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Armstrong 626 Receiver

I recently got an Armstrong 626 receiver from England. This is a very little known unit in the US, and is very rare here also. I got a chance to hear and compare one to other top name receivers and amps during the 80's, when someone traded a 626 in at a high-end shop I worked at. I was very impressed with the sound, and always wanted to get one.They have been out of business since about 1980. I think this receiver is about the best one I've ever heard. Easily better than the Tandberg, Revox, B&O, and also the Rogers, Quad, Meridian, and Arcam inegrated/tuner combos. Analog tuner is on par with Tandberg, with really good capture,sensitivity, selectivity, and provides imaging and soundstage that is hard to find with tuners. The amp is 40 watts with high current, and a large toroid transformer.It's very clean power, and I think it would drive Quad ESL's great. Front end includes a good phono section. This is a keeper. The only down side is the DIN connectors, since it was a Euro market item. Is there anyone out there who has one or has heard one? This is one of the biggest secrets in audio gear that I can think of.
twl
alasdairc0c8
2 posts
 
Hi there....
For the first time in a couple of years or so, I searched on the internet for info on my Armstrong 626 and..... you might be interested in what I found.... thrilling stuff at
http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html.

Cheers from NZ......

Al
twl OP
3,251 posts
 
Thank you, although I did post this thread almost 4 months ago, I am glad to see that some will go through the old archives and respond. I have found the same site, and subsequently found out some things that I didn't even know about the unit. That is a very good site.
ap175
1 posts
 
I have one and I agree that it is a particularly good sounding receiver. Mine will be up for sale shortly. Got to get rid of some of the excess gear I have accumulated.
Back in the '70's Jim Boyk included the Armstrong in his recommended components along with the Polk 7 the LS3/5a and the Yamaha CR-1000.
I have owned everything except the Polks and heartily agree with his recommendations.
wadiho1e10
1 posts
 
I purchased mine in Melbourne in 1978. It has been a great centrepiece of my HiFi listening.... Recently the AM tuner died and the thermal cut out goes off after 2 to 3 hours of listening...then it cuts back in.
I am regretfully thinking of selling it, as repairs will be either expensive or difficult to replace the parts,
I find it fascinating that its slim piano key face still has it looking very modern and with it...alas they don't make them like they used to!!!!

Wadkar1
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