The Tiger from HH

Whilst there had already been a few computers produced by regular electronics companies, such as Heathkit with its H9, there's probably no other example of a company that was famous for building amplifiers and PA moving in to the micro game.

But here it is: HH had been founded in 1968 near Cambridge and produced a range of studio amplifiers, some of which were apparently used by the BBC[source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HH_Electronics]. 

Although the machine was assembled by HH, it was actually designed by Tangerine - producers of the Microtan - with the first prototypes appearing in the summer of 1983. It was considered something of a "look-alike and sound-alike" of the Torch Communicator, and apparently gave HH's Cambridge neighbours a bit of a grump.

The machine itself was a little unusual in running three processors: a Zilog Z80A for CP/M support, a Motorola 6809 - the same chip as used in the Dragon - purely for input/output, and NEC's 7220 graphics processor with its own 96K of RAM to supports its high-resolution 512x512 display. 

It was also unusual for a business machine in having a cassette port - a feature also found on the Torch - with an option for a UHF output, so the 13lb/6kg keyboard/base unit could in theory be hauled home and plugged into a television. Also, like the Torch, it came with a telephone jack which meant it could be plugged straight into a phone line.

Its review in November 10th 1983's PCN was quite favourable, with Susan Curran concluding:

~"Obviously 8-bit colour graphic communicating micros aren't everyone's cup of tea, and with this mix of capabilities the Tiger is markedly more expensive than a very basic CP/M machine, even though it compares favourably with most such machines expanded to support colour graphics. Tiger would make a superb upmarket executive machine, the Rover of the micro world perhaps, particularly with its Prestel capability. And it has obvious appeal for designers, advertising firms and other people who can make full use of this level of graphics capability[source: How bright the Tiger? Pro-test, PCN, 10th November 1983, pp. 18-25]."

It retailed for £3,200 (including VAT) - about [[3200|1983]] in [[now]].

After the diversion of the "Tiger", the company moved up to Huntingdon and continued to produce studio amps and PA speakers, before being bought out by Laney Amplification. 

The company identity remains and still produces equipment in the West Midlands.