Armstrong 626 Receiver

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

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.

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.

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

Would it be difficult for a good technician to replace the Din connectors with basic RCA,etc. types?

Hi Sherod ... you could try this guy - http://www.londonsound.org/

Good luck from NZ
Alasdair@operamail.com

Thanks for the recommendation.

I sold Armstrong receivers in a shop called Westwoods in Oxford . Recently I took a 625 out of hibernation . As all have said a lovely sound . I also have a Kenwood KR 750 which is equally loved .

Westwoods was connected with Armstong as he ( sorry I forget the name ) bought his components from Leslie Westwood when a student . This man visited me not long before his death to show the 800 series ( fantastic and advanced design ) . He named the company after his favourite motor car an Armstrong Siderley if I remember it correctly .

I find a remarkable quality in this design apart from those stated . It never is loud . The sound is to be heard everywhere in the house thus is loud .

Technically, the power amplifier design uses a single input transistor having a double feedback loop with double NPN quasi complimentary outputs. The ouput is capacitor coupled . The driver load is by bootstrap capacitor ( A high grade here might be an idea . 50 uF from memory . 47 uF 100 v now ) I remember Armstong saying testing would have to be with a dummy loudspeaker network to get the stated distortion . Hi Fi news retested and confirmed that . The drivers are TV CRT transistors. A good choice as the requirements are similar . I wonder if this real loudspeaker loud situation explains the above average sound ( many tube amps are not this good ) . Also it is rare to take feedback after the feedback capacitor . It can make an amplifier unstable , Armstrong made it work .

The only modification I would recomend is to replace the power amplifier input coupling capacitor with a 1 uF film type . This will reduce volume control noise and is big enough to do the job . Armstrong use 10 uF from memory . Check the big power supply capacitor from time to time . Any increase in hum will be a danger sign . WD 40 is excellent for restoring switches etc , I suspect it is sonically the best of such treatments .

The FM is as said a reference for other designs .

Hi all - I have owned an used an Arnstrong 626 since about 1969 and it has always been my go to quality amp . I've made numerous repairs including three sets of volume / balance /bass and treble pots but recently had a real problem with heavy thumping in my B&W speakers at any high volume. I changed all main power supply components but didn't clear the problem until I replaced the voltage stabiliser components - now it works as good if not better than ever. The exact replacement NPN transistors were just not available so had to use equivalents . If anyone has a similar problem don't despair it can be done . more info on equivalents available on request. I have a full digital Naim set up but to be honest i really miss the smoothness of the 626 which is currently used for monitoring duties.