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Any info on Lafayette LA-125TA?

crazy-in-az

Uhhhh....
I just picked one of these amps up for $10 at a swap meet yesterday. I've got it cleaned up and I finally figured out the volume control (it is combined with balance). Anyway, It's powering some Advent 4002's and I really like it so far!

I can't find any info about it on the internet. Does anyone have a physical manual or a link to a manual? I'd appreciate it a lot!
 
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Anyone???

I think it's rated at 45 watts/channel @ 4ohms. I know nothing else about it other than it sounds really clean and warm.
 
Greetings ...

To help your understanding of the LA-125TA, I have a scan of the 1970 Lafayette Radio Catalog page describing the LA-125TA, as well as scans of a February 1972 HIGH FIDELITY test report on the LA-125TA's successor, the LA-125B.

The scans are available at this external web-link. Scroll down to the Lafayette image group. The LA-125TA description is on the 2nd row, third image from left. The HIGH FIDELITY test report scans are on the 3rd row, 2nd and 3rd images from left.

Based on the test report's findings I would guestimate that your LA-125TA could put out at least 25 watts per channel into an 8-ohm load. It would likely be able to drive most speakers in the medium to high efficiency range, and provide room-filling sound in many situations.

Thanx-A-Lot and Best of Luck, Frankosport4
 
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Greetings Again ...

Perhaps -- entirely at your leisure, of course -- you may be able to resolve something for me.

I never had the pleasure of owning or using a Lafayette LA-125TA, so one of its features has remained a mystery.

On its front panel there is a 1/4-inch jack marked MIC/Music Note Symbol -- the symbol meaning that an electric guitar
could be plugged in instead of a mike. The MIC/Music input is chosen via the selector just above the jack.

The Mystery? Simple -- Is the MIC/Music jack a single channel input that is automaticly sent to both the left and right channels -OR-
is it a 2-channel input (in the same manner that a headphone jack is a 2-channel output), which would require appropriate adapters
for connection of one or two mics and/or one or two electric instruments?

Again, you can do this entirely at your leisure and then when it is appropriate reply back here.

Thanx-A-Lot, Frankosport4
 
The HiFi Engine has the LA-125B manual.

Yes on the manual. HOWEVER (respectfully) ---- the LA-125B has two MIC/Music input jacks (left and right) on its lower left front panel, where as the LA-125TA (see attached image) has only one MIC/Music input jack (mono or stereo?) on its lower right front panel -- and the jack to its immediate right is a stereo TAPE OUT jack.

BTW -- Another difference between the LA-125TA and LA-125B is the input arrangement & choice for magnetic and ceramic phono cartridges. In the LA-125TA, there are rear panel jacks for both MAG and CER phono inputs, and each pair can be independently selected from the front panel SOURCE knob. In the LA-125B, the same rear panel MAG and CER jacks are there, plus a HI/LO sensitivity switch. But on the front panel SOURCE knob, there is only one available phono selection. If you have a magnetic cartridge attached to the MAG jacks, then fine. But as a result, the LA-125B's ceramic jacks are disabled. You would have to physically unplug the MAG jacks in order to use the CER jacks. Bad news if one was thinking about using the LA-125B's CER jacks as a 2nd AUX input (tape, AM-FM, TV or HAM/SWL).
 

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i got this Lafayette LA-125B, but got problem with it.. the right channel got distorted sounds.. i haven't checked it for now.. but ill update after some test..
yes it sounds so smooth and sweet.. im using it on my marantz p 830
 
Since my last posting here, Hi-Fi Engine now has an entry for the Lafayette LA-125TA Amplifier. There are links for the main owners manual, plus a supplemental manual. The supplemental document confirms that the LA-125TA's (and, presumably, the LA-125T's beforehand) single microphone jack was meant to accept a 3-conductor 1/4-inch stereo phone plug type. Using it with two mikes would have required an appropriate y-adapter. If such an adapter was not already pre-made, you could easily obtain all the right components to construct one yourself.

Also at the Hi-Fi Engine LA-125TA link -- a history of the LA-125 amplifier series from the 1960s to the 1970s. In addition to the info supplied there, here's a summation of available inputs on each unit.

LA-125T: Tape Head, Mag(netic) Phono, Cer(amic) Phono, Tuner, Aux. Mic, Tape Monitor
LA-125TA: Cer Phono, Mag Phono, Tuner, Aux, Mic, Tape Monitor
LA-125B/LA-150: Phono (Mag or Cer), Tuner, Aux, Mic, Tape Monitor

The LA-125B was tested in the February 1972 issue of High Fidelity. In sharp contrast to Lafayette's 160-watt (80w x 2) music power rating at 4-ohms, High Fidelity obtained a result of 28 watts per channel, continuous at 8-ohms. With the right speakers, this was more than adequate for most listening scenarios.
 
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Back in the late 60's through the mid 3760's, most consumer Hi-Fi manufacturers posted specifications for power output at inflated levels (IHF, IHF +/-1db) and not at RMS. Hi-Fi testing labs generally reported power output at RMS levels.

The spec for the LA-125B for semiconductors on the Hi-Fi Engine site is incorrect.
Quantity below is in ( ).
2SC644 (4)
2SK30 (2)
2SA564A (2)
2SC828 (2)
2SC627 (2)
2SC485 (2) they show 4
2SA485 (2)
2SDF45 (4) - which can also be listed as DF45
 
@peteCWA --- Perhaps you know this already. In 1974, the Federal Trade Commission issued an order that power output of any basic, integrated or receiver amp was to be stated as XX watts per channel at 8-ohms from 20 hz to 20,000 hz for 0.?? pct THD-IM. I unofficially understand that this may no longer be the case. If you know for sure, please reply accordingly.
 
@peteCWA --- Perhaps you know this already. In 1974, the Federal Trade Commission issued an order that power output of any basic, integrated or receiver amp was to be stated as XX watts per channel at 8-ohms from 20 hz to 20,000 hz for 0.?? pct THD-IM. I unofficially understand that this may no longer be the case. If you know for sure, please reply accordingly.
I really have no idea; I don't follow this stuff.
 
Yes on the manual. HOWEVER (respectfully) ---- the LA-125B has two MIC/Music input jacks (left and right) on its lower left front panel, where as the LA-125TA (see attached image) has only one MIC/Music input jack (mono or stereo?) on its lower right front panel -- and the jack to its immediate right is a stereo TAPE OUT jack.

BTW -- Another difference between the LA-125TA and LA-125B is the input arrangement & choice for magnetic and ceramic phono cartridges. In the LA-125TA, there are rear panel jacks for both MAG and CER phono inputs, and each pair can be independently selected from the front panel SOURCE knob. In the LA-125B, the same rear panel MAG and CER jacks are there, plus a HI/LO sensitivity switch. But on the front panel SOURCE knob, there is only one available phono selection. If you have a magnetic cartridge attached to the MAG jacks, then fine. But as a result, the LA-125B's ceramic jacks are disabled. You would have to physically unplug the MAG jacks in order to use the CER jacks. Bad news if one was thinking about using the LA-125B's CER jacks as a 2nd AUX input (tape, AM-FM, TV or HAM/SWL).
Reviving this older thread...Wanted to post a picture of my Lafayette LA-125TA, been quite some time since I had this in use, but do remember it sounding very nice....:)20210824_070528.jpg
 
I just picked one of these amps up for $10 at a swap meet yesterday. I've got it cleaned up and I finally figured out the volume control (it is combined with balance). Anyway, It's powering some Advent 4002's and I really like it so far!

I can't find any info about it on the internet. Does anyone have a physical manual or a link to a manual? I'd appreciate it a lot!
This is 47 watts into 8 ohms.
Hifi engine has the owners manual.
It was produced in 1967.
I am almost certain it was made by Pioneer.
I bought one used in 1972. It was my first Hifi setup. Together with a Pioneer PL-10 table and Bose 501 speakers. I had the hottest setup of any 14-year old in the hood. .
Unfortunately my parents house burned a few years later. Lost everything.
 
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