Armstrong Audio
Encyclopedia
Armstrong Audio, originally called Armstrong Wireless and Television Ltd. was a British
manufacturer of radios and other audio equipment based in London
, England
. Founded by Claude Charles Jackson in 1932.
Initially created to manufacture portable radios, during World War II
their factory was used to manufacture radios, public address systems, and various electronic parts. After the war, they began to produce television sets, as well as long range radios for ships, but eventually ceased production of those lines to manufacture radios, amplifiers and tuners for home consumer use. In the 1950s when the high fidelity
market began to take shape, the company name was changed to Armstrong Audio and they focused their marketing and manufacturing at becoming hi-fi specialists.
During the 1960s and 1970s they were extremely successful, creating several durable radio models which are still in use by consumers today, but by the end of the 1970s their lease on their factory ran out and it was decided not to invest in a new one. The building was torn down and the owners redeveloped it.
Using plans developed for a further radio model, some of the staff continued on as Armstrong Amplifiers, but due to a lack of capital and suitable manufacturing space, production did not last long.
Today, what once was Armstrong Audio is now called Armstrong Hi-Fi and Video Services and is based out of Walthamstow
, and they provide maintenance contract to a number of retail stores.
It employed germanium AL102 transistors in its output stages and these had a reputation for failure and are now unobtainable although it is possible, with modification to replace these with newer, silicon transistors. The amplifier was a single rail design and employed an electrolytic output capacitor in the output stage. The amplifier featured inputs for tape, tuner and MM gramophone and on the front panel had 4 rotary controls for volume, bass, treble and balance. Underneath these controls were a series of black push buttons which allowed control of the input sources as well as loudness, high pass filters, rumble filters and tape bypass. The amplifier was presented with an aluminum, sili-screened front panel with a teak case and a matte black rear panel. The amplifiers were marketed from the 1968-1972 when its was replaced by 600 series.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
manufacturer of radios and other audio equipment based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Founded by Claude Charles Jackson in 1932.
History
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
their factory was used to manufacture radios, public address systems, and various electronic parts. After the war, they began to produce television sets, as well as long range radios for ships, but eventually ceased production of those lines to manufacture radios, amplifiers and tuners for home consumer use. In the 1950s when the high fidelity
High fidelity
High fidelity—or hi-fi—reproduction is a term used by home stereo listeners and home audio enthusiasts to refer to high-quality reproduction of sound or images, to distinguish it from the poorer quality sound produced by inexpensive audio equipment...
market began to take shape, the company name was changed to Armstrong Audio and they focused their marketing and manufacturing at becoming hi-fi specialists.
During the 1960s and 1970s they were extremely successful, creating several durable radio models which are still in use by consumers today, but by the end of the 1970s their lease on their factory ran out and it was decided not to invest in a new one. The building was torn down and the owners redeveloped it.
Using plans developed for a further radio model, some of the staff continued on as Armstrong Amplifiers, but due to a lack of capital and suitable manufacturing space, production did not last long.
Today, what once was Armstrong Audio is now called Armstrong Hi-Fi and Video Services and is based out of Walthamstow
Walthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
, and they provide maintenance contract to a number of retail stores.
Armstrong 521
The Armstrong 521 was a stereo hi-fi amplifier from the Armstrong Audio company and was marketed as 2 x 25W amplifier.It employed germanium AL102 transistors in its output stages and these had a reputation for failure and are now unobtainable although it is possible, with modification to replace these with newer, silicon transistors. The amplifier was a single rail design and employed an electrolytic output capacitor in the output stage. The amplifier featured inputs for tape, tuner and MM gramophone and on the front panel had 4 rotary controls for volume, bass, treble and balance. Underneath these controls were a series of black push buttons which allowed control of the input sources as well as loudness, high pass filters, rumble filters and tape bypass. The amplifier was presented with an aluminum, sili-screened front panel with a teak case and a matte black rear panel. The amplifiers were marketed from the 1968-1972 when its was replaced by 600 series.