This diagram shows the basic components of a mono hi-fi system. On the right are the radio tuner and the turntable and pick-up for playing records. These are connected to the pre-amplifier (also known as the control unit) which enables you to switch from radio to records, to control the volume, and to adjust the quality. Next comes the main amplifier, to boost the signal from the tuner or pick-up to provide sufficient power to operate the loudspeaker. The control unit and main amplifier may be combined (and referred to simply as 'the amplifier') or they may be separate. Finally, there is the loudspeaker. The whole system is basically similar to a radiogram but here the individual items are all of high quality and you choose each item to suit your own requirements.

Here is a (mono) hi-fi system in its simplest acceptable form. The two largest units are housed in matching cabinets finished in sapele mahogany, the two smaller in matt black covers with polished copper control panels. The record player incorporates a Garrard turntable and pick-up, the amplifier is the Pye Mozart amplifier, matched by the Pye FM radio tuner, and the speaker is the specially designed Imhof bookcase loudspeaker. It is a sign of the great strides which have been made in hi-fi that a system giving such remarkable fidelity of reproduction can be bought at such a reasonable price.

Alternatives are the stereo Sony, or the Tandberg Model 6. With these machines, recordings can be made from records or radio and, with the addition of a microphone, from live speech or music. Illustrated here is the Simon Cadenza microphone. Others of similar quality are the Film Industries ribbon microphones.

The control unit here is the Acoustical Quad QC.22. Other fine stereo units include the Leak Varislope and the Rogers Master Control. The main amplifiers are a pair of Quad II amplifiers; alternatively, one might use a single Leak 'Stereo 20' power amplfier or a Rogers Junior.

The tuner illustrated is the Quad FM. Other high-grade FM tuners are the Leak Troughline II, the Pye AM/FM or Armstrong ST.3 may be used if reception of oversea broadcasts is required.

A good aerial (Anmerkung: Antenne) is essential for interference-free reception. The model shown here is the Antiference 220 dipole with reflector. The ultimate choice must depend on many factors and it is always worthwhile to draw on the experience of Imhofs service and installation department.

You can see from this diagram that a stereophonic sound reproduction system is a simple development of the single-channel system on page 7. The pick-up is a special one, capable of collecting signals from the two channels in the stereo record. The radio tuner is unchanged, although if stereo broadcasting ever becomes general you would add another. Then comes the stereo control unit (you could use two single-channel units but this is complicated), connected to two main amplifiers. Each of these is then connected to a loudspeaker. These are placed about six to eight feet apart, as a rule, and facing the listener.

A stereophonic system need not crowd the furniture out of the room nor the cigarettes out of the budget. This space-saving arrangement consists of a Garrard 4HF player with stereo pick-up in an Imhof cabinet NIB, a Pye HFS.20 M stereo amplifier, a Pye HFT.109 M tuner in a metal case and two Imhof book-case loudspeakers. This system gives reproduction of a quality similar to that of our single-channel budget-plan hi-fi on page 7, but with the additional fullness of sound that makes stereophonic reproduction so astonishingly authentic.

Whether you are interested mainly in listening to music or in playing with recalcitrant electrons, you will take a lot of care in choosing hi-fi equipment. It will simplify matters if you study the literature first and in this catalogue you will find technical details of all the best equipment in the various price ranges.

The question of price is important and you will, of course, want the best performance you can afford (many of us hanker for a Continental Bentley but settle, happily, for a Mini-Cooper); you can choose equipment from these pages with complete confidence. A technical description is given of each component and at the head of each section are notes for those who would like a little guidance in making their selection.

Other points to consider are the type of music you want to listen to and whether you are primarily interested in records or in radio. The size of your room is important too. Then it is also useful if you decide whether you will want to add to your system later and whether you want to listen to stereo, perhaps at a later date. If you would like advice on equipment to suit your special requirements, we should be happy to give it.

Having made your preliminary choice we should like you to come and hear it in our showrooms. Using the new Imhofs Stereo Comparator, you can compare alternative choices at the click of a dial (many thousands of different arrangements are possible with this unique instrument).

Then there are new stereo listening rooms, adapted to create conditions as near those in your home as possible, in which you can judge stereo for yourself.

If you cannot call in but would like a second opinion on possible systems to fit your home, your tastes and your pocket, do not hesitate to write giving the details. Mr. Curtis, Mr. Lester and their staff are always delighted to help.