SHP3 Amplifier, European Equalization. What's it for?

MrMario64 · by **MrMario64** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 1:33 am

Hi,

I just fixed the SHP3 Amplifier from my SMC-1 jukebox and I'm happy that it is working again. Lots of broken parts in it.
In the Schematics you can see you can add a jumper on the pre-amp to enable "European Equalization"

Can anyone tell me what that actually does?

by **Ron Rich** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 2:18 am

Hi William,
It changes the "curves" for records made in Europe, to meet the standards there.
Ron Rich

Rob-NYC · by **Rob-NYC** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 6:45 am

Ron Rich wrote:Hi William,
It changes the "curves" for records made in Europe, to meet the standards there.
Ron Rich

This always struck me as odd. By the time this feature appeared in the late 60's RIAA had been standard for over a decade.

The main difference between American and European 45's in the 60's aside from Europe generally using only vinyl, was that they stuck closely to an average volume level and used more noticeable limiting.

We have relatives in Gt. Britain and France. Back in the 60's we'd exchange "care packages" of records several time a year.

What I noticed was that the European records sounded -much- better on my little phonos, but on the big Fisher-AR-3s system they sounded flattened and lacked the punch of the American pressings.

Obviously better base material and dynamic processing accounted for part of this,
but the American use of the Fairchild limiter and often overdriven Westrex cutter resulted in a lot more distortion.

Maybe the Germans got it right....

Rob