"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...
In article , Eiron

Iain wrote
This may explain why Harold Leak rode to the factory in a Rolls and
Ted Rule used a bicycle:-)

Jim Wrote
It does seem a rather odd outburst coming out of nowhere onto this thread.

You mentioned a cheap Armstrong system on e-Bay.
I mentioned the red Armstrong valve amp.

But it is an interesting example of someone judging something purely on
appearances. :-)

Build quality is indeed only part of the story. It will be interesting
to take some measurements, and do some listening also.

The Rolls Royce/bicycle joke is as old as the hills. I am sure TR
has heard it:-) I heard it first many years ago, from a salesman at a
hifi shop (Henry's?) in Tottenham Court Road. I had a summer
job in a small studio nearby and I used to spend my lunchtimes at
the hifi shop listening to their amp and speaker demos.

TBH I'm not sure Ted rode a bicycle. I'll ask him. Iain might find it
useful to be aware that he is still alive in case he wants to futher
patronise him or criticise his work.

Yes, I know he is still alive. Hopefully in good health.
I do not criticise his work but state plainly that the inside
of the amp is a rat's comparted with Leak TL12. I will post
some pics when available.

As for the Rolls, well Leak was always very good at publicity and
self-promotion.

He had quality products, a good engineering team, and a
workshop full of delightful middle-aged ladies in headscarves
and bright floral aprons, who had worked for the Gov't
wiring mil-spec equipment just a few years before.
(I know about the ladies becuse I visited the factory in
East Acton with my Dad when I was a very young lad:-)

Henry Leak himself was a first class salesman. He travelled the
world demonstrating Leak products. The UK national press
covered his trip to Australia. Excellent PR.

But some may recall the story of how his (sic) first
transistor amp design was actually 'developled'.

Most of us know the story (apocryphal) Jim.
No one would be so foolish. A locker at Waterloo station
propably cost 3d back then:-)
Do you think anyone believes such a tall story?

BTW Iain, if your friend wants to sell the amp, I'm sure he can get a
higher price for it somewhere and make a profit. He may not be able to buy
his own Rolls from it, though.

I made him an offer. It would be an interesting piece of British audio
history to own. I recently visited a dealer who has a pristine pair of
Leak TL12's for sale (consecutive serial numbers) at SEK 12,000
(that's roughly UKP 1000)

There is a similar pair on e-Bay at the moment going cheap at £700
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leak-TL-12...-/152075207596
Still four days to go.

There is also a pair of TL10s at UKP 1300
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-of-Le...-/262302181486



Iain