Greetings from Moscow

Hello Massimo,
I hope you are keeping well.  It looks as though when we last corresponded the world was different… Anyway.
I’ve a very quick question — I spotted a Grundig ad here — https://www.avito.ru/sankt-peterburg/audio_i_video/usilitel_grundig_germaniya_komplekt_2478330699?utm_campaign=native&utm_medium=item_page_ios&utm_source=soc_sharing — looks like a pre and power amp — any idea what models these are?
Best regards
Boris

Hi Boris
Yes, the world was different before and I imagine that you from inside Russia have very different information from what we have in the others European countries.
Coming to Grundig, I have never seen the two models in the announcement before and certainly they are not from the decade in which the “full CCI” devices were produced.
It is very strange that the model is not shown on the front panels but only Grundig brand is present… I have any doubt that they are original devices.
Best Regards
Massimo

Hi Massimo,
Thanks for the swift response, as ever.  I thought so too — my immediate thinking was that someone just attached the Grundig logo onto the front panels and the devices themselves are of a different make. Now if you say you don’t know these models they’re probably not Grundig. 🙂
Although I must say that, from an exterior design perspective, I thought they look a little more sophisticated than one would expect from “non-serial” devices. Also of interest is a very old style looking power cable — it looks it’s one cable powering the combo — it seems they’re connected between themselves (the cable on the left).
Also, the seller added a couple of lines to the description of the ad — I bet people were asking questions — it appears that the devices are from her deceased granddad’s garage, she has absolutely no clue about audio, and there’s no further information available. She sells cheap but I’ll pass on it.
In the meantime, as you’ve realised, I keep looking for more Grundig on the used market and the models that I’m after are nowhere to be seen, sadly. However, what I did manage to acquire was a Sanyo JA 220.  It might be the smallest amp I’ve ever seen.  I have yet to test it properly (only listened once through headphones to test if it’s working at all) because I’ve sold my Brauns and my Revoxes and now the only pair of speakers I have is TL800, and their original cables are DIN, so I can’t plug them into the Sanyo.  I’ve ordered adaptors from a friend who’ll use vintage Tfk cable to produce these for me, so I’m looking forward to that. The amp is not in the best shape — somewhat shabby in looks — but it came for cheap and I thought I wanted to try it.
I’m also very happy to report that I’ve finally made time to cut the grills from the Monacor foam you’ve recommended, see picture attached, and my first impression is very positive — compared to the original wooden grills the sound is softer and more natural; even though the difference might really be marginal I still thought the effect was unbelievable.
Also, you’ll see from the picture (although it’s distorted…) that I’ve experimented with speaker placement and I’ve directed them as you had advised on the forum — looking in the same direction. This was also an unbelievable step up in listening pleasure, simply amazing… Seeing’s believing indeed!
Thank you so much, Massimo, you’ve opened up so many new doors.
On a more grave topic I’ll drop you a few lines a little later.
With regards
Boris

Dear Boris
At this point you should complete your system with a CD player and a full CCI turntable, the improvement would be substantial. I will be happy to exchange views with you on the serious matter that somehow affects us all.
Greetings
Massimo