Quote:
Originally Posted by gadget73
It seems that there are at least 3 Masterpiece models. 2 in a cabinet like mine, and one with a bakelite front. All the ones I've seen online have the other chassis with a "staggered" tube layout, where mine are all inline. I don't honestly know the difference if it was more involved than a physical layout change. As for the transformers, well they seem to work, though the audio quality isn't so hot. One may be bad, not honestly sure. It appears that one was previously replaced, but its with a unit that looks absolutely identical to the other. Either it was replaced with an OEM one, or just the wires were re-soldered to it. That looks to be the only work ever done to this set. Its totally un-molested internally.
I know I had one go bad in my Radiola 18 and I bypassed it with a simple RC network. I stuck that one inside the box where the interstage lives, so its nearly undetectable. I've actually been told that RC coupling usually gives better sound quality than the original interstage setup provided for. I know my 18 sounds pretty darn decent, especially given that I'm using it on the correct Radiola 100a speaker from the late 20s. Its not HiFi, but its very workable for AM listening.
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Although it doesn't have to be so a transformer-coupled interstage of the day was usually of narrower bandwidth along with non-flatness of frequency response as compared to an RC-coupled stage--thus the inferior sound quality. The tradeoff is that the TC setup is often of greater efficiency within its bandwidth than the RC type. I've not attempted to drive a horn with my Freshman; just headphones. But I enjoyed hearing a symphony orchestra on a station out of NYC, and was surprised to hear the full body of the timpani.
Both my chasses are of the "staggered" socket configuration. The coil design on these sets is worthy of mention.