Vintage test equipment

Some viewers have noticed the vintage test equipment in the background of Paul's videos. Paul tells us about his favorite, the HP 333A distortion analyzer.
Have you gotten your copy of the Audiophile's Guide to setup? Make magic with your system using this guide and CD.

[SinnerSince]

Paul, I've always respected you and your passion for creating the best audio components one can buy. But today, I gained a totally new appreciation when I saw your expressions and excitement in using old, tried and true gear. You have the heart of a champion, and your drive to be the best you can be is a tribute to PS Audio.

[graxjpg]

Mr Carlsons lab is such a great resource for anyone interested in this stuff. I love this stuff!!!

[johnhodgson]

I'm late to the show. I enjoyed this a great deal. There is an excitement about manualy tuning those old rigs. I had a couple of HP distortion analyzers, a 330B and a 332. They sure were fun to use and I was astonished how well the 330 worked when it was well set up. I still use a Sound Technologies 1700A from time to time.

[MK-rnhm]

Awesome explanation of what otherwise is little known of designing a good amplifier.

[cjhodgson]

I enjoyed this the most of your videos. I had HP analyzers and still use a Sound Technologies 1700A from time to time. Love the theatre.

[SLCVideoProductions]

Really nice job of explaining the use of the venerable old 334a and the excitement in turning the controls to more sensitive ranges. But if you then had to go to another frequency or two....

[willhaylock]

I used the HP333A everyday testing the Cambridge audio P60 in 1974/5 when I was a technician at the original Cambridge Audio Company in St.Ives, Cambs, England :)

[stimpy]

Back in the day the names Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix were synonymous with great test equipment.

[磁鬼頻率]

this was cool to learn about. I actually opted for a audio product with harmonic distortion as part of the circuit design as i prefer the idea compared to a completely clean signal. i know i like added harmonics from tubes so i thought why not...

[giuseppelazzarotto]

Paul, the passion you put in your work is amazing! keep going on!

[laurentzduba]

Reminds me of the "vintage" Type 517 oscilloscope with over 100 vacuum tubes in it that I've used during my ROTC days back in 1989.

[Rickzolla]

Ah yes. My old friend the HP 333. Back in the day I tested Sherwood, Souncraftsman, and SAE with that baby. Seems like another lifetime.

[Hey.Joe_Ridley]

Greetings from the old guy who was the only one able to drive the old Marconi LCR bridge!

And that was 20 years ago😉

[NickP]

That old distortion analyzer really brought back some great memories, huh, Paul? 🤗

[ThinkingBetter]

Some ignorant audiophiles believe measurements are not important and some ignorant engineers believe that listening tests are not important. You need both.

[hugobloemers]

"The Judge" makes its own very nice sounds and Paul can mimic them perfecty. Much more exiting than the sounds of the computerized model :)

[savvassidiropoulos]

That same tactile effect and engagement is what draws people (or keeps them) into analogue sources like turntables, R2R decks and cassette. Computers and digital is all fine and dandy but they spoil the fun of engagement and effort. It must be something in our DNA, that makes as want to work hard and suffer before we can enjoy.

[sofa-lofa]

Yup, you can't beat the old gear for hands on user experience, a mouse and keyboard just isn't the same, ,
I still use my trusty Thurlby Thandar (now sold as TTI) PL-330 QMD power supply from around the late 70's, so much nicer to use than my modern P.S.U,

This thing hasn't been calibrated for around 25 years but I've had it checked against some freshly calibrated gear and it's not far off at all, fine for home use,
This thing wasn't cheap in its day, but today you have to spend silly money to get that kind of quality

[doylewayne]

Thanks Paul, lol, about the 4:00 mark my mind quickly went to that old RUSH lyric 'analog kid becomes a digital man man' . Thanks for your Vids Paul ;-))

[spacemissing]

Nothing beats old stuff, even if new stuff for the same purpose is technically better.