Attention Shoppers!

Scene from a Japanese audio store in 2006. We wonder what those prices would be like today! Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Tomer Gabel.

Here's one of the many bizarre albums in the editor's collection. Getting Through is an album of hearing tests issued in 1971 by Zenith Radio Corporation. It even has a track that simulates what you'd hear if you had hearing loss. Your editor hasn't had the nerve to play this record yet.

Here's the back cover. The record also comes with an explanatory booklet, which includes the comment, "Amazing, isn't it? Sure, a man with this hearing aid might not be able to tell his wife's voice from his brother-in-law's, but at least he'd be able to understand what they have to say. I'd settle for that, wouldn't you?" Guess the technology has come a long way.

 LED lights may be more efficient, but they sure don't look as cool as this crazy contraption. Radio Electronics, May 1956.

This is a rare Reussenzehn Tube 66 vacuum-tube amp from the 1990s. That has to be one of the most beautiful logos ever. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Hannes Grobe.

Here's the amp without the tube cage. Almost nothing about the amp is available online. Thomas Reussenzehn was a noted German maker of custom amps for guitar and audio, and also worked on guitars. He sadly passed away, but some information is available on the Reussenzehn website. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Hannes Grobe.