Author: steve_admin

  • A Second Life for a Dual Record Deck

    A Second Life for a Dual Record Deck

    There’s something deeply satisfying about bringing a piece of classic equipment back into working order. This Dual record deck had been sitting idle for years, the usual culprit being a tired and stretched drive belt that could no longer keep the platter turning at the correct speed.

    After a careful clean and the fitting of a new belt, the deck is once again doing exactly what it was designed to do — spinning records smoothly and quietly, just as it did decades ago.

    Dual turntables were always known for their solid German engineering and thoughtful design. Even after many years, most of the components are straightforward to service, and with a little patience they can often be restored to excellent working condition.

    There’s also a certain ritual to playing vinyl that never quite translates to modern streaming. Choosing a record, lowering the stylus into the groove, and hearing the first faint crackle before the music begins creates a moment of anticipation that feels almost ceremonial.

    Digital audio may be convenient, but for many of us vinyl remains the most engaging way to listen. A well-maintained turntable like this Dual reminds us that good design and careful engineering have a way of lasting far longer than the technologies that follow them.

    Sometimes all it takes is a new belt, a careful clean, and a bit of patience to bring a classic piece of audio equipment back to life.

  • Early LEGO Sets From My Collection

    Early LEGO Sets From My Collection

    LEGO has been a constant thread throughout my life, beginning in childhood and continuing into adulthood as a collector and enthusiast.

    The early sets from the 1960s and 1970s have a particular charm — simple designs, bold colours and endless possibilities for building and imagination.

  • Ammonite Fossils -Folkestone

    Ammonite Fossils -Folkestone

    A few fossil Ammonites collected while exploring the beaches around Folkestone.

    The cliffs and shoreline there are famous for Jurassic
    fossils and helped spark my lifelong interest in geology.