The Parmeko Company was formed in 1927 and has been manufacturing electro-magnetic
devices ever since. Their brief involvement with audio products began
in the early 1950s when they supplied the BBC with 15" drivers for
the broadcaster's famous LSU/10 monitor speakers. This may in fact be
where the name 'Altobass' gets its derivation, although it's just a guess.
But from 1958 to 1964, Parmeko produced a nice little range of high fidelity
amplifiers. In fact their 1957 'High-Fidelity 510' mono power amplifier
was the first hi-fi amplifier in the UK to use a printed circuit.
Named for its power output, the 1958 'Twin-Twelve' Stereo power amplifier only produced 0.1% harmonic distortion at 10 watts per channel. Like its predecessor the 520, it utilised EL84s in an ultralinear design. The Twin-Twelve was intended for use with the Altobass Stereo seventy pre-amplifier control unit which could accept almost any type of stereo pick-up. Dual ganged controls for bass, treble and volume allowed separate adjustment for each channel. This was quite common in the early days of stereo, in fact almost necessary. Many hi-fi buffs were reluctant to part with their mono equipment and for a time, stereo systems often comprised mismatched power amplifiers and speakers whilst their owners saved up for a new stereo system.
Prices when new: stereo 70 control unit £24. 3s; Twin 12 amplifier £30. 9s. Today's value would be around £50 - £80 for the preamplifier and £200 - £300 for the power amplifier (this is an estimate only as no sales history is available. However the power amplifier whilst not as famous, is very similar to the Leak stereo 20 which can fetch between £300 - £500)
Today, Parmeko make proportional solenoids and holding magnets for use in mobile and industrial fluid power applications. Specialised solenoids are also manufactured for industries as diverse as mining and sub-sea. They also manufacture a wide range of transformers for military, aerospace, process and commercial applications.
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