Common, Rare, Odd, & Obscure Amplifier Poker

[soundmotor]

Another rare one, almost no info on the net. Passed to another AK'er US audio SE EL-84

Within the last couple weeks there was a thread running on a Radio Craftsmen stereo SE amp. I commented that it was likely made long after the R-C name was passed onto another company. Someone else replied they thought US Audio ended up with the name and your amp and that one appear identical except for the faceplate.

Can't find the thread now and not sure why; deleted?

 

[Eric n Kc]

Hey
I just found this thread, I'll have to rog around in the closet tonight after work for my entry.
Pictures to come. Eric

 

[Steve O]

Another rare one, almost no info on the net. Passed to another AK'er US audio SE EL-84
View attachment 1071342
View attachment 1071343

I had no idea those were rare. I picked up two in the span of about 6mos only because both contained some nice Japanese 6BQ5s and 12AX7s. 6CA4s were US which is also good.

Curiously, it seems no two have the same knobs. Your pic is the third one I’ve seen and a third set of knobs.

 

[soundmotor]

Another rare one, almost no info on the net. Passed to another AK'er US audio SE EL-84

Found it:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/recapping-radio-craftsmen-sep-amp.785526/

 

[Pio1980]

Found it:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/recapping-radio-craftsmen-sep-amp.785526/

A small step up from the most basic entry level twin ECL8# single ended amps. Electronically similar with more knobs.

 

[AdamAnt316]

Here's my contribution to the thread, a Sansui AU-70. Dunno exactly how rare they are, but they don't seem to be too common on this side of the pond, anyway. Looks rather like early solid-state until you look at the back. Some of the largest output iron I've seen in an EL84-type amplifier. Here are some pics:

 

[PakProtector]

AA, that is a cute liddle amp. The OPT's have a cathode FB winding... I came across one 20 years ago. There are( as you know ) a lot of parts crammed under there.
cheers,
Douglas

 

[AdamAnt316]

AA, that is a cute liddle amp. The OPT's have a cathode FB winding... I came across one 20 years ago. There are( as you know ) a lot of parts crammed under there.
cheers,
Douglas

Yes indeed. It still has several of those nasty gray oil capacitors under the chassis (though some have been replaced, notably the output bypass caps), which I have yet to build up the courage to start replacing. It does work to some extent, though I'm not going to use it much until I finally get around to recapping it.
-Adam

 

[Lavane]

Found it:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/recapping-radio-craftsmen-sep-amp.785526/

I think another one of those popped up recently with a different brand slapped on it.

 

[dyche01]

My rarest amp is probably this old Stromberg Carlson AR-415. Maybe not super rare but likely to be one of the rarest on this list that is still in daily use. I have it set up as a mono system with a Stromberg-Carlson tuner and a Schiit DAC and it is filling the house with the sound of the local jazz station as I type.

 

[pete1729]

My dear little Bell 2521 mono receiver. Picked it up off eBay years ago not knowing it was a mono unit. I just laughed at myself. It was my first recap. EL84's probably put it at 12 watts. There's an EF86 rectifier.

Last spring I scored a single 604d in that cabinet the Bell is sitting on.

 

[stormking]

The build quality on 1950's Sansui tube gear is excellent! Got this beautiful little HF-V6 and matching PR-330 Preamp/Tuner from a long time family friend, who is also a member here. Thanks again Lee.
Sui by https://www.flickr.com/photos/119819727@N06/, on Flickr

 

[BassKulcha]

Another rare one, almost no info on the net. Passed to another AK'er US audio SE EL-84
View attachment 1071342
View attachment 1071343

Awesome —that seems pretty much the same chassis, layout, and tube complement as my Radio Craftsmen A-1000. Been looking around and this is one of the few images I've seen. Thanks for posting! It's not fancy, but it sure does sound great

EDIT: Ha! I just saw the other posts on this...I should wait to read the entire thread before posting, I guess.

 

[4-2-7]

Well I'll raise the bet with my VAC Vintage High Power Mk II Monophonic Power Amplifier

I couldn't find anything on them when I bought them other than the manual, no photos or anything. The closest I got was the Preamps a in this line. I started a thread and a ton of photos so the next person who gets one has some onfo.
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....ower-mk-ii-monophonic-power-amplifier.768672/

 

[golana]

Like mine, also.

 

[stormking]

Thought I'd stay with a Japanese theme, Panasonic motional w/original speakers. Great chassis build quality on this El84 amp (except some capacitors) but I think the speakers are a weak link.
Pany by , on Flickr
Pany by , on Flickr

 

[MannyE]

I think my Paramours qualify as rare and uncommon. They are kits so maybe they don't qualify?

 

[GordonW]

Surprised no one has mentioned the very unusual Stromberg-Carlson ASP-422. The only amp design I've seen, that used the 6DY7 output tube. Basically, a 6DY7 was like two EL84 tubes in one bottle- about 15 watts from a single tube in PP.

I had one of these that I restored here, but can't find a picture from that one- however, here's a picture of one from Tom Bavis' web site:

It's a pretty stout little amp- more power than an ASR-433, by a bit. I think that's probably due to the output transformers being a bit heftier than the '433...

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[s-petersen]

I was thinking of that one when the other SC was mentioned. Certainly rare and different.

 

[soundmotor]

I may need to take a trip out to the near zero degree audio vault tonight.