Sunday, April 28, 2013

Adam 12 - The Best Cop Show Ever!

Remember when cop shows didn't feature shirtless tattooed guys?  One of the best cop shows ever was Adam 12.  I enjoyed it when I was a kid and, when I can find it, I still enjoy it now.  It was based on true stories from the files of the LAPD.  The contrast between the LAPD depicted in this show and the troubled LAPD depicted in the gritty and violent television show The Shield is amazing.

Photo of Martin Milner (left) as Malloy and Kent McCord as Reed from the television program Adam-12. The storyline was about two police officer partners-one a veteran (Malloy) and one a rookie (Reed).
Adam 12 currently airs daily on the Antenna TV.  My favorite episode as a kid was the one where Malloy and Reed attempt to subdue a really big and powerful suspect.  At one point in their fight, I remember the suspect put Reed in a helicopter spin.  (It was cool when I was 12 or 13!)  Adam 12 is always DVR worthy television and it's a great way to spend 30 minutes!




 Photo by:  By Universal Television (eBay item photo front photo back) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Retro Sounds: Miida Stereo Receiver

On a recent thrift store run, I dipped my toes into the pool of vintage sound systems.  I bought a Miida Stereo Receiver.  It's a nice looking receiver and it is totally analog.  When you power it up, it has dials and needles and a warm glow.  The sound it delivers is pretty good, too.  But, there is a problem.  One stereo channel cuts out completely--even when listening to headphones.  A little whack can help it come back, but that's not a fun way to listen to music.

I probably jarred the unit a bit when positioning it on the shelf and attaching speakers.  But, now I am in a quandary about whether to have it repaired, learn to repair it myself, or ditch it and buy a more modern receiver when the time is right.  I don't want a $40 dollar receiver to become a $400 receiver.  But, it would be so cool if it worked right!

Miida Stereo Receiver
I could just save up a little money and buy a new receiver like the Onkyo TX-8255 (shown below).  I'm sure it would work well and sound great.  But, I'm a little stubborn about these things.