Bogen CT 100 - Quality Unit Worth Using?

[Lt_Cable]

I've recently acquired this 70s Bogen PA Amp among my new interest in power amps and separates systems. I found this for $70 at a garage sale, and I see other units sell for about the same, though I see it as a good thing, because it's my understanding that these can be used in bridge mode.

I've thought about getting a NAD or similar consumer power amp though this has:

-Support for PA standard and multiple consumer speaker impedances
-Bridge mode support (as per the manual I believe)
-Outputs 100WPC (crazy for the 70s)
-Looks super cool and has INSANE build quality
Is there any reason I shouldn'tuse this amp for listening with a separate preamp? Any way to service this so it is pleasant for listening and clean signal output? Common caps to change? I've already cleaned with deoxit, though need to replace some of the RCA ports.

 

[gadget73]

Is this a two channel amplifier? Most PA gear is not. Won't work as a stereo amp without two channels

if you don't mind mono it'll work, but it may not have great frequency response. Probably better with an external preamp.

 

[Lt_Cable]

Is this a two channel amplifier? Most PA gear is not. Won't work as a stereo amp without two channels

if you don't mind mono it'll work, but it may not have great frequency response. Probably better with an external preamp.

I really never noticed this. It may be mono. I'm still trying to decipher the way terminals are setup. But even if it is, would it matter if I bridged it? I believe that it only has a preamp for mics, so that would be necessary.

 

[mrk229]

An interesting configuration, not really "Hi-Fi".

It has a capacitor coupled output stage feeding an output transformer that is used to get all of the impedance's/70volt/25volt output configurations.

It is mono.

The frequency response is stated as 50Hz-15kHz + or - 2dB. The low end limit of 50Hz is what makes it not really "Hi-Fi" IMO.

 

[gadget73]

If its single channel you can't bridge it. That needs two amp circuits connected in a specific way.

And you can't do stereo with a single channel. If you don't mind mono it will work. How good it sounds is unknown. Might be able to expand the response by bypassing the internal preamp and output transformer.