Heathkit AA-1800 and AP-1800

[grateful]

I Just aquired these 2 fine components and I am amazed by their build quality and sonics. The power amplifier has a huge power supply with +- 110 volt rails. 8 output transistors per side. The preamp is very flexible with a built in MC section. A little cleaning and they sound magnificint powering my Smaller Advent speakers on my bench. Any other fans ?

 

[bolly]

I have black version AA-1600/AP-1800, they sit in the backroom, I've never listened to them.

 

[grateful]

Break them out I think you will be very suprised.

 

[packrat]

I have black version AA-1600/AP-1800, they sit in the backroom, I've never listened to them.

You should list what you DON'T have - it would be easier for the rest of us to keep track of....

 

[packrat]

I Just aquired these 2 fine components and I am amazed by their build quality and sonics. The power amplifier has a huge power supply with +- 110 volt rails. 8 output transistors per side. The preamp is very flexible with a built in MC section. A little cleaning and they sound magnificint powering my Smaller Advent speakers on my bench. Any other fans ?

300wpc or more with that number of devices and the voltages??

pictures?

 

[bully]

The DH-500 is rated at 255 wpc. Easy.

 

[grateful]

The amp is rated 250 WPC into 8 ohms 20-20 khz. Distortion at rated output is .02 % thd and IM. I think the rating is very conservative. I am starting to get quite a collection of vintage super amps myself. I have 2 Dynaco st - 410, Adcom 555, Aragon 4004, Hafler DH-500 and a Heath AA-1800. I also have a Mcintosh MC-2105 but it is not in the same power class as the rest of em. The Mac weighs more than any of them except the Aragon

 

[bolly]

hehehe packrat!!

 

[Chazzer]

I recently picked up an AP-1800 to replace a BGW-201(don't care for slider controls).It is one of the most versitile pre's that I have seen in a while! It seem to have been designed to incorperate every other manufacturers features. It is primarily a rack mount unit. There was a wood panel kit that was available for those without a rack. I sure would like a matching amp for it but I don't see those too often. I do have an AA-1640 amp but it is a silver faced one. I'll go way out on a limb here and say this: feature for feature this is a pre that is as good as the Pioneer Spec One(IMO of course and all the usual disclaimers apply!) Here Is a pic of mine.

 

[Chazzer]

I almost forgot....The AA-1800 I believe is 2 seperate mono amps in one case, hence the 2 power cords. I would like to get my hands on one....maybe one day!

 

[DaWoofer]

Wow, nice pre. I was unaware that Heathkit made such nice looking and feature packed units.

 

[grateful]

One power cord is for the amp the other for on off control. allows remote on and off without welding the preamp power switch. A nice feature.

 

[Chazzer]

Oh I see! I have not seen one up close and personal. I saw one on that auction site and it looked like each side had its own cord. Thanks for the info:yes:

 

[grateful]

Here are a few nudies of my pair.

 

[grateful]

Here are the same photos a little larger

 

[markviii1998]

heathkit AA1800

Is the 1800 a common ground amp?

 

[rrcrain]

Good morning,

I'm an original owner of two of these monsters and still have the original manuals to boot. Additionally, I've had the pleasure of trading a few emails with a retired Heathkit Engineer regarding the AA-1800 some years ago.

First off. Yes, the AA-1800 does consist of two descrete amplifiers but only has one common power supply. The second cord is the "on/off" switch as this is plugged into a switched outlet.

The AA-1800 was conservatively rated at 250W due to FTC restrictions on kits. In reality, it's closer to 350W per channel at 8 ohms.

Issues with the amp are few but extreme. Do NOT, for any reason, ever connect or disconnect an interconnect wire with the amp turned on. This sucker can easily fry a power meter or a voice coil. (experience speaking). An extended overload caused by someone pulling off an interconnect can (will) cause a cascade failure of every TO3 transistor in the channel. (Done that to.)

R. Crain

 

[ke4mcl]

hey, nice pair!

 

[iflopdanutz]

Wow....the first REAL nudies pics......I see boobies in the background!!

 

[edlipman]

Send them to me and you will NEVER have to worry about them again !
Ed
njvet01@yahoo.com