loomis
bland
So...
I have to make a decision to rebuild one integrated tube amp and sell off the others. Which one would be the one that you would keep and use daily, and why?
1) One pristine Eico ST-70.
Pros: This was built by an engineer. Would be very easy to work on because it's wired so cleanly. Great output transformers on these.
Cons: Are these considered to be stable designs? I thought I read somewhere that there were some bias issues or something? Needs loudness mod etc done. Moreover, 7591's are expensive. Are there reliable usable and cheap Russian or Chinese 7591's now?
2) One Fisher 800c.
Pros: Restored, it's the most valuable of the bunch. It's also the most attactive. I seem to recall it has the best phono stage of the bunch but I could be wrong.
Cons: Same 7591 concerns. Also, I don't listen to FM much. Out of my league to try to align any FM stuff should it be out of whack. Missing cover.
3) Scott 222 something. (I'll have to check but I think this one is a 222D and has 7189's in it)
Pros: Pretty well-loved and popular amplifier. Attactive. Seemigly easy to work on. I think it has a headphone jack. 7189's mean less power and less heat, which is good.
Cons: missing cover. Not as "high-end" and the other 3 amps.
4) The Knight KA-95.
Pros: 4x EL34 amp. UL output transformers I believe. Mullard 5-20 design. Probably the best amp I own. Dual 5AR4 Mullard rectifiers too.
Cons: Early circuit board may be hard to work on. Might be a little overkill for me. Decent amount of power use and heat creating. Heavy. Missing a knob I'll never find a replacement for.
Thoughts? Thanks
I have to make a decision to rebuild one integrated tube amp and sell off the others. Which one would be the one that you would keep and use daily, and why?
1) One pristine Eico ST-70.
Pros: This was built by an engineer. Would be very easy to work on because it's wired so cleanly. Great output transformers on these.
Cons: Are these considered to be stable designs? I thought I read somewhere that there were some bias issues or something? Needs loudness mod etc done. Moreover, 7591's are expensive. Are there reliable usable and cheap Russian or Chinese 7591's now?
2) One Fisher 800c.
Pros: Restored, it's the most valuable of the bunch. It's also the most attactive. I seem to recall it has the best phono stage of the bunch but I could be wrong.
Cons: Same 7591 concerns. Also, I don't listen to FM much. Out of my league to try to align any FM stuff should it be out of whack. Missing cover.
3) Scott 222 something. (I'll have to check but I think this one is a 222D and has 7189's in it)
Pros: Pretty well-loved and popular amplifier. Attactive. Seemigly easy to work on. I think it has a headphone jack. 7189's mean less power and less heat, which is good.
Cons: missing cover. Not as "high-end" and the other 3 amps.
4) The Knight KA-95.
Pros: 4x EL34 amp. UL output transformers I believe. Mullard 5-20 design. Probably the best amp I own. Dual 5AR4 Mullard rectifiers too.
Cons: Early circuit board may be hard to work on. Might be a little overkill for me. Decent amount of power use and heat creating. Heavy. Missing a knob I'll never find a replacement for.
Thoughts? Thanks