. We were always tinkering with the settings, each one of us getting it "just right" for a specific song or personal preferences.
i actually picked one of these up after watching that video. it works great. never saved anything but i think i will snatch that battery out of there so it doesn't release the shmoo all over the board.
7:00 - yeah, I always have the need to increase the bass of my huge tefifone collection... That is what I love about this channel, Techmoan acts as if it is completely normal to have tefifones, 8Tracks, walkmen and Reel2Reel audio equipment readyly available either at your local dealer around the corner. Or at least just in your living room right next to the pile of dial-up Modems, your personal loudspeaker collection right next to your C64 and other 80's equipment. This always give me a blast of 40 years ago, I love it.
Reminded me of a time before youtube when I used to sit with the lights off listening to music by the light of my hifi nothing as good as yours but I wish I still had it.
I had a college friend in the early '90s who used to fly into a rage whenever anyone adjusted the equalizer in his stereo stack, because He Had It Exactly How He Wanted It... except that if you messed with it when he wasn't around, he never noticed it had been changed the next time he played something through it, as long as you didn't do something visually obvious like put them all to the same level. :)
@@MisakaMikotoDesu For the record, it was not a great system. It was what a 19-year-old kid who thought, possibly incorrectly, that he knew a thing or two about hi-fi could afford in 1992. :)
That EQ is so damn nice. I'd add in and out trafos and balanced connectivity (and perhaps rack ears) to use it in a studio, for sure. Also gotta say, I love your main hifi rig(s?). EDIT: 7:51 - 8:04 ... Too damn right!
The nice thing about the digital control EQs is they don't introduce noise like the slide fader type ones do. I have a couple of Technics EQ's. The SH-8055 (Faders) and the SH-GE70 (Digital controls). I need to check the SH-GE70 manual and see if there is a battery in that one too. The only devices I have ever seen batteries in are some of my vintage receivers with digital FM/AM Tuners.
Nice piece of kit, and graphic equalisers do have their uses. They can help with improving duff recordings by increasing the frequencies that have been lost, such as treble, mids, or even bass. This can make a duff recording sound Hi Res again. But you are not restricted to just bass and treble, you can TAILOR the sound to your PREFERENCE, which is the whole point about these devices. They give the user FLEXIBILITY! You can also use them in the recording chain, so you can boost frequencies that are being recorded too. So quite a handy piece of kit to have. 👍
Man, this is a throwback for me. The first major Hi-Fi setup we had growing up was a Technics set (I think my parents bought it around 1988 or so, when I was 12 years old). Along with a record player and cassette deck, it also had a multi-disc CD changer, and I'm pretty sure that equalizer you're working on was the same one we owned. If not identical, very similar.
I have this same model but in black, bought in 1989 and still works perfectly (original battery) great episode thanks I'll save this for future reference.
Man, do I miss that late-80s through mid-90s era of HiFi. The tech was finally as competent as it needed to be, but it hadn't yet gotten too "smart" for its own good. Truly a sweet spot.
I have the SH-GE70 and I do need it as my present amp doesnt quite have the bass that my previous one did and my 57 year old ears cannot hear as much treble. It may not be "audiophile" but my system sounds great with this equalizer.
I use an Onkyo EQ-35. its 12 band from 16hz to 32000hrz. It can bring out highs/lows from recordings that have none. One of the best pieces to have in a nice stereo setup. Problem is I use a modern receiver and it does not have a tape monitor. So, I can only use it with my CD player.
I never know why people have to complain about other peoples Hi-Fi configurations because it is the owner who enjoys and listens to it and not the people complaining.
But we can all agree that my system is the best one 😎
I don't either. I don't care that people have systems that are worse than mine. That is nothing to complain about.
Exactly, I like lots of bass, so I have my bass turned up, but not everyone does, a sound system should sound as good as the person who listens to it wants it to sound
It is exactly the same as the people who complain and berate people for the type beer they drink.
@@fissionchips8840 The difference is that he isn't making any kind of universal proclamation on the "right" way to do things - he's not saying that everyone should use a graphic equaliser; he's just explaining how he uses one and why he likes to. The comments he's referring to don't say "I don't use a graphic equaliser because of XYZ", they say "you should never use a graphic equaliser because of XYZ", which is quite patronising and obnoxious. I don't use one myself, but it's no skin off my nose if someone else chooses to.
Love that last shot of your HiFi setup! Spectrum mania in all its glory.
Nice bit of equipment.
I came in to say the same thing. Such a beautiful setup, I could watch it for hours lol.
Techmoan should do a 10 hour royalty free music ASMR video of just his HIFI playing.
That kit is not cheap either, the reel-to-reel alone is four figures.
and its also 1337
It's definitely the envy of any hi-fi enthusiast. It's a gorgeous setup.
I love how Mat says «and increase the base for your Tefifone» as if that's a semi normal thing to have, like a cassette deck.
Equalizer settings are also important if you have certain types of hearing loss. I have very awful low frequency hearing, but the highest frequencies are pretty close to normal, so I tend to boost the low and keep the highs alone mostly, and I rely on EQ settings to make audiobooks clearer as well.
I am 68 years old, and I know it's true. My hearing is not as good as it was 30 years ago. In my case, the high frequencies are sometimes jarring.
Can totally agree with having major mid frequency hearing loss.
Im deaf in one ear I've never heard stereo. Still like my music though and im quite fussy with tones albeit in glorious mono. 😁
@@Mitch-Hendren Ever thought about an implant? It surely sounds strange compared to a normal working ear though
@ThatSoddingGamer I bet your neighbors like to listen to those mighty basses too :P
Haha I loved that comment in the end. I'm a vinyl mastering engineer. I've cut master discs for over 20 years.... I've NEVER understood these Audiophiles. Even from a producers perspectives... Could never understand them.
A great example was an audiophile trying to explain to me how he wants to get the purist sound and blah blah blah, yet his exotic 5000 speakers sounded way to bright, his cartridge he used sounded way to soft, and completely did not sound like the source.... Guys.. Enjoy the music the way you want, we made the reference recording, you all should have fun with it.... Even if it's with Mega Bass 😂. Cheers
If it sounds good to the listener then it's absolutely fine. (Just don't force me to listen to your setup when you've turned on the Loudness button and cranked the bass and treble controls up to maximum!)
And the clock in the last shot is 13:37, that’s some elite level editing!
About 10 years ago I worked for an AudioVideo events company; the greatest legacy of working there for me was getting me out of that purist audiophile "objectivity" mindset for good. I saw how audio engineers actually do their craft in the real world and it isn't the sort of "pristine" objectivity that "consumer audiophiles" imagine it to be. There's constant tweaking to "fit the room", "adjust to the audience", and just pure "feel on the day". This includes an enormous amount of EQ to "ring out the room" as they say, along other subjective tricks and tools. There is no purist objective sound as "it was intended" to be reproduced; it's all based on subjective feel of the day. These "consumer audiophiles" are largely imagining a fictitious Platonic ideal of "sound as it was intended" that doesn't exist in the professional and industrial world of audio.
In my experience tweaking and EQ in domestic applications can be put behind one when the system is clean, simple and right, but that mainly involves choosing for what sounds good rather then what looks good and what is common expectation (like thick cables and complex solutions to non existing problems). I have heard 1960's mono radio's with a 3 dollar DAC on bluetooth sound very nice and more enjoyable than a 3000 Euro system....it's all about the enjoyment.
Heh, I was a pro live and studio engineer for 25 years and just got done writing my own rant where I went into all of that and just now saw your comment after finishing..
All I can say is a hearty YUP. 😂
Heh, really. Your comment mirrors so many points that I hit in mine.. thanks for that, I don't feel so awkward for going off on a rant now, lol.
Cheers!
I'm a 35 year live and studio audio pro, and I'm lucky to have had it knocked out of me before I finished highschool, doing punk band "tours" using hifis as amps for front of house. I don't mind if people prefer particular things, just don't be an asshole about it, ya know? And also, there is no objective truth in audio. Everyone hears differently. Also also, all electrons are the same. I'll stop and let someone else have a turn.
What really drove it home for me was, while doing a lot of retail installs - BGM/PA systems - getting a contract to set up demo rooms for a certain boutique outfit.
The rack of equipment on display wasn't actually connected to anything. The speakers were actually being driven by some remarkably affordable, off-the-shelf components mounted on a rack concealed inside a wall. And not even the _same_ equipment at every site!
Stuff on display? 5 figures, easy. Stuff in use? Maybe $3,000. And although they had their special, large-gauge, "high-end" cable - including in-wall - we were supplied with 1,000 foot reels of bog-standard jacketed 18/2. Sometimes it was foiled, but usually it just had the 20ga bonding wire.
Those jobs were quite interesting in other ways, but the audio side was literally just "Rack it up and plug it in." No tuning or adjusting _at all._
And the customers ate it up, sadly.
@@Sgtspork Thanks for all the replies. What's interesting to me is how this kind of "platonic" mindset of an "ideal form that exists the realms" as it were, only affects a certain kind of high end consumer and no other market segment. The average consumer for products doesn't care much, and the actual professionals don't get hamstrung on it either, it's just a certain kind of middle to high ground part of the "consumer" market that gets afflicted with this kind of intellectual goop. You see this in any for of audio/video/electronics, and computing. You see it a lot in the attitudes against "emulation" not being legitimate in the computing/video game space as well, or making "inside baseball" distinctions between FPGA hardware recreation vs actual hardware vs software emulation. Also in home video, and the like.
The best audio experience is in the ear of the beholder 😉
I agree, unless you are in the professional arena, you build your system and shape your sound for you. What other people think doesn't matter, I just needs to sound awesome to your ears
*listener
Seeing your Hifi setup again makes me hope that someday we get a tour of your Hifi room in it's entirety. Would love to see how it's evolved over the years as well!
I never had one of these but i remember wanting one as a kid back in the late ‘80s. I’m so greatful that new Techmoan videos keep comming week after week- thanks for all the hard work & dedication, Matt! I always smile when i see a new video is available…
you should look into the modern low cost 4 and 6 band EQs made by SCHIIT electronics. I swear by them, nice and small little EQs you can use anywhere. Their preamps are amazing little things too and not too expensive either.
This equalizer fits perfectly into your audio setting, making it even more beautiful.
A fantastic video! My only complaint was reminding me that 1988 was 35 years ago, but I'll live with that!
Excellent point about replacing back up batteries *before* they leak !
And they're in things you wouldn't expect - my old TIG welder had one that had spilled its guts - luckily it all came good with a scrub up to remove the gunk and solder in a new one.
Be careful *not* to short any tracks when doing so - they're normally supplied with a charge in them - more than enough to damage tracks and other components !
Many an Amiga has died for less!
@@matthewmarks6951 😁
I just bought a Beomaster 1000 from a splendid young man in Preston. He's re-capped it & replaced some components. I asked him if he was a "tinkerer". "No, I'm an electrical engineer" he replied. Very heartening to find a person in their 20s who is capable & enthusiastic about these sorts of things. I can let you have his number.....
Techmoan at his best! Short but highly informative, entertaining, and a perfect moan at the overtly virtuous audiophiles.
Short? No, a bit grumpy now and again, but give him an eggy sausage muffin and he perks right up.
Moaning about the type of people who believe that audio sounds better depending on the direction of a fuse fitted in a plug with AC passing through it.
@@SiaVids The same people who spend $50,000 on an amp because it has diamond traces and unobtanium transistors.
@@Dungeonseeker1uk Exactly 😁
My gold plated wallpaper leads to a richer sound@@SiaVids
That was a very slick battery repair - using the old posts instead of risking taking it out and then adding a much better battery carrier that you can replace the battery - very nice
Kudos on ending the video with your clock at 13:37, because you are LEET.
Also, I love seeing old tech being given new life, because as good as new tech is, the older tech just has a charm that new tech cannot match.
Finally... Techmoan is looking at something I used to own. Great stuff!
Soldering in the battery holder is a great idea and is exactly what I would have done - and in fact have done. Not only does it make future replacement of the battery easier, should this unit move on from your possession or be put in storage for a long time, the battery becomes far less of a concern vis-a-vis leakage
I know what you mean about ANTI-EQ snobs. I use to tell them that I had 4 separate EQ units patched together on my system two for right ch and two for left ch. You could just watch the arrogance and color drain from their face. I have the same battery problem with my vintage Technics eq like yours but mine has the TOUCH -SENSITIVE slider pads. Thanks Matt
You not only repaired it, you made a great improvement. I’m also a fan of graphic equalizers, I spend a lot of time in my car commuting so mobile audio is my thing, and vehicle acoustics can be quite a challenge to overcome and get things to sound how I enjoy listening to them. Keep up the great content, I always look forward to kicking off my Saturday with your video.
Changed a number of ‘memory’ batteries. Was asked ti look at a printer that ‘only printed to Legal size paper. Took off off cover and mentioned poss battery they only last 5 years. Took out the CR2032 and hmm the date of manufacture was 5 years to the day old!! Smiled and said. Told you so. New CR2032 and printer now happy to print in A sizes
Really like how you just love your hifi and choices, and you're right, just do what makes you happy. A lot of audiophile gear sounds rather poorly and the listening experience could very much benefit from an EQ and the eighties had some really nice and enjoyable gear. I made, based on good advice, other choises, which are totally unfit for most people. Having 1,30m large horn speakers with 18 inch woofers on a simple system that defies all audiophile laws in the living room is something I enjoy every day. And I hope that everybody enjoys their hobby as much or even more. cheers.
Two things: #1 - Technics makes my favorite audio equipment. / #2 - YOU would be my most trusted audio analyst.
Listening through EQ is a night and day difference. It's something I'm never going to go without now.
Nothing like a good rant on a Saturday before the crack of dawn! I approve Mat. Thank You
Your absolutely right about equalization Matt!! For my HiFi I have to use an equalizer (Teac EQA-10) for the Dolby Digital and DTS as they have a habit of losing bass and mid level on my JBL speakers.They are vintage as well, and are known for their bass. And while most home theater/receiver presets are adequate, they do have room for improvement. Especially for a mix of vintage and modern audio components. If you don't like Matt's setup or demonstrations, there are a lot of other channels that specialize in the "audiophile" tastes and sensibilities. Try those and let Matt do what he does best, and thats to share his enthusiasm about his hobby with the community.
I love your Hi-Fi setup. It looks so cool and sounds great.
The other reason to have an EQ, is that everyones hearing is different. some dramatically.
I've got a 15 band per channel graphic EQ, it looks and feels so cheap and crappy with it's tiny slidy knobs and a power LED. But it works.
Yeah, it's like "no EQ, never! it's a heresy!"... while people tend to lose the upper part of the bandwidth over time. Listening room accoustics differ too, so do speaker systems. While I don't use an EQ myself, it's not final. Things affecting my hearing may happen over time or incidentally.
Great video/explanation. The tape monitor concept can confuse casual users who are frustrated by a silent Hi-Fi, then "blasted" when they finally figure it out. One of my Pioneer receivers flashes the tape monitor indicator every time inputs are switched as a reminder, but the most intuitive controls I have seen are on a Yamaha receiver with a separate "Rec Out" selector instead of tape monitor on/off. You set the input selector to tape, then the rec out selector becomes the input selector...
Absolutely love your Hi-Fi set up.
I've had this equalizer but I gave it to a friend because the plastic glass came loose and I couldn't get it back attached. They glued it to the middle frame with so strong adhesive that I couldn't find any glue that would keep it in place forever. Other than that it's a nice device, I still use the SH-8046 every day.
This one had a bit of everything. Successful repair with a helpful battery compartment. A money shot of all the items in your collection that made it to the hi-fi/living room. Examination of the dead component with the differences in chemical composition. Under 10 minutes. Great!
Would love to see a walkthrough of your hifi setup. Which components are used, how you're routing it. Looks like an awesome setup!
Really curious as well!
Great vid. Can we please get an up to date tour of your hi fi? I know it is always changing but that last shot before the credits deserves its own video!
Thanks again. Awesome work!!!
You have the best channel on TH-cam for tech junkies and retro tech junkies - I think I have seen every single video and the production value is just outstanding!
Well the audio experience is in the ear of the beholder
I had the SH-8066 in that catalog. I really like what technics were doing in this era.
Nice time showing in that final shot 1337.
Now having some good old late-seventies equipent recently (recordplayer from technics, amp from kenwood), I was wondering if you need any heating in the room with all your equipment when it's turned on. Some of it can turn quite warm, can't it.
I love how Techmoan also comes up with solutions. I would never have come up with an idea like this to get around the battery problem. Thanks to videos like this, I'm getting more and more confident about doing my own repairs.
Thank you!
I have a similar unit, the Sansui SE-88 (which I believe was available in silver as well), and I like it for the same reasons you like the Technics!
Love the shorter format. Around 10 minutes is perfect. I understand sometimes you need more for a deep dive but I don't always have 10 or 30 minutes.
Anyway, as always, thanks for listening!
Thanks to your nice revisiting of the EQ line of Technics I realized I have a SH-8055 which seems to be at, or near, the top of the range. I should dig it out of my stored gear. Perhaps doing something similar to your battery replacement. Pooh on those who are anti-tone control. My unit was used to help make the best recordings of cassettes for almost a ten-year period until I moved on from cassettes When I listen to those cassettes today they sound really good. Tweaking the curve was a solid decision and the Technics turned out to be a great find as I bought used at the time. in the eighties along with an Optimus receiver that I used until just a few weeks ago for music at my shoe repair shop. It finally died by the interjection of spurious noise making it a fantastic over-achiever needing retirement. Great video as usual!
I agree 100%. Set up your system to sound the way you like it. Not even the very best equipment will be like actually being at a live performance, and so many things will affect the sound anyway, so at the end of the day, just go for the sound you like!
Got two SH Technics equalisers. SH-GE70 and a SH-E66 in perfect condition. I’ve had the SH-GE70 in my system via the amps loop out for about 7 years. It performs excellently and no audible noise at all. To my ears it has no detrimental effect on the audio, if anything the vocals sound even more centred. It was so good I bought the second one just in case.
I will keep in mind the need to possibly replace the battery in the future, for now I have the EQ settings written down just in case it ever forgets them, but thus far no issues.
I bought the SH-GE70 brand new, about 30 years ago. It's still in good condition.
@@Sigma-INFJ.It’s a very good unit I think. I’m sure no true audiophile would want it in their system but I have much praise for how it performs in my system. The SH-E66 is the same as the SH-GE70 except the E66 doesn’t have the 2 buttons on the right side. EQ Rec and Input Selector, never used them so doesn’t matter to me. I paid about $200 for each on eBay. Can get them cheaper but these were both like new.
@@aussie8114I actually paid around $200 dollars when I bought it new 30 years ago.
Thanks for the video. I have had one Technics equalizer similar to this since the 1980's. It has always worked great, flawless.
Good repair! I've got the SH-8066 since the end of the 80s and it works properly tilt this day...
I remember getting into analog audio thanks to your videos.
My Technics Amp is 36 years old, had a graphic equaliser with digital display and physical sliders works perfectly fine.
That is an absolutely wonderful system you have there! I had a "cough" Realistic/ Radio Shack version of this year's ago and absolutely loved and actually miss it!
Nothing wrong with Realistic gear, so long as you understand that they had a range of models for different budgets. They made decent audio available through their large network of store locations. True audio stores were not always nearby, but Radio Shack was. Similarly there was Lafayette Radio and Olson Electronics, but they had much fewer locations.
And yes, I will admit that the lower-end models were not as spectacular from the viewpoint of an audiophile (or wanna-be)! 🙂
Same, I had a realistic from RS as well, with physical sliders and green/red meter lights. I remember my friends and I all wanted to copy Ferris Beuhler's setup...
Some of the Realistic stuff was pretty decent, in particular for the price. Most of the audio gear rotated through one month a year when it was on sale at a good discount. A lot of my old Realistic stuff from the 1980s was replaced with better gear, but to be fair most of the Realistic still worked when I got rid of it, and some of the very-expensive replacements--while fancier and much higher-end--have failed in less time.
In my home theater setup I have two first-revision "Mach One" speakers (which I sometimes rotate out with Mach Two's) which I find a bit weak on midrange, so I paired them with two nice "end of the era" Optimus speakers with the Linaeum tweeters which have good highs and great midrange but not good bass. Combine the two and I quite like the sound. It's not quite as nice as my friend's speaker set that was $3500 around 1998. But you know, the difference isn't worth $3000. I got the Mach Two's and the Optimus Pro LX5'-2s both on half-price sales.
Sansui Se-88. Got one of those a few years ago and I kind of consider it the pinnacle of component EQs. Still working perfectly after all these years.
I used to own the 8055 model, I found it in a charity shop for £25 about 10 years ago. I loved it, and I loved how it made things sound. I had to sell it when moved in with girlfriend, but made a very healthy profit on it!
I had the black variety of this equaliser back in the day. I loved it for the same reasons you do.
Thanks to you explaining how an equaliser connects to a system as well as demonstarting yours I am going to add one to my modest system; in fact I'm on eBay Germany right now taking a look.
I also enjoyed you dig at our good friends... those Audiophiles.
I have a kenwood that is similar but i like this technics better the no slider option just shows how much more technology went in to technics products.
Of course, the primary purpose for EQ originally was to adjust and balance sound on Tapes, Customizing the sound was something that people just started doing and that's totally fine. My car audio has an eq and it has no tape at all, I use my eq. I don't know if I'm making sense, it's late at night at the time of my writing this so if it's rubbish, just ignore me.
Graphic equalizer is still an essential audio equipment required in a stereo system in my opinion even though stereo amplifiers have bass and treble tone control because it boosted or cut a specific range of frequencies to improve sound quality on some music genres. I think the decline of graphic equalizer used in home stereo system was because of loudness war on music since the late 90s which recording studios have "mastered" music with their so-called own factory settings. Another reason is that because nobody used cassette tapes to record anymore which caused the removal of tape monitor loop switch on amplifiers and even though if todays amplifier contains a main in pre out switch, it is no longer jumpered and it acts as pre amplifier mode input like my Marantz PM-8006. Another alternative that I enjoy this equipment is because of looking at the spectrum analyser when I'm not equalizing it. Most simple answer I can say for audiophile today is they simply want everything to be simple and not complicated.
Technics equipment was always the up-line Matsushita/Panasonic/National marque in the US en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technics_(brand) . This really takes me right back to my teen years in the '80s. As a radio amateur, I'm always impressed at the build quality of these units. I remember how I and my friends were always so mesmerized by those flourescent bar graphic equalizer displays ... so much more "modern" than normal needle VU meters of the day. It was truly a glimpse into the future!
I recently fixed up an old G.E. all in one system from the same period and you should see how big the circuit boards are. 2 the size of the units foot print. This looks so much more elegant.
Completely love your set up, very solid components and reminds me of much of my own gear no longer with me. This may start a search marathon.
that thing is so gorgeous. i really miss this era of audio. thanks for sharing!
Damn straight! Audiophiles can blow me! I run an eq and there is nothing they can do about it
This was a great repair and bit of future proofing as well, but I can't help thinking I'd have put that battery case outside on the back of the unit, then run the wires inside. No more worry about a damaging lab inside, and no need to open the case when the battery does eventually die.
Thats just me though. Thanks for another great little video.
I agree with you I always like adding a equalizer or tone controls. Listen to it the way you want to listen to it and forget those to tell you how to listen to your own music. Thanks for the good videos have a good holiday.
I have an Akai tuner that had he same battery issue, also replaced with a battery holder soldered to the connections. Now it remembers the presets, but only for about 30 mins, then it forgets again. This is an improvement on it being completely forgetful, but I think there is a capacitor that is part of the circuit that also needs replacing.
For other silver facia EQs Akai did a full range from the same era, but I don't know of any that had spectrum analysers built in, I think they're all just EQ.
I picked this EQ up a few years ago and it's a great addition to my rig. I have the black version of it. I've never listened to the online snobs about the EQ, I'm happy with it so that's what matters to me.
Thats a cool looking setup
I am so happy that I got the matching equalizer for my Pioneer system. I don't use it for playing records, but it makes radio broadcast sound so much better. If it wasn't meant to be a part of my system, the engineers at Pioneer wouldn't have made it.
I found out a couple of years ago that the "proper" way to use a graphic equalizer is that you are supposed to connect a mic to it. set it in the room where you normally listen, run white noise through the GE and adjust the sliders till the sound is flat in the center on all freqs. supposedly the point of a GE is to compensate for acoustics in a room.
Loving this. I'd consider myself a hi-fi enthusiast (I don't use the word 'audiophile' nowadays, as that has connotations of people that use music to listen to their equipment rather than the other way around, and spend silly money on 'directional' Ethernet and USB cables etc).
I don't have an EQ in my main system, but I've connected an old Tandy (as Radio Shack used to be called here in the UK) own-brand graphic EQ up to the system in the office. It's not in the signal path; I've hooked it to the analogue output of an el-cheapo PCM2704-based USB sound card, with the actual audio coming via the SPDIF. This means I can have 'das blinkenlights' (ie the spectrum analyser) without messing up the signal path - and that proves very useful when mastering my own music.
I have the same graphic equaliser, but in black. I have until this last year kept the unit on stand by with the plug in to keep the memory of my settings. Stopped doing that now and the back up battery seems to be still keeping the settings even though it is now 35 years old. Thanks for letting me know about how you changed the battery, because I'm sure sooner rather than later my battery will go.
7:59 that setup 😍
Nice setup you have there. // I'm glad that you mentioned about avoiding the slider configuration when it comes to equalizers. True, true.
I know Norwich is a long way from you and you enjoy tinkering but there is a good retro repair shop in Norwich. It features in the Retro Electro Workshop TV program.
I love it ❤ Merry Christmas to Everyone
Great fix, good design that they used a lithium battery and not the leaky ni-cad's, they destroy the pcb. Lithium just goes flat but does not leak.
I have one of these in Brown. Hasn't been used in a good 15 years. Really not enough bands to be useful but good to see one in use. I must now check the battery on mine.
I worked at Radio Shack in the mid 80 during my high school years. Our go to on the audio systems wall were the spectrum analyzers and graphic eqs that we had hooked up and displaying what was played on at the time in the background. We were always tinkering with the settings, each one of us getting it "just right" for a specific song or personal preferences.
i actually picked one of these up after watching that video. it works great. never saved anything but i think i will snatch that battery out of there so it doesn't release the shmoo all over the board.
7:00 - yeah, I always have the need to increase the bass of my huge tefifone collection...
That is what I love about this channel, Techmoan acts as if it is completely normal to have tefifones, 8Tracks, walkmen and Reel2Reel audio equipment readyly available either at your local dealer around the corner. Or at least just in your living room right next to the pile of dial-up Modems, your personal loudspeaker collection right next to your C64 and other 80's equipment. This always give me a blast of 40 years ago, I love it.
Thanks for one more interesting video
Live the way your components look together especially with all the lights and by meters
Thanks. Really enjoy your focus on home audio. Your setup is enviable.
Reminded me of a time before youtube when I used to sit with the lights off listening to music by the light of my hifi nothing as good as yours but I wish I still had it.
I had a Technics 8075 many years ago. wonderful piece of gear, never mind the Audiohpiles....just listen the the music the way you want it....
I had a college friend in the early '90s who used to fly into a rage whenever anyone adjusted the equalizer in his stereo stack, because He Had It Exactly How He Wanted It... except that if you messed with it when he wasn't around, he never noticed it had been changed the next time he played something through it, as long as you didn't do something visually obvious like put them all to the same level. :)
@@MisakaMikotoDesu For the record, it was not a great system. It was what a 19-year-old kid who thought, possibly incorrectly, that he knew a thing or two about hi-fi could afford in 1992. :)
That EQ is so damn nice. I'd add in and out trafos and balanced connectivity (and perhaps rack ears) to use it in a studio, for sure. Also gotta say, I love your main hifi rig(s?).
EDIT: 7:51 - 8:04 ... Too damn right!
The nice thing about the digital control EQs is they don't introduce noise like the slide fader type ones do. I have a couple of Technics EQ's. The SH-8055 (Faders) and the SH-GE70 (Digital controls). I need to check the SH-GE70 manual and see if there is a battery in that one too. The only devices I have ever seen batteries in are some of my vintage receivers with digital FM/AM Tuners.
Nice piece of kit, and graphic equalisers do have their uses.
They can help with improving duff recordings by increasing the frequencies that have been lost, such as treble, mids, or even bass. This can make a duff recording sound Hi Res again. But you are not restricted to just bass and treble, you can TAILOR the sound to your PREFERENCE, which is the whole point about these devices. They give the user FLEXIBILITY!
You can also use them in the recording chain, so you can boost frequencies that are being recorded too. So quite a handy piece of kit to have. 👍
I paused at 8:12...what a beautiful set up that is ! 😊
I still have Technics se-gh70 that doesn't have this problem. The display doesn't fade through the years either. Terrific machine!
Man, this is a throwback for me. The first major Hi-Fi setup we had growing up was a Technics set (I think my parents bought it around 1988 or so, when I was 12 years old). Along with a record player and cassette deck, it also had a multi-disc CD changer, and I'm pretty sure that equalizer you're working on was the same one we owned. If not identical, very similar.
ever watched "mend it mark" right up your street..
Another great video. Thank you for this channel.
I have this same model but in black, bought in 1989 and still works perfectly (original battery) great episode thanks I'll save this for future reference.
I've had 2 of these I'm looking for another one
Man, do I miss that late-80s through mid-90s era of HiFi. The tech was finally as competent as it needed to be, but it hadn't yet gotten too "smart" for its own good. Truly a sweet spot.
Technics always has a place in my teenage heart, beautiful kit, thanks Matt, awesome video, hope you're good mate 👊
I have the SH-GE70 and I do need it as my present amp doesnt quite have the bass that my previous one did and my 57 year old ears cannot hear as much treble. It may not be "audiophile" but my system sounds great with this equalizer.
I run a highend rotary dj mixer as my preamp. Lots of nobs and switches and meters. Has a built in sub bass syth, 3 outs and 8 inputs.
About the closest thing to "they can go and get f**ked" I've ever heard TM say. Right on!
That device is precious, as well as your presentation!
I use an Onkyo EQ-35. its 12 band from 16hz to 32000hrz. It can bring out highs/lows from recordings that have none. One of the best pieces to have in a nice stereo setup. Problem is I use a modern receiver and it does not have a tape monitor. So, I can only use it with my CD player.
It is very nice when Techmoan uploads a video.