Orthodynamic Roundup

[Miiksu]

Why hasn't anyone done restoration for orthodynamic drivers? They are so old.

 

[Philimon]

Why hasn't anyone done restoration for orthodynamic drivers? They are so old.

@takato14 does but only can do so much apparently because he was keen on getting some more SS-100 drivers for channel matching purposes.

Axel Grell mentioned that the diaphragms from (his) 580/6X0 drivers start to turn hard over 20 years which changes the sound. Do vintage orthos suffer the same issue and I wonder the pros and cons. Hardening prob depends on the material. For sure the foam rots (in cups, in pads, in drivers) and effects or even disables some vintage orthos.

 

[GREQ]

The main problem with planars had been cracked or oxidised traces, which can be repaired with a microscope, patience and the careful application of electronic silver paint.
I've never tried it myself though.

 

[szerecsen]

It is not restoration, but there are always folks who try to build planar drivers.

 

[Philimon]

GMBH PMB 500 on eBay, link
@hrklg01 design I presume
Note the difference in the pads between these and PMB 100.

 

[szerecsen]

I start to believe that 17s were licensed to all the major distributors of the time. I found one further iteration. I was not the lucky one to buy that pair. Looks pretty much like the elega fr.

 

[gurubhai]

GMBH PMB 500 on eBay, link
@hrklg01 design I presume
Note the difference in the pads between these and PMB 100.

Excellent headphones, these PMB 500.

 

[Philimon]

Excellent headphones, these PMB 500.

Congrats to the new owner! Ive no idea on their sound but its not hard to imagine them being preferable to many other headphones including new stats* at the sold price of $400.

*meant sincerely but also a trick because you cant actually purchase a new electrostatic system for $400… while this PMB 500 comes as a complete system.

 

[Passat]

GMBH PMB 500 on eBay, link
@hrklg01 design I presume
Note the difference in the pads between these and PMB 100.

There are two different versions of the PMB 500.
One with the pads shown on the pics, the other like the PMB 100.
2018 i bought a NOS PMB 500 on Ebay.
It has the pads like the PMB 100.

I also have the PMB 85.

 

[szerecsen]

Hi there,
I now own a maior fifty. I could not help but launch an investigation for the brand. Not much (actually, nothing) has been found on them previously. With a hell of a lot of research, I found belt replacement kits, an actual major tape recorder, a record player and than finally this article on wiki (1961–1980 period). After all these, Major Electronics Corp. is my best bet for the original distributor. Anyone here (besides ericj) with a pair of these? Thanks

 

[rx170ec]

Yamaha HP-1000

Driver.

 

[rx170ec]

Wonderful ortho life

 

[Kabeer]

Wonderful ortho life

King Yammy! beautiful

 

[szerecsen]

4 weeks have passed with them and all I can say is that these headphones are extraordinary in every possible way

 

[Kabeer]

4 weeks have passed with them and all I can say is that these headphones are extraordinary in every possible way

Nice!

Have you by chance heard any other T50 variants? (original vintage Fostex T50, NAD RP18?)