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Heathkit AA-201

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SanAnTex

New Member
Hello AudioKarma,
I recently acquired a heathkit AA-201, a stereo amp that puts out about 3 watts per channel. It is a cool looking little amp! It’s missing the rectifier tube but everything else is intact. My question is, what speakers should I use with suck a low wattage amp? I have a pair of KEF Q150s on hand but I’m not sure if this amp would be enough power for them. What speakers would be ideal for this amp?
 
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Ideal would be a set of large horns, there are not a lot of inexpensive options that I would consider ideal but Klipsch Heresy or Forte (used) might be the most affordable good fit. Basically you're looking for efficiency at minimum 96db/1w/1m, with 98 or 100 being better.
 
yeah, the more the better. I have an amp that does basically the same power. It works with speakers in the low 90 db range provided you don't need much volume but it would really do a lot better with something more efficient than what I have.
 
Thanks for the replies, I will look into the suggestions. So with the Q150s, would the set up just not be loud enough?
 
SanAnTex said:
Thanks for the replies, I will look into the suggestions. So with the Q150s, would the set up just not be loud enough?
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They're rated 86dB, pretty close to a worst case scenario. You'd be quite limited in volume but also the amp would just struggle in general. You'll get sound, but not very much and most other amps will probably sound better, sol you'd likely conclude that the amp is not that good. Basically you won't hear any of what it is good at.
 
Selmerdave said:
They're rated 86dB, pretty close to a worst case scenario. You'd be quite limited in volume but also the amp would just struggle in general. You'll get sound, but not very much and most other amps will probably sound better, sol you'd likely conclude that the amp is not that good. Basically you won't hear any of what it is good at.
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That’s a hard truth, but thanks for telling me straight up! I’ll look into higher sensitivity or maybe sell the amp instead of fixing it.
 
Bought new in 1982. My GF came over for the first time and said. Those are the nicest homemade speaker I have ever seen, lol.
 
Another newbie question: can I run an Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT straight into the inputs of this amp? The turntable has a built in preamp. The heathkit museum website states “Input sensitivity: 150 mv for 3 watts output each channel, crystal phono and tuner.”
 
It’s been a while but I found a pair of Klipsch Heresy speakers from 1976. The tweeters have been replaced with DE-120-8 and the cross overs have been replaced with B&Ks. What do you guys think about pairing these with the heathkit AA-201? What do you think is a fair price? Thanks I’m advance
 

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Yes those are a good choice with that amp, Heresy's are excellent. Not familiar with that tweeter, but those have the good Alnico K55s. Price talk is not allowed here but generally modifications lower the value relative to originals.
 
Take a look at the JBL L26, I am powering them with a Bottlehead SEX amplifier with two watts of power. No problem with volume and best of all sounds great!
 
Selmerdave said:
Yes those are a good choice with that amp, Heresy's are excellent. Not familiar with that tweeter, but those have the good Alnico K55s. Price talk is not allowed here but generally modifications lower the value relative to originals.
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Thanks for the reply. I didn’t realize talking about price was a no no on AK. How do you guys put a value on second hand audio equipment?
 
SanAnTex said:
Thanks for the reply. I didn’t realize talking about price was a no no on AK. How do you guys put a value on second hand audio equipment?
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It's not a no-no, per AK rules you can discuss value & pricing however it has to be in the "Dollars and Sense" forum

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/audiokarma-rules.301366/

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/dollars-and-sense.128/

As to "how do you guys put a value on equipment". AK is not an appraisal site nor is anyone here an appraiser so what most of us do is check completed/sold listings on sites such as Ebay, Reverb, HifiShark etc

In your case the Klipsch Heresys's are still a popular speaker so you should be able to find a good amount of info on sold units online.
 
Dswankey said:
It's not a no-no, per AK rules you can discuss value & pricing however it has to be in the "Dollars and Sense" forum

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/audiokarma-rules.301366/

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/dollars-and-sense.128/

As to "how do you guys put a value on equipment". AK is not an appraisal site nor is anyone here an appraiser so what most of us do is check completed/sold listings on sites such as Ebay, Reverb, HifiShark etc

In your case the Klipsch Heresys's are still a popular speaker so you should be able to find a good amount of info on sold units online.
Click to expand...
Thanks f
Dswankey said:
It's not a no-no, per AK rules you can discuss value & pricing however it has to be in the "Dollars and Sense" forum

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/audiokarma-rules.301366/

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?forums/dollars-and-sense.128/

As to "how do you guys put a value on equipment". AK is not an appraisal site nor is anyone here an appraiser so what most of us do is check completed/sold listings on sites such as Ebay, Reverb, HifiShark etc

In your case the Klipsch Heresys's are still a popular speaker so you should be able to find a good amount of info on sold units online.
Click to expand...
Thanks for pointing out the dollars and sense forum. I’ll check it out. I do use reverb’s sold listings quite a bit to get an idea on the current market value for vintage guitar amps but didn’t know hi-fi or stereo equipment was on reverb. Taking a sharp turn here, but do you think a similar (hi sensitivity) set could be made in the garage with drivers and components bought off the current market? I do a lot of wood working and tube amp tinkering but when it comes to hi end speakers and cross overs I’m a freshman. The end goal is to get a pair of speakers that will pair well with the low watt amp (3 W/ channel) I have. I realize this question could have been a whole new post but you all seem like the dudes that would know.
 
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