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1962 the Voice of Music Model 1448 Integrated Amplifier and Model 1462 Tuner

Posted on April 27, 2020 by Hepcats Haven

While I was searching for a cool vintage Heathkit audio set up I stumbled across this really cool “the Voice of Music” set up which includes an amp, tuner, record player and reel to reel. As you may remember this is not our first product from “The Voice of Music”. We also have a Tri-O-Matic Model 560A.

These units are in really good shape. I was hesitant to purchase them because the amp did not have all its original knobs. After a short search on eBay I managed to find some knobs that should look very close to original.

These units are completely functional and the tuner is very strong and clear pulling in stations easily. It’s crazy how tight they pack the units into their cases. When these old tuners and amps run the tubes can get so dang hot. Most folks take the cases off so the electronics can breathe.

It’s hard to believe how little info there is online about these units.

The outside cases have some kind of durable textured finish that seems pretty bullet proof.

This is the record player that came with this ‘the Voice of Music” lot. This was taken out of a stereo counsel. The gentleman I purchased it from actually did a good job building a wood platform base for it. I need to have a power cord installed and audio jacks so I can run it through the amplifier.

My purchase also included a small reel to reel that I got for free. It isn’t functional. I prefer the larger reel to reels and will be looking for one. I also want to locate some “the Voice of Music” speakers to complete the set. If you got any let me know!!! This will all be dealt with once we get down to Texas. I can not wait!!!!

Vintage Heathkit/Daystrom Component Audio System

Posted on April 25, 2020 by Hepcats Haven

As I mentioned earlier I have always wanted to assemble a really cool vintage audio component system. It took some time and some money but I was able to do it. After pouring over all the options out there and what looked the most atomic I decided on Heathkit. The four components I was able to find were the Heathkit AJ-30 Tuner, AA-100 Amplifier, AA-11 Pre-Amplifier & AC-11 Multiplex Adaptor. I am in no way an audio aficionado. I am gonna have to figure this out as I go. Of course since these are vintage I need to get them completely checked out before I seriously start to use them. It is kind of hard to know an exact date these were produced. Searching online I have seen folks say 1961 and as late as 1963???

What I dig about these are the saddle colored cases, chrome tapered bezel and of course how the displays light up!

As usual with newly acquired vintage electronics they will need work. It appears the pre-amplifier lighted display isn’t working. Once I get these all dialed in it will be something to see!

The next thing I want to locate is a Heathkit record player, Heathkit reel to reel (AD-22) and also some matching Heathkit speakers (Heathkit/Altec Legato).

Heath was one of those companies that help started the kit business. Ed Heath founded the company in 1926 with, of all things, an airplane kit. He died in a test flight in one in 1935, but Howard Anthony kept the company going. Right after World War II, he bought a batch of electronic surplus. Out of that came one of the first successful kits, a small oscilloscope for $50, which was a real achievement in its time. With that success came many new products. Heathkit most notable product is their ham radios. Tragedy struck yet again in 1954 when Howard Anthony was also killed in an plane crash.

Edward Heath

Howard Anthony

Products Heathkit produced over the decades have included electronic test equipment, high fidelity home audio equipment, television receivers, amateur radio equipment, robots, electronic ignition conversion modules for early model cars with point style ignitions, and the influential Heath H-8, H-89, and H-11 hobbyist computers, which were sold in kit form for assembly by the purchaser.

What was great about Heathkit is folks could either order a kit to assemble these products or order them already assembled. Heathkit manufactured electronic kits from 1947 until 1992. After closing that business, the Heath Company continued with its products for education, and motion-sensor lighting controls. The lighting control business was sold around 2000.

I can’t recall where I read it but it appears Heathkit is back making kits and if that’s so I am sure there are a lot of folks out there who would love to get their hands on one of those kits. Once we get down to Texas I will have these tuned up and hopefully be well on my way to finding the other items mentioned above. If you have a line on any of the items I mentioned above feel free to reach out to me.